Standoff mounting system
First Claim
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1. A mounting apparatus comprising:
- a standoff having an axis, a first end comprising a first threaded fastening member, and a second end comprising a cavity, wherein the first threaded fastening member comprises male threads configured to engage female threads of a nut; and
a second threaded fastening member coupled to a torque restraining member that is entrapped in the cavity such that the torque restraining member cannot move out of the cavity, wherein the second threaded fastening member is contained within the cavity and comprises female threads operable to engage male threads of a bolt, wherein the female threads of the second threaded fastening member extend through an interior portion of the torque restraining member;
wherein relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity define a space that is configured to (i) allow a linear movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity and (ii) restrict the first threaded fastening member from rotating relative to the second threaded fastening member, the linear movement defined as movement of the torque restraining member in a lateral direction relative to the axis of the standoff; and
wherein the relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow at least 0.030 inches of the linear movement of the torque restraining member.
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Abstract
In certain embodiments, a mounting apparatus includes one or more standoffs adapted to maintain two panels at a spaced apart distance from one another. The standoff includes a first end having a first threaded fastening member and a second end having a cavity in which a torque restraining member is disposed. The torque restraining member is coupled to a second threaded fastening member. The relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mounting apparatus comprising:
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a standoff having an axis, a first end comprising a first threaded fastening member, and a second end comprising a cavity, wherein the first threaded fastening member comprises male threads configured to engage female threads of a nut; and a second threaded fastening member coupled to a torque restraining member that is entrapped in the cavity such that the torque restraining member cannot move out of the cavity, wherein the second threaded fastening member is contained within the cavity and comprises female threads operable to engage male threads of a bolt, wherein the female threads of the second threaded fastening member extend through an interior portion of the torque restraining member; wherein relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity define a space that is configured to (i) allow a linear movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity and (ii) restrict the first threaded fastening member from rotating relative to the second threaded fastening member, the linear movement defined as movement of the torque restraining member in a lateral direction relative to the axis of the standoff; and wherein the relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow at least 0.030 inches of the linear movement of the torque restraining member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A mounting system comprising:
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a plurality of standoffs; and an array of torque restraining components, each torque restraining component having at least one restraining surface and a hole, the array of torque restraining components adapted to;
engage the plurality of standoffs;wherein each standoff comprises; a base having; an axis; a first end comprising a first threaded fastening member, the first threaded fastening member comprising male threads configured to engage female threads of a nut; and a second end comprising a cavity; and a second threaded fastening member coupled to a torque restraining member that is entrapped in the cavity such that the torque restraining member cannot move out of the cavity, the second threaded fastening member contained within the cavity and comprising female threads operable to engage male threads of a bolt, the female threads of the second threaded fastening member extending through an interior portion of the torque restraining member; wherein, in each standoff, relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity define a space that is configured to (i) allow a linear movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity and (ii) restrict the first threaded fastening member from rotating relative to the second threaded fastening member, the linear movement defined as movement of the torque restraining member in a lateral direction relative to the axis of the standoff, wherein the relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow at least 0.030 inches of the linear movement of the torque restraining member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20)
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13. A method comprising:
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engaging, on an array of torque restraining components, a corresponding plurality of standoffs, each torque restraining component having at least one restraining surface; and inserting or removing screws to or from, respectively, the plurality of standoffs through holes associated with the array of torque restraining components, each of the plurality of standoffs being restricted from rotating by abutment of its surface with the at least one restraining surface of its respective torque restraining component; wherein each standoff comprises; a base having; an axis; a first end comprising a first threaded fastening member, the first threaded fastening member comprising male threads configured to engage female threads of a nut; and a second end comprising a cavity; and a second threaded fastening member coupled to a torque restraining member that is entrapped in the cavity such that the torque restraining member cannot move out of the cavity, the second threaded fastening member contained within the cavity and comprising female threads operable to engage male threads of a bolt, the female threads of the second threaded fastening member extending through an interior portion of the torque restraining member; wherein, in each standoff, relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity define a space that is configured to (i) allow a linear movement of the torque restraining member within the cavity and (ii) restrict the first threaded fastening member from rotating relative to the second threaded fastening member, the linear movement defined as movement of the torque restraining member in a lateral direction relative to the axis of the standoff, wherein the relative sizes of the torque restraining member and the cavity allow at least 0.030 inches of the linear movement of the torque restraining member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification