Attachment device

• US 5,827,026 A
• Filed: 06/27/1997
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tony J. Patti
• Original Assignee: Tony J. Patti
• Inventors: Patti, Tony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, NEILL R
• Application Number:
  US08/884,185
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 411/104, 411/111, 411/112, 411/113, 411/174, 411/175, 411/999, 411/526, 411/527
• US Class Current: 411/174
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 15/0046 from the body of the plate
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/999 with retainer, e.g. tether

Abstract

An attachment device for attaching one object to another object. The attachment device comprises a U-shaped clamp, a bolt, and a U-shaped nut. The clamp has an upper and low portion and the nut has two upward projecting members. The upper and lower portions have a hole for receiving the bolt and the lower portion has two nut holes for receiving the upward projecting members of the nut. A first object is inserted between the upper and lower portions and the bolt is tightened to cause the upper and lower portions to grasp the first object. The upward projecting members prevent the attachment device from being over tightened and weakening the clamp. The members also prevent the attachment device from rotating when it is clamped to the first object. A second object may be attached to the attachment device by inserting the bolt through a hole in the second object.

Claims

1. An attachment device for attaching a first object to a second object, the first object having an upper and lower surface and an edge, the attachment device comprising:

(A) a bolt for providing a compressive force;

(B) a nut for engaging said bolt, said nut having an upper member for abutting the edge of the first object; and

(C) a body for gripping the first object, said body having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, said body comprising;

(a) an upper portion for abutting the upper surface, said upper portion having a hole for receiving said bolt; and

(b) a lower portion for abutting the lower surface, at least one nut hole for receiving said upper member of said nut, wherein said upper member of said nut extends through said nut hole and abuts the edge of the first object when the first object is between said upper and lower portions.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said nut comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section and said upper member comprises first and second members, said lower portion of said body comprises first and second nut holes for receiving said first and second members.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said first and second members comprise barbs for holding said first and second members in said first and second nut holes.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said upper and lower portions is longer than said other portion.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one barb on said body for engaging a surface of the first object.

6. An attachment device for attaching an article to an object, the object having upper and lower surfaces, the attachment device comprising:

(A) a bolt for providing a clamping force;

(B) a nut for receiving said bolt, said nut having an upper member; and

(C) a substantially U-shaped clamp for engaging the object, said clamp comprising;

(a) an upper portion for abutting the upper surface of the object, said upper portion having a hole for receiving said bolt; and

(b) a lower portion for abutting the lower surface of the object, said lower portion having a nut hole for receiving said upper member of said nut, wherein said upper member of said nut extends through said nut hole and provides a surface for abutting said upper portion.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said nut is substantially U-shaped with first and second members and said lower portion of said clamp comprises a first and second nut hole for receiving said first and second members.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said nut comprises a flexible material, whereby said nut provides a spring force for absorbing vibration and preventing said bolt from loosening.

9. The device of claim 6 further comprising at least one barb on said upper or lower surface for engaging a surface of said object.

10. An attachment device for attaching a first object to a second object, the attachment device comprising:

(A) a bolt;

(B) a nut, said nut having an upper member;

(C) a clamp, said clamp having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, said clamp comprising;

(a) an upper portion, said upper portion having a hole, said hole being adapted to receive said bolt;

(b) a lower portion, said lower portion having a hole, said hole being adapted to receive said upper member of said nut.

11. The attachment device of claim 10 further comprising at least one barb on said clamp.

12. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said nut is substantially U-shaped.

13. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are different lengths.

14. The attachment device of claim 10 wherein said nut comprises flexible material.