# US 9,004,833 B1 · Toggle bolt device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,004,833 B1 - Document ID: US9004833B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/893,496 - Filed: 2013-05-14 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-03 - Applicants: Derrick Prentice - Inventors: Derrick Prentice - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9004833B1 ## CPC - F16B 39/28: by special members on, or shape of, the nut or bolt (F16B39/26 takes precedence; locknuts F16B39/12) - F16B 13/0808: {by a toggle-mechanism} - F16B 21/10: by separate parts ({F16B21/06 takes precedence}; key-type connection F16B3/00; locking screws or nuts against rotation by such means F16B39/04) - F16B 39/02: in which the locking takes place after screwing down (F16B39/01 takes precedence; split-pins, circlips, or the like for preventing relative axial movement only F16B21/10; fastening nuts by welding or riveting F16B37/06) - F16B 19/109: {Temporary rivets, e.g. with a spring-loaded pin (special clamping devices for workpieces to be riveted together, e.g. operating through the rivet holes B21J15/42; hand tools for temporarily connecting sheets before or during assembly operations B25B31/005)} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A fastener apparatus is disclosed that features projecting locking members that extend and retract when a central drive shaft is rotated. The exterior of the connector has a body that is partially threaded to receive a nut so that two structures (e.g. flanges, panels, plates, beams, etc.) can be pulled together by tightening the bolt when the locking members are in the extended position. In one embodiment, the shaft can be an eyebolt. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener apparatus comprising; an elongated body having first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is at least partially threaded, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots that communicate with the socket; a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, one end portion having a head, the shaft being at least partially externally threaded opposite the head and the head and shaft being rotatable relative to the body; a plurality of locking members that are attached to the shaft at a position next to the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to the first end portion of the shaft; the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket in the retracted position; a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion; a collar that is movable between a locked position wherein the collar prevents rotation of the head and an unlocked position wherein the collar is spaced away from the head a distance that enables rotation of the head, wherein in the unlocked position the head is able to rotate with the shaft; and a biasing device that urges the collar toward the locked position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are at least three locking members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the locking members have curved outer surfaces. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body has curved camming surfaces at the socket that are positioned to guide movement of the locking members as they travel between the extended and retracted positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plate attached to the shaft, the locking members being mounted on the plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fastener apparatus of claim 5 wherein the shaft has a first threaded portion that connects with the plate and a second threaded portion that engages the body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaft has a tool receptive portion at one end thereof that enables rotation of the shaft relative to the body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nut engages the body generally opposite the locking members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaft moves linearly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the body when the shaft is rotated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biasing device is a spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biasing device includes one or more parts that are magnetized. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The fastener apparatus of claim 11 wherein the head is magnetized. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The fastener apparatus of claim 11 wherein the collar is magnetized. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biasing device is positioned in between the collar and the elongated body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head is magnetized. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collar is magnetized. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The fastener apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head includes an eyelet. ### Claim 18 A fastener apparatus for joining two members together, each member having an opening therethrough of a selected diameter, comprising; an elongated body having first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore, the first end portion of the body having a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially extending slots that communicate with the socket; a shaft that extends through the bore and having respective first and second end portions communicating with the body end portions, one end portion having a head, the other end portion being partially externally threaded, the shaft being rotatable relative to the body, the partially externally threaded a portion of the shaft engaging the threaded portion of the bore; a plurality of locking members that are attached to the shaft at the first end portion of the body, the locking members being attached to a plate mounted to the first end portion of the shaft; the locking members being movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft, the locking members extending radially beyond the outer surface of the body and the selected diameter in the extended position and being contained within the body at the socket and inside the selected diameter in the retracted position; a nut that is connectable to the body at the partially threaded portion; a collar that is movable between a locked position wherein the collar prevents rotation of the head and an unlocked position wherein the collar is spaced away from the head, wherein in the unlocked position the head is able to rotate with the shaft; and the collar being biased to the locked position by a force transmission device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The fastener apparatus of claim 18 wherein the force transmission device is a spring. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The fastener apparatus of claim 18 wherein the force transmission device includes one or more parts that are magnetized.