Linear fastener system and method for use
First Claim
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1. A linear fastener system comprising:
- a shank member including an outer gripping surface means formed along a first end and a second end;
a collet member having a base end, a top end, an inner engaging surface means configured to mesh with said outer gripping surface means of said shank member, and an outer tapered compression surface; and
a compression ring member having a base end, a front end, an inner tapered compression surface having a substantially conjugate taper conforming to said outer tapered surface of said collet member, and an outer surface;
said inner tapered compression surface of said compression ring member constructed and arranged for linear overlapping movement in relation to said outer tapered compression surface of said collet member between a first gripping position and a second release position, said gripping position resulting in frictional engagement between a substantial portion of said inner tapered compression surface and said outer tapered compression surface to maintain engagement of said collet and said compression ring members and to compress said collet member thereby gripping said outer gripping surface of said shank member and wherein said release position maintains a sufficient portion of said frictional cooperation to maintain an interfitting relationship between said collet and said compression ring members and results in expansion of said collet member thereby releasing said outer gripping surface of said shank member.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a linear fastening system capable of rapid engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a cooperating collet member and a compression ring member which are constructed and arranged to slip easily over a shank member. The fastener system is secured by sliding a compression member in a linear overlapping fashion over the collet member thereby utilizing the conical surfaces to compress the collet member to grip the outer surface of the shank member. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a secure connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A linear fastener system comprising:
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a shank member including an outer gripping surface means formed along a first end and a second end; a collet member having a base end, a top end, an inner engaging surface means configured to mesh with said outer gripping surface means of said shank member, and an outer tapered compression surface; and a compression ring member having a base end, a front end, an inner tapered compression surface having a substantially conjugate taper conforming to said outer tapered surface of said collet member, and an outer surface; said inner tapered compression surface of said compression ring member constructed and arranged for linear overlapping movement in relation to said outer tapered compression surface of said collet member between a first gripping position and a second release position, said gripping position resulting in frictional engagement between a substantial portion of said inner tapered compression surface and said outer tapered compression surface to maintain engagement of said collet and said compression ring members and to compress said collet member thereby gripping said outer gripping surface of said shank member and wherein said release position maintains a sufficient portion of said frictional cooperation to maintain an interfitting relationship between said collet and said compression ring members and results in expansion of said collet member thereby releasing said outer gripping surface of said shank member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A linear fastener system comprising:
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a shank member including an outer gripping surface means formed along a first end and a second end; a collet member having a base end, a top end, an inner engaging surface means configured to mesh with said outer gripping surface means of said shank member, and an outer tapered compression surface; and a compression ring member having a base end, a front end, an inner tapered compression surface having a substantially conjugate taper conforming to said outer tapered surface of said collet member, and an outer surface; said inner tapered compression surface of said compression ring member constructed and arranged for linear overlapping movement in relation to said outer tapered compression surface of said collet member between a first gripping position and a second release position, wherein positioning said inner tapered compression surface over said outer tapered compression surface defines said gripping position to compress said collet member thereby gripping said outer gripping surface of said shank member and wherein positioning first groove over said outer tapered compression surface defines said release position allowing expansion of said collet member thereby releasing said outer gripping surface of said shank member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification