Abstract: A fastening element is provided having a fastener body including a first side and a second side, with resilient locking prongs extending from one side of the fastener body. The fastener body can include either a cavity or a shank on one of the sides. The shank or cavity can be provided with either a channel or an engagement lug for mating with a complimentary fastening element. One side of the fastener body can also be provided with a cam surface or a resilient surface to inhibit rotation between mated complimentary fastening elements.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.

Abstract: An attachment device secures structural component (39) to a fastening rail (32) having a slot-like opening (34). The attachment device includes a flexural member (27) to afford better handling. The flexural member (27) is deflectable in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction. A snap-in connection of the attachment device to the fastening rail (32) is achieved by the outside contour of a radially spring deflectable region (31) of the flexural member (27) which has a dimension greater than the width of the slot-like opening (34). An elastic axially extending region (28) of the flexural member (27) provides an axial prestress between a base member (21) and a cap member (29), so that accidental detachment of the attachment device positioned in the fastening rail (32) is prevented.

Abstract: An adjustable fastener assembly for attaching a flexible cover sheet to an object such as a boat comprises an elongated housing provided with a slot extending along its length. Within the housing, there is positioned a slide having an extension protruding through the slot in the housing. The portion protruding through the slot carries a fastening element which engages a complementary fastener such as a ring in the cover. The slide and the housing are provided with complementary locking means permitting the slide to be locked in any desired position along the length of the housing. The slide locking means is provided with a first engaging portion capable of engaging a first portion of the housing locking means which prevents movement in only a first direction along the length of the housing and a second engaging portion capable of engaging a second portion of the housing locking means which prevents movement in only a second direction along the length of the housing.

Abstract: A removable fastener (10, 110) for a part (25, 28, 122) such as a furniture accessory with a hole in a surface (24, 120) comprises a dowel anchor (11, 11', 111) with ribbing thereon (23, 112) for lateral engagement in the surface hole. The dowel anchor comprises a seat (13, 113) in which is received the end of an element (12, 12', 114) in turn constrained to the part and there being between the element and the seat a form of separable mutual constraint. The element is provided in the form of a dowel or pin (12, 12', 114) constrained to the part to be axially insertable in the seat (13, 113) in the dowel anchor and the constraint comprises elastically yielding elements (14, 15, 40, 41, 117) projecting toward the axis of the seat (13, 113) to engage the side wall of the dowel (12, 12', 114) upon its insertion in the seat.

Abstract: A clip member for securement of a trim member to a slot in the sheet of a vehicle. The clip member includes a base portion which includes a dovetail for attachment of the base portion to a trim member. The clip also includes a shaft portion which has an axis and is connected to the base member. The shaft member is adapted for allowing resilient rotational deflection about the axis of the shaft. A locking protrusion extends from the shaft portion and includes a locking shelf for engaging the sheet portion of the vehicle. The locking protrusion also includes a ramp portion which is operable for deflecting in response to engaging the slot and rotating the locking protrusion about the axis of the shaft during insertion of the protrusion into the slot.

Abstract: A vending assembly for vending at least one paper from at least one publisher includes a mounting frame forming an architectural landscape form providing a plurality of spaced mounting locations. The assembly also includes a plurality of vending boxes each being located at a corresponding one of the mounting locations and spaced from each other. The assembly further includes a structure for mounting each one of the vending boxes to each one of the mounting locations.

Abstract: An adjustable-height post (10) for construction formwork, which is preferably made of aluminum, consists of an outer tube (12) to which a threaded nut is fastened in a lossproof manner, and an inner tube (11) that has thread segments (13, 14) on the outer surface. The segments (13, 13', 13", 13'") project into recesses (19, 19', 19", 19'") of the outer tube (12). This embodiment produces a robust post (10) whose inner tube (11) is nonrotatably supported and guided in the outer tube (12). The inner tube (11) can more easily be manufactured with the threads (14) according to the invention; at the same time, material can be saved in the manufacture of the post (10).

