U.S. patent application number 11/476911 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for track slot fastener.
This patent application is currently assigned to NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Invention is credited to William G. Bowes, Darren Womack.
Application Number | 20070036628 11/476911 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32680904 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070036628 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Womack; Darren ; et
al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Track slot fastener
Abstract
A slidably retainable fastener assembly for securing loads to a
track is provided with a retainer adapted to fit at least partly
within a track slot and a member operating on the retainer, the
member being positionable in at least a first position and a second
position. When the member is positioned in the first position, the
member causes the retainer to disengage the track slot thereby
allowing the fastener to be movable within the track slot, and when
the member is positioned in the second position, the member causes
the retainer to engage the track slot thereby causing the fastener
to remain stationary within the track slot.
Inventors: |
Womack; Darren; (Windsor,
CA) ; Bowes; William G.; (Macomb Township,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH
AMERICA, INC.
|
Family ID: |
32680904 |
Appl. No.: |
11/476911 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10994334 |
Nov 23, 2004 |
7070374 |
|
|
11476911 |
Jun 29, 2006 |
|
|
|
10336033 |
Jan 3, 2003 |
6827531 |
|
|
10994334 |
Nov 23, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
410/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 7/0815 20130101;
B61D 45/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
410/104 |
International
Class: |
B61D 45/00 20060101
B61D045/00 |
Claims
1. A fastener assembly for securing loads to a track, said fastener
assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of said
track, the fastener assembly comprising: a retainer adapted to fit
at least partly within said track slot; a cam member operating on
said retainer, said cam member being positionable in at least a
first position and a second position; and a pressure plate
positioned above said track and below said cam member, said
pressure plate applying a pressure on a top surface of said track
in response to the position of said cam member, wherein when said
cam member is positioned in said first position, said cam member
causes said retainer to disengage said track slot thereby allowing
said fastener to be movable within said track slot, and wherein
when said cam member is positioned in said second position, said
cam member causes said retainer to engage said track slot thereby
causing said fastener to remain stationary within said track slot.
Description
CORRESPONDING RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/336,033, filed Jan. 2, 2003. The present application is
related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/874,979 filed on Jun. 7,
2001, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,568 issued Mar. 30, 2004, to Mark D.
Snyder et al., all of which are incorporated by reference herein in
their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to fasteners for
securing loads to a track, and more particularly, to adjustable
fasteners for securing loads to a track mounted in or near a truck
bed.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] Fasteners for securing loads to framing, tracks, and
channels have been commercially available for some time. Some
conventional fasteners used in automotive track applications will
be briefly described below.
[0006] Conventional track fasteners have been designed to be
removable and/or relocateable along a track slot length. Many of
these conventional track fasteners employ a rotatable locking base
portion that engages locking teeth inside the track slot or on a
locking mechanism to securely retain the fastener within the track
slot, and to facilitate relocation along the track slot length.
These devices, however, can be difficult to install and use, which
detracts from their desirability in consumer environments such as
original equipment manufactured (OEM) vehicles (e.g., pickup
trucks, mini-vans, sport-utility vehicles (SUV) etc.). Often,
conventional track fasteners can only be loaded from an end of the
track slot (i.e., their design does not facilitate top down
loading), and are thus difficult to replace if broken. Also
problematic, many of these fasteners have limited load capacities,
such as fasteners available on roof racks, and are thus unsuitable
for applications such as truck beds and cargo shipping where
heavier loads are placed.
[0007] Other conventional track fasteners (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,410,298, 4,784,552, and Re. 36,681, which are incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety) have been designed with a
center through bolt to apply pressure between a top plate mounted
above the track slot and a base plate mounted within the track
slot. The bolt can be tightened to "clamp" the fastener in place,
thereby securely retaining the fastener within the track slot, or
loosened to facilitate relocation along the track slot length.
Clamp styled fasteners are often used to temporarily attach rails
to the top side of a truck bed for tonneau covers and the like, and
are generally relocatable along the length of the track slot. These
devices, however, often require a user to have a wrench to
loosen/tighten the bolt, which detracts from their ease of use.
[0008] Some conventional track fasteners have a track slot with
predetermined fastening locations. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,850,769, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. In one such device, predetermined fastening locations are
set at enlarged openings in a top surface of the track in which a
movable car "drops into" to retain the movable car in that
particular position. The car may include a spring biased vertically
movable latch to releasably engage the openings. These devices,
however, are limited to the specific predetermined fastening
locations, which reduces their utility for many applications.
