Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Headed fastener element with nut – washer – securing means or cap – Metallic resilient securing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-22
2001-10-23
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Headed fastener element with nut, washer, securing means or cap
Metallic resilient securing means
C411S433000, C411S437000, C411S512000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305889
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a quick-made connection for a stud, bolt, or the like having a shaped outer profile, the connection including a receiving member having a bore in which the stud is received, and at least one locking member arranged in the bore of the receiving member and formlockingly engageable in the shaped outer profile of the stud. For the sake of brevity, below, the discussion will proceed only with a reference to a stud.
2. Description of the Prior Act
One of the most often used methods of connecting two or more parts is a method of connecting the parts by screwing them to each other. To this end, usually, a threaded bolt or a stud and a nut are used, with the stud and the nut having, respectively, complementary outer and inner threads. The connectable parts can be connected either with a stud(s) or with a nut(s). Often, the stud is formed as a component of one of the connectable parts. The second part is provided with a bore into which the threaded bolt is inserted, with a nut being screwed on the outer thread of the stud. Also, a nut can be formed as a component of a connectable part. The threaded stud can, e.g., be formed as a, e.g., threaded rod or pin connectable with a pipe holder. The nut can be arranged in a ceiling, a wall, or a constructional component and be used for suspending the pipe holder (clip, clamp, ets... ) from the ceiling or for securing it to the ceiling.
A drawback of the conventional threaded connection generally consists in its relatively large length, i.e., the threaded portion of the threaded member should have a sufficiently large length over which the nut should be screwed in order to obtain a strong connection between the nut and the threaded member. In order to insure a simple an easy winding of the nut over the stud, the outer thread should be free of any damage. The thread can be damaged, e.g., when the threaded stud is cut to a desired length. In order to insure that the run-on end of the thread is suitable fore a nut to be screwed on, often, the stud need be subjected to additional treatment.
A further drawback of the conventional threaded connection consists in that only threaded elements having the same kind of thread can be connected with each other. Prior art discloses a number of quick-made (quick-release) connections. However, they, in most cases, do not meet the requirements of fire-protection regulations and, in many cases, cannot withstand large loads. Further, in a sanitary field, nuts of plastic material are used which are displaced over a tilted threaded stud and are screwed down upon the stud being titled back. These plastic nuts can be screwed on primarily only manually, and because of their inflammability cannot be used for suspending fire curtains or for similar safety-relevant attachments. The nuts made of a fire-resistant materials, e.g., of aluminum, sheet metal, do not have properties that would make them suitable for quick-made (quick-release) connection, and often are formed of a thin material and cannot withstand the necessary loads.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick-made (quick-release) connection system for a stud having an outer tread in which the drawbacks of a prior art connections are eliminated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide quick-made (quick-release) connection which can be effected rapidly, in a simple manner, and without a lengthy screwing process or a large expenditure of force.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a quick-made (quick-release) connection that would meet the requirements of fire-protection regulation and regarding the obtainable load values.
A still further object to the present invention is to provide a quick-made (quick-release) connection which is easily releasable, if needed, and which can be used for repeated connection and release.
A yet another object of the present invention is a quick-made (quick-release) connection which would eliminate the need in subsequent, after cutting off, treatment of a threaded stud. After the run-on end of the thread has been damaged as a result of cutting, and which would provide, at the same time or an easy quick connection.
A still another object of the present invention is to provide a quick-made (quick-release) connection usable with studs having different types of threads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by providing a quick-made (quick-release) connection including a receiving member having a bore in which the stud is received, and at least one locking member arranged in the bore of the receiving member and formlockingly engageable in the shaped outer profile of the stud. The bore has at least one section tapering toward an insertion opening of the bore. The locking member is formed as a radially elastically expandable ring member held in the bore without a possibility of displacement in an insertion direction and is preloaded against an inner wall of the bore. An inner diameter of the ring member is smaller than a diameter of the bore at the insertion opening.
The axial positioning of a stud, bolt, ets... provided with a shaped outer profile is effected quickly and in simple manner by merely inserting the stud or the like in the bore in the receiving member to a predetermined height. A lengthy screw-in process is eliminated. The leading end of the stud widens or expands the ring member radially, with the ring member being secured against an axial displacement in the insertion direction. Due to its elasticity, the ring member formlockingly latches in the shaped outer profile of the stud. Upon application of a tensioning load, the ring member displaces slightly along the tapering inner surface of the bore. As a result, it becomes radially compressed, whereby the forcelocking connection between the ring member and the stud is complemented with a formlocking connection and is strengthened. An easy release of the form locking connection becomes possible due to the shape of the shaped outer profile of the stud. In the case the outer profile is formed as a thread, the stud can easily be screwed out. The height adjustment is effected in a simple manner by selecting the length of the stud to be inserted into the bore. The subsequent, after cutting-off, treatment of the stud can be eliminated as the securing of the stud is effected without cooperation of complementary outer and inner threads, but rather independent from the quality of the thread run-on end, by simply inserting the stud into the bore. Due to the structure of the receiving member, it is not any more necessary that the connectable elements have the same thread parts. The quick-made connection mechanism can function with the receiving and received members having different types of the thread of profiles. The ring member latches in the outer profile of almost any type and having an annular or helical circumferential indentation in the stud outer surface.
In order to facilitate an elastic radial expansion of the ring member or its compression upon application of a tensioning load, the ring member is provided, in its circumference, with a separation opening. In this case, the ring member is formed essentially as an elastic snap ring.
Radial expansion and compression of the ring member is insured by forming it of a spring steel. Advantageously, the bore is provided with an annular circumferential shoulder against which the ring member is supported, whereby the ring member axial displacement is prevented during insertion of the stud. The annular shoulder at that is rather easily formed.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the ring member forms part of a one-piece elastic shackle having two pairs of shackle members arranged diametrically opposite each other with the shackle member projection axially from the ring member and extending parallel to each other. The shackle members have outwardly bent, hooked free ends for supporting the ri
Birnbaum Ulrich
Blessing Mathias
Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
Wilson Neill
LandOfFree
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