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Captive bolt mechanism and process for structural assembly of planar components

  • US 8,434,960 B2
  • Filed: 11/26/2008
  • Issued: 05/07/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A structure, comprising:

  • a first planar member having a first planar surface and a second planar surface opposite the first planar surface, and a mortise defined there through between the first planar surface and the second planar surface;

    a second planar member having a first planar side and a second planar side opposite the first planar side, a planar end surface extending from the first planar side to the second planar side, a slot defined between the first planar side and the second planar side and extending from the planar end surface, and a fastener region defined in the slot between the first planar side and the second planar side, wherein the fastener region extends outward from opposing faces of the slot and comprises fastener retaining surfaces and opposing sides, wherein the fastener retaining surfaces are disposed between the opposing faces of the slot and the opposing sides of the fastener region, and wherein the fastener retaining surfaces are inclined toward the planar end surface as the fastener retaining surfaces extend from the opposing faces of the slot toward the opposing sides of the fastener region, such that an apex is formed where the opposing faces of the slot meet the fastener retaining surfaces;

    a first fastener that is positionable within the fastener region, wherein the first fastener comprises an axis, and a flat contact face, wherein the flat contact face is orthogonal to the axis; and

    a second fastener that is threadably fastenable to the first fastener when the planar end surface of the second planar member is positioned toward the first planar surface of the first planar member, wherein the slot is aligned with the mortise, and wherein one of the first fastener and the second fastener comprises a threaded shaft having a defined diameter, wherein the threaded shaft extends through the mortise and the slot and threadably engages with the other of the first fastener and the second fastener;

    wherein the second planar member further comprises a tenon that extends beyond the planar end surface towards the first planar member, wherein the slot extends through the tenon, wherein the tenon fits within the mortise of the first planar member when the planar end surface of the second planar member contacts the first planar surface of the first planar member, and wherein the apices of the fastener retaining surfaces define a region of contact with the flat contact face of the first fastener, wherein the region of contact comprises less than the entire flat contact face of the first fastener, and wherein threadably engaging the first fastener with the second fastener causes the flat contact face of the first fastener to engage the apices of the fastener retaining surfaces, thereby moving the tenon outward from the axis of the first fastener within the mortise, wherein at least a portion of the tenon contacts one or more interior surfaces of the mortise.

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