Toggle bolt device

• US 20050019132A1
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Buern Usa L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Buern Usa L.L.C.
• Inventors: Diaz, Carroll
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,610 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/344
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 13/0808 by a toggle-mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/02 by means of fastening members using screw-thread F16B5/0004 takes precedence; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00

Abstract

A toggle bolt type connector has projecting locking members that extend and retract when a central drive shaft is rotated. The exterior of the connector has a body that is partially threaded to receive a nut so that two structures (eg. flanges, panels, plates, beams, etc.) can be pulled together by tightening the bolt when the locking members are in the extended position.

Claims

1. A toggle bolt device comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality or circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body;

c) a plurality of locking members that each vary in thickness, the locking members are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position; and

c) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion.

2. The toggle bolt of claim 1 wherein there are at least three locking members a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion.

8. The toggle bolt or claim 1 wherein the nut engages the body generally opposite the locking members.

9. The toggle bolt of claim 1 wherein the shaft moves linearly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the body when the shaft is rotated.

3. A toggle bolt device comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body;

c) a plurality or locking members that each vary in thickness, the locking members are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position;

e) wherein the locking members have curved outer surfaces; and

f) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion.

4. A toggle bolt device comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body;

c) a plurality of locking members that each vary in thickness, the locking members are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position;

c) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion; and

f) wherein the body has curved camming surfaces at the socket that are positioned to guide movement of the locking members as they travel between the extended and retracted positions.

5. A toggle bolt device comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body;

c) a plurality of locking members that each vary in thickness, the locking members are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position;

c) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion; and

f) a plate attached to the shaft, the locking members being mounted on the plate.

6. The toggle bolt of claim 5 wherein the shaft has a first threaded portion that connects with the plate and a second threaded portion that engages the body.

7. A toggle bolt device comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body;

c) a plurality of locking members that each vary in thickness, the locking members are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position;

e) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion; and

f) wherein the shaft has a tool receptive portion at one end thereof that enables rotation of the shaft relative to the body.

10. A fastener for joining two members together, each member having an opening therethrough of a selected diameter, comprising;

a) an elongated body having an outer surface with an at least partially threaded portion, first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially extending slots that communicate with the socket;

b) a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, the shaft being partially externally threaded and rotatable relative to the body, the partially externally threaded portion of the shaft engaging the threaded portion of the bore;

c) a plurality of locking members that are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to a plate mounted to the first end portion of the shaft;

d) the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body and the selected diameter in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket and inside the selected diameter in the retracted position;

c) a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion.