Spring Engaging Securing Means Patents (Class 411/342)
  • Patent number: 5224807
    Abstract: A tubular and preferably elastomeric radial holding and centering expandable bushing having a bore sized to pass a threaded shank of a fastening bolt and having a radially enlarged flanged one end thereof. The bore tapering outwardly toward the periphery to create a conical cavity between the bushing body from the flange rearwardly. The cavity receives a tubular expansion insert having a tapered periphery and internal bore slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded shank of the fastening bolt which insert is positioned to the side of the tubular bushing remote from the head of said fastening bolt. A folding wing nut structure includes a trunion nut having a tapped bore threaded on said shank of the bolt, axially outwardly of the tubular expansion insert to the side opposite to the tubular bushing. The structure includes a pair of foldable wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Jess L. Belser
  • Patent number: 5221169
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for retaining an elongated fastener member within an opening defined by a support wall having at least one concealed side. At least two elongated wire-like legs are positioned in parallel relation and a threaded apertured anchor member is slidably movable along the wire-like leg members and adapted to assume a first position parallel to the legs and to pivot toward a second position generally perpendicular to the legs when the anchor is advanced distally or when the leg members are withdrawn proximally to cause engagement therebetween. A connecting member in the form of a collar is positioned at the proximal ends of the legs and is configured and dimensioned for positioning within the opening of the support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Titan Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. McSherry, Steven D. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5195856
    Abstract: A fastening device of the type having a stem, toggle arms at the opposite end of the stem, extending outwardly from an extended axis of the stem, a toggle hinge forming a part of the toggle arms and connecting the toggle arms to the stem and elastically biasing the toggle arms in the extended position. The toggle arms are pivotable about the toggle hinge to a closed position extending substantially parallel with the extended axis of the stem. A strap extends across the extended axis of the stem between the extremities of the toggle arms to maintain the toggle arms in the extended position. The extremities of the strap and the toggle arms are connected and a mid-hinge is formed centrally of the strap at the extended axis of the stem so that the portions of the strap on either side of the mid-hinge may pivot about the hinge to move the toggle arms and strap portions to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Titan Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. McSherry, Steven D. Townsend, Philip S. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5163796
    Abstract: A tubular and preferably elastomeric radial holding and centering expandable bushing having a bore sized to pass a threaded shank of a fastening bolt and having a radially enlarged flanged one end thereof. The bore tapering outwardly toward the periphery to create a conical cavity between the bushing body from the flange rearwardly. The cavity receives a tubular expansion insert having a tapered periphery and internal bore slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded shank of the fastening bolt which insert is positioned to the side of the tubular bushing remote from the head of said fastening bolt. A folding wing nut structure includes a trunion nut having a tapped bore threaded on said shank of the bolt, axially outwardly of the tubular expansion insert to the side opposite to the tubular bushing. The structure includes a pair of foldable wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Jess L. Belser
  • Patent number: 5059073
    Abstract: A peg for anchoring within a hole having an undercut portion comprises a body (1) with an external end (5) for mounting an element thereon and a tapered internal end (11) widening out towards the inside of the hole, a locking ring (2) formed from segments disposed about the body and intended to pivot within the undercut portion (10). The external diameter of the ring (2) is equal to that of the hole (8). Means (4,14,19) for temporarily immobilizing the segments of the ring are mounted upon the body. Means fixed upon the body may drive the ring (2) into the vicinity of the undercut portion of the hole and radially acting means (4) may cause the segments of the ring (2) to pivot into the undercut portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Societe de Prospection et d'Inventions Techniques (S.P.I.T.)
