Fastening system and method of fastening objects with enhanced security

• US 20050247169A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microtek Medical Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Microtek Medical Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Faries, Durward I. Jr., Heymann, Bruce R., Hendrix, David
• Application Number:
  US10/996,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20050247169A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/176.150
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/485 for theft-proof screws, bolts or nuts

Abstract

A fastening system according to the present invention includes a fastening device and a specialized tool. The fastening device is manipulable by the specialized tool and includes a threaded distal portion and a proximal receptacle to receive the tool. The tool is designed to interface the fastening device via the receptacle and rotate the threaded portion to engage or be removed from objects.

Claims

1. A fastening system for reliably fastening objects to enhance security comprising:

a fastening device including;

a threaded section to engage an opening defined within an object; and

a receptacle including at least one window, wherein each said window includes a contact area to receive applied force and enable manipulation of said fastening device relative to said object.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes an open proximal end, a closed distal end and an interior channel extending therebetween.

3. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein said receptacle is substantially cylindrical and said window is positioned angularly about the receptacle for approximately one-hundred eighty degrees.

4. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein said fastening device further includes:

a guide element disposed within said receptacle interior channel and extending between said receptacle closed distal end and said receptacle open proximal end.

5. The fastening system of claim of 4, wherein said guide element includes a base and a rod, said base being attached to said receptacle closed distal end and including a substantially frusto-conical configuration tapering proximally toward said rod.

6. The fastening system of claim 4, wherein said guide element includes a substantially cylindrical post extending between said receptacle closed distal end and said receptacle open proximal end.

7. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein an internal surface of said receptacle includes at least one flute in communication with said window, said flute extending axially between said window and said open proximal end.

8. The fastening system of claim 7, wherein:

said at least one window includes a plurality of windows separated by corresponding block members; and

each of said windows is in communication with a corresponding flute disposed along said receptacle.

9. The fastening system of claim 1, further including:

a tool to engage said receptacle and manipulate said fastening device.

10. The fastening system of claim 9, wherein said tool includes a protrusion with edges configured to engage said contact area to manipulate said fastening device.

11. The fastening system of claim 10, wherein said protrusion is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said receptacle when received into said receptacle and positioned within said window.

12. The fastening system of claim 4 further including:

a tool to engage said receptacle and manipulate said fastening device, wherein said tool includes;

an engaging member to engage said receptacle;

a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member; and

a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool.

13. The fastening system of claim 12, wherein said shank portion includes a channel to receive said guide element.

14. The fastening system of claim 12, wherein said engaging member includes a channel to receive said guide element.

15. The fastening system of claim 12, wherein an internal surface of said receptacle includes at least one flute in communication with said window, and said engaging member includes at least one pin disposed on an exterior surface thereof with each pin configured to slidably engage a corresponding flute.

16. The fastening system of claim 1 further including:

a thermal treatment system to thermally treat a medical solution and including at least one compartment and at least one said fastening device to secure said compartment.

17. A fastening system for reliably fastening objects to enhance security comprising:

a tool to manipulate a fastening device including;

an engaging member including a protrusion with edges configured to engage and manipulate said fastening device;

a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member and including a channel defined therein; and

a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool.

18. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein said protrusion is configured to be substantially flush with an exterior surface of said fastening device when received within said fastening device.

19. A fastening system for reliably fastening objects to enhance security comprising:

a tool to manipulate a fastening device including;

an engaging member including a channel defined therein and at least one pin disposed on an external surface to engage and manipulate said fastening device;

a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member; and

a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool.

20. A method of reliably fastening objects via a fastening system to enhance security, wherein said fastening system includes a fastening device and a tool to manipulate said fastening device, said method comprising:

(a) inserting said fastening device within an opening defined in an object, wherein said fastening device includes a threaded section to engage said opening and a receptacle including at least one window, and wherein each said window includes a contact area to receive applied force and enable manipulation of said fastening device relative to said object;

(b) engaging said fastening device with said tool to manipulate said fastening device relative to said object.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said receptacle includes an open proximal end, a closed distal end and an interior channel extending therebetween.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said fastening device further includes a guide element disposed within said receptacle interior channel and extending between said receptacle closed distal end and said receptacle open proximal end, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) guiding said tool within said receptacle to enable said tool to engage said fastening device.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said tool includes a protrusion, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) engaging said contact area with edges of said protrusion to manipulate said fastening device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b.1) further includes:

(b.1.1) engaging said contact area with edges of said protrusion to manipulate said fastening device, wherein said protrusion is substantially flush with an exterior surface of said receptacle.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said tool includes an engaging member to engage said receptacle, a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member and a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) receiving said guide element within a channel defined within said shank portion.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein said tool includes an engaging member to engage said receptacle, a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member and a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) receiving said guide element within a channel defined within said engaging member.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein an internal surface of said receptacle includes at least one flute in communication with said window, and wherein said tool includes an engaging member to engage said receptacle and including at least one pin disposed on an exterior surface thereof, a shank portion extending proximally from said engaging member and a gripping member disposed toward said shank portion proximal end to enable manipulation of said tool, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) slidably engaging each flute of said receptacle with a corresponding pin of said engaging member to position said pins within corresponding windows to manipulate said fastening device.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) inserting at least one fastening device within a thermal treatment system for thermally treating a medical solution, wherein said thermal treatment system includes at least one compartment and at least one fastening device secures said compartment.