U.S. patent number RE36,681 [Application Number 08/791,937] was granted by the patent office on 2000-05-02 for channel nut fastener.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sigma-Aldrich Co.. Invention is credited to Eric R. Rinderer.
United States Patent |
RE36,681 |
Rinderer |
May 2, 2000 |
Channel nut fastener
Abstract
A fastener used to secure an object on a channel including a
channel nut which may be entered into a slot in the channel and
then turned about an axis of rotation to extend in a generally
crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of portions
of the nut at locations generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut
with edges of the channel. A retainer for the nut has a body and a
flange integral with the body which may engage the channel at
opposite sides of the channel slot for preventing the retainer from
being pushed inwardly completely through the slot when the nut is
turned to a crosswise position in the channel and when an object is
being fastened to the channel. Resiliently deformable spring
elements on the body of the retainer are so sized and arranged as
to be engageable with the channel for holding the nut in its
crosswise position against slippage lengthwise of the channel
slot.
Inventors: |
Rinderer; Eric R. (Highland,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Sigma-Aldrich Co. (Highland,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25404793 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/791,937 |
Filed: |
January 31, 1997 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
895628 |
Jun 9, 1992 |
05209619 |
May 11, 1993 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
411/85; 411/553;
411/970 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
37/045 (20130101); Y10S 411/97 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16B
37/04 (20060101); F16B 021/00 (); F16B
027/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;411/84,85,104,109,173,177,182,187,188,161,162,549,553,970
;403/348 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Author--Power Strut; Title--"Channel Raceway and Framing Systems",
p. 44, Date--Jul. 1, 1985, with photograph showing double conveyor
clamping nut..
|
Primary Examiner: Wilson; Neill R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Senniger, Powers, Leavitt &
Roedel
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the width of the
channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of
the nut with said channel edges, said nut further having a hole
therethrough for receiving a fastener for fastening said object to
the channel when the nut is in its said crosswise position, wherein
the improvement comprises
a retainer on the outside face of the nut for retaining the nut in
its said crosswise position prior to and during fastening of said
object to the channel,
said retainer having a body with an opening therethrough generally
coaxial with the hole through the nut to enable insertion of a
fastener through the opening and into and through the hole in the
nut, and flange means integrally formed as one piece with said body
and extending laterally from the body for engagement with the
channel lips at opposite sides of the channel slot when the nut is
passed through the slot and turned to its said crosswise position,
said flange means being substantially inflexible for preventing the
retainer from being pushed inwardly completely through the slot
when the nut is turned to its said crosswise position and when an
object is being fastened to the channel, and resiliently deformable
spring elements on the body of the retainer between said flange
means and the outside face of the nut, said spring elements being
integrally connected to the body at closely spaced intervals
circumferentially of the body and being so sized and dimensioned as
to be engageable with the channel lips when the nut is turned to
its said crosswise position for exerting a spring force against the
channel lips tending to hold the nut in its said crosswise position
against slippage lengthwise of the channel slot, and
means for holding the retainer in assembly with the nut.
2. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring elements
are integrally connected to said flange means.
3. A fastener as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring elements
are so arranged and dimensioned that the spring force exerted by
the spring elements on the channel lips has a first component
generally perpendicular to a plane containing the edges of the
channel lips at opposite sides of the channel slot, said first
component of force tending to draw the nut outwardly with respect
to the channel slot into clamping engagement with the edges of the
channel lips, thereby inhibiting slippage of the nut lengthwise of
the channel slot, and a second component generally parallel to said
plane whereby the spring elements are adapted for anti-slip
frictional engagement with the channel lips thereby to inhibit
slippage of the nut lengthwise of the channel slot.
4. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring elements
comprise a plurality of thin generally parallel fin-like members
projecting laterally outward from the body.
5. A fastener as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fin-like members
are located at closely spaced intervals around substantially the
entire circumference of the body.
6. A fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fin-like members
are arranged so that when the nut is turned in one direction on
said axis of rotation to its crosswise position, the spring force
exerted by the fin-like members tends to hold the nut against
rotation in the opposite direction out of its said crosswise
position.
7. A fastener as set forth in claim 6 wherein adjacent fin-like
members are spaced apart a first distance around the circumference
of the body except at two locations diametrically opposite one
another where adjacent fin-like members are spaced apart a second
distance greater that the first distance.
8. A fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein said body of the
retainer is generally annular in shape, wherein each fin-like
member is connected to the body of the retainer along a first edge
extending generally axially with respect to the body, and wherein
the fin-like member is connected to said flange means along a
second edge extending generally radially with respect to the body,
said fin-like member having at least one additional free edge
engageable with said channel lips when the nut is turned to its
said crosswise position, said free edge being adapted resiliently
to deflect when said nut is inserted into the channel slot and
turned to its said crosswise position to provide said spring
force.
9. A fastener as set forth in claim 8 wherein each fin-line member
is generally planar and generally in the shape of a rectangle, each
fin-like member comprising a first portion on one side of a line
extending diagonally with respect to the fin and generally
bisecting the rectangle, said first portion remaining substantially
undeformed when the nut is turned to its said crosswise position,
and a second portion bounded at least in part by said free edge on
the opposite side of said line, said second portion being adapted
resiliently to deflect when the nut is turned to said crosswise
position.
10. A fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein the body of the
retainer, said flange means and said spring elements are integrally
molded as a single plastic part.
11. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
holding the retainer in assembly with the nut comprises a pair of
pins on the body projecting through apertures in the nut, said pins
being engageable with the nut to hold the retainer captive on the
nut.
12. A fastener as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pins are
dimensioned to extend inwardly from the body of the retainer
through said apertures and inwardly beyond the inside face of the
nut, each pin having an enlarged end engageable with the inside
face of the nut to hold the retainer in assembly with the nut.
13. A fastener as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pins are
adapted for snap-lock connection to the nut.
14. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retainer has
handle means thereon, said handle means being adapted to be gripped
for facilitating entry of the nut into the channel slot, passage
through the slot, and rotation of the nut to its said crosswise
position.
15. A fastener as set forth in claim 14 wherein said handle means
comprises a generally semi-annular handle attached only at its ends
to said flange, the ends of the handle lying generally on a line
which is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the nut to facilitate
rotation of the nut to its said crosswise position.
16. A fastener as set forth in claim 15 wherein said line including
the ends of the handle makes an angle with the longitudinal axis of
the nut of approximately 35.degree..
17. A fastener as set forth in claim 14 wherein said handle means
is integrally formed as one piece with said flange means.
18. A fastener as set forth in claim 17 wherein said retainer body,
flange means, spring elements and handle means are integrally
molded as a single plastic part.
19. A fastener as set forth in claim 14 wherein said flange means
comprises an annular flange at the periphery of the retainer body,
said handle means comprising a generally semi-circular handle
attached only at its ends to said flange and being pivotable about
its ends from an initial position generally in the plane of the
annular flange to an operable position in which the handle arches
over the flange to enable the handle to be gripped.
20. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 wherein the nut is made of
sheet metal, the nut being punched through to form openings
extending through the nut from the inside face to the outside face
thereof and teeth integral with the nut projecting outwardly from
the outside face of the nut at the peripheries of the openings for
engagement with the channel edges when the nut is in said crosswise
position thereby to inhibit slippage of the nut lengthwise of the
channel in the slot when a load is applied to the nut tending to
cause such slippage.
21. A fastener as set forth in claim 20 wherein the teeth are
arranged in two pairs, each pair of teeth comprising two teeth
adjacent a respective end of the nut on opposite sides of a central
longitudinal axis of the nut extending lengthwise of the nut midway
between opposite sides of the nut, each of the openings having a
first peripheral portion, constituting a laterally outer portion,
generally closer to a respective side of the nut than to said
central longitudinal axis of the nut, and a second peripheral
portion, constituting a laterally inner portion, generally closer
to the central longitudinal axis of the nut than to a respective
side of the nut, the two teeth of each pair of teeth extending only
along said laterally outer portions of respective openings, the
laterally inner portions of the openings being substantially free
of any teeth.
22. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defying a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the width of the 10
channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned to extend in a generally
crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of portions
of the outside face of the nut at locations generally adjacent
opposite ends of the nut with said channel edges, said nut further
having a hole therethrough for receiving a fastener for fastening
said object to the channel when the nut is in its said crosswise
position, wherein the improvement comprises
a retainer on the outside face of the nut for retaining the nut in
its said crosswise position prior to and during fastening of said
object to the channel,
said retainer having a body with an opening therethrough generally
coaxial with the hole through the nut to enable insertion of a
fastener through the opening and into and through the hole in the
nut, and flange means integrally formed as one piece with said body
and extending laterally from the body for engagement with the
channel lips at opposite sides of the channel slot when the nut is
passed through the slot and turned to its said crosswise position,
and resiliently deformable spring means on the body engageable with
the channel lips when the nut is turned to its said crosswise
position for exerting a spring force against the channel lips
tending to hold the nut in its said crosswise position against
slippage lengthwise of the channel slot,
means for holding the retainer in assembly with the nut, and
handle means integrally formed as one piece with said flange means,
said handle means being adapted to be gripped for facilitating
entry of the nut into the channel slot, passage through the slot,
and rotation of the nut to its said crosswise position.
23. A fastener as set forth in claim 22 wherein said retainer body,
flange means and handle means are integrally molded as a single
plastic part.
24. A fastener as set forth in claim 22 wherein said flange means
comprises an annular flange at the periphery of the retainer body,
said handle means comprising a bail member attached only at its
ends to said flange and being pivotable about its ends from an
initial position generally in the plane of the annular flange to an
operable position in which the bail member arches over the flange
to enable said handle means to be gripped.
25. A fastener as set forth in claim 24 wherein the ends of the
bail member lie generally on a line which is oblique to the
longitudinal axis of the nut to facilitate rotation of the nut to
its said crosswise position.
26. A fastener as set forth in claim 25 wherein said line including
the ends of the bail member makes an angle with the longitudinal
axis of the nut of approximately 35.degree..
27. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a metal nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite sides, opposite ends, a width less than the
width of the channel slot and a length greater than the width of
the channel slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot,
entered into the slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the
outside to the inside of the channel and then turned to extend in a
generally crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of
portions of the outside face of the nut at locations generally
adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel edges, said nut
further having a hole therethrough for receiving a fastener for
fastening said object to the channel when the nut is in its said
crosswise position, a retainer on the outside face of the nut for
retaining the nut in its said crosswise position prior to and
during fastening of said object to the channel, wherein the
improvement comprises
anti-slip means on the outside face of the nut engageable with said
channel edges when the nut is in its crosswise position for
inhibiting slippage of the nut lengthwise of the channel in the
slot when a load is applied to the nut tending to cause such
slippage,
said anti-slip means comprising two pairs of openings in the nut
extending through the nut from the inside face of the nut to the
outside face of the nut, and teeth integral with the nut projecting
outwardly from the outside face of the nut at the peripheries of
the openings for engagement with the channel edges when the nut is
in said crosswise position, each pair of teeth comprising two teeth
adjacent a respective end of the nut on opposite sides of a central
longitudinal axis of the nut extending lengthwise of the nut midway
between opposite sides of the nut, each opening having a first
peripheral portion, constituting a laterally outer portion,
generally closer to a respective side of the nut than to said
central longitudinal axis of the nut, and a second peripheral
portion, constituting a laterally inner portion, generally closer
to the central longitudinal axis of the nut than to a respective
side of the nut, the two teeth of each pair of teeth extending only
along said laterally outer portions of respective openings, the
laterally inner portions of the openings being substantially free
of any teeth.
28. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut
having a first face constituting an outside face, an opposite face
constituting an inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the
width of the channel slot and a length greater than the width of
the channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel edges
said nut further having a hole therethrough for receiving a
fastener for fastening said object to the channel when the nut is
in its said crosswise position, wherein the improvement
comprises
handle means affixed to the fastener, said handle means being
pivotable with respect to the fastener between a position in which
said handle means does not project substantially above a plane
parallel to the plane of the outer face of the nut and an operable
position in which said handle means extends outwardly with respect
to the fastener for grasping to facilitate entry of the nut into
the channel slot, passage through the slot, and rotation of the nut
to its said crosswise position.
29. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the width of the
channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel
edges, said nut further having a hole therethrough for receiving a
fastener for fastening said object to the channel when the nut is
in its said crosswise position, wherein the improvement
comprises
handle means affixed to the fastener, said handle means being
adapted to be gripped for facilitating entry of the nut into the
channel slot, passage through the slot, and rotation of the nut to
its said crosswise position, said handle means comprising a
generally semi-annular handle attached only at its ends to the
fastener, the ends of the handle lying generally on a line which is
oblique to the longitudinal axis of the nut to facilitate rotation
of the nut to its said crosswise position.
30. A fastener as set forth in claim 29 wherein said line including
the ends of the handle makes an angle with the longitudinal axis of
the nut of approximately 35.degree..
31. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating in edges extending lengthwise of the slot at opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the width of the
channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel
edges, said nut further having a hole therethrough for receiving a
fastener for fastening said object to the channel when the nut is
in its said crosswise position, wherein the improvement
comprises
a retainer on the nut for retaining the nut in its said crosswise
position prior to and during fastening of said object to the
channel, the retainer having substantially inflexible flange means
engageable with the channel lips to prevent the retainer from being
pushed through the channel slot when the nut is entered into the
channel and turned to said crosswise position and during fastening
of said object to the channel,
.Iadd.a .Iaddend.handle .[.means.]. affixed to the fastener, said
handle .[.means.]. being .Iadd.movable between a first position in
which said handle extends generally upward from the fastener and is
.Iaddend.adapted to be grasped for facilitating entry of the nut
into the channel slot, passage through the slot, and rotation of
the nut to its said crosswise position.Iadd., and a second position
in which said handle lays in a plane generally parallel to the
outside face of the nut.Iaddend..
32. For use with a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls
with inwardly directed lips formed thereon defining a slot
therebetween extending the length of the channel, said lips
terminating its edges extending lengthwise of the slot as opposite
sides of the slot, a fastener for securing an object to the
channel, said fastener comprising a nut having a first face
constituting an outside face, an opposite face constituting an
inside face, opposite ends, a width less than the width of the
channel slot and a length greater than the width of the channel
slot whereby the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel
edges, said nut further having a hole therethrough for receiving a
fastener for fastening said object to the channel when the nut is
in its said crosswise position, wherein the improvement
comprises
a handle affixed at its ends to the fastener and adapted to define
a passage between the fastener and the handle for receiving a
finger therethrough such that the handle may be grasped for
facilitating entry of the nut into the channel slot, passage
through the slot, and rotation of the nut to its said crosswise
position.
33. A fastener as set forth in claim 32 further comprising a
retainer on the nut for retaining the nut in its said crosswise
position prior to and during fastening of said object to the
channel, the handle being formed as one piece with the retainer.
.Iadd.34. A fastener as set forth in claim 31 wherein said handle
is configured to arch over the nut when the handle is in its said
first position..Iaddend.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fasteners for the construction
industry, and more particularly to what may be referred to as
channel nuts used for securing objects to metal channel framing of
the type commonly used in construction.
Metal channel framing is commonly used to support mechanical and
electrical fixtures in buildings. The framing is formed as a
channel to have a bottom wall and generally parallel opposite side
walls extending from the bottom wall, the outer edge margins of
each side wall being bent to form inwardly directed generally
hook-shaped lips which define a slot therebetween extending the
length of the channel. An elongated nut is typically used to fasten
an object to the channel, with the nut having a width less than the
width of the channel slot and a length greater than the width of
the
channel slot so that the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered
into the slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside
to the inside of the channel and then turned to extend in a
generally crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of
portions of the outside face of the nut at locations generally
adjacent opposite ends of the nut with said channel edges. A
retainer on the nut usually holds the nut in engagement with the
channel lips so that the nut does not slip relative to the channel
during fastening of an object to the channel, which is accomplished
by means of a bolt threaded through a hole in the nut. Examples of
this type of channel nut are illustrated in co-assigned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,146,074, 4,410,298, 5,054,978 and 5,067,863.
