Fastener for engaging threaded openings

A fastener for engaging a threaded opening, the fastener comprising:

• a first shaft element extending along a shaft axis from a first cap end to a first threaded end and having a partially cylindrical shape, wherein at least a portion of the first threaded end comprises external threads;
• a second shaft element extending along the shaft axis from a second cap end to a second threaded end and having a partially cylindrical shape, wherein at least a portion of the second threaded end comprises external threads, the second shaft element disposed alongside and parallel the first shaft element;
• an internal alignment shaft extending along the shaft axis and surrounded by a central cavity, wherein the first shaft element and the second shaft element are oriented about the central cavity and the central cavity is defined by a first internal surface of the first shaft element and a second internal surface of the second shaft element;
• at least one radial spring configured to constrict about the first shaft element and the second shaft element such that the first shaft element and the second shaft element move laterally inward toward the internal alignment shaft;
• at least one compression spring configured to allow the first shaft element and the second shaft element to move laterally outward away from the internal alignment shaft;
• a cap configured to move axially along the shaft axis, and further configured to engage the first cap end of the first shaft element and the second cap end of the second shaft element such that the first shaft element and the second shaft element move axially relative to the internal alignment shaft;
• and
• a housing which surrounds the first cap end and the second cap end, extends along the shaft axis to the first threaded end and the second threaded end, and is configured to receive the cap.

A method of fastening a first workpiece to a second workpiece, the method comprising:

• depressing a cap of a fastener, thereby engaging a first cap end of a first shaft element of the fastener and a second cap end of a second shaft element of the fastener, wherein:
• the first shaft element extends from the first cap end to a first shaft end and has a partially cylindrical shape;
• the second shaft element extends from the second cap end to a second shaft end and has a partially cylindrical shape, and is disposed alongside and parallel the first shaft element;
• and
• at least a portion of at least one of the first shaft end and the second shaft end comprises external threads;
• moving the first shaft element and the second shaft element along tapered sections of an internal alignment shaft of the fastener, wherein the tapered sections guide the movement of the first shaft element and the second shaft element both laterally and axially relative to the internal alignment shaft with respect to a shaft axis along which the first shaft element, the second shaft element, and the internal alignment shaft extend;
• constricting, with a releasable constriction mechanism, the first shaft element and the second shaft element such that the first shaft element and the second shaft element move laterally inward toward the internal alignment shaft, guided by the tapered sections of the internal alignment shaft;
• inserting the first shaft end and the second shaft end through a first opening of the first workpiece and into a second opening of the second workpiece which is situated adjacent to the first opening;
• releasing the cap, thereby disengaging the first cap end and the second cap end;
• allowing, with a releasable expansion mechanism, the first shaft element to move laterally apart from the second shaft element guided by the tapered sections of the internal alignment shaft;
• and
• engaging threads within the second opening with the at least a portion of at least one of the first shaft end and the second shaft end comprising external threads.