Through-passage Or Recess Having Laterally Extending Entry For Inserting Member And Nut Patents (Class 411/104)
  • Patent number: 11873855
    Abstract: A barrel nut retainer for retaining a barrel nut in a bore of a component is disclosed having a body adapted to fit within a bore and extending between a first end and a second end, and wherein the body has an aperture between the first end and second end configured to receive a barrel nut, and a head portion at the first end of the body, the head portion adapted to sit over an open end of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: William Tulloch, Paul Dean
  • Patent number: 11495897
    Abstract: There is provided an electric connection part including: a nut made of a metal, the nut being used for fixing a conductor; and a housing made of a resin, the housing having a press-fit groove into which the nut is press-fitted. The housing includes: a rib that protrudes from an inner side surface of the press-fit groove and extends along a press-fitting direction in which the nut is press-fitted into the press-fit groove, such that the rib presses the nut to be in contact with the nut; and a recess that is disposed on an extension line in which the rib extends, the recess being recessed in the press-fitting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotaka Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11384814
    Abstract: A compliant hanger assembly is disclosed for installation onto a strut channel. With the installation of the compliant hanger assembly, the simple and effective use of a metal ball locking cable tie is made available to attach components (e.g., cables) onto the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Rodney G. Rouleau, Michael B. Verbeek
  • Patent number: 11353055
    Abstract: A fixing structure, configured to fix screw. Screw includes wide portion and narrow portion. Fixing structure includes plate part, holding component and elastic positioning component. Plate part includes top surface, bottom surface and mount groove. Mount groove penetrates through top surface and bottom surface and narrow portion is disposed through mount groove to allow wide portion to rest on top surface. Holding component and top surface together form space. Elastic positioning component is disposed on plate part. When wide portion is located in space and between holding component and top surface, and elastic positioning component is in holding state and located at side of wide portion, wide portion is prevented from being moved away from space. When elastic positioning component is switched to released state, elastic positioning component is removed from side of wide portion so that wide portion is allowed to move away from space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Shih, Hong-Jie Jian, Kuo En Chang
  • Patent number: 10493895
    Abstract: An attachment device for attaching to a generally channel-section rail having rims forming a channel is provided. The device comprises a latch for inserting into the inside of the channel and for being retained therein by the rims of the rail, and a locking member for locking the latch in the rail. The locking member comprises a rotary shaft secured to the latch and extending axially through a bearing plats for resting on the top of the channel. The locking member also includes a cam adapted to move the bearing plate axially relative to the rotary shaft when the rotary shaft is turned in one direction or the other. The bearing plate comes closer to the latch when the rotary shaft is turned in one direction of rotation and the bearing plate moves away from the latch when the rotary shaft is burned in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: David Lamoureux
  • Patent number: 10451315
    Abstract: A universal end clamp and method for clamping a solar module to a rail are configured for applying a torque to a clamp body and generating a compressive clamping force between the body and a lower flange of a solar panel module frame so that the lower flange of the module frame is clamped to the rail. The clamp is disposed underneath the solar module, where it cannot be seen. The components of the assembly that can move include threaded bolts, front and rear T-slides, drive blocks, cams, coil springs, leaf springs, and offset drive brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Unirac Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Harris, David S. Alvarez, Thomas Young, Todd Ganshaw
  • Patent number: 10293677
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger including a holder and a nut. The holder defines a holding space therein. The nut includes a main body, which is inserted into the holding space along an insertion direction, and a protrusion, which protrudes from the main body. The nut defines a threaded hole that extends through the main body and the protrusion. The holder further defines an opening at a first surface of the holder. The protrusion has an end surface that aligns with or protrudes from the first surface through the opening when the nut is inserted into the holding space. The end surface contacts an external component when the external component is fixed to the heat exchanger by inserting a bolt into the threaded hole through the external component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Nathaniel Harris
  • Patent number: 10072693
    Abstract: A bolt which extends into the first casing part, into the hole in the barrel nut, and into the second casing part, wherein the bolt engages with the barrel nut so as to join the first casing part to the second casing part; wherein the barrel nut includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the barrel nut is structurally weaker than the second portion of the barrel nut such that, if a predetermined load between the first casing part and the second casing part is exceeded, the first portion of the barrel nut becomes crushed while the second portion of the barrel nut remains engaged with the bolt. The casing assembly may be included in a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Stephen Jonathan Dimelow, Alison Jane McMillan
  • Patent number: 10054181
    Abstract: A damping component includes a base with an attachment portion to be attached to a vibrated member, a damping member disposed at an outer circumferential side of the base while being compressed, and a holding portion disposed at an outer circumferential side of the damping member and compressively holding the damping member. The damping member has rigidity lower than rigidity of the base and rigidity of the holding portion and has a loss factor, measured by a mechanical impedance method in a state being compressed between the base and the holding portion, of 0.05 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rie Endo, Katsunori Yokoyama, Shinji Yamamoto, Kazuaki Takahata, Kazumasa Shibata, Hiroki Kasama, Satoru Nitobe
  • Patent number: 9926957
    Abstract: A fitting for connecting first and second pieces of strut to one another includes a coupling component. The coupling component has first and second coupling portions configured for reception in respective fitting grooves of the first and second pieces of strut when the coupling component is in a first orientation. Each of the coupling portions are rotatable within the respective fitting grooves from the first orientation to a second orientation to connect the first and second pieces of strut to one another. An anti-rotation plate is connected to the coupling component. The anti-rotation plate has an unlocked position relative to the coupling component to allow the first and second coupling portions to be received in the respective fitting grooves, and a locked position relative to the coupling component to inhibit rotation of each of the first and second coupling portions from the second orientation to the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 9850936
    Abstract: A mounting structure includes a holding portion with a housing space for a mounting component. The holding portion includes a side wall portion upstanding from a base portion, and a seat portion being continuous with a top of the side wall portion and having a bolt through hole into which a bolt is inserted. A mounting component insertion hole is provided in the side wall portion for inserting the mounting component into the housing space. The bolt through hole abuts on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component. A communication portion provides communication between the bolt through hole and the mounting component insertion hole, for allowing passage of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component into the bolt through hole. Restrictions form a narrow portion in the communication portion, the narrow portion being narrower than the outer dimension of the cylindrical portion of the mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gen Tanabe
  • Patent number: 9803677
    Abstract: A system to prevent a sliding nut in a channel in a bar from escaping from the channel, and to prevent the nut from entering a no-go-zone at the end of the channel. The system is adjustable to position the nut at a desirable location along the length of the channels to mount coupling devices onto the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Raymond West, Tyrus Hawkes Hudson
  • Patent number: 9631650
    Abstract: A fastening device for fastening an element to the slot of a C-profile rail with a gripping element which can be inserted through the slot into the interior of the profile rail and which can be turned in the profile rail around at least one screw-in axis in such a way that it grips behind the leg of the profile rail that delimits the slot is provided. The gripping element has at least one receptacle that runs perpendicular to the screw-in axis and that serves to secure a threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Wottrich, Ralph Lippuner
  • Patent number: 9618031
    Abstract: A barrel washer comprising a convex portion, a concave portion, the concave portion configured to mate with the convex portion, such that the convex portion is only capable of rocking along a single axis within the concave portion. The barrel washer may be configured to prevent a bolt from rotating within the barrel washer. The barrel washer may be configured to relieve bending stress on the bolt as well as extraction of the bolt from the barrel washer. A surface of the concave portion may be coated with a lubricant. A surface of the convex portion may be coated in a lubricant. The barrel washer may be configured to couple a bolt to a flange that is couple to another flange. The convex portion may comprise a rocker. The barrel washer may be configured relieve bending stress on the bolt as a first flange moves relative to a second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hyatt, Carl Brian Klinetob
  • Patent number: 9611652
    Abstract: A mounting device or bracket for paneled building surfaces is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes an upper wall in the form of a flat surface for supporting various types of attachments. An elongated mounting slot extends through the upper wall, and the mounting bracket includes an elongated nut receptacle that is positioned below this elongated mounting slot. With an attachment being positioned on the upper wall, an attachment fastener may be directed through the attachment, then through the elongated mounting slot, and then may be threadably engaged with a nut that is positioned within and movable along the nut receptacle in its elongated dimension. The elongated configuration of the mounting slot and nut receptacle provides adjustability for the position of the attachment fastener relative to the mounting bracket, including after the mounting bracket has already been installed on the building surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Dustin M. M. Haddock, Robert M. M. Haddock
  • Patent number: 9556896
    Abstract: A floating barrel nut may be used to retain a nut in a seat of a segmented cylindrical slug. In one embodiment, the barrel nut according to this disclosure may comprise: a nut with a threaded shaft and a flange that is chamfered on its lower end; a cylindrical slug that has been segmented along a plane that is parallel to the cylindrical axis, said slug having a head and a foot; two pins; wherein said nut is configured to float between the head and foot of the slug; wherein said shaft features an indentation on opposite sides thereof; and, wherein said pins are attached to the head and foot of the slug and sit in the indentations of the shaft. In another embodiment the pins are bent around the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: William Kousens, Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9360039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cage nut (1) having a retaining device, and to a method for producing the same. The cage nut (1) comprises a nut (4) having a radially protruding rectangular flange (5) and a threaded sleeve-like seat (6) for a screw. A retaining means (7) having a through-opening (8), through which the sleeve-like screw seat (6) passes, engages in a bracket-like manner over the rectangular flange (5) of the nut. A retaining collar (9), which surrounds the sleeve-like screw seat (6) of the nut (4), is supported on the retaining means (7) in the region of the through-opening (8). The retaining collar (9) is one-piece and has first and second cover elements (10, 11) covering the through-opening (8) of the retaining means (7) on both sides. The cover elements (10, 11) are mechanically connected via a connecting bush (12) concentrically adjoining the screw seat (6). The connecting bush (12) is radially spaced from the through-opening (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: Ruia Global Fasteners AG, GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Thomas Endt, Rainer Krauss, Siegfried Oberndörfer, Stefan Neuhäuser
  • Patent number: 9131601
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a case defining an appearance of the terminal and a frame coupled to the case and configured to support electrical devices. The frame includes a first coupling unit provided at the frame such that the frame is fixable to the case, the first coupling unit having a first hole formed therein and a second coupling unit provided at the frame and located adjacent to the first coupling unit, the second coupling unit having a second hole formed therein, the first hole being greater in size than the second hole. The mobile terminal also includes a first boss unit integrally coupled to the first coupling unit and the second coupling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chiyoung Kim, Dongwook Kim, Kyungsoo Son, Hyeongwoo Ji
  • Patent number: 9090318
    Abstract: In one aspect, a latching system includes a housing, a female receptacle and a post. The housing has a channel extending along a first axis within an interior of the housing, an opening extending along a second axis normal to the first axis, and attachment features disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The female receptacle is configured to couple to the housing within the channel and includes a center aperture and a saddle portion disposed between a first portion and a second portion. The female receptacle is configured to receive at least some of the post such that the surface of the saddle portion aligns with at least some of a groove of the post. Various acute angles of the female receptacle and the post control the force required to insert and remove the post from the female receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lockdowel, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Koelling, Venugopal Subramanyam
  • Patent number: 8998548
    Abstract: Disclosed is a floating barrel nut with improved means for retaining a nut in a seat of a segmented cylindrical slug and related methods. In one embodiment, a barrel nut according to this disclosure may comprise: a nut with a threaded shaft and a flange that is chamfered on its lower end; a cylindrical slug that has been segmented along a plane that is parallel to the cylindrical axis, said slug having a head and a foot; two pins; wherein said nut is configured to float between the head and foot of the slug; wherein said shaft features an indentation on opposite sides thereof; and, wherein said pins are attached to the head and foot of the slug and sit in the indentations of the shaft. In another embodiment the pins are bent around the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: William Kousens, Tam Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8985924
    Abstract: A partition structure for absorbing an impact energy applied to the partition for petitioning a vehicle room includes a cover, a plurality of reinforcing member (wires) arranged with an interval in the vehicle width direction inside the cover, and a belt arranged behind the reinforcing member so as to intersect the reinforcing member. An installation structure for an installation part fixes an installation part to an installation target member by engaging and screwing the bolt with nut. A fixing seat is formed on a back surface of the installation target member integrally with the installation target member. A bolt is arranged in the fixing seat through the installation target member, and a holding part holding a nut on a back surface side of the seating face to prevent the nut from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Nakamura, Hajime Seino
  • Patent number: 8967586
    Abstract: A supporting apparatus, configured to support a heat dissipating device, includes a bracket, two adjusting structures, and two mounting portions. Each of the two mounting portions defines a mounting hole. Each of the two adjusting structures is engaged in each of the mounting holes and includes an adjusting member and an installation member engaged with the adjusting member. Each of the adjusting members defines a through hole. The two adjusting members are rotatable relative to the two mounting portions from a first position to a second position. When the adjusting members are in the first position, a first line is running through the two through holes. When the adjusting members are in the second position, a second line is running through the two through holes, and a length of the first line is less than a length of the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (WuHan) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Jun Zhu, Jin-Biao Ji, Zhi-Jiang Yao
  • Patent number: 8905692
    Abstract: Device for fastening a first component (42) with a through opening (44) on a second component (40) with a through opening (18) being essentially rectangular in cross section, comprising a first fastening element (10) which comprises a radial flange (12) on one end and a shaft section (16) with rectangular cross section, which is insertable into the through opening of the second component and comprising a second fastening element which relative to the first fastening element is at least partly axially moveable, which second fastening element comprises an axial bore for receiving a fastening screw. The first fastening element comprises at least one first section (18) of a first, harder material and at least one second section (20) of a second, softer material, wherein the second fastening element upon screwing the fastening screw is pressed against the second section of the first fastening element and thereby deforming it in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Limpert
  • Patent number: 8858141
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing two components to one another. The fastener assembly includes a barrel or pin that has a radially extending hole in the barrel. The pin also has a reduced diametrical portion on at least one end to form a shoulder and possibly on both ends. The pin is inserted into a hole formed into a hollow or sandwich component. The shoulder engages against a wall on the component to orient and secure the pin in the hole. A threaded fastener is then inserted transversely through the two components to engage in the radially extending hole. The threaded fastener is then rotated to secure the two components to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Marty Williams
  • Patent number: 8804370
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic device includes a housing, a lever, and a locking device securing the lever on the housing. The housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a side plate connecting the bottom plate with the top plate. The locking device includes a nut having a main body extending downwardly into the lever, a screw extending upwardly through the top plate into the nut, and gaskets sandwiched between the top plate and the nut. The lever is disposed and sleeved on the nut with a gap defined between a top face of the lever and a bottom face of a head of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 8777509
    Abstract: A device and method for assembling two structural elements made from a composite material is provided. The device includes two cylindrical flanged receptacles, each pierced by an aperture perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder, and a shaft that can be introduced into said apertures. The device also includes bearing means, which bear on the interior surfaces of the cylindrical receptacles and can maintain tension in the shaft when the shaft extends through the apertures in the two receptacles. The device includes means of placing the shaft under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Couffignal, Guy Mauran, Frederic Vinches
  • Patent number: 8678731
    Abstract: A nut (30) includes a main portion (30A) formed with a bolt insertion hole (31), into which a bolt is insertable, and a wedge portion (30B) projecting from the main portion (30A) in a radially outward direction of the bolt insertion hole (31) and having a width smaller than that of the main portion (30A). Thus, parts (27B) extending lateral to the wedge portion (30B) in parallel with a projecting direction of the wedge portion (30B) can be made thicker than parts (27A) extending lateral to the main portion (30A). Therefore, the parts (27B) that resist an accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be thickened without enlarging a housing (20), with the result that strength against the accompanying rotation of the nut (30) can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Sakakura, Hiroyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8672425
    Abstract: A cabinet structure assembly includes a cabinet, an attachment cover and an attachment member. The attachment cover includes a top wall portion. The top wall portion has an engagement recess with a first engagement face and an end part. The attachment member includes a base plate and a top plate. The top plate has a top face and an engagement protrusion that protrudes relative to the top face. The engagement protrusion has a second engagement face and a guide face. The second engagement face faces the first engagement face of the engagement recess. The guide face is arranged such that the guide face gradually deforms the end part of the top wall portion of the attachment cover away from the top face of the top plate upon installation of the attachment member relative to the attachment cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20130326860
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cage nut (1) having a retaining device, and to a method for producing the same. The cage nut (1) comprises a nut (4) having a radially protruding rectangular flange (5) and a threaded sleeve-like seat (6) for a screw. A retaining means (7) having a through-opening (8), through which the sleeve-like screw seat (6) passes, engages in a bracket-like manner over the rectangular flange (5) of the nut. A retaining collar (9), which surrounds the sleeve-like screw seat (6) of the nut (4), is supported on the retaining means (7) in the region of the through-opening (8). The retaining collar (9) is one-piece and has first and second cover elements (10, 11) covering the through-opening (8) of the retaining means (7) on both sides. The cover elements (10, 11) are mechanically connected via a connecting bush (12) concentrically adjoining the screw seat (6). The connecting bush (12) is radially spaced from the through-opening (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Endt, Rainer Krauss, Siegfried Oberndörfer, Stefan Neuhäuser