Moreover, as with other conventional track fasteners, these devices
typically require the car to be loaded into the track slot from one
end of the track slot, making it substantially more difficult to
repair or replace a given fastener.
[0009] Thus, a need exists for an improved track slot fastening
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to overcoming or at least
reducing the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above
and other problems in the prior art.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
fastener assembly for securing loads to a track is provided, the
fastener assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of
the track. The fastener assembly comprises a retainer adapted to
fit at least partly within the track slot, a cam member operating
on the retainer, the cam member being positionable in at least a
first position and a second position, and a pressure plate
positioned above the track and below the cam member, the pressure
plate applying a pressure on a top surface of the track in response
to the position of the cam member. When the cam member is
positioned in the first position, the cam member causes the
retainer to disengage the track slot thereby allowing the fastener
to be movable within the track slot, and when the cam member is
positioned in the second position, the cam member causes the
retainer to engage the track slot thereby causing the fastener to
remain stationary within the track slot.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
slidable fastening device for securing an object to a track is
provided, the fastening device being slidable along a track slot of
the track. The slidable fastening device comprises a base portion
positionable at least partly within the track slot, the base
portion being horizontally displaceable along the track slot and
vertically displaceable in a direction substantially perpendicular
to a top surface of the track slot, a pressure plate positioned
above the base portion for applying a pressure to the top surface
of the track slot, and a pivotable actuator for selectably applying
a force on the pressure plate thereby vertically displacing the
base portion between an engagement position and a released
position, the engagement position fixing the position of the
fastening device within the track slot, and the released position
allowing slidable displacement along the track slot.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of securing an object to a track including a track slot is
provided, comprising pivoting a cam member to a retain position,
vertically displacing a retainer positioned within the track slot
in response to motion of the cam member, applying a substantially
uniform force across a top surface of the track slot opposite to
the retainer, and engaging the retainer with an inner surface of
the track slot.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
fastener assembly for securing loads to a track is provided, the
fastener assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of
the track. The fastener assembly comprises a retainer including a
base portion adapted to fit at least partly within the track slot,
and a ratchet lock for locking the retainer to the track slot.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of securing an object to a track including a track slot is
provided, comprising rotating a ratchet lock, vertically displacing
a member positioned within the track slot in response to rotating
the ratchet lock, and locking a retainer to the track slot via the
vertically displaced member.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
fastener assembly for securing loads to a track is provided, the
fastener assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of
the track. The fastener assembly comprises a retainer adapted to
fit at least partly within the track slot, and a pin lock operating
on the retainer, the pin lock being positionable in at least a
first position and a second position. When the pin lock is
positioned in the first position, the pin lock causes the retainer
to disengage the track slot thereby allowing the fastener assembly
to be movable within the track slot, and when the pin lock is
positioned in the second position, the pin lock causes the retainer
to engage the track slot thereby causing the fastener assembly to
remain stationary within the track slot.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
fastener assembly for securing loads to a track is provided, the
fastener assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of
the track. The fastener assembly comprises means for locking a
retainer to the track slot in a locked position, means for
selectably releasing the retainer from the locked position, and
means for securing the load to the retainer.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
fastener assembly for securing loads to a track is provided, the
fastener assembly being slidably retainable within a track slot of
the track. The fastener assembly comprises a retainer adapted to
fit at least partly within the track slot, a rotatable handle
operating on the retainer, the rotatable handle being rotatable
between at least an engagement position and a release position, and
a pressure applicator positioned above the track and below the
rotatable handle, the pressure applicator applying a pressure on a
top surface of the track in response to the position of the
rotatable handle.
[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of securing an object to a track including a track slot is
provided, comprising rotating a rotatable handle thereby vertically
displacing the rotatable handle relative to a pressure applicator
positioned above the track, and vertically displacing a retainer
positioned within the track slot between an engagement position and
a release position relative to the vertical displacement of the
pressure applicator.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
slidably retainable fastener assembly for securing loads to a track
is provided, comprising a retainer adapted to fit at least partly
within a track slot of the track, and a cam member operating on the
retainer, the cam member being positionable in at least a first
position and a second position. When the cam member is positioned
in the first position, the cam member causes the retainer to
disengage the track slot thereby allowing the fastener to be
movable within the track slot, and when the cam member is
positioned in the second position, the cam member causes the
retainer to engage the track slot thereby causing the fastener to
remain stationary within the track slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The foregoing advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent upon reference to the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fastener assembly according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fastener assembly of FIG.
1.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a fastener assembly according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer with a threaded
shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIGS. 5A-5G are views of a ratchet lock according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another fastener assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG.
6 in a locked position according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fastener assembly of FIG.
6 in a released position according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a drawing of a pin lock configuration according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fastener assembly of
FIG. 6 in a released position according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fastener assembly of
FIG. 6 in an engagement position according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a variation on the fastener
assembly of FIG. 6 in a released position according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a fastener assembly with
ramped or angled portions according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of the fastener assembly
of FIG. 13 along plane XIV-XIV according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0037] The following description of the present invention will
describe implementations of the present invention in reference to a
track slot used in a truck bed. One such implementation is
described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/874,979
filed Jun. 7, 2001, by Michael D. Anderson et al., which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Additional
improvements and variations are described in the aforementioned
corresponding related applications. Other implementations are also
contemplated, as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art after reading this disclosure.
[0038] It should be appreciated that the term "track slot" as used
in the present application refers to the entire internal volume of
the track. Hence, "track slot" includes the space substantially
between two upper inwardly protruding portions at the top of the
track, and the volume underneath the protruding portions to a
bottom surface of the track. It should also be appreciated that the
term "load" as used in the present application refers to a force
applied to a fastener assembly by an object secured thereto. This
"load" may include, for example, a horizontal force acting
substantially along a plane of a vehicle body, a vertical force
acting upwards and away from the aforementioned plane of the
vehicle body, or a combination of the two.
[0039] A fastener assembly 100 retainable within a track slot
according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the
sectional view of FIG. 1, and the exploded view of FIG. 2. As
shown, track 110 is substantially C shaped, with two inward
projecting extensions 112. The two extensions 112 include abscesses
114 which are preferably smooth, but can be serrated if
desired.
[0040] A pressure plate 140 (e.g., a pressure applicator) is shown
positioned above the track 110, applying a substantially uniform
pressure on a top surface of the track 110. Preferably, pressure
plate 140 is flanged at opposite lateral ends, such that the
flanged portions properly seat the pressure plate 140 on the top
surface of the track 110.
[0041] A belleville washer 190 (i.e., one type of spring)
positioned adjacent to pressure plate 140 is shown in a
decompressed configuration in FIG. 2, and a compressed
configuration in FIG. 1. A washer 150 is shown positioned between
belleville washer 190 and a handle 170. Preferably, washer 150 has
a diameter substantially equal to the compressed diameter of
belleville washer 190. Handle 170 is coupled with a retainer 130 at
end A (represented by separable bolt 120) of shaft B; the shaft B
including at one end C at least one of an eyelet 180, a hook, a
ring, a carabiner, a clamp, a clasp, or other suitable tie down or
attachment connection. As shown, the shaft B may comprise a bolt
120 or other suitable coupler.
[0042] Positioned within the track slot is retainer 130.
Preferably, retainer 130 has a width substantially equal to the
inner width of the track slot such that retainer 130 substantially
conforms to an inner width of the track slot. Also, retainer 130 is
preferably configured so as to have a size and shape that allows
for top down loading (i.e., in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the top surface of track 110) into the track 110.
More specifically, retainer 130 is configured to have angled/cut
corners on diagonally opposite edges such that the retainer 130 can
be rotated about 90.degree. once it is placed within the track
110.
[0043] As shown best in FIG. 2, retainer 130 preferably includes
channel portions 134 for engaging ribs 116 of abscesses 114.
Furthermore, retainer 130 also may include serrated edges 132
outside of the channel portions 134 for engaging abscesses 114 of
the track 110. Preferably, the retainer 130 is made of aluminum or
steel, preferably cold headed or forged. Such a material is
selected such that the retainer 130 has a high strength and
durability, and is resistant to corrosion. The operation of the
fitting assembly will now be described in detail below.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the fitting assembly is configured in an
engagement position, where serrated edges 132 of retainer 130
engage abscesses 114 of track 110. A slight gap is present between
the bottom of bolt 120 and the bottom surface of track 110.
Serrated edges 132 help to fix the fitting assembly securely in
place along the track 110 when engaging abscesses 114 of track
110.
[0045] To release the fitting assembly, the handle 170 is pivoted
about a pin 160 to a disengagement position, preferably about
180.degree. with respect to the engagement position shown in FIG.
1. During pivoting, an integrated cam surface 172 of handle 170
releases the force on washer 150 which decompresses belleville
washer 190 from pressure plate 140, thereby vertically displacing
retainer 130. Serrated edges 132 of retainer 130 then disengage
abscesses 114 of track 110, allowing the fitting assembly to slide
freely along the track 110.
[0046] It should be appreciated that the holes in handle 170 (see
FIG. 2) are preferably off center (i.e., closer to the top), such
that when the handle 170 is pressed down, the retainer 130 is
lifted and tightened into the engagement position, and when the
handle 170 is lifted, the retainer 130 loosens. Hence, this
configuration causes the above described engagement and
disengagement operation.
[0047] The above described fastener assembly is particularly
advantageous over conventional approaches, as it is relatively easy
to use and inexpensive to manufacture. Belleville washer 190 and
the shape of cam surface 172 also provide for automatic locking of
the handle 170 in a given position, which improves the ease of use.
Moreover, the above described fastener assembly requires no tools
to relocate it along the track, and can be relocated to any
position along the track (i.e., not just at predetermined fastening
locations). Also, the invention eliminates any uncertainty as to
whether the fastener is tightened too much or too little. Thus, the
present invention provides substantial improvements over
conventional fasteners.
[0048] A fastener assembly retainable within a track slot according
to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3,
with parts thereof depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5A-5G.
The fastener assembly 200 according to this second embodiment
comprises a cleat 210 including a base portion 220 adapted to fit
within the track slot 110 (preferably in such a way as to provide
for top-down loading). The cleat 210 is locked to the track slot
110 (i.e., in an engagement position) via ratchet lock 240. It
should be appreciated that the cleat 210 refers to any slidable
member adapted to fit within the track slot 110. It should also be
appreciated that the term "ratchet" refers to a device that is
tightened as it rotates until a predetermined amount of torque is
attained, and then spins freely, re-releases, locks, or indicates
in some manner that the required fastening torque has been
attained.
[0049] Hence, the ratchet lock 240 is preferably configured to
limit the maximum fastening torque applied to the ratchet lock 240
to prevent damage to the track 110 and/or the fastener assembly 200
from over tightening. Furthermore, the ratchet lock 240 is also
configured to set a minimum fastening torque applied to the ratchet
lock 240 to prevent undertightening of the fastener assembly 200.
In operation, the ratchet lock will "click" when an appropriate
torque is attained, similar to a gas cap being screwed on after
refueling. As will be set forth in greater detail below, one such
ratchet lock 240 is shown in the views of FIGS. 5A-5G.
[0050] The ratchet lock 240 preferably comprises a rotatable base
portion 242 (e.g., a header) coupled to a retainer 250 via a
threaded shaft 260 (see FIG. 4). The rotatable base portion 242 is
configured to thread onto the shaft 260 to raise/lower the retainer
250. According to one aspect of the present invention, the
rotatable base portion 242 includes a hex nut (not shown) placed in
the center portion of the rotatable base portion 242.
Alternatively, the rotatable base portion 242 may be drilled and
threaded to directly thread onto the shaft 260.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5G, the base portion 242 can be formed
with one or more torque cantilevers 244, preferably a plurality of
torque cantilevers 244 extending all the way around a vertical
surface of the rotatable base portion 242. As shown best in FIG.
5E, the torque cantilevers 244 engage corresponding notched
portions 233 formed on an inner surface of rotatable top 243. The
torque cantilevers 244 "spin" when a fastening torque greater than
a predetermined maximum is applied to the ratchet lock 240, or when
the rotatable top 243 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.
When the rotatable top 243 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the
torque cantilevers 244 ratchet engage the notched portions 233
formed on the inner surface of rotatable top 243, thereby rotating
the rotatable base portion 242 on the shaft 260, thereby vertically
displacing the retainer 250 within the track slot 110. The vertical
displacement of retainer 250 locks the cleat 210 to the track slot
110 (i.e., an engagement position), or releases the cleat 210 from
the track slot 110 (i.e., a disengagement position).
