Light load compression limiting fastening system

摘要

A compression limiting fastening system incorporating a spring element and cooperating compression limiting sleeve adapted for substantially coaxial receipt of a fastening element through a fastened component so as to apply a relatively light load to an outer surface of the fastened component during the fastening operation. Once fastened down, the compression limiting sleeve supports the fastening load while the spring element applies a relatively light opposing load to the fastened component.

主权项

1. A fastening system adapted to secure a fastened component in overlying relation to an underlying mating structure, the fastening system comprising: an elongated fastener having a head and a shaft extending away from the head; an annular sleeve, the annular sleeve including an axial hub and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the axial hub to a flange lip, the flange lip being disposed at an elevation below an upper proximal edge of the axial hub, the axial hub including a hollow central passageway, the central passageway being adapted to matedly receive the shaft of the fastener in pass-through relation such that a portion of the fastener remote from the head extends beyond the central passageway, and an annular spring adapted to matedly surround a portion of the shaft below the head and above the annular sleeve, the spring including a central opening with a plurality of flexible clamping fingers extending downwardly from positions disposed circumferentially about the central opening and wherein the fingers are arranged in a circumferential pattern to project downwardly and into the central passageway when the fastening system is in an assembled condition with a biasing element extending downwardly and radially outwardly away from the central opening to an outer edge of the spring disposed at an elevation below the central opening and below the upper proximal edge of the axial hub when the fastening system is in an assembled condition.