Front mounted retaining mechanism

Details Front mounted retaining mechanism Front mounted retaining mechanism

2002-05-24

2004-05-18

Wilson, Neill (Department: 3679)

Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr

Headed fastener element with nut, washer, securing means or cap

Metallic resilient securing means

C411S107000, C411S178000, C411S999000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06736578

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to fasteners, and more particularly to removable fasteners capable of connecting one structure to another without the use of special tools.
BACKGROUND
Numerous industries require the serial assembly of devices, such as the electronic hardware components industry, the telecommunications industry, the aviation/aerospace industry, and the medical devices industry to name a few. There is often a requirement in these industries for the connection of one structure to another. Conventionally, a retaining mechanism is introduced to one structure. Two types of retainer mechanisms are typically utilized in the electronic hardware components industry for connecting a pair of structures, a flare type
12
(
FIG. 1
) and a swage type
14
(FIG.
2
).
There are several disadvantages to the conventional methods for introducing typically-used retainer mechanisms to a structure. One disadvantage is that the flare and swage type retainer mechanisms
12
,
14
are generally capable of being used only once. Their introduction to a structure
10
is permanent. Removal of the retainer mechanism
12
,
14
is generally accomplished by drilling it out, destroying the retainer mechanism
12
,
14
and possibly damaging the structure
10
into which it has been introduced.
Another disadvantage is that the method of introduction of the retainer mechanism
12
,
14
may cause damage to the structure
10
. Generally, a punch
20
(FIG.
5
), used to introduce the retainer mechanisms
12
,
14
to the structure
10
, exerts a large force on the structure
10
. If the retainer mechanism
12
,
14
is introduced too close to an edge of the structure, the force of introduction may cause a crack
16
in the structure
10
or may cause a bulge out
18
(
FIGS. 3
,
4
). Further, the force from the punch
20
used to punch a retainer mechanism
22
(which may be the flare or swage type
12
,
14
or other type normally introduced with a punch) may cause the structure
10
to bend (FIG.
5
).
Yet another disadvantage is that there may be locations on a structure which are not easily accessible with a punch. For example, a structure
10
′ (
FIG. 6
) may include a lip
11
, which extends in a direction that inhibits the punch
20
from properly installing the retainer mechanism
22
.
SUMMARY
The invention provides a removable front mounted retaining mechanism that includes a retention device adapted for being anchored within a first structure and a captivatable device capable of floating within the retention device in a first position and adapted for being introduced to a second structure in a second position.
The invention also provides a retaining system that includes a first structure having a first opening with a first diameter, a second structure having a second opening with a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a removable front mounted retaining mechanism. The removable front mounted retaining mechanism has a retention device adapted for being anchored within the first opening of the first structure and a captivatable device capable of floating within the retention device in a first position and adapted for being introduced to the second opening of the second structure in a second position.
The invention also provides a method of connecting a first structure to a second structure. The method includes the steps of providing a first structure with a first opening having a first diameter, providing a second structure with a second opening having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the first opening, introducing a retention device into the first opening of the first structure, introducing a captivatable device into the retention device, said captivatable device being capable of floating within the retention device in a first position, aligning the first opening of the first structure with the second opening of the second structure, and introducing the captivatable device into the second opening of the second structure, thereby connecting the first and second structures.
These and other advantages and features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the invention that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.


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