US 4,016,914 A · Self-locking panel fastener

Abstract

A high strength positive locking fastener for securing structural panels together is disclosed. The fastener includes a stud receptacle and a stud assembly. The stud receptacle is mounted on an inner panel spatially fixed with respect to an outer panel and includes an interiorly threaded basket nut with assembled washer fixedly mounted thereon and a cage which is fastened to the inner panel and which movably receives the basket nut and washer assembly. The stud assembly passes through substantially coaxial openings in the panels and then into the basket nut assembly. The stud assembly includes a threaded stud having a bore therethrough containing a spring loaded plunger with a pair of locking balls resting thereon. To engage the fastener and secure the panels together a tool is used to depress the plunger forcing the balls against a reduced plunger diameter and allowing the stud to pass through the panel openings and into the basket nut. The stud is then threaded into the basket nut and, when the tool is removed, the plunger returns to its fully exended position with the balls resting on a larger plunger diameter thereby preventing the stud assembly from passing through the panel openings. To remove the fastener and separate the panels, the tool is used to depress the plunger allowing the balls to rest against a reduced plunger diameter and the stud is unscrewed from the basket nut.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A fastener assembly adapted to extend through substantially aligned corresponding openings of two panels for joining said panels comprising:

a stud having a greater diameter shank portion, a threaded shank portion of smaller major diameter, a sloping shank shoulder between said shank portions, a head of greater diameter than and located at the end of the stud nearest said greater diameter shank portion, a longitudinal bore, and a transverse bore within said greater diameter shank portion and intersecting said longitudinal bore;
a plurality of ball detents movable in said transverse bore between a retracted position within said stud and a protruding position;
locking means movable in said longitudinal bore for movement between a first position wherein said ball detents are urged to said protruding position and a second position wherein said ball detents are free to assume said retracted position;
and
a stud receptacle secured to one of said panels including a basket nut member movably secured to a nut cage, said basket nut member having a reduced diameter threaded portion threadingly engaging said smaller diameter threaded shank portion of said stud, said basket nut member further forming first and second juxtaposed holes wherein the diameter of said first hole engages said ball detents while in said protruding position, and wherein the diameter of said hole will admit said greater diameter shank portion of said stud while said ball detents are in said protruding position.

2 more elements

In a joint:

a first panel having a first hole;
a stud having a greater diameter shank portion slidable in said first hole, a threaded shank portion of smaller major diameter, a sloping shank shoulder between said shank portions, a head larger than said hole of said first panel and located at the end of the stud nearest said greater diameter shank portion, a longitudinal bore, and a transverse bore within said greater diameter shank portion and intersecting said longitudinal bore;
a plurality of ball detents moveable in said transverse bore between a retracted position within said stud and a protruding position which together with the diameter of said greater diameter portion of said stud form a width greater than the diameter of said first hole;
locking means movable in said longitudinal bore for movement between a first position wherein said ball detents are urged to said protruding position and a second position wherein said ball detents are free to assume said retracted position;
a second panel abutting said first panel and having a second hole axially aligned with first hole of said first panel, of a diameter which will admit said greater diameter portion of said stud while said ball detents are in said retracted position but not while said ball detents are in said protruding position, having a counterbore at the face abutting said first panel of a diameter which will admit said greater diameter portion of said stud while said ball detents are in said protruding position;
and
a stud receptacle secured to the face of said second panel opposite the face abutting said first panel including a basket nut member movably secured to a nut cage, said basket nut member having a reduced diameter threaded portion threadingly engaging said smaller diameter threaded shank portion of said stud, said basket nut member further forming third and fourth juxtaposed holes wherein the diameter of said third hole engages said ball detents while in said protruding position, and wherein the diameter of said fourth hole will admit said greater diameter shank portion of said stud while said ball detents are in said protruding position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-locking panel fastener

Life of this patent

Self-locking panel fastener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4