WO2008150797A1

WO2008150797A1 - Multiple stud fastener

Info

Publication number: WO2008150797A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/064975
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven M. Benedetti; Jeffrey C. Lewis
Original assignee: Newfrey Llc
Priority date: 2007-06-01
Filing date: 2008-05-28
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: JP2010529372A

Abstract

A fastener includes a curved engagement member connected to the fastener by first and second oppositely directed torsion members. When an applied load of a male fastener elastically twists the torsion members, the engagement member rotates. Teeth positioned on an arc of the arc shaped body engage the male fastener.

Description

MULTIPLE STUD FASTENER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/941 ,378 filed June 1 , 2007.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fasteners used to mount components to pre-installed male fasteners including weld studs.

[0002] Components, such as brake lines, electrical wiring banks, vacuum hoses, and the like are attached to panels of motor vehicles to prevent damage to these components during operation of the motor vehicle. It is desirable to retain these components in place with a semi-permanent engagement such that the engagement is not lost due to vibration and operating conditions of the vehicle. Male fasteners such as weld studs having a plurality of threads are commonly attached such as by stud welding to panels of the vehicle. These fasteners, commonly called weld studs, are pre-positioned in multiple locations about the vehicle to assist in retaining the various components. Weld studs are available in multiple different sizes depending on the load which is imparted to the vehicle panel by the particular component. Common fasteners used to mount to these weld studs do not accommodate the various diameters of the weld studs and therefore multiple size fasteners are required. SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with the present invention, a multiple stud fastener includes at least one curved fastener engagement member having multiple teeth on a curved arc that engage a male fastener such as a weld stud. Providing the teeth on an arc allows the curved fastener to rotate to allow multiple sizes of male fasteners to be engaged by different teeth of the same curved fastener.

[0004] In another aspect, the multiple stud fastener provides at least one torsion member connected to the fastener engagement member. The torsion member(s) is/are connected to a fastener body. The torsion member(s) provide an elastic biasing force when the fastener engagement member is rotated, to bias the fastener engagement member against the male fastener.

[0005] In another aspect, the multiple stud fastener includes a housing defining an enclosed wall having an internal surface. At least one engagement member is homogenously connected to the internal surface by first and second torsion members oppositely positioned about the engagement member. The engagement member defines an arc shaped body. In still another aspect, the at least one engagement member is rotatable with respect to the housing by a load applied to the at least one engagement member operable to impart elastic twisting motions of the torsion members. An additional aspect provides a plurality of teeth homogenously connected to the at least one engagement member, the teeth all equidistantly spaced and positioned on a common arc of curvature oriented with respect to the arc shaped body. [0006] According to further aspects, a fastener includes a grommet defining an enclosed wall having an internal surface. At least one engagement member is homogenously connected to the internal surface by first and second torsion members oppositely positioned about the engagement member.

[0007] According to still further aspects, first and second engagement members are each homogenously connected to the internal body surface by first and second torsion members homogenously extending from opposite sides of the engagement members. The first and second engagement members each define an arc shaped body rotatable with respect to the housing by a load applied to both the first and second engagement members operable to impart a twisting motion of the first and second torsion members. Teeth are homogenously connected to each of the first and second engagement members. The teeth of each of the engagement members are all positioned on a common arc of curvature oriented with respect to the arc shaped body of the first and second engagement members. The teeth of the first engagement member face the teeth of the second engagement member and are adapted to receive and engage a plurality of sizes of male fasteners.

[0008] According to still further aspects of the present invention, a method for attaching a component to a vehicle panel using a fastener is provided.

[0009] Multiple stud fasteners of the present disclosure offer several advantages. The use of one or more "rotatable engagement members" which are each mounted for rotation by a torsion member homogenously co-molded to a fastener body allow the rotatable engagement members to rotate away from an initial or as-molded condition where the rotatable engagement members are nominally positioned. The rotatable engagement member(s) freely rotate within a range of motion allowing the multiple stud fastener to engage multiple sizes of male fasteners. The curved shape of each rotatable engagement member, when viewed in cross section, positions different teeth to engage multiple sizes of weld studs, and the curved shape of the rotatable engagement members binds the teeth of the wings against the male fastener to prevent pullout. The multiple stud fasteners can be used in different applications, including in premolded grommets having snap detents to engage as snap-in portions of multiple fastener assembly types.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0012] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a multiple stud fastener of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the multiple stud fastener of Figure 1 ; [0014] Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional side elevational view taken at section 3 of Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a multiple stud fastener of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 5 is an end elevational view of another embodiment of a multiple stud fastener of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 6 is a partial cross sectional side perspective view taken at section 6 of Figure 5;

