Panel spacer

Abstract

A spacer is provided that is configured to be secured to a panel. The spacer has a first piece having a generally tubular body portion of a preselected height, H 1 with a first end and a second end. The second end has a preselected included angle, θ with respect to an axis. The spacer has a second piece having a first end, an annular ridge which is located adjacent to the first end and a flange which is located adjacent to the annular ridge that extends radially outwardly from the axis. The first end of the second piece has a preselected height, H 3 , a preselected included angle, θ with respect to the axis and a seat which is adapted to receive the head of a fastener. The second end of the first piece is sandwiched between the first end of the second piece and the annular ridge.

1 . A spacer configured to be secured to a panel of a predetermined thickness with a bore, comprising: 
 a first piece having a generally tubular body portion of a preselected height, H 1  with a first end and a second end, the second end having a preselected included angle, θ with respect to an axis that passes through a bore of the first piece;    a second piece having a first end, an annular ridge which is located adjacent to the first end and a flange which is located adjacent to the annular ridge that extends radially outwardly from the axis, the first end having a preselected height, H 3 , a preselected included angle, θ with respect to the axis and a seat which is adapted to receive the head of a fastener; and    wherein the second end of the first piece is sandwiched between the first end of the second piece and the annular ridge.    
   
   
       2 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein H 3  has a height from about 20% to about 40% of the height of H 1 .  
   
   
       3 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the preselected included angle, θ has a value from about 80 degrees to about 130 degrees.  
   
   
       4 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the preselected included angle, θ has a value of about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the flange is secured to the panel with an effective amount of an adhesive.  
   
   
       6 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the first piece is secured to the panel by curling the first end of first piece into the panel.  
   
   
       7 . The spacer of  claim 1  wherein the flange has a preselected shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval and non-circular shapes.  
   
   
       8 . A spacer configured to be secured to a panel of a predetermined thickness with a bore, comprising: 
 a first piece having a generally tubular body portion of a preselected height, H 1  with a first end and a second end, the second end having a preselected included angle, θ with respect to an axis that passes through a bore of the first piece;    a second piece having a first end, an annular ridge which is located adjacent to the first end and a flange which is located adjacent to the annular ridge that extends radially outwardly from the axis, the first end having a preselected height, H 3 , a preselected included angle, θ with respect to the axis and a seat which is adapted to receive the head of a fastener;    wherein the second end of the first piece is sandwiched between the first end of the second piece and the annular ridge; and    wherein H 3  has a height from about 20% to about 40% of the height of H 1 .    
   
   
       9 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the preselected included angle, θ has a value from about 80 degrees to about 130 degrees.  
   
   
       10 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the preselected included angle, θ has a value of about 180 degrees.  
   
   
       11 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the flange is secured to the panel with an effective amount of an adhesive.  
   
   
       12 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the first end of the first piece is secured to the panel by curling the first end of the first piece into the panel.  
   
   
       13 . The spacer of  claim 8  wherein the flange has a preselected shape selected from the group consisting of a circle, an oval and non-circular shapes.