Latch to the core fastener
AssigneeInterplex Nascal, Inc.
InventorJames R. Martellotti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latching system includes a hub with one or more openings defined in the hub. Each opening includes a latching feature to which a fastener is releasably coupled. The latching feature may be configured to couple to only a single fastener provided from one side of the hub. Alternately, the latching feature may be configured to couple to two fasteners, one from each side of the hub, at the same time. The fastener includes prongs that are configured to be sufficiently separated from one another, when a removal tool is inserted between them, to facilitate the release of the fastener from the latching feature and the removal of the fastener from the opening. A flange may be held in place between the hub and a portion of the coupled fastener.
Claims35
A coupling system, comprising:
- a hub having a first latch opening disposed therein;
- a first latching feature disposed in the first latch opening;
- and
- a first fastener disposed in the first latch opening and releasably coupled to the first latching feature.
A coupling system, comprising:
- a hub having first and second latch openings disposed therein;
- first and second latching features disposed, respectively, in the first and second latch openings;
- and
- first and second fasteners disposed, respectively, in the first and second latch openings and releasably coupled to the first and second latching features,
- wherein the first fastener is positioned in the first latch opening from a first side of the hub, and
- wherein the second fastener is positioned in the second latch opening from a second side of the hub opposite the first side of the hub.
A coupling system, comprising:
- a hub having a first latch opening disposed therein;
- a first pair of latching features disposed in the first latch opening, the first pair of latching features arranged in a first virtual plane;
- and
- a second pair of latching features disposed in the first latch opening, the second pair of latching features arranged in a second virtual plane;
- wherein the first and second virtual planes intersect.
A coupling system kit, comprising:
- a hub having a first latch opening disposed therein;
- a first pair of latching features disposed in the first latch opening, the first pair of latching features arranged in a first virtual plane;
- a second pair of latching features disposed in the first latch opening, the second pair of latching features arranged in a second virtual plane;
- a first fastener configured to removably couple to one of the first and second pairs of latching features;
- and
- a flange configured to be positioned between the first fastener and the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.