Safety release fasteners

• US 6,464,442 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1997
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stingl Products LLC
• Original Assignee: O.I.A., LLC
• Inventors: Stingl, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, David P.
• Application Number:
  US08/865,162
• Time in Patent Office: 1,965 Days
• Field of Search: 411/390, 411/396, 411/5, 411/2, 411/3, 294/261, 294/265
• US Class Current: 411/390
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/0015 substantially rectangular, e.g. one-slot head
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/0069 with holes to be engaged with corresponding pins on the tool or protruding pins to be engaged with corresponding holes on the tool
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/0084 with a threaded engagement between the head of the bolt or screw and the tool
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/00 Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws F16B33/008 takes precedence; joining sheets or plates using screws with two separate threads F16B5/0275; using screws with adjustment sleeves F16B5/0283; thread cutting screws F16B25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/06 Specially-shaped heads special shape in order to rotate the bolt F16B23/00 ; separate hook adaptors for bolts F16B43/025

Abstract

A safety device provides quick and easy removal or separation of a part or assembly from a machine or installation base. The safety release fasteners that secure the part or assembly to the machine or installation base have interconnected sections that are releasable by simply tugging on the part or assembly to allow the sections to snap apart. The breaking of the fastener releases the part or assembly from the machine or installation base, thereby freeing from imminent danger the person, whose hair, clothing or limb may be caught. Axial separation of the fasteners prevent injury to a person or damage to a machine or installation base or to a part or assembly, such as when a large inanimate object is drawn into an intake of a machine or installation.

Claims

1. Safety fastener apparatus for preventing injury due to entrapments and entanglements in machinery and installations, comprising fasteners for connecting a part or assembly to a machine or installation, each fastener having first and second sections, the first section having unthreaded walls, and the first and second sections being releasably connected for quick release of the sections and of the part or assembly from the machine or installation on applying a pressure on the fasteners.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections have torque transmitting connections between the sections for withstanding strong torque between the sections during installation and for separating axially upon applying a force to release the part or assembly from the machine or installation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the first section having first and second portions and the second section having third and fourth portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first portions are formed as heads, and shapes on the heads for receiving a driving device.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fourth portions are formed as threaded portions for engaging complementary threaded connectors.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising complementary connectors in the second and third portions, the complementary connectors comprising projections and receivers in the second portions for releasably engaging the first and second sections.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the projections are at least one projection from each third portion and the receivers are at least one complementary socket in each second portion for holding the first and second sections together by friction fit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tool for engaging a connector on the second section and for removing the second section from the machine or installation after separation from the first section.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the tool is an extraction wrench.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are of plastic material.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are of corrosion-resisting metal.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners have a corrosion-resistant coating.

13. Safety fastener apparatus comprising a base, a part for detachably coupling to the base, fasteners having upper and lower sections and an axially releasable, torque transmitting connection between the upper and lower sections for withstanding a strong torque between the upper and lower sections during installation and for easy separation of the sections upon applying axial force, wherein the lower sections further comprise threads for engaging complementary threads in openings in the base, and wherein the upper sections further comprise unthreaded walls and heads for engaging nuts or drivers and preventing passage of the heads through openings in the part coupled to the base.

14. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, wherein the part comprises fastener-receiving openings, and wherein the heads have shapes for receiving driving devices.

15. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, further comprising projections on and complementary sockets in the lower sections and the upper sections for engaging the projections in the sockets and holding the first and second sections together by friction or adhesion.

16. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an extraction wrench for removing the lower section after separation from the upper section.

17. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fasteners are of plastic material.

18. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fasteners are of corrosion-resistant metal.

19. The fastener apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fasteners have a corrosion-resistant coating.

20. Pool, spa and hot tub safety release fasteners for detachably coupling a base of a pool, spa, or hot tub to a grate frame comprising fasteners including upper and lower sections, the lower sections having threads for engaging with threaded fastener-receiving holes in the base of the pool, spa or hot tub, the upper sections having unthreaded walls and radially extended heads for preventing passage of the heads through openings in the grate frame, the heads having shapes for receiving a driver, and axially releasable, torque transmitting connections between the upper and lower sections for withstanding strong torque between the sections required for installing the fasteners in the threaded fastener-receiving holes in the base and for separating upon applying axial force.

21. The fasteners of claim 20, further comprising axial holder in the torque transmitting sections for holding the sections together during installation and for releasing the sections upon excess axial force.