    Inventors: Gerard Revol, Jean-Paul Barthomeuf
  • Patent number: 5050355
    Abstract: One form of conventional earth anchor device includes an anchor which is driven into the ground as the leading element of a combination. Thus, the anchor must be streamlined to facilitate ground entry which is incompatible with the need for a curved body facilitating anchoring. Another problem is the need for anchors having large bearing areas which require considerable effort for insertion into the ground. A device providing a solution to these problems includes a tube or sleeve with a sacrificial blade releasably mounted in the bottom end thereof for driving into the ground, and a rod carrying an anchor and a spring biasing the anchor outwardly, whereby the sleeve can be driven into the ground, following which the rod is held down while the sleeve is extracted, leaving the blade, and, when the anchor and spring exit the sleeve, the spring biases the anchor into a ground engaging position. An upward pull on the rod pivots the anchor into a secure anchoring position in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Mikhail Pildysh
  • Patent number: 5051047
    Abstract: A clamping apparatus for clamping an object to a member having an opening therein and marginal portions defining, in part, said opening. The apparatus includes a first member engageable with the object and having a first threaded portion. The first threaded portion is in threaded engagement with a second threaded portion complementary to the first threaded portion, the second threaded portion being on a base member having first and second opposite side portions. The apparatus further includes engaging members for engaging the marginal portions adjacent the opening, the engaging members having distal and proximal end portions, the proximal end portions being pivotally connected to the first and second opposite side portions of the base respectively. The distal end portions have respective contact surfaces for engaging the marginal portions about the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Karl Loncaric
  • Patent number: 4997327
    Abstract: A bushing cooperates with a bolt and a winged toggle member to form a toggle bolt assembly. The bushing has a maximum cross-sectional dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the hole in the wall or other support member to which the toggle bolt assembly is to fasten an object and an inside diameter permitting passage of the bolt therethrough. To fasten an object to a wall, the bolt is passed through an opening in the object and through the bushing and threadedly engaged in the toggle member. The toggle member wings are folded, and the toggle member is passed through the hole in the wall until the wings open. The bushing is inserted into the hole and held in place while the bolt is pulled outward until the opened toggle wings abut the inner surface of the wall, inhibiting rotation of the toggle member as the bolt is rotated. The bolt is then threadedly tightened in the toggle member, drawing the object and the wings into further engagement with the opposite surfaces of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: James L. Cira
  • Patent number: 4943253
    Abstract: A fastener-receiving member is disclosed that can be used with either a blind hole or a hollow wall. In addition, the length of the fastener-receiving member can be adjusted to be accommodated within various thicknesses of walls. The nut portion of the fastener-receiving member is configured so that it has ridges at its outer periphery that will engage with the surface of a hole regardless of the quality of the drilled hole. A wing-like locking section will expand to insure an adequate grip between the wall and the member. In addition, an insertion tool is disclosed that aids an operator in inserting the fastener-receiving member into a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Dry Dock Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4833760
    Abstract: A device for detachable and repeatable accurate clamping in X-, Y- and Z-directions of a first object to a second object like a working table (2) to a machine table (1), the first object (1) having a house (3) with a truncated conical surface (15) intended to cooperate with a corresponding conical surface (25) of the second object (2) and clamping member (9), each intended when clamping the second object to the first object by pivoting the clamping member to engage a clamping surface (20) of the second object by a nose (12). According to the invention the house (3) is provided with a first stop face (17) extending across the axis (16) of the truncated conical surface (15) and cooperating with a second stop face (21) arranged in the second object, the mutual position in the Z-direction of the first and second objects being unambiguously determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Ideab
    Inventor: Erik Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 4822226
    Abstract: A wing nut retainer and extractor comprises an elongated open box frame having an apertured face plate with a pair of spaced apart guide rails extending from the face plate for insertion into a blind bore for holding and extracting a wing nut with the outer ends of the rails connected together and a tipping finger disposed between the rails for engaging one wing of the wing nut for tipping the nut to a position generally parallel to the rails for extracting the wing nut through a hole in a blind wall or through the aperture in the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: Arvest G. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 4810146
    Abstract: A toggle bolt assembly that includes a flexible elongated strip that is hung upon the bolt so that the strip loops over the winged trunnion nut. One end of the strip is hung between the nut and the wings while the opposite end of the strip is hung between the bolt head and the nut. The opposite end of the strip is expanded so that it can be wedged tightly into the clearance hole formed in a hollow through which the wings are passed in assembly. The wedged strip holds the unfolded wings in a non-rotating condition inside the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: CWR Manufacturing
    Inventor: Mark A. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 4809477
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for connecting lightweight roofing structure laminations is shown. The assembly comprises a toggle bolt with an unremovable toggle nut on the lower end of the toggle bolt stem, securing the lower surface of the lamination, and a flanged cap nut threaded on the toggle stem's upper end which secures the lamination's upper surface. The flange cap nut is fitted with a recess complementary to, and adapted to receive a keeper nut fitted with a recess which allows torquing of the flanged cap nut. The keeper nut is also adapted to connect with the top end of the toggle bolt stem in a way, that locks the flanged cap nut and toggle stem together so that the same are incapable of independent rotation, thus preventing the loosening of the fastener assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: G.B.R. Enterprises