Abstract: A fastening arrangement is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first member having first and second surfaces and an elongated aperture intersecting the first and second surfaces, a second member having a first surface for contacting the first member, and an aperture for registration with the first member aperture. The second member also has a second surface with a ramp generally opposite the first surface, and the second member second surface has two arms. A pin having a midportion with a first surface with a ramp for engagement with the ramp of the second member second surface is also provided. The pin also has projecting from the midportion a lock wing and on a side of the midportion opposite the lock wing a thumb tab. To secure the first and second members together, the pin lock wing is projected through the apertures of the first and second members, and an angular relocation of the pin causes the lock wing to secure itself against the first surface of the first member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bolt having a tapered tip comprising of corresponding opposite flat and partially threaded portions that engage an oval nut having elongated internal adjacent sides, the ends of which are void of threads to enable bolt/nut alignment when initially inserted and tightened. Additionally, the tapered threaded bolt has an arcuate shaped or rounded first and/or second thread for providing self-alignment and preventing gouging or digging of internal threads when being inserted or screwed into any conventional nut or oval shaped nut. Moreover, inadvertent contact between the bolt and nut while in the process of initial insertion will not preclude uninhibited correct bolt insertion into the nut.

Abstract: A locking device for securing a component, such as a seating frame to a floor, for example, in an aircraft, includes a locking bolt, one end of which is provided with a locking cross-head, having two projections that engage under rail rims of a support rail in the floor. The other end of the bolt is provided with a threading that cooperates with a nut for providing the required clamping force. At least two alignment guide studs are so positioned that the locking bolt is oriented intermediate the two studs. These studs fit into respective recesses in the rail for properly locating the locking device. A carrier member of the locking device may be a separate base plate or it my be part of the seating frame structure. A slot, at the visible end of the locking bolt, is so oriented, that it indicates the locked or unlocked condition of the locking bolt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quick fastening quick releasing nut-and-bolt assembly in which the bolt has finger elements disposed along the bolt's longitudinal axis. The finger elements have sets of accurate thread segments matable with complimentary sets of radially inward facing arcuate thread segments on the inner diameter of a nut. The nut's inner diameter includes smooth semi-cylindrical surfaces circumferentially alternated with the nut's sets of thread segments. The nut has a central core body sliding upon radially inner surfaces of the finger elements so as to keep the finger elements in bearing relation with the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a first, unlocked configuration in which the bolt's thread segments face the smooth surfaces on the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a second, fastening configuration where the bolt's thread segments are engaged with the nut's thread segments.

Abstract: A fastening system is provided which includes an elongate grommet affixable into a correspondingly shaped aperture in a first object to be retained therein, and a clip passed through an aperture in a second object to be fastened to the first object. The two objects, one with the grommet affixed therein and the other with the clip projecting therethrough are brought together and, in a first orientation of the clip with respect to the grommet the clip is forcibly pressed into the grommet, whereupon a pair of claws formed onto the shank of the clip engage in an interference fit with recesses formed for such engagement into opposite walls of the grommet. The clip has a maximum transverse dimension smaller than an inside dimension of the elongate grommet, so that a predetermined amount of relative motion between the fastened objects is permitted by sliding motion of the clip while in interference engagement with the grommet.

Abstract: The present invention is a vending assembly for vending at least one paper from at least one publisher. The assembly includes a mounting frame providing a plurality of spaced mounting locations. The assembly also includes a plurality of vending boxes each being located at a corresponding one of the mounting locations and spaced from each other. The assembly further includes a structure for mounting each one of the vending boxes to each one of the mounting locations.

Abstract: A fastener used to secure an object on a channel including a channel nut which may be entered into a slot in the channel and then turned about an axis of rotation to extend in a generally crosswise position relative to the slot for engagement of portions of the nut at locations generally adjacent opposite ends of the nut with edges of the channel. A retainer for the nut has a body and a flange integral with the body which may engage the channel at opposite sides of the channel slot for preventing the retainer from being pushed inwardly completely through the slot when the nut is turned to a crosswise position in the channel and when an object is being fastened to the channel. Resiliently deformable spring elements on the body of the retainer are so sized and arranged as to be engageable with the channel for holding the nut in its crosswise position against slippage lengthwise of the channel slot.

Abstract: A securement member (13-18) has a relatively rigid foot (4-25) adapted to be secured on a first member (1) and prolonged by a body (5-19) provided in at least one region of its side surface with protuberant elastic hooking formations (7-20), and a seat (8-23) provided in the second member (2) whose internal side wall (9-24') has a shape of revolution, and adapted to receive with friction the body (5-19) and the hooking formations (7-20). The securement member (3-18) and the seat (8) comprise a mutual unlocking assembly (13-22, 24) permitting, by movement of rotation between the securement member (3-18) and the seat (8-23), effecting the escape of the hooking formations from the side wall of the seat. The invention is particularly applicable to devices for securing an appliance housing on a wall.