[0018] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a multiple stud fastener;

[0019] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of an assembled multiple stud fastener of Figure 7;

[0020] Figure 9 is a partial cross sectional side elevational view similar to Figure 3 showing an additional aspect of the invention; and

[0021] Figure 10 is a partial cross sectional side elevational view similar to Figure 3 showing an additional aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. [0023] Referring generally to Figure 1 , the preferred embodiment of a multiple stud fastener 10 of the present invention includes an engagement member housing 12 having an opposed pair of rotatable engagement members 14, 16. The term multiple stud fastener of the present disclosure refers to the capability to accept and engage individual ones of multiple different sizes of studs or male fasteners. Fastener 10 in this example includes engagement member housing 12 co-molded or homogenously connected to a support body 18. Support body 18 provides a curved surface 20 which receives a cylindrical shaped component 22 (shown in phantom). Component 22 can be any of a plurality of items such as a wire bundle, a group of tubular members such as brake lines or vacuum hoses, or a single pipe or tube. A flat surface 24 is created in support body 18 having a first surface portion 26' and a second surface portion 26" with respect to each of opposed sides 27, 28 of engagement member housing 12. Surface portions 26', 26" provide support and contact faces to receive attachment devices 29, 30 (shown in phantom) such as tape, flexile straps, or the like which enclose or partially encircle component 22 to engage component 22 with curved surface 20 of fastener 10. Opposed flanges 32, 34 can extend substantially perpendicularly from ends of surface portions 26', 26" to prevent axial slippage of attachment devices 29, 30.

[0024] An exemplary use for fastener 10 is in the automotive industry having fastener 10 with attached component 22 connected to a vehicle panel 36. Vehicle panel 36 has a male fastener 38 such as a weld stud previously attached to vehicle panel 36. Fastener 10 and component 22 are positioned such that rotatable engagement members 14, 16 of engagement member housing 12 are aligned to receive male fastener 38 between them. Engagement member housing 12 is then pushed in an installation direction "A" until male fastener 38 is received between rotatable engagement members 14, 16 which rotate to increase a distance from each other to receive male fastener 38, and then by elastic bias engage with fastener engagement features 40 which can include threads of male fastener 38 to lock fastener 10 into contact with vehicle panel 36. Rotation of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 allows multiple sizes of male fasteners 38 to be engaged by the same rotatable engagement members 14, 16.

[0025] Referring now generally to Figure 2, fastener 10 has a total length "B" which is predetermined by the manufacturer, and engagement member housing 12 has a length "C" and a width "D" which are predetermined by the sizes of rotatable engagement members 14, 16. Each of the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are homogenously co-molded with engagement member housing 12 and flat surface 24 using one or more torsion members which allow rotatable engagement members 14, 16 to rotate from the as-molded condition shown. In the example shown, rotatable engagement member 14 is connected to flat surface 24 by a torsion member 42 and connected to an outer wall 44 of engagement member housing 12 by a torsion member 46. Rotatable engagement member 14 can therefore rotate about an axis of rotation 48 centrally defined through torsion members 42 and 46. Similarly, rotatable engagement member 16 is connected to flat surface 24 by a torsion member 50 and connected to outer wall 44 by a torsion member 52. Rotatable engagement member 16 can therefore rotate about an axis of rotation 54 centrally defined through torsion members 50 and 52. Each of torsion members 46 and 52 are homogenously connected by co-molding to an inner face 56 of outer wall 44. Rotatable engagement members 14, 16 define a common longitudinal axis 58 spaced from flat surface 24 by a dimension "E".