[0052] As shown best in FIG. 5F (an enlargement of the bottom left
corner of FIG. 5G), the rotatable base portion 242 is preferably
rotatably fixed relative to the rotatable top 243 by a protrusion
259 extending within the groove 257 formed along an exterior
surface of the rotatable top 243. As shown in FIG. 5B, preferably
four protrusions 259 are formed, though the number and spacing
along rotatable base portion 242 may vary. Other attachment schemes
are also within the scope of this invention, as would be readily
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this
disclosure.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener assembly 200 also includes
a tie down 230 for securing loads to the fastener assembly 200.
Preferably, the tie down 230 is substantially arc shaped as shown.
However, it should be appreciated that the tie down 230 may be
configured as an eyelet, a hook, a ring, a carabiner, a clamp, a
clasp, or other suitable tie down or attachment connection. In the
substantially arc shaped configuration shown, the rotatable base
portion 242 of ratchet lock 240 is positioned between the arc
shaped tie down 230 and the base portion 220 of cleat 210.
[0054] In addition to the aforementioned benefits of previously
described embodiment(s) of the present invention, the fastener
assembly 200 of the present invention provides for a cosmetically
appealing fastener by partially hiding the ratchet lock 240 via the
arc shaped tie down 230. Furthermore, the "spin" torque cantilevers
244 help prevent over tightening of the ratchet lock 240 and
indicate to the user that the fastener assembly 200 is fully
tightened (e.g., by generating audible clicking sounds when the
fastener assembly 200 is sufficiently tight), thereby reducing any
chance of damaging the fastener assembly 200 or track 110 due to
over tightening. Hence, the fastener assembly 200 provides for
substantial improvements over existing fasteners.
[0055] A fastener assembly retainable within a track slot according
to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
6-12. The fastener assembly 300 according to this third embodiment
comprises a retainer 330 adapted to fit within the track 110.
Similar to the first embodiment, the retainer 330 is vertically
displaceable within the track 110, such that it engages abscesses
of the track 110 to secure the fastener assembly 300 to the track
110. Retainer 330 is preferably configured so as to have a size and
shape that allows for top down loading (i.e., in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the top surface of track 110) into
the track slot.
[0056] According to this third embodiment, the fastener assembly
300 includes a pin lock 305 operating on the retainer 330, the pin
lock 305 being operable in a released/disengagement position (FIGS.
6, 8, 10, 12), and in a locked/engagement position (FIGS. 7, 11).
The pin lock 305 includes a first pin 360 coupled to the retainer
330 via shaft 320 and linked to a second pin 370 via a first
locking arm 390. A welded base portion 350 (e.g., a lockplate) or
the like may be used to couple the shaft 320 to the retainer 330
depending on the particular implementation. The pin lock 305
further includes a third pin 380 coupled to the handle operating on
the pin lock 305 and linked to the second pin 370 via a second
locking arm 395. Second locking arm 395 is preferably an integral
part of the handle 312 (FIGS. 10, 11) but is described as a
separate arm for illustration purposes.
[0057] The operation of the pin lock 305 will now be described in
reference to FIG. 9. For purposes of explanation, both the
"released" position (i.e., .PHI. about 40.degree.) and the "locked"
position (i.e., .theta.about 10.degree.) are depicted in FIG. 9.
Preferably, first locking arm 390 has a length L.sub.1 of about 14
mm, and second locking arm has a length L.sub.2 of about 9 mm. It
should be appreciated that L.sub.1+L.sub.2.apprxeq.M.sub.1, the
maximum length of the locking arms 390 and 395 in combination.
[0058] Assuming the third pin 380 remains substantially in the same
location in the released position and in the locked position, the
first pin 360 is located at a distance M.sub.3 from one end of the
maximum length M.sub.1 when in the locked position. The first pin
360 is vertically displaceable within the fastener assembly 300 to
displace the retainer 330 between the locked position and the
released position Similarly, in the released position, the first
pin 360 is located at a distance M.sub.2 from one end of the
maximum length M.sub.1. In operation, the first pin 360 and the
third pin 380 are aligned along a locking axis 302 substantially
bisecting the first pin 360 and the third pin 380 when the pin lock
305 is positioned in the locked position. Furthermore, the first
pin 360 and the third pin 380 are aligned along a released axis 304
substantially bisecting the first pin 360 and the third pin 380
when the pin lock 305 is positioned in the released position.