  • Patent number: 8561961
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a housing with an upper base panel and opposed end walls that collectively define an opening in which one or more lamps and one or more reflector panels are disposed. The lamps extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing, between bracket subassemblies. Each bracket subassembly includes at least one captive hardware fastener, which is pre-installed in the bracket subassembly and designed to be movable relative to the bracket subassembly only upon application of deliberate force with respect to the captive hardware fastener. While the captive hardware fastener is movable for installation purposes, the captive hardware fastener is not readily removable from its corresponding bracket subassembly. For example, the captive hardware can include a self-drilling screw, the body of which extends between two substantially parallel members separated by a third member, which has a straight or curved geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: James Blessitt, Troy Winslett
  • Patent number: 8511954
    Abstract: A fastening assembly using the keyhole principle is provided. For this purpose, a first component having a bolt that has a round and smooth head is guided through the larger opening of the keyhole, in order then with the head to engage behind the smaller opening of the keyhole-like cut-out for fastening. At the end of its shank, the bolt preferably features an external toothing or an external polyhedron as engagement surface for a tool for fastening the first component to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fink, Wolfgang Woernle
  • Patent number: 8434960
    Abstract: A captive bolt mechanism joins planar structural members. In an exemplary embodiment, a first structural member has an opening defined there through. The head of a bolt is captured in a fastener slot within a second member, such that the threaded shaft of the bolt protrudes, in-plane, beyond the end of the second member. The threaded shaft is then passed through the opening in the first member and secured with a nut. As the nut is tightened, the underside of the bolt head is drawn against the interior surface of the fastener slot, binding the end of the second member against the surface of the first member. In an alternate embodiment, a nut is similarly confined within the fastener slot, and a bolt or screw is extended through the hole in the first member and the slot in the second member, and is then fastened to the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Minds, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Lariviere
  • Patent number: 8300400
    Abstract: A fixing mechanism for fixing a number of hard disks includes a first frame; a second frame facing the first frame, and a fixing structure for fixing the hard disk. One side of each hard disk is fixed on the first frame, and the fixing structure is positioned and fixed on the second frame and also fixed on the other side of the hard disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8181926
    Abstract: A clamp includes a first member, a washer, a nut, a threaded bolt, a spring and a torsion spring. The first member may include side portions and have a first opening. The washer may include a second opening and at least one portion protruding in a downward direction from an upper surface of the washer. The nut may have an upper surface, a lower surface and a threaded opening. The threaded bolt may be disposed through the first opening, the second opening and the threaded opening. The spring may be located between a portion of the first member and the washer. The torsion spring may be located between the washer and the nut, where the torsion spring causes the nut to rotate when force is applied to an upper part of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Robert K. Jolly, Andrew C. Cole, Cong T. Dinh
  • Patent number: 8142123
    Abstract: A nut-type element (30) which is to be fixed in an interior (16) of a profiled workpiece (10) or similar and is provided with a longitudinal extension (a) that exceeds the width (n) of an insertion cross-section (14), particularly a joining device for connecting a first workpiece encompassing the interior to another workpiece by a screw or similar member whose shaft penetrates a hole of the workpiece and can be inserted into a recess of the metallic nut-type element located in the interior of the workpiece. The nut-type element (30) is embodied as a rectangularly expanded member which is penetrated approximately in the center by a threaded bore (42) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (Q). The threaded bore (42) extends into an annular molded edge (44) on the surface (40) of the element. The annular molded edge (44) protrudes from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Winfried K. W. Holscher
  • Patent number: 7927050
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an interior part mounting clip for mounting an interior part on a panel member including: a pin portion having a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of a mounting hole formed in a frame-shaped mounting seat formed on the interior part and inserted into and made movable in the mounting hole; a head portion formed at one end of the pin portion and engaging with the mounting seat; and a stem portion formed at the other end of the pin portion and engaging with an engaging hole formed in the panel member. The head portion includes at least three protrusions protruding radially outward of the pin portion, and an outer frame mounted in a manner to be elastically displaced relative to the pin portion through a plurality of elastic portions extending radially outward from the portions of the pin portion between the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Koike