[0026] Referring now to Figures 1 and 3, fastener 10 includes opposed first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 located in engagement member housing 12, each having a curved or arc shape body 60, 62. Multiple teeth 64, 66 are created on each of the arc shaped bodies 60, 62. Teeth 64, 66 are each spaced from successive ones of the teeth using a predefined spacing "F" selected to equal a thread or surface feature spacing of male fastener 38 so teeth 64, 66 receive and engage the surface features or individual threads 40 of male fastener 38 (shown in Figure 1). Each of teeth 64, 66 are oriented with respect to and positioned on a curve or arc 68, 70 defined at either a root (shown) or a crown (not shown) of each of the teeth 64, 66. A radius of curvature of each of arcs 68, 70 can be equal or different to modify a gripping force applied by first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16. Each of the arcs 68, 70 are defined by and are equal to a radius of curvature of a portion of the arc shaped bodies 60, 62. Teeth 64, 66 of rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are oriented to face each other when rotatable engagement members 14, 16 rotate to receive male fastener 38. [0027] First and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are shown in their "as-molded" or pre-fiexed positions. A spacing 72 having a dimension "G" can be provided between free ends of the first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16. Dimension "G" can vary from substantially zero to approximately 3 millimeters inclusive, or more, at the discretion of the manufacturer and depending on the minimum and maximum sizes of the male fastener 38 to be received. Spacing 72 is therefore predetermined to initiate rotation of both first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 upon contact with male fastener 38. In several aspects, male fastener 38 can include M5/T5, M6, and M8 size studs, however, male fastener 38 can also be accommodated in other size ranges, with the size and spacing of rotatable engagement members 14, 16 and engagement member housing 12 adjusted accordingly. Each engagement member housing 12 of the present disclosure can therefore accommodate multiple sizes of male fastener 38.

[0028] First and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 each have a base portion 74, 76 which are aligned coaxial to axes of rotation 48 and 54 respectively. First and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 can each rotate from the as-molded positions shown to multiple rotated positions, shown for example as first and second rotated positions 78 and 80. Because first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 can rotate freely, the rotated positions 78, 80 can infinitely vary from the as-molded position up to a maximum rotated position (80) determined by a largest intended size or diameter of the male fastener 38. First rotatable engagement member 14 can rotate about an arc of rotation "H" and second rotatable engagement member 16 can rotate about an arc of rotation "J". The rotatable engagement members 14, 16 are initially positioned in the non-deflected or as-molded position, and can deflect to different positions of rotation depending on the size of male fastener 38 received between them.

[0029] First and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16 can each also include a stop member 82, 84 co-molded with and extending from base portions 74, 76 respectively. If male fastener 38 is introduced in an opposite direction "K" from the intended installation direction "L", stop members 82, 84 are induced to rotate about arcs or rotation "M" and "N" into contact with an inner wall 86 and 88 of sides 27, 28 respectively, preventing insertion of male fastener 38. Because teeth 64, 66 are not engaged from installation direction "K", stop members 82, 84 therefore prevent an unintended and non-engaged installation of first and second rotatable engagement members 14, 16.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 and 3, as the male fastener 38 is received a force is imparted to rotatable engagement members 14, 16. The spacing between rotatable engagement members 14, 16 originally defined as dimension "G" increases corresponding to the diameter of male fastener 38. Rotatable engagement members 14, 16 rotate away from each other until teeth 64 and 66 align with threads 40 of male fastener 38. At least one each of teeth 64 and 66 engage with threads 40 of male fastener 38 by an elastic force created in the twisting motion imparted to torsion members 42, 46, 50, and 52 to resist removal of the male fastener in direction "K". Removal of male fastener 38 in direction "K" is resisted because the removal force tends to push rotatable engagement members 14, 16 toward each other. The removal force is transferred through rotatable engagement members 14, 16 and is resisted by torsion members 42, 46, 50, and 52 connected to the substantially stiffer flat surface 24 and outer wall 44. If rotatable engagement members 14, 16 were straight in lieu of curved, resistance to removal of male fastener 38 would be determined by the shear strength of teeth 64, 66 only. Because of the curved shape of rotatable engagement members 14, 16 a portion of the removal force is directed through rotatable engagement members 14, 16 as well as teeth 64, 66.

[0031] With reference now to Figure 4, according to additional aspects of the present invention, a fastener 90 has engagement member housing 12 defining an enclosed wall homogenously connected to a tie strap 92 having multiple teeth 94 of known design. Tie strap 92 is received and engaged by one or more engagement ribs 96 of a strap receiving portion 98 which is co-molded with fastener 90. Fastener 90 can be used to encircle a similar item or group of items as component 22 shown in Figure 1.

[0032] With reference now to Figure 5, according to further aspects of of the present invention, a fastener 100 includes only a single rotatable engagement member 102. Rotatable engagement member 102 is homogenously connected to a body 104 having a semi-circular end 106, a planar end 108, and opposed walls 110, 112. A male fastener receiving cavity 114 is defined by semi-circular end 106 and opposed walls 110, 112. Rotatable engagement member 102 is homogenously connected by a first and second torsion member 116, 118 which together define a rotatable engagement member longitudinal axis of rotation 120. Rotatable engagement member 102 includes a plurality of evenly spaced teeth 122 which can differ in length because they are shaped between opposed curved surfaces 124, 128. A male fastener 126 received in receiving cavity 114 contacts a curved inner wall 129 of semi-circular end 106 and is engaged by teeth 122 of rotatable engagement member 102. Multiple different sizes of male fastener 126 can be received due to the capability of rotatable engagement member 102 to rotate about axis of rotation 120.

[0033] As best seen in Figure 6, teeth 122 can each include a concave curvature portion 124 which can vary in curvature size in successive teeth 122 from a smallest curved portion 124' in a tooth 122' to a largest curved portion 124" in a tooth 122". Each of teeth 122 are oriented to face outwardly from a first curved surface 126. Teeth 122 are provided only on first curved surface 126 and entry of a male fastener (not shown) is therefore provided only from an installation direction "P". Rotatable engagement member 102 rotates in an arc of rotation "Q" when the male fastener is received. A second curved surface 128 can be provided opposite to first curved surface 126, the second curved surface 128 either having teeth 122 or lacking teeth 122. When teeth 122 are present on second curved surface 128 (not clearly visible in this view) as well as on first curved surface 126, the male fastener can be received in either installation direction "P" or an opposed installation direction "R".

[0034] Referring generally to Figures 7 and 8, engagement member housing 12 of Figure 1 is modified to provide an independent, separately molded grommet 134 having an opposed pair of rotatable engagement members 130, 132 in grommet 134. Grommet 134 is independently engageable with a plurality of fasteners, including in one aspect a fastener body 136 modified from fastener 10. Grommet 134 includes a rectangular shaped housing 138 having a first flange 140 and a second flange 142 extending outwardly from opposed sides of housing 138. Flexible wings are rotatably and homogenously connected using torsion members to opposed walls 144, 146. One or more snap detents 148 are homogenously formed with housing 138 and extend outwardly from wall 144. One or more similar snap detents (not clearly visible in this view) can also extend from wall 146.

[0035] Fastener 10 is modified to create fastener body 136 by eliminating flat surface 24 and creating a grommet receiving member 150 extending from fastener body 152. Receiving member 150 includes enclosure walls 154, 156, 158 which define a grommet receiving aperture 160 sized to slidingly receive grommet 134. Grommet 134 is inserted into receiving aperture 160 in the direction of arrow "S" with housing 138 sized to be slidingly received in receiving aperture 160 until flanges 140, 142 contact a lower surface of enclosure walls 154 and 156. Snap detents 148 are located above and engage with an upper surface 162 of receiving member 150 creating a fastener assembly 164. Opposed flanges 140, 142 and snap detents 148 releasably lock grommet 134 into receiving aperture 160 to create fastener assembly 164.

[0036] Referring back to Figure 5, fastener 100 can be further modified (not shown) to include the tie strap 92 of Figure 4, by homogenously connecting the tie strap 92 to one of planar end 108, or opposed walls 110, 112. In other apsects, (not shown), fastener 100 can be further modified to include the flanges 140, 142 and snap detents 148 of Figure 7 to adapt fastener 100 for use in a fastener body similar to fastener body 136.

[0037] Material for multiple stud fasteners of the present disclosure can be a plastic such as acetal, nylon, or similar material having good "creep" properties to maintain a lock on the male fastener or weld stud once engaged. Processes including injection molding can be used to create the fasteners, fastener bodies, and grommets of the present disclosure. Male fasteners 38 identified herein are not limited to weld studs, and are not limited to threaded fasteners. Male fasteners adapted for use with fasteners of the present disclosure can have single or multiple ridges/valleys adapted to be engaged by the teeth of the rotatable engagement members. A spacing of the teeth can be predetermined to engage the one of more ridges of the modified male fasteners.

