Fastener with differentially inclined axes

A fastener for use with a panel, the panel having top and bottom surfaces and a receiving hole into which the fastener is inserted, the fastener comprising:

• an inclined cylinder having a longitudinal axis that is inclined relative to the top panel surface;
• a straight cylinder having a longitudinal axis that is inclined relative to the axis of the inclined cylinder and that adjoins the inclined cylinder;
• and
• a fastener bore that passes through the inclined cylinder and the straight cylinder, and that is aligned with the axis of the straight cylinder;
• wherein the fastener is adapted for use with a receiving hole in the panel that is an inclined cylindrical hole sized sufficiently large to receive the inclined cylinder and is inclined relative to the top panel surface such that the fastener is received and prevented from rotating within the receiving hole.

A fastener for use with a panel having top and bottom surfaces and a receiving hole into which the fastener is inserted, the fastener having a body comprising:

• a first right cylinder and a second cylinder that are joined end-to-end such that their axes are inclined relative to each other;
• and
• a threaded bore passing through both cylinders such that the bore axis is aligned with the axis of the second right cylinder;
• wherein the axis of the second right cylinder is perpendicular to the panel.

A method of using a fastener to attach a threaded bolt to a panel having parallel top and bottom surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

• boring a receiving hole in the panel at an inclined angle to the top and bottom surfaces;
• providing a fastener that includes a body comprising an inclined cylinder and a straight cylinder that are joined end-to-end, the fastener having top and bottom end surfaces and a threaded bore therethrough, wherein the axis of the inclined cylinder is inclined relative to the axis of the threaded bore and is aligned with the axis of the receiving hole;
• inserting the fastener into the receiving hole;
• and
• threading the bolt into the threaded bore, wherein the fastener is prevented from rotating in the receiving hole when the bolt is threaded into the bore by the receiving hole acting against the fastener body.