FASTENER FOR SECURING TOGETHER TWO PANELS

• US 20140314516A1
• Filed: 04/18/2014
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ned C. Bowers, Russell Ortner
• Original Assignee: Ned C. Bowers, Russell Ortner
• Inventors: Bowers, Ned C., Ortner, Russell
• Granted Patent: US 10,087,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/344
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/067 the material of the nut being deformed by a threaded member generating axial movement of the threaded part of the nut, e.g. blind rivet type
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0208 using panel fasteners, i.e. permanent attachments allowing for quick assembly

Abstract

A fastener is provided for securing a first panel to a second panel. The fastener includes a stud insertable through apertures in the first and second panels. The fastener further includes a pivoting handle assembly with a handle operatively connected to a stud head and pivotal between an upright position generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position generally parallel to the first panel. A biasing mechanism is connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head. A locking pin is connected to the stud head and the handle and is in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or the folded. position. A fastener is also provided for securing together the first and second panels, including a grommet, a receptacle and an insert in threaded engagement with an interior of the receptacle.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, comprising:

a stud insertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageable with the second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel, the stud having an end that is insertable through the apertures and a stud head distal the end; and

a pivoting handle assembly comprising a handle operatively connected to the stud head whereby the handle is pivotal between an upright position in which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position in which the handle is generally parallel o the first panel;

a biasing mechanism connected to the stud head and the handle that biases the handle outward relative to the stud head; and

a locking pin connected to the stud head and the handle and in connection with the biasing mechanism to hold the handle in the upright position or the folded position.

2. The fastener of claim I wherein the pivoting handle assembly further comprises:

the stud head including a block having a central boring in which the biasing mechanism is disposed;

the handle having an axle disposed within a slot of the block, and the axle spaced from a main body of the handle forming an opening there between;

the locking pin secured within the block wherein the axle is disposed between the locking pin and the biasing mechanism, and the locking pin is disposed perpendicular to the axle; and

,

wherein the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the boring, the block and the stud head and against the locking pin.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving the locking pin.

4. The fastener of claim 2 wherein the axle includes a pair of legs at opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of the block.

5. A fastener for securing a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, comprising:

a stud insertable through the aperture in the first panel and engageable with the second panel to secure the first panel to the second panel, the stud having an end that is insertable through the apertures and a stud head distal the end; and

a pivoting handle assembly comprising;

a handle operatively connected to the stud head whereby the handle is pivotal. between an upright position in which the handle is generally perpendicular to the first panel, and a folded position in which the handle is generally parallel to the first panel,

a biasing mechanism disposed in a central boring of a block of the stud head, and

an axle of the handle disposed within a slot of the block, the axle disposed perpendicular to the biasing mechanism such that the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the stud head.

6. The fastener of claim 5 wherein the axle is spaced from a main body of the handle forming an opening there between, and wherein the pivoting handle assembly further comprises:

a pin secured within the block wherein the axle is disposed between the pin and the biasing mechanism, and the pin is disposed perpendicular to the axle; and

,

wherein the biasing mechanism biases the axle outward relative to the boring, block and stud head and against the pin.

7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein an indentation is formed on the axle for receiving the pin.

8. The fastener of claim 5 wherein the axle includes a pair of legs at opposing ends of the axle to support the handle on a platform of the block.

9. The fastener of claim 8 wherein the platform is generally parallel to the first panel and is positioned between the handle and the first panel to prevent a pivot of the handle beyond the folded position.

10. The fastener of claim 7 wherein the biasing mechanism is a compression spring and the compression spring biases the axle outward against the indentation to prevent a shift of the handle along the block.

11. A fastener for securing together a first panel to a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include an aperture for receiving the fastener, and a first side of the first panel and the second panel are facing each other, and a second side of each is facing away from each other, comprising:

a grommet having an opening and a radially outwardly extending flange for engaging the second side of said first panel;

a receptacle being a rivet nut mounted to the first side of the second panel and having a central opening facing the first side of the first panel and aligned with the respective apertures of the first panel and the second panel; and

an insert in threaded engagement with an interior surface of the rivet nut receptacle and the insert having cam and locking surfaces for engaging a cross pin of a stud having been inserted through the grommet.

12. The fastener of claim 11 further comprising an adhesive on engaging surfaces of the receptacle and the insert thereby affixing the insert in the receptacle so a position of the insert is not longitudinally adjustable within the receptacle.

13. The fastener of claim II further comprising a cap with internal threads in threaded engagement with external threads on an end of the receptacle distal to the central opening thereby compressing the receptacle against the insert so a position of the insert is not longitudinally adjustable within the receptacle.

14. The fastener of claim 13 wherein said fastener further comprises:

an O-ring seated within a groove on an exterior of the receptacle between the external threads and the second panel;

wherein the O-ring is positioned at a predetermined location on the receptacle such that when the cap engages the O-ring a predetermined amount of torque is required to longitudinally adjust the insert within the receptacle.

15. The fastener of claim 13 Wherein a plurality of slots are formed along the external threads to divide the external threads into sections that compress against the insert upon the threaded engagement between the cap and the receptacle.

16. The fastener of claim 13 Wherein the receptacle includes a tapered end at the end of the receptacle, Wherein the cap includes a seat at an opening in the cap to engage the tapered end and compress the receptacle against the insert upon the threaded engagement between the cap and the receptacle.