[0059] This configuration provides for vertical displacement of the
retainer 330 coupled to the vertically displaced first pin 360, and
a secure "lock" of the retainer 330 to the track 110 when the pin
lock 305 is in the locked position. It should be appreciated that
.PHI. must be large enough to provide sufficient travel to take up
the entire release clearance. This provides for a simple locking
mechanism to lock the fastener assembly 300 to the track 110, and
also provides for an easy release to allow the fastener assembly
300 to be slid along track 110 to another position. Hence, in
addition to various advantages of the aforementioned embodiments of
the present invention, this configuration also provides for many
improvements over conventional fasteners.
[0060] For loading purposes, the fastener assembly 300 may be
provided with spring 321, first loading projection 322, second
loading projection 333, and running surface 334 as shown best in
FIG. 12. To load the fastener assembly 300, the fastener assembly
300 is placed on top of a track 110 rotated 90.degree. about a
vertical axis therefrom with respect to the operational position
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The second loading projection 333 is
configured to have a length greater than a width of the slot of the
track 110, such that the second loading projection 333 rests on a
top surface of the track 110 in a loading position.
[0061] The first loading projection 322 operates with the spring
321 to force a gap between a top surface of the retainer 330 and a
bottom surface of the second loading projection 333. This gap is
designed to be large enough such that the retainer 330 can be
rotated 90.degree. within the track 110 once the fastener assembly
300 is placed in the loading position. The entire fastener assembly
300 is then rotated 90.degree. to the operation position shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11. The second loading projection 333 is thus
configured to have a width smaller than a width of the slot of the
track 110, such that the second loading projection 333 rests within
the track 110 in the operational position, and the running surface
334 is configured to rest on a top surface of the track 110 in the
operational position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Once in the
operational position, the fastener assembly 300 can be used as
indicated above.
[0062] A fastener assembly retainable within a track slot according
to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13
and 14, with a portion cut along plane XIV-XIV shown in greater
detail in FIG. 14. The fastener assembly 400 according to this
embodiment includes a rotatable handle 410 (e.g., a thumb-wheel)
within an outer tie down 411 for securing loads to the fastener
assembly 400. The rotatable handle 410 operates retainer 450 via
shaft 420. A spring 430 is provided in a space between the
rotatable handle 410 and pressure plate 440, such that the spring
430 applies a vertical force on the pin 443 with respect to the
pressure plate 440.
[0063] To operate the fastener assembly 400, the rotatable handle
410 includes an angled running surface 445 interfacing pin 443. As
the rotatable handle 410 is rotated between a locked position and a
released position, the angled running surface 445 vertically
displaces the pin 443 coupled to the retainer 450 with respect to
the pressure plate 440. The rotatable handle 410 cannot be
vertically displaced beyond a maximum amount due to intersecting
the outer tie down 411, thus the rotatable handle 410 vertically
displaces the pin 443 via the angled surface 445, which similarly
displaces retainer 450 via shaft 420, thereby locking or unlocking
the fastener assembly 400 from the track slot 110.
[0064] The interface between the angled running surface 445 and the
pin 443 can be designed to prevent overtightening of the fastener
assembly 400 and to default to a tightened condition when "partial"
tightening occurs. By way of example, the angled running surface
may include a notch (not shown) for receiving the pin 443 at a
loosened state near a "top" of the angled running surface 445. If
an operator only partially loosens the fastener assembly 400,
thereby not reaching the notch, the spring 430 forces the pin 443
to slide down the angled running surface 445 back into a
tightened/engaged position. To prevent overtightening, the spring
430 is configured to apply the maximum retention force on the
retainer 450 when the pin 443 is at the "bottom" of the angled
running surface 445. Hence, both overtightening prevention and
default engagement can be achieved.
[0065] It should be appreciated that various aspects of the
aforementioned embodiments may be combined and/or modified amongst
the various embodiments of the present invention. Thus, for
example, the second and/or third embodiments may be provided with
channel portions 134 for engaging ribs 116 of abscesses 114, and/or
serrated edges 132 outside of the channel portions 134 for engaging
abscesses 114 of the track 110. Furthermore, the second and/or
third embodiments may be configured to allow for top down loading
into the track 110, to make it easier to replace or add fasteners.
Other variations are also possible, as would be readily apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure.
[0066] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be
acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were
chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the
invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in
the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined with reference to the claims appended hereto, and their
equivalents.
* * * * *