    Inventor: David A. Gasser
  • Patent number: 4793755
    Abstract: A device for use with a toggle bolt of the type having a toggle threadable to a bolt. The device comprises a spool which has an opening for receiving the bolt therethrough. Connected to the spool is a leg member for extending along the bolt such that the toggle is guided by the leg member as the toggle is engaged by the bolt. The spool fits in the hole in a securing member through which the bolt extends to fix the bolt with respect to the securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Russell L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4764065
    Abstract: An anchor for attaching cables or other devices to a wall structure comprises a hollow metal cylinder having a pair of wing members pivoted within the cylinder and extending through opposing openings in the sides of the cylinder. The wings are spring biased to their collapsed positions in the cylinder and are extended by the pressure of a bolt threaded in one end of the cylinder. The wings may be forced by the bolt to wedge the cylinder in a concrete or other solid wall, alternatively may be extended in back of a panel wall for retaining the anchor in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventor: Carl D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4732520
    Abstract: A non-rotating toggle bolt assembly which includes a collapsible toggle threadably received on the shank end of a bolt whose length is greater than the thickness of the wall for which the assembly is intended. When the toggle is collapsed, it assumes reduced dimensions to permit its passage through a hole drilled in the wall. On emerging from the hole at the shank end of the bolt, the toggle which is now displaced from the inner surface of the wall resumes its normal dimensions. The assembly is provided with a flexible strap extension, one end of which is coupled to the toggle and acts to prevent rotation thereof when, in the course of installation, the operator turns the bolt to advance the toggle on the shank into engagement with the inner surface of the wall to fasten the assembly thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Louis N. Giannuzzi
  • Patent number: 4668144
    Abstract: A non-rotating toggle bolt assembly which includes a collapsible toggle threadably received on the shank end of a bolt whose length is greater than the thickness of the wall for which the assembly is intended. When the toggle is collapsed, it assumes reduced dimensions to permit its passage through a hole drilled in the wall. On emerging from the hole at the shank end of the bolt, the toggle which is now displaced from the inner surface of the wall, resumes its normal dimensions. The assembly is provided with means which act to prevent rotation of the toggle when, in the course of installation, the operator turns the bolt to advance the toggle on the shank into engagement with the inner surface of the wall to fasten the assembly thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: Louis N. Giannuzzi
  • Patent number: 4657212
    Abstract: A control cable anchor for securing a control cable in an opening having an elongated body with a shouldered end, axial slots in the body surface and locking pawls positioned within the slots. The pawls have a first end spaced from the shouldered end of the body which cooperates with the shouldered end to sandwich a wall which defines the opening. The pawls have a fulcrum point which engages the bottom of the slots. The pawls are biased into their first or locking position but may pivot about the fulcrum to be retracted at least partially beneath the body surface for insertion through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Acco Babcock Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gilmore, Leland E. Easter
  • Patent number: 4644617
    Abstract: A releasable locking device comprises a tubular housing (180) having a pair of rotary pawls (182) mounted therein. The angular position of the pawls are controlled by spring-loaded balls (183). A line (179) passing through the housing has a collar (184) thereon which latches with the pawls when the collar is brought into engagement therewith, the pawls being rotated so that the balls then bear on adjoining surfaces of the pawls. When the line is subsequently slackened the balls (183) act on the pawls to rotate them further into the housing so that on subsequent engagement by the collar (184), they are free to rotate so as to allow the collar to pass through the housing. This system provides an automatic latching of the line (179) followed by automatic disengagement of the latch simply by releasing tension in the line followed by reapplying such tension. Therefore latching and unlatching can be effected simply from a position remote from the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventors: Alan W. Tupper, Peter R. Flux
  • Patent number: 4636121
    Abstract: A holding screw rotatable in an inward direction having means to prevent or retard rotational movement in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Lillias S. Miller
  • Patent number: 4630956
    Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided for temporarily securing together scaffolding members. A slotted stud fixed to a scaffolding support member is provided with a pivotal dog rotatable within the slot for receiving the hole punched end of a cross member. A spring and washer having a transverse bar member within the slot are permanently retained on the stud to prevent misuse of the device. Rotation of the dog to receive the cross member causes axial movement to the washer and compression of the spring. Further compression of the spring by the cross member allows the dog to return to its lock position by gravity. The spring, washer, and dog thus cooperate to either expel the cross member from the device or lock the cross member in place, which substantially increases scaffolding safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Safway Scaffolds Company of Houston
    Inventor: William E. Gilbreath
  • Patent number: 4616968
    Abstract: A non-rotating toggle bolt assembly in which a trunnion nut received on the end of a screw whose length exceeds the thickness of the hollow wall for which the assembly is intended, pivotally supports a pair of spring-biased toggle wings. The wings are normally outstretched; but when the assembly is pushed through a hole drilled in the wall, the wings then fold in against the screw to permit passage therethrough. On emerging from the hole, the pivoting wings resume their outstretched state at a position well displaced from the inner surface of the wall. Included in the assembly are locking means which act to prevent rotation of the outstretched wings when, in the course of installation, the operator turns the screw to advance the toggle axially toward the inner surface of the wall to tighten the assembly, and which also acts to prevent loosening of the assembly such as might be caused by vibration, after such installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Louis N. Giannuzzi
