Self locking fasteners and methods relating to same

A method of fastening a first and second article, the method comprising:

• providing a locking fastener having an outer body defining an opening therein, an inner body disposed within the opening of the outer body and aligned coaxially with the outer body about a primary axis, and a cam operator inserted at least partially through a portion of the inner and outer bodies and connecting the inner and outer bodies to one another to form the locking fastener, the cam operator being rotatable about a secondary axis that is generally normal to the primary axis and movable between a first position wherein the inner and outer bodies are rotatable with respect to a surface or structure located adjacent or proximate to the inner and outer bodies and to which the fastener is being fastened, and a second position wherein the inner and outer bodies are not rotatable with respect to the adjacent or proximate surface or structure and the inner and outer bodies are fastened to the adjacent or proximate surface or structure;
• and
• fastening the first and second articles to one another by securing the fastener to the first and second articles so that the inner body is positioned proximate to one of the articles and then rotating the cam operator from the first position to the second position so that the outer body is pressed against one of the first and second articles and the first and second articles are fastened together.

A locking fastener comprising:

• an outer body defining an opening therein;
• an inner body disposed within the opening of the outer body and aligned coaxially with the outer body about a primary axis;
• a cam operator inserted at least partially through a portion of the inner and outer bodies and connecting the inner and outer bodies to one another to form the locking fastener, the cam operator being rotatable about a secondary axis that is generally normal to the primary axis and movable between a first position wherein the inner and outer bodies are rotatable with respect to a surface or structure located adjacent or proximate to the inner and outer bodies and to which the fastener is being fastened, and a second position wherein the inner and outer bodies are not rotatable with respect to the adjacent or proximate surface or structure and the inner and outer bodies are fastened to the adjacent or proximate surface or structure;
• and
• an outer sleeve defining a first opening within which at least a portion of the outer body or inner body are disposed and having a first longitudinal axis that is coaxial with respect to a longitudinal axis of either the outer body or inner body, and further defining a second opening having a longitudinal axis that is transverse to and tangential to the first longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve within which at least a portion of the cam operator is disposed.