a shank member the fastener system is secured by linearly traversing a compression member in an overlapping fashion over the collet member thereby utilizing ribbed surfaces to compress the collet member to grip the outer surface of the shank member in this manner the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise secure and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly application_number US 61868903 A description although the invention is described in terms of a preferred specific embodiment it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention the scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto the linear engaging fasteners 10 utilized to secure the automotive valve cover 14 shown in fig1 are a representation of the general utility of the present invention referring to fig2 and 3 the linear fastener generally includes an axially aligned collet member 11 and a compression ring member 12 which are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a shank member 13 the external surface 18 of collet member 11 is constructed generally cylindrical with at least one and preferably three outwardly and circumferentially extending rib s 34 positioned about a central axis each rib 34 being constructed with a first ramp surface 36 to allow the compression ring to slide onto the rib and a second ramp surface 38 to allow the compression ring to be removed from the collet member.