Cage nut fastener and methods for tool-less installation of same

A method of installing a cage nut fastener against a frame member without the aid of tools, the method comprising:

• providing a cage nut fastener having a spring cage and a nut prevented from rotation within the spring cage, the spring cage including a pair of lever arms arranged at opposite sides thereof, each lever arm extending in a rearward direction behind a back wall of the spring cage;
• applying a compression force upon at least one of the pair of lever arms, without the aid of tools, to manipulate the spring cage to a compressed state;
• positioning a distal end of each of the pair of the lever arms through an aperture of a frame member;
• and
• releasing the compression force so that the spring cage returns to an uncompressed state, with distal ends of each of the pair of lever arms pushing against respective opposite sides of the aperture, thereby securing the spring cage and the nut against the frame member.

A method of installing a cage nut fastener against a frame member without the aid of tools, the method comprising:

• providing a cage nut fastener having a spring cage and a nut prevented from rotation within the spring cage, the spring cage including a fixed end at a first side and a compressible end at a second side, each of the fixed end and the compressible end terminating at a front of the spring cage with an angled tab, the spring cage further including a lever arm connected to at least the compressible end, the lever arm including an extension portion, arranged to extend rearwardly from the first side, and a hooking portion, arranged to pass behind the nut from the first side to the second side;
• applying a compression force upon the lever arm, without the aid of tools, to manipulate the compressible end of the spring cage toward the fixed end, thereby manipulating the spring cage to a compressed state;
• positioning the angled tabs through an aperture of a frame member;
• and
• releasing the compression force so that the spring cage returns to an uncompressed state, with distal ends of each of the cage arm and the lever arm pushing against respective opposite sides of the aperture, thereby securing the spring cage and the nut against the frame member.