US 6,682,250 B2 · Position-adjustable fastening apparatus and method

Abstract

A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member includes a cam receiver disposed in a bore of the first member, a cam disposed in a bore of the cam receiver, and a fastener disposed in the bore in the cam. A method for fastening a first member and a second member positioning the first member with respect to the second member, orienting a cam receiver with respect to a bore in the first member, and placing the cam receiver in the bore of the first member. The method further includes orienting a cam with respect to a bore in the cam receiver, placing the cam in the bore in the cam receiver, and engaging the fastener with the second member through the bore in the cam.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims25

Dependent claims

A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member, wherein the first member defines a bore therein and the second member defines a bore therein, the position-adjustable fastener comprising:

a cam receiver defining a grooved bore therein and including a plurality of bearing surfaces, wherein:
the plurality of bearing surfaces are unequally spaced from a center of the bore of the cam receiver, and
the cam receiver is disposed in the bore of the first member such that at least two of the plurality of bearing surfaces are proximate die wail of the bore through the first member,
a cam defining a bore therethrough and including a grooved outer surface, wherein:
the bore through the earn is eccentrically spaced from the grooved outer surface, and
the cam is disposed in the opening of the cam receiver such that the grooved outer surface meshes with the grooved bore of the cam receiver;
and
a fastener, wherein:
the fastener is disposed in the bore through the cam, and
the fastener engages the bore through the second member.

7 more elements

A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first object with respect to a second object, comprising:

a first member defining a bore therein, wherein the first member is joined to the first object;
a second member defining a bore therein, wherein the second member is joined to the second object;
a cam receiver defining a grooved bore therein and including a plurality of bearing surfaces, wherein:
the plurality of bearing surfaces are unequally spaced from a center of the bore of the cam receiver, and
the cam receiver is disposed in the bore of the first member such that at least two of the plurality of bearing surfaces are proximate the wall of the bore through the first member,
a cam defining a bore therethrough and including a grooved outer surface, wherein:
the bore through the cam is eccentrically spaced from the grooved outer surface, and
the cam is disposed in the opening of the cam receiver such that the grooved outer surface meshes with the grooved bore of the cam receiver, and
a fastener, wherein:
the fastener is disposed in the bore trough the cam, and
the fastener engages the bore through the second member.

8 more elements

A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member, the position adjustable fastening apparatus comprising:

a cam receiver disposed in a first bore defined by and extending into the first member, the can receiver including a plurality of bearing surfaces unequally distanced from a center of a grooved bore defined by and extending into the cam receiver, the bearing surfaces being positioned proximate the wall of the first bore;
a cam disposed in the grooved bore of die vain receiver, the vain defining a second bare therethrough and including a grooved outer surface eccentrically spaced from a center of the second bore, the grooved outer surface meshing with the grooved bore of the cam receiver;
a fastener disposed in the second bore defined by the cam and engaged with third bore defined by the second member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,350 words

Summary1,623 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjustably positioning a part relative another part.

#2. Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings14 figures

#The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the leftmost significant digit(s) in the reference numerals denote(s) the first figure in which the respective reference numerals appear, and in which:

#FIGS. 1 and 2 are stylized side views of a rail assembly illustrating conventional adjustment methods;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Detailed description3,431 words

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

#A position-adjustable fastener 300 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3-10. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the position-adjustable fastener 300 allows a position of a first member 302 to be adjusted with respect to a second member 304 as indicated by an arrow 301. In the illustrated embodiment, the position-adjustable fastener 300 includes a cam receiver 306, a cam 402, a washer 310, and a threaded fastener 312. Alternatively, the first member 302 may be joined to a first object (not shown) and the second member 304 may be joined to a second object (also not shown), wherein the position-adjustable fastener also includes the first member 302 and the second member 304. The second member 304 has a threaded bore or opening 403 capable of receiving and threadably engaging the threaded fastener 312. The first member 302 includes a bore or opening 404 therethrough that has a first dimension D4A and a second dimension D4B.

Facts

Application

10/045,268Filed 7 Nov 2001

Published

US 2003/0086758 A18 May 2003

Granted

27 Jan 2004

Term ended

7 Nov 2021

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

F16B 5/0225
The position of the plates to be connected being adjustable: allowing for adjustment parallel to the plane of the plates
Y10T 403/7049
Radially interposed shim or bushing: biased by distinct radially acting means
Y10T 403/7064
Clamped members: by wedge or cam
Y10T 403/76
Joints and connections: having a cam, wedge, or tapered portion

Position-adjustable fastening apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Position-adjustable fastening apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims25

Description5,350 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description5,350 words