  • Publication number: 20100172715
    Abstract: A floating fastener base and pocket are disclosed. The base and pocket permit the adjustable positioning of a stud, such as a striker bolt, prior to final assembly and tightening. A floating fastener base has one or more flanges which fit within a pocket created by one or more respective flange receptacles formed on a substrate. The floating fastener base is inserted into the floating fastener base pocket. This provides a fastening base for a stud wherein the fastening base and the stud are positionally adjustable prior to final retention of the stud, typically accomplished by tightening of the stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Gary D. Tucker, II
  • Patent number: 7641428
    Abstract: A floating fastener base and pocket are disclosed. The base and pocket permit the adjustable positioning of a stud, such as a striker bolt, prior to final assembly and tightening. A floating fastener base has one or more flanges which fit within a pocket created by one or more respective flange receptacles formed on a substrate. The floating fastener base is inserted into the floating fastener base pocket. This provides a fastening base for a stud wherein the fastening base and the stud are positionally adjustable prior to final retention of the stud, typically accomplished by tightening of the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Gary D. Tucker, II
  • Publication number: 20090311069
    Abstract: There is provided an insert nut comprising a hollow shank in a polygonal shape. A metal plate is provided. The metal plate has a first region. The first region has a rectangular shape having a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The first region is pressed to form a plurality of convexes discontinuously aligned. The convexes are not formed at bend strips parallel to the vertical direction. The press process can be done by using, e.g., a die and a punch. The first region is bent at the bend strips to form a hollow shank. Thereby, the convexes serve as a female screw on an inner surface of the hollow shank. The hollow shank of the present invention has a cross section at a face perpendicular to an axis of the hollow shank. The cross section is polygonal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Nagayama Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka NAGAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090290951
    Abstract: A sleeve (1) for a T-bolt (21) comprises a longitudinally extending part (2) having a first end (3) and a second end (4), and a longitudinal axis (5) extending from the first end (3) to the second end (4). The longitudinally extending part (2) has a through-going interior bore (6) extending along said longitudinal axis (5) from said first end (3) to said second end (4). The longitudinally extending part (2) has an exterior surface (7) with a shape adapted to engage a recess of an object so that the sleeve (1) is rotationally retained about the longitudinal axis (5), when said longitudinally extending part (2) is inserted in said recess of said object. The sleeve (1) additionally comprises retaining means for retaining a T-bolt (21) so that said T-bolt (21) is rotationally retained about the longitudinal axis (5), when the T-bolt (21) is inserted in the bore (6) of said sleeve (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Aage V. Kjærs Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Kenneth Blom
  • Patent number: 7621487
    Abstract: A support is provided for conduit held on a channel member having a C-shaped cross section with lips extending toward the back wall of the channel. The support has a base with one surface adapted to fasten to the conduit. The second surface has a twist-lock fastener that includes a first and second plate, each having a width sized to fit through the space between the lips and having a length about the same as the distance between the sides of the channel. Two V-shaped deformable members join these plates adjacent the ends on the longest side of the plates. Each V-shaped member is joined to a different plate and the bends at the juncture of the two legs of the V-shaped member abut the side walls of the channel. The bends are adjacent the ends and extend beyond the plates to wedge against the channel sides as a screw draws the plates together and moves the legs of the V shaped member toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Brown, Dennis Hart
  • Patent number: 7604444
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is disclosed for securing an object to channel framing. One embodiment of the assembly includes an elongate body such as a nut which engages inside faces of the framing at opposite sides of a slot in the framing, a washer spaced from the nut which engages outside faces of the framing at opposite sides of the slot, and a spring interposed between and connecting the nut and the washer for generating a force holding the washer and nut in clamping engagement with respective faces of the framing prior to securing an object to the framing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Xiaodong Wu
  • Publication number: 20090103996
    Abstract: An improved cage nut assembly is comprised of a cage, a pair of slots, a nut, a flange and a strip. The cage has four walls which form a four sided enclosure. Each of a pair of opposing walls contains a slot. The flange extends from the nut such that its planar surface is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nut. The flange and the nut have a common opening for receiving a bolt. The strip is attached to the nut and the flange. The strip is inserted into the slots to suspend the nut within the cage. The walls and the flange are shaped to limit rotation of the flange. The nut floats in two dimensions. The nut and the flange may be removed through the bottom of the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Narayanan P. Menon
  • Publication number: 20080193251
    Abstract: A fastener, for connecting a first component having a first hole to a second component having a second hole, includes a cage which is fitted at its end with a radial flange and further a cross-sectionally rectangular or square shank segment. This shank segment is insertable into the second hole of the second component, for resting against the associated side of the second component. A nut is at least partly axially received in the cage and is rotatable from a first rotational position in the cage into a second rotational position. The nut has an axial borehole to receive an affixation screw and also comprises at its outside the diametrically opposite wing elements, where, upon rotation of the nut from the first into the second rotational position, the wing elements will be pulled on account of the affixation screw's rotation in the nut against the other side of the second component, with a head of the affixation screw resting against the first component and compressing latter against the cage flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Albert Sbongk
  • Publication number: 20080181745
    Abstract: A retaining structure and fastener assembly for securing a resin panel to a vehicle body. The panel has an inner surface and a retaining structure extending outwardly from the inner surface. The retaining structure has a retaining wall with a slot for receiving a shoulder of a bolt therethrough, so that a head of the bolt is retained between the inner surface and a washer for securing the panel to the body of the vehicle. The slot is oversized relative to the shoulder of the bolt so as to define a predetermined gap therebetween to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the panel, thereby preventing building of the panel relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North American, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Naik, Yoshinori Kano
  • Patent number: 7246978
    Abstract: A body comprising a nut retaining apparatus mounted thereon for fastening a bolt to the body. The bolt is inserted into a bolt insertion hole at an end surface of the body from a direction inclined with respect to a direction tangent to the body. The nut retaining apparatus comprises a nut retainer and a nut holder, the nut retainer positioned at an insertion end of the bolt insertion hole in the body and against which a nut member having a threaded hole abuts, and the nut holder mounted on the body for supporting the nut member in the inclined direction. The nut member is retained and supported in the inclined direction at a position between the nut retainer and nut holder and continuous with the bolt insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunari Morishima, Youichi Zenda, Tsuyoshi Shimozato
  • Patent number: 7246547
    Abstract: An assembly tool (20) for a securing system. (1) The securing system comprises an elongate profiled-section element (2) having a longitudinal slot (6), which is delimited by two flanges, and an elongate nut body (3). The nut body is of a width which is less than the width of the longitudinal slot and a length (1) which is greater than the width of the longitudinal slot. The nut body is provided with a bore (8) and, on an underside, with a downwardly projecting spring (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: J. van Walraven Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Van Walraven
  • Patent number: 7223458
    Abstract: A molded product includes a receiving member in a body. A coupling component such as a female screw component is embedded in the receiving member. A connecting piece is formed continuous to the body and the receiving member based on integral molding. The connecting piece extends to the receiving member from the body inside a bore formed in the body. The connecting piece may form a single flat plate in the molded product, so that a general cutting device can be utilized to cut through the connecting piece in a facilitated manner. The receiving member can be removed from the body without any difficulty. The receiving member can be separated from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Ken-ichiro Tango
  • Patent number: 7189043
    Abstract: A retainer for holding nuts, bolts and other components includes a pocket configured for retaining a portion of the component and having an entrance opening for insertion of the component into the pocket. A deflectable blocking element is disposed in the opening and yields to insertion pressure, allowing the component to enter the pocket. A tether secured near the distal end of the blocking element resists deflection of the blocking element in response to withdrawal force applied to a component in the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Benoit, Brian R. Peek
  • Patent number: 7104742
    Abstract: A system for aligning and fastening two sections of stair hand rail or a fitting to a stair hand rail, comprising a bolt having screw threads at a first end for fastening the bolt to the fitting and having machine threads at a second end for aligning and fastening the fitting to the rail, the first end of the bolt being screwed the length of the screw threads into the fitting, the second end of the bolt being inserted through a bolt-receiving channel in the rail, a washer inserted through a tool chamber in the rail onto the second end of the bolt, and a nut inserted through the tool chamber in the rail onto the second end of the bolt, wherein the nut is pivoted on and against the washer while the nut is tightened until the desired fastening and alignment of the fitting to the rail is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fitts Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Fitts, III