[0038] Referring to Figure 9, in another aspect of the present invention, a first spring tab 166 and a second spring tab 168 homogenously extend from each of base portions 74, 76 respectively. Spring tabs 166, 168 are positioned facing substantially opposite to stop members 82, 84. Spring tabs 166, 168 are shown in both an as-molded (shown in solid form) position with rotatable engagement members 14, 16 in their as-molded (non-deflected) positions, and as spring tabs 166', 168' in a deflected or bent position (in phantom) in contact with inner walls 86, 88 when rotatable engagement members 14, 16 reach rotated position(s) 80. Spring tabs 166, 168 bend elastically to create a biasing return force helping to assist the biasing force created when a twisting force is applied to torsion members 42, 46 and torsion members 50, 52 at the maximum rotated position(s) 80 of rotatable engagement members 14, 16. At the maximum rotated position(s) 80, teeth 64, 66 are nearly at a parallel position with respect to inner walls 86, 88, and the additional biasing force of spring tabs 166, 168 assist in biasing the rotatable engagement members 14, 16 into engagement with the male fastener (such as male fastener 38 shown in Figure 1). A single spring tab can also be used when only a single rotatable engagement member is used such as rotatable engagement member 102 described in reference to Figure 5.

[0039] Referring to Figure 10, in still another aspect of the invention, the one or more torsion members previously described can be replaced by single, rotatable torsion members 170, 172. The single torsion members 170, 172 can be connected to a rear surface 174, 176 of base portions 74, 76, and positioned approximately 90 degrees from the orientation of stop members 82, 84 in the as-molded condition. Single torsion members 170, 172 are operable in longitudinal twisting and/or longitudinal bending motions to permit the engagement member, such as rotatable engagement members 14, 16 to rotate to receive male fastener 38. A single torsion member can also be used when only a single rotatable engagement member is used such as rotatable engagement member 102 described in reference to Figure 5.

[0040] Multiple stud fasteners of the present disclosure offer several advantages. The use of one or more "rotatable engagement members" which are each mounted for rotation by a torsion member homogenously co-molded to a fastener body allow the rotatable engagement members to rotate away from an initial or as-molded condition where the rotatable engagement members are nominally positioned. The rotatable engagement member(s) freely rotate within a range of motion allowing the multiple stud fastener to engage multiple sizes of male fasteners. The curved shape of each rotatable engagement member, when viewed in cross section, positions different teeth to engage multiple sizes of weld studs, and the curved shape of the rotatable engagement members binds the teeth of the wings against the male fastener to prevent pullout. The multiple stud fasteners can be used in different applications, including in premolded grommets having snap detents to engage as snap-in portions of multiple fastener assembly types.

[0041] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fastener comprising: a housing having an internal surface; at least one engagement member homogenously connected to the internal surface by at least one torsion member, the at least one engagement member defining an arc shaped body rotatable with respect to the housing by a load applied to the at least one engagement member operable to impart a twisting motion of the at least one torsion member; and teeth homogenously connected to the at least one engagement member, the teeth positioned on a common arc of curvature oriented with respect to the arc shaped body, different ones of the teeth adapted to engage fastener engagement features of individual ones of a plurality of different sized male fasteners by rotation of the at least one engagement member when the individual ones of the male fasteners are received in a fastener installation direction.

2. The fastener of Claim 1 , further comprising a common spacing between any successive ones of the teeth, the common spacing predetermined to equal a thread spacing of a threaded stud engageable by the at least one engagement member.

3. The fastener of Claim 2, wherein the housing includes opposed walls homogenously connected by an outer wall.

4. The fastener of Claim 3, wherein the at least one torsion member comprises first and second torsion members oppositely disposed about the engagement member.

5. The fastener of Claim 4, wherein each of the first and second torsion members are homogenously connected to one of the opposed walls, the threaded stud being engageable between the at least one engagement member and the outer wall.

6. The fastener of Claim 4, further comprising a fastener body adapted to engage a component, each of the opposed walls homogenously connected to the fastener body, the first torsion member being homogenously connected to the outer wall and the second torsion member being homogenously connected to the fastener body.

7. The fastener of Claim 1 , wherein the at least one engagement member comprises first and second engagement members having the teeth of the first and second engagement members facing each other, the first and second engagement members adapted to both rotate upon receipt of the male fastener to engage the male fastener between the first and second engagement members.

8. The fastener of Claim 1 , wherein the common arc of curvature is oriented with respect to a radius of curvature of a portion of the arc shaped body.

9. The fastener of Claim 1 , further comprising: opposed first and second outwardly curved surfaces of the engagement member, the teeth disposed on the first outwardly curved surface; and second teeth disposed on the second outwardly curved surface.

10. The fastener of Claim 1 , further comprising: a base portion of the at least one engagement member connected to the at least one torsion member; and a stop member homogenously connected to and extending outwardly from the at least one base portion, the stop member being rotatable into contact with the interior surface to prevent insertion of any of the male fasteners from an opposite direction with respect to the fastener installation direction.

11. The fastener of Claim 1 , further comprising a deflectable spring tab homogenously extending from the at least one engagement member adapted to contact the internal surface in a maximum deflected position of the at least one engagement member and operable to create a biasing force to bias the at least one engagement member toward a non-deflected position.

12. A fastener comprising: a grommet defining an enclosed wall having an internal surface; at least one engagement member connected to the internal surface by first and second torsion members oppositely positioned about the engagement member, the engagement member defining an arc shaped body, the at least one engagement member rotatable with respect to the grommet by a load applied to the at least one engagement member operable to impart elastic twisting motions of the torsion members; teeth homogenously connected to the at least one engagement member, the teeth all positioned on a common arc of curvature oriented with respect to the arc shaped body; and a fastener body adapted to receive the grommet.

13. The fastener of Claim 12, further comprising at least one detent member extending outwardly away from the wall.

14. The fastener of Claim 13, further comprising at least one flange extending radially outward from the wall.

15. The fastener of Claim 14, wherein the fastener body includes first and second opposed surfaces, the fastener body adapted to slidably receive the grommet, the at least one flange abutting the first surface of the fastener body and the at least one detent member abutting the second surface of the fastener body with the grommet in an installed condition.

16. The fastener of Claim 12, further comprising a curved wall of the fastener body adapted to receive a cylindrical shaped component.

17. The fastener of Claim 16, wherein the cylindrical shaped component comprises one of a tube, a plurality of tubes, and at least one wire.

18. The fastener of Claim 12, further comprising a tie strap homogenously connected to and extending outwardly away from the grommet.

19. An automotive vehicle fastener comprising: a housing having an internal surface; first and second engagement members each homogenously connected to the internal surface by first and second torsion members homogenously extending from opposite sides of the engagement members, the first and second engagement members each defining an arc shaped body rotatable with respect to the housing by a load applied to both the first and second engagement members operable to impart a twisting motion of the first and second torsion members; and teeth homogenously connected to each of the first and second engagement members, the teeth of each of the engagement members all positioned on a common arc of curvature oriented with respect to the arc shaped body of the first and second engagement members, the teeth of the first engagement member facing the teeth of the second engagement member and adapted to receive and engage individual ones of a plurality of different sized male fasteners by rotation of the first and second engagement members when the individual ones of the male fasteners are received in a fastener installation direction.

20. The fastener of Claim 19, further comprising a fastener body adapted to engage a component, each of the opposed walls homogenously connected to the fastener body, the first torsion member being homogenously connected to the outer wall and the second torsion member being homogenously connected to the fastener body.

21. The fastener of Claim 19, further comprising a tie strap homogenously connected to and extending outwardly away from the housing.

22. The fastener of Claim 19, further comprising: a base portion of each of the first and second engagement members connected to the first and second torsion members; and a stop member homogenously connected to and extending outwardly from the base portion of each of the first and second engagement members and rotatable into contact with the interior surface to prevent insertion of any of the male fasteners from an opposite direction with respect to the fastener installation direction.

23. The fastener of Claim 19, further comprising a deflectable spring tab homogenously extending from each of the first and second engagement members adapted to contact the internal surface in a maximum deflected position of the first and second engagement members and operable to create a biasing force to bias the first and second engagement members toward a non- deflected position.

24. A method for attaching a component to a vehicle panel having a male fastener fixed thereto using a fastener, the fastener having teeth of an engagement member disposed on a curved arc, the method comprising: homogenously connecting the at least one engagement member to the internal surface using the at least one torsion member; applying a load to the at least one engagement member to rotatably move the at least one engagement member operable to impart a twisting motion of the torsion member by pushing the at least one engagement member into contact with the male fastener; and engaging the teeth with the male fastener to resist removal of the male fastener.