Industrial two-member releasable locking fastener

• US 4,137,610 A
• Filed: 12/16/1977
• Issued: 02/06/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Southco Incorporated (South Chester Tube Company)
• Original Assignee: Simmons Fastener Corporation
• Inventors: Hoen, Cuyler
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Application Number:
  US05/861,187
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 24/221 R, 24/221 A, 24/221 K, 24/109, 24/73 RM
• US Class Current: 24/580.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/005 engaging the bolt laterally to allow a quick mounting or dismounting of the washer, i.e. without the need to engage over the end of the bolt F16B43/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/10 by means of bayonet connections F16B5/0092 takes precedence; fastening devices locking by rotation F16B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/53 Projection or cavity rotates about axis of cavity access opening to interlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45089 Sliding or rotating element

Abstract

A releasable locking fastener for industrial applications comprises a turn member actuator which may be attached to one panel and a receptacle member which may be attached to another panel. The turn member actuator includes a turn member, a retention means and a flat spring for resiliently disposing the turn member. The turn member is stamped as a unitary member from sheet metal and comprises a turning head means, an upper shank portion having a retention means seat, a middle shank portion having indentations, and a lower shank portion preferably having one or two cammed shoulders and terminating in a rounded nose. The receptacle member includes a base having an elongated opening, an indentation in the base transverse to the opening, and a plurality of stops protruding from the base.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising a turn member adapted to be fastened to a first panel, a securing means on one side of said first panel for positioning said turn member relative to said first panel, a flat spring resilient means for resiliently separating said turn member and said first panel on the opposite side of said first panel;

said turn member comprising as a unitary stamped sheet metal single thickness member a head portion and a shank portion, said shank portion having a securing means seat, a restricted middle portion in the form of two oppositely disposed indentations, and a nose portion;

said fastener further comprising a receptacle member adapted to be fastened to a second panel, said receptacle having a base, said base having an elongated opening, an indentation transverse to said opening and extending on opposite sides of said opening away from said opening, and a projecting stop;

wherein upon alignment of said nose with said opening and upon insertion of said turn member into said base member, said restricted shank portion will cooperate with said opening whereupon angular rotation of said turn member relative to said receptacle member will locate and seat said turn member in said indentation upon removal of said turn member insertion force.

2. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein the flat spring means for resiliently positioning said turn member with respect to the first panel is a bellville spring.

3. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein the securing means is a "C" spring.

4. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein said turn member head portion is substantially flat and rectangular.

5. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein said securing means seat is a groove.

6. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein the securing means is a disk having an elongated opening.

7. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein the securing means is a flat ring-like member having inwardly directed resilient arms.

8. A fastener as in claim 1 and further including a second projecting stop on the opposite side of said receptacle opening from the first projecting stop.

9. A fastener as in claim 1 wherein said receptacle has opposite side walls directed away from said second panel.