  • Patent number: 4524494
    Abstract: A detachable fastener comprises a central shank provided at one end thereof with a head portion and at the other end thereof with leg pieces of the shape of legs of an anchor movably connected through respective hinges to the aforementioned other end, and a receiving part adapted to receive external force and formed as connected to the leading ends of the leg pieces projected from the aforementioned other end of the central shank. In this fastener, the receiving part on receiving an external force causes the leg pieces to be bent about the hinges and the free ends of the leg pieces to be converged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Youji Sato, Nobuaki Omata, Sakuzo Shimbara
  • Patent number: 4457653
    Abstract: A retrievable toggle bolt assembly characterized by a cup for receiving the hinged toggle elements as the bolt is unscrewed from a wall or ceiling panel. The cup is formed to provide indication as to complete attachment of the bolt to a cap carried thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: David S. Leib
  • Patent number: 4432683
    Abstract: A toggle bolt assembly has a solid toggle head which is threadedly mounted on a cylindrical helical coil spring coaxially attached to the end of a threaded bolt, the coils of the spring having an outer diameter and a pitch which correspond substantially to those of the threads of the bolt, so that the spring forms a flexible extension of the threads of the bolt. With the toggle head mounted on the spring near the free end thereof, the spring can easily be bent to position the toggle head adjacent the bolt and substantially parallel thereto, thus permitting the entire assembly to be passed through an opening in the member in which it is to be installed. As soon as the toggle head has passed entirely through the hole, the resiliency of the spring causes it to straighten out, thus positioning the toggle head across the opening on the blind side of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Constantine D. Polos
  • Patent number: 4392763
    Abstract: A device for use with a toggle bolt of the type having a toggle threadable to a bolt. The device comprises a spool which has an opening for receiving the bolt therethrough. Connected to the spool is a leg member for extending along the bolt such that the toggle is guided by the leg member as the toggle is engaged by the bolt. The spool fits in the hole in a securing member through which the bolt extends to fix the bolt with respect to the securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Inventor: Russell L. Brown
  • Patent number: 4318651
    Abstract: A fastener for use in plaster walls, ceilings, and the like to support a lamp or plant, includes a conventional screw of uniform diameter, a spring threaded over the screw, and a toggle with a screw threaded hole of large enough diameter to be threaded over the outer surface of the spring. The screw may be capable of engaging the threads in the toggle plate, although the diameter must be small enough so that the spring may be received between the threads of the lag screw and the threads of the hole in the toggle plate. The screw may be a lag screw, a machine screw thread, etc. The screw shank is full-sized, not reduced to receive the helical spring. The spring serves to connect the screw and the toggle plate by being threaded partially one into the other and has the capability of being bent resiliently so that toggle and screw are parallel to each other for insertion into a blind hole, after which the toggle springs back into position and the assembly is screwed together. The spring may be a plastic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Inventor: Peter D. Ragen
  • Patent number: 4298298
    Abstract: A reusable wall fastener such as a toggle bolt, which can attach articles to an apertured wall, including a bolt portion with a head and a retaining end thereon, and a captured nut threadingly engaging the bolt between the head and the end. The captured nut includes laterally extending wings or posts which are received in openings in an elongated toggle housing. The toggle housing further includes elongated and transverse apertures for respectively permitting the threading of the bolt both longitudinally and transversely through the housing. A biasing arrangement normally biases the toggle housing in a coaxial orientation with respect to the bolt in order to insert and remove the toggle bolt through the apertured wall. A cam surface on the toggle housing engages the inside face of the wall to thereby pivot the toggle housing against the bias into a position transverse with respect to the bolt so that the housing will engage the inside face of the wall as the bolt is continuously threaded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Inventor: Louis J. Pontone
  • Patent number: 4286497
    Abstract: In combination with a conventional toggle fastener adapted for insertion into and to secure behind a blind entry, a ratchet assembly adapted to retain the toggle fastener in the blind entry and to adjust for the depth of such entry, the ratchet assembly comprising at least one ratchet bar and a cooperating ratchet retainer adapted to slide on the ratchet bar. Excess length of the ratchet bar is removed to permit a conventional screw fastener to be engaged through the blind entry to the toggle wing assembly. The ratchet bar may be comprised of a ribbed construction, such as a saw-toothed surface, or a sequence of retaining openings therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Alfred A. Shamah
  • Patent number: 4245545
    Abstract: A toggle-bolt-like blind-end connector fastens sheet-metal panels to fiber-board ducts by passing through pre-bored holes in the metal panel and punching its own hole in the fiber-board by a sharply pointed conical head mounted on a barbed-ring shaft. An expandable spider is fixed at the base of the head and is held collapsed against the shaft by a short sleeve. The sleeve has an end flange to limit its following the head and spider through the hole punched in the fiber-board, thus allowing the spider to expand inside the duct, after which expansion the shaft is pulled outwardly to press the expanded spider against the inner surface of the fiber-board. Next a resilient-material nut having shaft-gripping barbed-rings in its bore is pushed onto the exposed end of the shaft to engage the sheet-metal panel. The barbed-rings on the shaft facilitate breaking-off the unneeded end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Inventor: James D. Freeman