While the retainers described in the above patents are generally
satisfactory, they are relatively expensive to manufacture.
Assembly of the retainers with their respective nuts is a
labor-intensive operation. Moreover, installation of the nuts and
retainers in the channel requires a tool (e.g., a screwdriver).
There is need, therefore, for a retainer which is more economical
to make and to assemble with a nut, and a need for a retainer and
nut which can be installed in a channel without using a tool.
Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the
provision of an improved retainer for use with a channel nut of the
type described above; the provision of such a retainer which is
economical to manufacture and lends itself to automated assembly
with a nut; the provision of such a retainer having a handle
feature which facilitates turning of the nut to its crosswise
position in a channel and which reduces the risk of dropping the
nut during installation; the provision of such a retainer which
holds the nut against slippage relative to the channel after
installation of the nut in the channel; the provision of such a
retainer which is sufficiently rigid so that it cannot easily be
pushed completely through the channel slot during installation of
the channel nut; and the provision of such a retainer which is
lightweight.
A fastener of the present invention is used to secure an object on
a channel having a bottom and a pair of side walls with inwardly
directed lips formed thereon defining a slot therebetween extending
the length of the channel. The lips terminate in edges extending
lengthwise of the slot at opposite sides of the slot. In general,
the fastener comprises a nut having a first face constituting an
outside face, an opposite face constituting an inside face, and
opposite ends. The width of the nut is less than the width of the
channel slot and its length greater than the width of the channel
slot so that the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the
slot and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the
inside of the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to
extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for
engagement of portions of the outside face of the nut at locations
generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with the channel edges.
The nut also has a hole in it for receiving another fastener for
fastening the object to the channel when the nut is in its
crosswise position. A retainer on the outside face of the nut
retains the nut in its crosswise position prior to and during
fastening of the object to the channel. The retainer has a body
with an opening therethrough generally coaxial with the hole
through the nut to enable insertion of a fastener through the
opening and into and through the hole in the nut. Flange means
integrally formed as one piece with the body extends laterally from
the body for engagement with the channel lips at opposite sides of
the channel slot when the nut is passed through the slot and turned
to its crosswise position, the flange means being substantially
inflexible for preventing the retainer from being pushed inwardly
completely through the slot when the nut is turned to its crosswise
position and when an object is being fastened to the channel.
Resiliently deformable spring elements on the body of the retainer
between said flange means and the outside face of the nut are
integrally connected to the body at closely spaced intervals
circumferentially of the body. The spring elements are so sized and
dimensioned as to be engageable with the channel lips when the nut
is turned to its crosswise position for exerting a spring force
against the channel lips tending to hold the nut in its crosswise
position against slippage lengthwise of the channel slot. Means is
provided for holding the retainer in assembly with the nut.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be in part
apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation of a fastener mounting an object on a
channel;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a nut and a retainer having a handle
with the operable position of the handle shown in phantom;
FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the nut and retainer of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top plan of the retainer;
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan of the nut and retainer;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of the nut and retainer;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the retainer of FIG.
6, showing a fin-like member of the retainer;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken in the plane
including line 8--8 of FIG. 5 showing a tooth of a preferred design
on the nut;
FIG. 8A is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to FIG. 8 but
showing a tooth of a lesser preferred design;
FIG. 9 is a section taken in the plane including line 9--9 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the right side of FIG.
9;
FIG. 11 is a top plan of a retainer of a second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan of the retainer of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a channel nut
assembled with the retainer of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken in the plane
including line 14--14 of FIG. 1 with the retainer, bolt and object
removed for clarity;
FIG. 15 is the section of FIG. 14, but showing a nut of a lesser
preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 16 is an elevation of a third embodiment of the fastener.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, a fastener of the present invention,
generally indicated at 20, is shown to comprise a nut 22 and a
generally annular retainer 24 secured to the nut for use in
securing an object O to a channel C. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the
channel C has a bottom wall BW and a pair of side walls S1, S2 with
inwardly directed lips L defining a slot S therebetween extending
the length of the channel. The lips L are generally hook-shaped in
cross section and terminate in edges E extending lengthwise of the
slot S at opposite sides of the slot. The nut 22 is generally
channel-shaped, having opposite sides 25, flanges 26 extending
lengthwise of the nut between opposing ends 28, a first face
constituting an outside face 32, and an opposite face constituting
an inside face 34.
The width of the nut 22 is less than the width of the channel slot,
but its length is greater than the width of the channel slot S so
that the nut may be aligned with the slot, entered into the slot S
and passed inwardly through the slot from the outside to the inside
of the channel C. Once inserted into the channel C, the nut 22 may
be turned about an axis of rotation A perpendicular to the outside
and inside faces 32, 34 of the nut to extend in a generally
crosswise position relative to the slot S for engagement of
portions of the outside face of the nut at locations generally
adjacent the opposite ends 28 of the nut with the channel edges E.
The engagement of teeth, designated 35A, 35B, 35C and 35D,
respectively, on the nut 22 with the edges E of the lips L hold the
nut from slipping lengthwise of the channel C and will be more
particularly described hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 11, the
channel nut 22 is rhomboidal in shape, the opposing ends 28 of the
nut being generally slanted relative to a longitudinal axis LA of
the nut extending lengthwise of the nut midway between opposite
sides 25 of the nut. However, at the lower righthand corner 36 and
the upper lefthand corner 38 of the nut 22 (as seen in FIG. 11) the
ends lie in planes generally perpendicular to the central
longitudinal axis LA of the nut. As shown in FIG. 9, the corners
36, 38 of the nut engage respective side walls S1, S2 of the
channel C when the nut is in its crosswise position. A suitable
fastener, such as bolt B, is threadably received through a central
threaded hole 40 in the nut 22 for fastening the object O to the
channel C when the nut is in the crosswise position. The hole 40 is
formed by punching to rough the nut 22 from the outside face 32 to
the inside face 34, which leaves a generally annular upset
formation of metal 41 projecting inwardly from the inside face of
the nut (FIG. 3).
The retainer 24, which is secured to the nut 22 on the outside face
32 thereof, has a body 44 with an opening 46 therethrough generally
coaxial with the hole 40 in the nut to enable insertion of the bolt
B through the opening 46 and into and through the hole in the nut.
The retainer 24 retains the nut 22 in its crosswise position in the
channel C and prevents slippage of the nut longitudinally of the
channel in the slot S prior to and during fastening of the object O
with the bolt B. The prevention of slippage is particularly
important when, as often is the case, the channel C extends
generally vertically. However, regardless of the orientation of the
channel C, the retainer 24 prevents slippage or rotation of the nut
22 away from its crosswise position when the bolt B is being
tightened, when the channel is bumped, such as when the object O is
being positioned for fastening onto the channel, or when the
fastener 20 is jarred, such as when the workman probes for the
opening 46 in the retainer with the bolt after the object is
positioned in the channel. To facilitate insertion of the bolt B
into the opening 46 in the retainer, an outside face 47 of the body
44 surrounding the opening 46 is generally concave in shape so that
the end of the bolt is guided toward the opening upon engagement
with the outside face 47.
The retainer 24 is molded inexpensively from suitable plastic
(e.g., polypropellene), and includes an annular flange 48 formed
integrally as one piece with the body 44. The flange 48 extends
laterally from the body 44 around its circumference and is
dimensioned for engagement with the channel lips L at opposite
sides of the channel slot S when the nut 22 is passed through the
slot and turned to its crosswise position. The flange 48 is
substantially inflexible for preventing the retainer 24 from being
pushed inwardly completely through the slot S when the nut 22 is
turned to its crosswise position and when the object O is being
fastened to the channel C.
A plurality of resiliently deformable fin-like members 50 (broadly
"spring elements") are integrally connected to the body 44 and
flange of the retainer 24 at closely spaced intervals
circumferentially around the body. As shown in FIG. 9, the fin-like
members 50 are so sized and dimensioned as to be engageable with
the lips L when the nut 22 is turned to its crosswise position for
exerting a spring force against the lips L tending to hold the nut
in its crosswise position against slippage lengthwise of the
channel slot S. More specifically, the spring force exerted by the
fin-like members 50 on the lips L has a first component 52
generally perpendicular to a plane containing the edges E of the
lips at opposite sides of the slot S (FIG. 1). The first component
52 of force tends to draw the nut 22 outwardly with respect to the
slot S into clamping engagement with the edges E of the lips L,
thereby inhibiting slippage of the nut lengthwise of the slot. A
second component 54 of the spring force exerted by the fin-like
members 50 is directed generally parallel to the plane containing
the edges E of the channel lips L (i.e., generally outwardly
against the lips on both sides of the slot), so that the fin-like
members are adapted for anti-slip frictional engagement with the
lips thereby to inhibit slippage of the nut 22 lengthwise of the
slot S.
In addition to the first and second components 52, 54 of the spring
force, the fin-like members 50 are also arranged so that when the
nut 22 is turned on the axis of rotation A to its crosswise
position, the spring force also includes a third component 56 (FIG.
9) tending to hold the nut against rotation in the opposite
direction out of its crosswise position. Rotation of the nut 22
away from the crosswise position can cause the teeth 35A-35D to
disengage from the edges E of the channel. The amount of load which
can be supported by the nut 22 before slipping longitudinally in
the slot S is reduced markedly when the teeth 35A-35D are not
engaged with the edges E.
As shown in FIG. 9, the fin-like members 50 are spaced apart a
first distance D1 around the circumference of the body 44 except at
two locations diametrically opposite one another where adjacent
fin-like members are spaced apart a second distance D2 greater than
the first distance D1. The locations where the fin-like elements 50
are spaced apart the larger distance D2 are positioned so that when
the nut 22 is rotated (in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 9)
to its crosswise position, no fin-like members on the right side of
the slot S above a line T extending transversely of the channel C
through the center of opening 46 are engaging the lip L. However,
the fin-like members 50A, 50B and 50C engage the lip L on or below
the transverse line T. Conversely, on the left side of the slot S
no fin-like members 50 engage the lip L below the transverse line
T, but fin-like members 50D, 50E and 50F engage the lip on or above
the transverse line. It will be understood that this specific
design may vary so long as there is a net spring force tending to
hold the nut in its crosswise position as discussed in more detail
below.
