US Patent 7416362 Multidirectionally compliant fastening system

A fastening system has at least one peripheral spring and at least one peripherally expandable bushing, with the peripheral spring being at least partially enclosed within the peripherally expandable bushing. The peripheral spring and peripherally expandable bushing each contain axial openings for receiving an elongated fastening member to secure two dissimilar structures together. The peripheral spring can be a spring bushing. The spring bushing can comprise a series of radially outwardly bowed ribs joined at one end by a fixed hoop. The axial spring can be a spring washer. The peripherally expandable bushing can be a split bushing.