Integrated fastener for plastic components

Abstract

An integrated fastener comprises a component portion including a component housing surrounding a component, a linking platform molded extending from the component portion. A securing means is capable of being received within a receptacle defined by the linking platform and is designed to be received within an aperture defined by an automotive component. The securing means is capable of securing the component portion to the automotive component. The component portion, the linking platform, and the securing means are molded as one piece.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated fastener comprising:
 a component portion including a component housing surrounding a component;   a linking platform molded extending from the component portion;   a securing means capable of being received within a receptacle defined by the linking platform;   wherein the securing means is designed to be received within an aperture defined by an automotive component, and is capable of securing the component portion to the automotive component; and   wherein the component portion, the linking platform and the securing means are molded as one piece.   
     
     
         2 . The integrated fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means further comprises:
 a first securing portion on a first side of the platform;   a second securing portion extending through the receptacle to a second opposing side of the platform;   wherein the second securing portion is inserted within the aperture until the platform is seated against the automotive component; and   wherein a shaft of the second securing portion forces leaves which extend from the linking platform and at least partially radially surround the shaft to expand radially outward when the push pin portion is depressed until a push pin head is locked in place through a tongue and groove arrangement.   
     
     
         3 . The integrated fastener of  claim 2 , wherein there are two leaves. 
     
     
         4 . The integrated fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The integrated fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the securing means further comprises:
 a first securing portion extending through the receptacle of the platform, wherein the first securing portion is a bolt head and part of a bolt shaft; and   a second securing portion extending through the receptacle to a second opposing side of the platform wherein the second securing portion is the remaining bolt shaft, wherein the bolt shaft is threaded within the aperture until the platform is seated against the automotive component and the bolt head is seated to the platform.   
     
     
         6 . The integrated fastener of  claim 5 , wherein the bolt has a locking mechanism to prevent rotation relative to the platform, once the bolt has been fully seated against the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The integrated fastener of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism is protrusions on the bolt head that deform and engage the linking platform to prevent rotation relative to the platform, thus preventing transverse movement between the securing means and the linking platform, once the bolt head has been fully seated against the platform. 
     
     
         8 . A method of securing an integrated fastener to an automotive component comprising:
 molding a securing means at least partially within a receptacle defined by a linking platform, which extends from a component portion of the integrated fastener to mold the component portion, the securing means, and the linking platform as one piece;   inserting the securing means within an aperture defined by an automotive component; and   securing the component portion of the integrated fastener to the automotive component with the securing means.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting the securing means within the aperture further comprises applying a force to a first portion of the securing means to move the securing means relative to the linking platform, wherein the relative movement breaks at least one molded connection between the securing means and the linking platform such that a second portion of the securing means is received further within the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising preventing transverse movement of the securing means relative to the linking platform through a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 inserting the second portion of the securing means within the aperture until the platform is seated against the automotive component; and   depressing the first securing portion until a push pin head on the first securing portion is locked in place through the locking mechanism; and   and forcing leaves on the second securing portion to expand radially outward from the shaft when the locking mechanism is locked in place to retain the integrated fastener to the automotive component.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism is a tongue and groove arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising inserting the second portion of the securing means within an aperture defined by the automotive component, wherein the first and second portions is a bolt shaft that is threaded within the aperture until the linking platform is seated against the automotive component and a bolt head is also seated on the linking platform. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism is protrusions on the bolt head that deform and engage the linking platform to prevent rotation relative to the platform, thus preventing transverse movement between the securing means and the linking platform, once the bolt head has been fully seated against the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the locking mechanism is an interference fit between the bolt shaft and the linking platform. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the linking platform defines a pressure relief groove that provides a spring pressure on the bolt shaft when the bolt has been threaded into the aperture.