Referring to FIG. 10, the fin-like members 50A, 50B, 50C engage the
lip L and are deformed. The lower portions 58 of the engaged
fin-like members 50B, 50C are deflected in a counter-clockwise
direction out of the plane of the fin-like members and exert a
spring force which is directed generally outwardly against the
channel lips. The spring force of the fin-like members 50B, 50C
below the transverse line T produces a torque which contributes to
the third component 56 of the spring force tending to rotate the
retainer 24 and nut 22 in the clockwise direction. The fin-like
member 50A substantially on the transverse line contributes nothing
to the third component 56 of the spring force. The reverse is true
on the left side of the slot S, where the fin-like members 50E, 50F
engaged with the lip above the transverse line T contribute a
torque in the clockwise direction adding to the third component 56
of the spring force.
The numbers of fin-like members 50 engaging the channel lips L on
each side of the slot S is the same above and below the transverse
line T when the nut 22 is not in its crosswise position. Any
fin-like members 50 engaging the lips L above the transverse line T
on the right side and below the transverse line on the left side
tend to rotate the nut in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, there
is no net rotational force component exerted by the fin-like
members 50 away from the crosswise position of the nut. However,
because of the unequal numbers of fin-like members 50 in engagement
with the lip L above and below the transverse line T on both sides
of the slot S when the nut 22 is in and near its crosswise
position, the net rotational force component (i.e., the third
component 56 of the spring force) is in the clockwise direction.
The nut 22 is held against rotation in the clockwise direction
beyond its crosswise position because of the engagement of its
corners 36, 38 with respective side walls S1, S2 of the channel,
and the third component 56 of the spring force exerted by the
engaged fin-like members 50B, 50C, 50E and 50F in the crosswise
position resists rotation in the counterclockwise direction.
The fin-like members 50 are thin (approximately 0.015 inches in the
illustrated embodiments), planar and generally rectangular in
shape. The spacing D1 of the fin-like members 50 around the
circumference of the body 44 is approximately 8.degree., except at
the two locations discussed above, where adjacent fin-like members
are spaced apart the greater distance D2, which is approximately
20.degree.. Referring now to FIG. 7, each fin-like member 50 is
connected to the body 44 along a first edge 60 extending generally
axially with respect to the annular retainer body 44, to the flange
48 along a second edge 62 extending generally radially with
respect to the body, and has at least one free edge 64 adapted for
engagement with the channel lips L. A first portion 66 of the
fin-like member 50 lies on one side of a line 68 extending
diagonally with respect to the fin-like member and generally
bisecting the rectangle, and a second portion 70, bounded at least
in part by the free edge 64, lies on the opposite side of the line.
Upon insertion of the nut 22 into the channel slot S and turning
the nut to its crosswise position, the free edge 64 engages the lip
L, and the free edge and second portion 70 are resiliently
deflected out of the plane of the first portion 66. There is also
some radially inward compression of the second portion 70 of each
fin-like member 50. The compression is generally in the plane of
first portion 66, and occurs primarily near the first edge 60 of
the fin-like member 50 which is connected to the flange 48. The
first portion 66 of the fin-like member 50 remains substantially
undeformed even after engagement of the fin-like member with the
lips L.
As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of pins 72 formed integrally with the
body 44 project through apertures 74 in the nut 22. In the first
embodiment, the cylindrical pins 72 are of uniform diameter along
their entire length, the diameter being somewhat less than that of
the apertures 74 in the nut. After insertion through the apertures
74, the distal ends 76 of the pins are enlarged to diameter greater
than that of the apertures by heating and flattening the ends
against the inside face 34 of the nut to hold the retainer 24 in
assembly with the nut 22.
In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 11-13, the
pins 72 are adapted for snap-lock connection to the nut 22. The
pins 72 are generally rectangular in cross section with laterally
outwardly projecting feet or tabs 78 at their distal ends 76. The
tabs 78 each have a generally flat surface 80 projecting laterally
inwardly from the pin 72, and an inclined surface 82 which slopes
inwardly toward the distal end 76 of the pin. The pins 72 are
smaller in their transverse dimension than the transverse dimension
of the apertures 74 except at the tabs 78. To assemble the retainer
24 of the second embodiment with the nut 22, the retainer is moved
toward the outside face 32 of the nut with the pins 72 aligned with
respective apertures 74 in the nut. Upon entry into an aperture 74,
the inclined surface 82 of each tab 78 engages the nut 22 at the
perimeter of the aperture. Further movement into the aperture 74
causes the tab 78 to be deflected resiliently inwardly, with the
inclined surface 82 acting as a wedge to facilitate such
deflection. The tab 78 snaps outwardly to its original undeflected
configuration when it clears the aperture so that the flat surface
80 faces the inside face 34 of the nut. Engagement of the flat
surfaces 80 of the tabs 78 with the inside face 34 of the nut
prevents withdrawal of the pins 72 from the apertures 74.
Assembly of the nut 22 and retainer 24 is readily automated for
both the first and second embodiments of the retainer.
To install a fastener 20 of this invention on a channel C, a
workman aligns the nut 22 with the channel slot S and inserts the
nut into the slot. Insertion of the fastener 20 into the channel C
is limited by engagement of the flange 48 of the retainer 24 with
the lips L. The workman then uses the retainer 24 to turn the nut
22 to its crosswise position (the position shown in FIG. 9). A
generally semi-annular bail member or handle 86 attached at its
ends 88 to the flange 48 of the retainer can be gripped by the
workman to aid in the insertion and turning of the nut 22. As shown
in solid lines in FIG. 2, the handle initially lies in a plane
generally parallel to a plane including the flange 48 .Iadd.and
generally parallel to the outside face 32 of the nut 22.Iaddend..
