Barbed anchor

Abstract

An anchor device is disclosed for securing a mounting accessory, such as a wire management device, to a panel or circuit board. The body of the anchor device includes a post having barbs protruding from the post. A hole or recess in the mounting accessory corresponds to the post and is engaged by the barbs to secure the mounting accessory onto the post.

1 . An anchor for securing a mounting device to a panel via a hole formed in the panel, wherein the mounting device includes an opening, comprising:
 a body having a head portion, a post portion extending from the head portion, and barbs protruding from the post portion;   wherein the anchor is installed in the panel hole such that post portion extends from the panel, and wherein the barbs engage the mounting device within the opening when the mounting device is pressed onto the post portion.   
     
     
         2 . The anchor of  claim 1 , the body further comprising:
 a ring portion formed on the post portion.   
     
     
         3 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the ring portion is spaced apart from the head portion forming a groove therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . The anchor of  claim 3 , wherein the head portion is larger than the hole and adapted to clinch against the panel adjacent to the hole when installed, the post portion is smaller than the hole and extends through the hole when installed, and the barbs and ring portion are larger than the post portion and smaller than the hole. 
     
     
         5 . The anchor of  claim 2 , wherein the ring portion is proximate to the head portion and includes teeth extending perpendicularly from the ring portion. 
     
     
         6 . The anchor of  claim 5 , wherein the head portion is larger than the hole, the post portion is smaller than the hole, the barbs are smaller than the hole and larger than the post portion, and the ring portion is larger than the hole and smaller than the head portion, wherein the teeth of the ring portion are adapted to engage with the hole when the anchor is installed. 
     
     
         7 . The anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the head portion is an annular section of the post portion with an opening at a proximal end of the post portion, the head portion is slightly smaller than the hole and adapted to clinch against the panel after being flared or swaged, and the post portion is slightly larger than the hole. 
     
     
         8 . An anchor for securing a mounting device to a panel via a hole in the panel, comprising:
 a head portion;   a post portion extending from the head portion; and   a plurality of barbs protruding from the post portion at a position distal from the head portion;   wherein the barbs securely engage an opening in the mounting device when the mounting device is pressed onto the anchor.   
     
     
         9 . The anchor of  claim 8 , wherein the head portion is larger than the hole and, when the anchor is pressed into the panel hole, the head portion displaces a portion of the panel adjacent to the hole to thereby clinch against the panel. 
     
     
         10 . The anchor of  claim 8 , wherein the head portion is smaller than the hole and includes an annular ring having an annular opening that is bent backwards when the anchor is placed into the panel hole thereby clinching against the panel. 
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 9 , further comprising a ring portion disposed on the post portion. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of  claim 11 , wherein the ring portion is spaced apart from the head portion forming a groove therebetween, and wherein the head portion displaces the portion of the panel into the groove when the anchor is pressed into the panel hole. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor of  claim 11 , wherein the ring portion is adjacent to the head portion and includes teeth extending outwardly from the post portion, wherein the teeth broach the panel when the anchor is pressed into the panel hole. 
     
     
         14 . A system for securing a mounting device to a panel via a hole in the panel, comprising:
 an anchor having a head portion, a post portion extending from the head portion, and a plurality of barbs protruding from the post portion; and   a mounting device having an opening adapted to mate with the post portion;   wherein the anchor is pressed into the panel hole, then the mounting device is pressed onto the anchor, and the barbs engage the mounting device within its opening.