Abstract: A T-nut having a lower head, and an upper shank, the shank fitting in the narrow portion of the T-slot. The head and the shank have chamfers and radiuses enabling the T-nut to be rotated in the T-slot, into active/locking position. On the shank, the radiuses dimensioned for either clearance or interference fit with the sides of the slot. In a second form, a locking washer positively locks the T-nut in active position. Also included is an arrangement of spacers and T-nuts for mounting a drill through plate on the table of the milling machine.

Abstract: A pin and grommet assembly includes a push-pin and a grommet of unique construction which is capable of absorbing variations in the relative positions of a supporting panel and a mating panel to be attached caused by thermal expansion and contraction. A pair of diametrically opposed semicylindrical-shaped portions are disposed on the push-pin and cylindrical-shaped mating grooves are formed in the interior of the grommet for retaining freely floating the semicylindrical-shaped portions in the grommet so as to permit lateral sliding engagement between the opposed outer wall surfaces on the shorter sides of the main body portion of the grommet.

Abstract: A snap-action fastening device comprises an operative unit to be fastened to a switchboard and a flange unit having seats receiving fins of a member containing control and signalling units and adapted to be snapped on and fastened to an elongated stem of the operative unit. The flange unit has a rotatable lever having a central bore provided on a surface thereof with inwardly protruding teeth engageable in elongated slots formed in an end portion of the stem and retained in recesses extending transversely of the slots.

Abstract: A device for securing a manipulated component to the fitting portion of a panel so that the shaft of the component extends through the panel. The component includes a boss, a flange, and an engagement portion and that the fitting portion is provided with a through hole and a securing apparatus. The boss projects to the fitting portion, and covers the shaft at the rear end thereof. The flange is formed at the front end of the shaft. The engagement portion is provided on a surface at the fitting portion and located in a position different from that of the boss. The flange is inserted through the hole so that the attaching position of the axis of the engagement portion is different from the manipulating position of the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A rotatable fastener for attaching trim strips to vehicle window assemblies and other vehicular trim supports includes a pair of trim engaging flanges at one end of a central shaft and a retaining head at the other end. The flanges are beveled to engage the edges of a trim strip slot upon one-quarter turn rotation after insertion through an aperture in the window assembly or trim support. The retaining head includes recesses for engaging projections on the window assembly or trim support after rotation to resist removal. The flanges are preferably offset and the aperture shaped to receive the offset flanges and central shaft to resist fastener movement in the aperture and slot. Alternately, the fastener may include a planar head while the flanges may each include a flexible portion and slot for reducing the width of the flanges upon insertion.

Abstract: A quarter turn fastener (10) fastens a first component (12) to a second component (14). The fastener (10) has a cap (20) covering and rotating about a cylindrical mounting member (24) with a spring (34) therebetween. The mounting member (24) attaches to the first component (12) by barbs (28). Rotation is limited by a slot and tab arrangement having a tab (42) extending inward from the cap (20) into a slot (44) in the mounting member (24). The slot (44) extends one fourth of the way around the circumference of the mounting member (24) for limiting rotation and includes ridges (46, 48) preventing free rotation of the tab (42) at the ends of the slot (44). A shaft (36) attached to the cap (20) and extends through the mounting member (24), first component (12) and second component (14). A curved retainer member (38) engages slot (18) and has sloping engaging surfaces (52, 54, 56) for guiding the retainer member (38) into and out of the slot (18) when the fastener (10) is twisted.

Abstract: Two plates are connected to each other through brackets and fixing pins. The bracket includes a base disc portion, a semi-cylindrical wall portion and a pair of projections. The wall portion is perpendicular to the base disc portion. The projections radially outwardly extend from diametrically opposed portions of the wall portion. One of the two plates has an opening. The opening has concentrically connected smaller and larger circular portions and a pair of notches. The notches are positioned at diametrically opposed portions of the smaller circular portion and have the same thickness as that of the smaller circular portion. The smaller and larger circular portions and the notches are so sized as to receive the semi-cylindrical wall portion, the base disc portion and the projections, respectively. The thickness of the smaller circular portion is the same as the distance between the projection and the base disc portion. The thickness of the larger circular portion is the same as that of the base disc portion.