However, the handle 86 is resiliently flexible and, as illustrated
in phantom lines in FIG. 2, it may be pulled away from the retainer
24 to an operable position in which the handle .Iadd.extends
generally upward from the fastener 20 and nut 22 and the
.Iaddend.arches over the body 44 of the retainer. In this position
the workman may easily grasp the fastener 20.
In a third embodiment of the fastener 20 shown in FIG. 16, the
handle 86 is attached to (or formed as one piece with) the nut 22.
The nut 22 may be made of a suitable plastic, rather than sheet
metal. The retainer 24 is a coil spring 87 mounted on the inside
face 34 of the nut. The spring 87 is adapted to engage the bottom
wall BW of the channel upon insertion in the slot. Compression of
the spring biases the nut 22 against the channel edges E to hold
the nut from slipping in the channel.
In the preferred embodiments, the handle 86 is attached to the
retainer 24 (or nut 22) so that turning the nut to its crosswise
position can be accomplished with a comfortable twisting motion of
the wrist. As shown in FIG. 11 the ends 88 of the handle lie on a
line H, which is oblique to the longitudinal axis LA of the nut. In
the illustrated embodiments, the angle between the line H and the
longitudinal axis LA of the nut 22 approximately 35.degree.. To
align the nut 22 for insertion into the slot S, the workman
gripping the fastener 20 by the obliquely oriented handle 86 must
twist his wrist slightly from its normally relaxed position in the
counterclockwise direction. The nut 22 is turned clockwise to its
crosswise position by twisting the wrist in that direction through
the rest position and somewhat (e.g., approximately 55.degree.)
beyond it. It may be seen that the orientation of the handle 86
requires the wrist to be twisted clockwise from the rest position
substantially less than the approximately 90.degree. turn of the
nut 22 to its crosswise position. The reduction in clockwise
twisting of the wrist beyond its rest position is achieved by
attaching the handle 86 to the retainer 24 so that its orientation
relative to the nut 22 is such that the wrist is twisted a small
amount in the counterclockwise direction prior to turning the nut
to its crosswise position.
In the first and second embodiments, the body 44 of the retainer
24, the flange 48, the fin-like members 50 and the handle are
integrally molded as a single plastic part. This allows the
retainers 24 to be produced rapidly and at a low cost. In the third
embodiment (FIG. 16), the nut 22 and handle 87 are preferably
formed as one piece. To further reduce material cost, the mold (not
shown) is provided with pins which leave holes 90 in the underside
of the body 44 (FIG. 12). The holes 90 reduce the amount of
material needed to produce the retainer 24 without significantly
affecting the strength of the retainer. In the second embodiment,
the central opening 46 in the body 44 has diametrically opposed
channels 92 extending radially outward from its perimeter over the
tabs 78 of the legs. The channels 92 allow forming members (not
shown) to extend through the opening 46 and form the flat surface
80 of the tabs 78.
Anti-slip means, including in this embodiment the four teeth
35A-35D and two pairs of openings (designated 94A and 94B,
respectively), inhibits slippage of the nut 22 lengthwise of the
channel C in the slot S when a load is applied to the nut tending
to cause such slippage. The openings 94A, 94B extend through the
nut 22 from the inside face 34 to the outside face 32. The teeth
35A-35D are integral with the nut and project outwardly from the
outside face 32 of the nut at the peripheries of respective
openings 94A, 94B. Each of the openings 94A, 94B has a first
peripheral portion, constituting a laterally outer portion 98,
generally closer to a respective side 25 of the nut than to its
longitudinal axis LA, and a second peripheral portion, constituting
a laterally inner portion 100, generally closer to the longitudinal
axis that to a respective side of the nut. The teeth 35A-35D extend
only along the laterally outer portions 98 of respective openings
94A, 94B with the laterally inner portions 100 being substantially
free of any teeth. When the nut 22 is in its crosswise position as
shown in FIG. 9, a first pair of the teeth (35A, 35D) adjacent the
left end of the nut on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis LA
of the nut engage the edge E of the lip L on the left side of the
channel. A second pair of the teeth (35B, 35C) adjacent the right
end of the nut on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis LA engage
the edge E of the lip L on the right side of the channel. The first
component 52 of spring force exerted by the fin-like members 50 of
the retainer 24 and directed outwardly of the slot S pulls the
teeth 35A-35D into engagement with the edges E of the lips so that
they inhibit slippage of the nut lengthwise of the slot after the
nut has been inserted into the channel C, but prior to bolting the
object O onto the channel. The openings 94A, 94B and teeth 35A-35D
are preferably formed by punching, but may be formed using other
methods and still fall within the scope of the present
invention.
