US 5,002,418 A · Hold down device with extended capture pawl mechanism

Abstract

A hold down device is provided using a drive knob having a clutch therein which turns a drive shaft for moving a pawl shaft in and out with respect to the drive shaft. A pawl on the end of the pawl shaft is provided with a cam-like surface which engages a cam-like aperture in a pawl receptacle. The pawl shaft has a cam follower which rides within a cam surface in a cam bracket that surrounds the shaft. Under the urging of a spring, the position of the pawl is controlled from its fully extended, unlocked position to a pre-capture position where the pawl is oriented at approximately 45.degree. to an aperture within the pawl receptacle. Insertion of the pawl into the pawl receptacle forces the pawl to rotate an additional 45.degree. against the urging of the spring. After full insertion of the pawl into the receptacle, the pawl rotates back to its 45.degree. position where it is captured therein. Further tightening of the knob will move the pawl to a locked, preload position under the control of the cam surface within the cam bracket.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A hold down device for attaching a first member to a second member, comprising:

a pawl shaft having a cam follower thereon and a pawl at one end adapted for mounting upon said first member;
a cam bracket juxtaposed with said pawl shaft for engaging said cam follower;
a spring for urging said pawl shaft and pawl into a pre-capture position;
a pawl receptacle adapted for mounting upon said second member for receiving said pawl and urging said pawl shaft and pawl through a transition position against the urging of said spring into a capture position within said receptacle;
a drive assembly for drawing said pawl shaft and pawl into a locked position within said receptacle for attaching said first and second members and a drive shaft threadably received within and aligned linearly with said pawl shaft.

2 more elements

A hold down device for attaching a first member to a second member, comprising:

a drive shaft having first and second ends;
a drive assembly mounted upon said first end of said drives shaft, adapted for attaching said drive shaft to said first member;
a pawl shaft having first and second ends with its first end mounted upon said second end of said drive shaft and a pawl mounted upon said second end of said pawl shaft;
a cam bracket surrounding said drive shaft and pawl shaft having at least one cam surface therein;
spring means for urging said pawl shaft in a predetermined direction;
said pawl shaft having cam follower means extending into said cam surface for retaining said pawl shaft and said pawl in a predetermined position upon said cam surface against the urging of said spring means in said predetermined direction;
and
a pawl receptacle adapted for mounting upon said second member for receiving said pawl and for forcing said pawl out of its said predetermined position upon said cam surface and in a direction opposite to said predetermined direction against the urging of said spring means until said pawl passes into said receptacle whereupon said pawl is urged by said spring mean sin said predetermined direction back into its said predetermined position where it is adapted for attaching said first member to said second member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hold down device with extended capture pawl mechanism

Life of this patent

Hold down device with extended capture pawl mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19