Panel hole closure

Abstract

A panel hole closure is composed of a rigid plate having an integral array of resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate inboard of the plate rim. A integral stiffener is provided for each finger which stiffens the finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate so that once the closure is seated in a panel aperture, it is difficult to dislodge. A plastic sealing ring encircling the plate rim may be melted and flow to provide a fluid-tight seal between the closure plate and panel.

I claim: 
     
       1. A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate,   B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim,   C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, and   D. a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate, said sealing ring being made of a plastic material which flows upon being subjected to a selected elevated temperature.   
     
     
       2. The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing ring includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
       3. The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the stiffening means comprises one or more struts extending from elevated locations on the finger an appreciable distance from the finger connection to the plate surface toward locations on the plate surface inboard of said connection. 
     
     
       4. The closure defined in claim 3 wherein A. each finger comprises 1. a flat tab projecting out from the plate surface, and   2. a clip resiliently connected to the free end of the tab, said clip extending outboard of the tab and being arranged to engage behind a wall of a panel aperture through which the fingers are projected as the closure is seated over the panel aperture, and     B. the struts comprise generally triangular wings integral with the side edges of the tab and extending to said inboard plate locations.   
     
     
       5. The closure defined in claim 4 wherein each clip has converging edge margins which are bent outwardly away from the axis of the plate so as to present sharp edges which score into the wall of the aperture, when the clips resiliently engage that wall upon the seating of the closure over the aperture. 
     
     
       6. The closure defined in claim 3 wherein A. each finger comprises 1. a flat tab projecting out from the plate surface, and   2. means defining an outboard projection at an elevated location on the tab, and     B. the strut comprises a tab extension extending from the free end of the tab toward a said inboard plate location.   
     
     
       7. The closure defined in claim 6 and further including A. means defining openings in the plate at locations therein opposite each said tab and its extension.[...]..Iadd., .Iaddend.   B. .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate and adjacent said plate openings, said ring being made of a material that flows at selected elevated temperatures.   
     
     
       8. The closure defined in claim 1 wherein the plate, fingers and stiffening means are formed integrally from a single metal stamping. 
     
     
       9. The closure defined in claim 8 A. further including means defining a depression in the plate surface at the connection of each said finger to the plate surface, and   B. wherein each finger is connected to the plate rim by a tab folded against the plate surface in a said depression.   
     
     
       10. A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate,   B. a plurality of flexible resilient clips projecting from one surface of the plate, said clips being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim,   C. a body of plastic material connected to said plate, said material being flowable at a selected elevated temperature, and   D. means for conducting said material, when flowable, to said clips so that when the closure is seated over a panel aperture with said clips resiliently engaging the aperture walls and is heated to the selected temperature, the material flows to and collects adjacent to and on said clips thereby stiffening them.   
     
     
       11. The closure defined in claim 10 wherein A. the conducting means comprise an opening in the plate adjacent the connection of each clip to the plate, and   B. the body comprises a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate and adjacent each said opening so that, when heated, the material flows through said openings to said clips and also closes said openings and provides a fluid-tight gasket between the plate and the panel.   
     
     
       12. The closure defined in claim 11 wherein each clip comprises a tab that is bent back on itself so as the define a pocket for said ring material opposite the associated plate opening. 
     
     
       13. A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate,   B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim,   C. means associated with each finger for stiffening said finger against inward deflection toward the axis of the plate, said fingers and stiffening means being formed integrally from a single metal stamping. .Iadd.   
     
     
       14.  A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate,   B. a plurality of flexible resilient clips projecting from one surface of the plate, said clips being distributed about the center of the plate inboard of its rim,   C. a body of plastic material connected to said plate, said material being flowable at a selected elevated temperature, and   D. means for conducting said material, when flowable, to said clips so that when the closure is seated over a panel aperture with said clips engaging the panel and is heated to the selected temperature, the material flows to and collects adjacent to and on said clips thereby stiffening them. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The closure defined in claim 14 wherein   A. the body comprises a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate so that, when heated, the material flows to said clips and provides a   
     
     
        fluid-tight gasket between the plate and the panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  A panel hole closure comprising A. a plate,   B. a plurality of flexible, resilient fingers projecting from one surface of the plate, said fingers being distributed about the center of the plate for gripping the panel when the closure is seated over a panel aperture to be closed, and   C. a sealing ring extending around the rim of the plate, said sealing ring being made of a plastic material which, upon being subjected to a selected elevated temperature, flows to and collects relative said fingers thereby to stiffen them against deflection tending to release the grip on the panel. .Iaddend.