The teeth 35A-35D are constructed for preventing the nut 22 from
slipping when forces applied to the bolt tend to tilt the nut
generally about its longitudinal axis LA out of the plane of the
edges E of the lips L. In a typical application, the channel C is
bolted to a wall and extends generally vertically up the wall. Any
object (e.g., object O) mounted on the channel C by the fastener 20
applies a load to the nut 22 which tends not only to cause it to
slide down the channel, but also to tilt the nut generally about
its longitudinal axis LA out of the plane including the channel
edges E. The tilting of the nut 22 tends to drive the upper teeth
(35A, 35B, as shown in FIG. 9) into the edges E and withdraw the
lower teeth (35C, 35D) from the edges. The tendency of the load
applied by the object to tilt the nut 22 out of the plane of the
channel edges E is more readily understood when the object (e.g., a
bracket) mounted by the fastener 20 which extends a substantial
distance outwardly from the channel C. It is apparent in this
situation that the load of the brace and equipment supported by the
brace will include a substantial downwardly directed bending moment
tending to cause the bolt B and the nut 22 to tilt as previously
described.
In a test, the nut 22 having the teeth 35A-35D withstood
substantially greater loads before slipping longitudinally in the
channel than a nut 101 of identical construction except having
teeth (such as tooth 102 shown in FIG. 8A) extending around the
entire peripheries of their respective openings 94 rather than only
along the laterally outer portions of the openings. The test was
conducted by securing a steel plate to a channel using the fastener
20 and tightening the bolt B to a known torque. Loads directed
longitudinally of the channel were then applied to the fastener 20
until it "failed". Failure was defined as slippage of the nut 22
one inch from its original position. The same test was performed
with a fastener including the nut 101 with annular teeth 102. As
may be seen in the table below, the slip-loads supported by the
fastener 20 with semi-annular teeth 35A-35D were clearly superior
to those supported by the fastener having the nut 101 with annular
teeth 102.
______________________________________ SLIP-LOAD TEST RESULTS (Nut
with Teeth 35A-35D) (Nut with Annular Teeth 102) Test Torque
Failure Test Torque Failure No. (ft/lbs) (lbs) No. (ft/lbs) (lbs)
______________________________________ 1 25 2,748 1 25 2,105 2 25
2,584 2 25 2,249 3 25 2,831 3 25 1,931 4 25 2,877 4 20 1,782 5 25
2,784 5 20 1,937 6 20 2,865 6 25 2,141 2,782 avg. 2,024 avg.
______________________________________
At least two factors are believed to contribute to the superior
performance of the teeth 35A-35D over the annular teeth 102. It is
well known to enhance the gripping action of the teeth (i.e., teeth
35A-35D and teeth 102), by hardening them so that when the bolt B
is tightened the teeth penetrate a short distance into the
unhardened channel edges E. The total force applied by the bolt B
on each annular tooth 102 is spread out over the surface area of
the tooth engaging the channel edge E, which surface area extends
substantially around the entire circumference of the opening 94.
However, for the semi-annular teeth 35A-35D, the total force
applied by the bolt B on each tooth is spread out over roughly half
the surface area of the annular tooth 102 because the laterally
inner portion of the tooth 102 is not present in the semi-annular
teeth 35A-35D. Thus, the load per unit surface area of the edge E
engaged by an annular tooth 102 is substantially less than the load
per unit area on an edge engaged by a semi-annular tooth (e.g.,
tooth 35A). Therefore, the penetration of the teeth 35A-35D into
the channel edges E is further than the penetration of the teeth
102, which gives the teeth 35A-35D a better grip on the channel
edge than the teeth 102 for resisting sliding lengthwise of the
channel.
The teeth 35A-35D are constructed so that their tendency to be
wedged out of engagement with the channel edges E is substantially
reduced over that of the annular teeth 102. The superior
performance of the semi-annular teeth 35A-35D in this regard may be
understood by reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. A semi-annular tooth
35A is shown in FIG. 14 in engagement with a channel edge E after
the bolt B is tightened with the tooth penetrating into the channel
edge. Similarly, an annular tooth 102 is shown in FIG. 15 in
engagement with the channel edge E after the bolt B is tightened
with the tooth penetrating into the channel edge. In both figures,
the direction of the load applied to the nut (22 or 101) and teeth
(35A-35D or 102) is indicated by arrow 110. Referring to FIG. 15, a
laterally inner portion of the annular tooth 102 has a "ramp"
surface 112 on the laterally inner portion of the tooth which
intersects the channel edge E at an acute angle. The ramp surface
112 acts as a wedge, converting the downwardly directed load 110
into a force including a horizontal component 114 directed inwardly
away from the channel edge E which tends to pull the tooth 102 out
of engagement with the channel edge E. Thus, the gripping action of
the tooth 102 is reduced by the presence of the ramp surface 112.
As shown in FIG. 14, the tooth 35A has no laterally inner portion
or ramp surface 112. Therefore, the gripping action of the tooth
35A, produced by the engagement of a downwardly facing surface 116
of the tooth with the channel edge, is not reduced by any wedging
action of the tooth.
The problem of the teeth wedging out of engagement with the channel
edge E is exacerbated by the tendency of the nut (22 or 101) to
tilt out of the plane of the channel edges. The tilting action
(indicated by arrows 118) of the nut 101 increases the tendency of
the ramp surface 112 of the tooth 102 to wedge the entire tooth out
of engagement with the channel edge. However, the tilting action of
nut 22 drives the tooth 35A more forcefully into engagement with
the channel edge with a lesser tendency of the tooth to be wedged
out of engagement with the channel edge. Moreover, the downwardly
facing surface 116 of the tooth 35A is may be moved so that it
intersects the channel edge E at a slightly obtuse angle so that
the surface 116 acts as a wedge tending to pull the tooth into
engagement with the channel edge under the load 110.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *