Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Headed fastener element with nut – washer – securing means or cap
Patent
1981-08-13
1984-05-29
Shedd, Wayne L.
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Headed fastener element with nut, washer, securing means or cap
411437, 411908, F16B 2100
Patent
active
044511906
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to fasteners and fastener assemblies and more particularly to quick acting reusable fasteners and fastener assemblies.
STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
There are numerous fastening devices exemplified in the prior art. Each of the devices has its own specific use which gives it advantages and disadvantages. For example, many of the fastening devices, because of their complexity, are difficult to manufacture leading to an increased cost of the product. Other fastening devices are difficult in assembly, again leading to an increased cost to the user when putting the fastening device to its intended use or purpose. Many of the fastening devices, exhibited in the prior art, exhibit insufficient strength for heavy duty use, their usage being intended primarily for light and quick simple fastenings, while other devices have limitations which effect their clamping ability under stress or vibrations. What is chiefly desired in a fastener assembly and fastener is ease of manufacture, reduction in cost of the product; ease in assembly by the user while retaining strength for heavy duty usage, and most important the ability to clamp, if such is desired, parts together.
Exemplary of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,023,473, issued on Mar. 6, 1962 to Cochran. This device illustrates a fastening clip formed from a single piece of metal in which plate-like portions including a finger operable fastener element, slide over the end of a shaft or the like which has a square cross-section. When the clip is rotated relative to the shaft, the lower-most aperture engages and gouges into the side-wall of the post, while the upper aperture of the plate-like element now fits the rectangle or cross-sectional post preventing further motion, and locking of the fastening device in its intended position. Thus the orientation of the apertures in the plate-like portions is rotated by 45.degree. to effect a locking action.
Other references, such as GB-A-912,083 are illustrative of a snap ring which moves into a groove on the post, or GB-A-846,015 which cuts a spiral groove in the stud which is not recessed nor does it include quick acting snap on for the same, as in the device of the present invention. Other devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 974,059 to Haynes (1910) are illustrative of two-piece type fasteners requiring an element of the fastener assembly to be rotated with respect to another portion of the assembly so as to effect engagement with a serrated or other preprepared post.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is a principle object of the present invention to provide a fastener and fastener assembly which is easy to manufacture, will allow for quick assembly, is strong enough for heavy duty usage and have effective clamping ability under varied usage conditions.
The fastener assembly of the present invention includes a post having at least a pair of longitudinally extending recesses therein for mating engagement with at least a pair of inwardly extending projections on a nut-like fastener. The structure of the co-acting assembly allows for sliding relative movement between the nut-like fastener and post when the nut and post are in a first orientation. Once the nut-like fastener is in the desired longitudinal position relative to the post, the nut is reoriented, which permits the harder projections of the nut to cut into the post and thereby inhibit disengagement of the nut from the post until the first orientation is reobtained. The preferred embodiment includes a double apertured nut with spaced apart, upper and lower portions which give increased locking strength of the nut to the post. Moreover, if desired, by simply making the plane of the contact of the surface associated with one of the apertures of the nut from the other aperture, the nut may be inverted and a new locking position achieved on the post for the projections. A feature of the invention includes a double wedge or ramp construction associated with the cutting edge to lock the nut in engagement with the post.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2824480 (1958-02-01), Hotchkin
patent: 3212391 (1965-10-01), Duffy
patent: 3362278 (1968-01-01), Munse
patent: 3382753 (1968-05-01), Tinnerman
patent: 3456705 (1969-07-01), Tinnerman
Bellamy, Jr. Robert L.
Bersot James D.
Muse Richard R.
Dick William J.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Shedd Wayne L.
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