Fastener for securing together two panels

Abstract

A fastener is provided for securing a first panel to a second panel. The fastener includes a stud insertable through apertures in the first and second panels. The fastener further includes a pivoting handle assembly with a handle operatively connected to a stud head and pivotal between an upright position generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position generally parallel to the first panel. A biasing mechanism is connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. A locking pin is connected to the stud head and the handle and is in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or the folded position. A fastener is also provided for securing together the first and second panels, including a grommet, a receptacle and an insert in threaded engagement with an interior of the receptacle.

1 . A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, comprising:
 a stud insertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageable with the second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel, the stud having an end that is insertable through the apertures and a stud head distal the end; and   a pivoting handle assembly comprising a handle operatively connected to the stud head whereby the handle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position in which the handle is generally parallel to the first panel;   a biasing mechanism connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head; and   a locking pin connected to the stud head and the handle and in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or the folded position.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the pivoting handle assembly further comprises:
 the stud head including a block having a central boring in which the biasing mechanism is disposed; 
 the handle having an axle disposed within a slot of the block, and the axle spaced from a main body of the handle forming an opening there between; 
 the locking pin secured within the block wherein the axle is disposed between the locking pin and the biasing mechanism, and the locking pin is disposed perpendicular to the axle; and, 
 wherein the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the boring, the block and the stud head and against the locking pin. 
 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving the locking pin. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein the axle includes a pair of legs at opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of the block. 
     
     
         5 . A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, comprising:
 a stud insertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageable with the second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel, the stud having an end that is insertable through the apertures and a stud head distal the end; and   a pivoting handle assembly comprising;
 a handle operatively connected to the stud head whereby the handle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position in which the handle is generally parallel to the first panel, 
 a biasing mechanism disposed in a central boring of a block of the stud head, and 
 an axle of the handle disposed within a slot of the block, the axle disposed perpendicular to the biasing mechanism such that the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the stud head. 
   
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 5  wherein the axle is spaced from a main body of the handle forming an opening there between, and wherein the pivoting handle assembly further comprises:
 a pin secured within the block wherein the axle is disposed between the pin and the biasing mechanism, and the pin is disposed perpendicular to the axle; and, 
 wherein the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the boring, block and stud head and against the pin. 
 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6  wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving the pin. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 5  wherein the axle includes a pair of legs at opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of the block. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8  wherein the platform is generally parallel to the first panel and is positioned between the handle and the first panel to prevent a pivot of the handle beyond the folded position. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the biasing mechanism is a compression spring and the compression spring biases the axle outward against the indentation to prevent a shift of the handle along the block. 
     
     
         11 . A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, comprising:
 a stud including a shaft, a head at a first end of the shaft and distal to a second end of the shaft, wherein the shaft and second end of the shaft are insertable through the apertures in the first and second panels;   a grommet having a cylindrical body configured to be inserted through the aperture of the first panel, and a flange connected to the cylindrical body to engage an outer surface of the panel facing away from the second panel;   a receptacle mounted to a second side of the second panel facing away from the first panel and at the aperture of the second panel, and the receptacle includes an internal threaded surface;   an insert configured for threaded engagement with the receptacle, and the insert having cam and locking surfaces to be engaged by a cross pin on the shaft;   a handle including a main body for grasping and one or more legs that are connected to, spaced apart from and disposed within a same plane of the main body forming an opening there between, wherein the one or more legs are disposed within one or more corresponding notches of the stud head, and the handle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position in which the handle is generally parallel to the first panel,   a biasing assembly that comprises:
 biasing device comprising a spring disposed along a shaft of the between disposed between the head of the stud and the second end of the shaft; and 
 a housing surrounding at least a portion of the spring; and, 
 wherein the spring applies a biasing force against a surface of the housing in one direction toward the second end of the shaft and a biasing force against the handle in another opposite direction toward the head of the stud. 
   
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the spring is a first spring and the biasing assembly further comprises:
 the stud head including a block having a central boring in which a second spring is disposed and two apertures on opposite sides of the block in communication with the central boring forming a slot in the block; 
 the one or more legs of the handle including one leg extending from one side of the handle to an opposite side thereof and the one leg is disposed within the slot of the block; 
 a locking pin secured within the block wherein the one leg is disposed between the locking pin and the second spring, and the locking pin has a longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular to the one leg; and, 
 wherein the second spring biases the axle outward relative to the boring, the block and the stud head and against the locking pin. 
 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the receptacle is configured as a rivet nut having a first portion that is deformable to a collapsed position against the second panel and a second portion having the internal threaded surface spaced from the second panel and the first portion is between the second portion and the second panel. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 12  further comprising a cap with internal threads in threaded engagement with external threads on an end of the receptacle distal to the central opening thereby compressing the receptacle against the insert so a position of the insert is not longitudinally adjustable within the receptacle. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 14  wherein said fastener further comprises:
 an O-ring seated within a groove on an exterior of the receptacle between the external threads and the second panel; 
 wherein the O-ring is positioned at a predetermined location on the receptacle such that when the cap engages the O-ring a predetermined amount of torque is required to longitudinally adjust the insert within the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of slots are formed along the external threads to divide the second portion of portion of the receptacle into sections that compress against the insert upon the threaded engagement between the cap and the receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 14  wherein the receptacle includes a tapered non-threaded external end opposite the central opening thereof, and the cap includes a non-threaded seat at an opening in the cap to engage the tapered end of the receptacle to compress the receptacle against the insert upon the threaded engagement between the cap and the receptacle.