Abstract: A quarter-turn fastener for securing together a plurality of overlapped panels comprises an elongated body portion having a longitudinal axis, a head provided upon one end of the body portion for engaging a first outer surface of one of the overlapped panels, and a pair of resiliently flexible fingers provided upon an opposite end of the body portion for engaging a second outer surface of a second one of the overlapped panels whereby the panels are preliminarily secured together by the fastener in a non-compressed state. A pair of diametrically opposed inclined cam portions are also provided upon the body portion at a position axially between the opposite ends of the body portion so as to engage the second outer surface of the second one of the overlapped panels such that when the fastener is rotated through means of an angular rotation of 90.degree.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for securing a first panel-like member to a second panel-like member by securing, in a state with a fastener temporarily secured to the first panel-like member, an elastic fastening portion of the fastener projecting from the first panel-like member toward the second panel-like member. It includes a first flanged portion having long and short sides, a second flanged portion having long and short sides, projecting from the center of the first flange and spaced apart from the first flange by means of a distance corresponding to the thickness of the first panel-like member, an elastic fastening portion projecting from the top of the second flange, and an elastic portion projecting from the second flange toward the first flange and engaged within a hole of the first panel-like member. The long side of the first flange is longer than the long side of the second flange. The short side of the first flange is longer than the short side of the second flange.

Abstract: A push to install, quarter turn to release fastening system includes a fastener having a plurality of radially extending frustum-shaped projections spaced along a shank and a pair of diametrically opposed ribs extending along the shank forming smooth surfaces outside the periphery of the frustum-shaped projections. The receptacle includes a split cylinder forming a pair of spring latches that are displaced to permit entry and captivation of the fastener. When the fastener is turned 90.degree., the ribs displace the spring latches to positions out of engagement with the frustum-shaped projections to enable removal of the fastener from the receptacle.

Abstract: Improved terminal blocks having inserts comprising a spring-loaded stirrup for clamping electrical conductors, together with a screw for adjusting the clamping action of the stirrup and for releasably locking the stirrup in a fully open position to permit insertion of an electrical conductor, a mechanism for quickly and easily releasing the stirrup when the conductor is in a desired position, and an attachment member for releasably securing the block to a mounting rail.

Abstract: A twistlock fastener is constructed of a latching member and a base member. The base member has a socket portion with a square-shaped internal bore. The latching member is formed with head portion and a shank portion. The shank portion has a cylindrical section adjacent to the head portion and has a pair of resilient bifurcated leg elements integrally formed with the cylindrical section. Each of the leg elements have a radial surface to provide a latching shoulder. Each latching lateral shoulder is formed with a width sufficient to retain the shank portion in the square-shaped internal bore. Each of the opposite side surfaces at the opposite ends of the latching shoulder for both leg elements lie in a common flat plane which is perpendicular to the latching shoulders.

Abstract: A single piece fastener and a method of using this fastener to secure connectors to a printed circuit board comprised of a longitudinal member with a top section which rests on top of the connector and a bottom section with an inclined surface is described. The fastener is inserted through the connector and through the circuit board. When turned, the inclined surface interacts with the bottom of the circuit board, wedging the connector to the circuit board.

Abstract: Device for the removable fastening of a plate-shaped component onto a base with a T-groove open in the direction of the component. The invention consists of a pot-shaped receiving element, a head-bolt, a spring element arranged in the receiving-element and a cross bar arranged at the free end of the shaft of the head-bolt. The cross-bar is insertable in the T-groove and movable against the force of the spring element in the direction of the T-groove floor and engageable behind the shoulders of the T-groove by turning through 90.degree.. In accordance with the invention, the cross-bar has at least one stop interacting with one edge of the aperture of the T-groove in front of the head-bolt shaft end bearing the cross-bar. This stop prevents the continued turning of the head bolt after attainment of the locked position.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding machine of the type for blow molding large articles such as containers of the one gallon to five gallon size from a parison in the form of an extruded plastic material tube. The machine is of the rotary type and has a plurality of stations each carrying a mold unit of which one half is fixed and the other is mounted for radial movement between open and closed positions. The main shaft of the machine is of a large diameter and is tubular so that the necessary manifolding for gas and coolant supplies may be readily incorporated in the main shaft in an entirely different manner from that heretofore utilized. Also, among other features of the machine, is the provision of hollow spokes which serve not only to support outer mold halves for radial movement, but also serve as manifold accumulators for the necessary operating gases.

Abstract: A quarter-turn fastener adapted for selective connection to a support member through a generally rectangular opening. The disclosed fastener comprises a body having a head and an axially elongated, rigid shank. Extending radially outward from the shank are two series of resilient leg members. The leg members in each series are axially spaced and configured to be readily deflectable toward the head but to offer substantial resistance to deflection away from the head. Wing-like stop members are joined to the shank at positions spaced circumferentially of the leg members for centering the fastener in the opening and limiting its rotation about the axis of the shank to a single predetermined direction.