Patent Application
20090232588
This invention relates to a fastening mechanism for connecting posts or other items together the fastening mechanism is particularly suited for use were it is desirable that the mechanism can be tightened and inserted from either side.
Many type of fasteners exist, simple screws may be used to fasten two objects together screws do not however provide force from both sides. Nuts and bolts do provide support from both sides but require access to both sides of the objects to be fastened. While there are fasteners that provide force from both sides that can be inserted from one side, the mechanism used means that the fasteners are not easily removed for reuse. Additionally the fasteners cannot be tightened from either side.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening mechanism, which provides force from both sides, can be removed for reuse and can be tightened from either side, or which will at least provide the public or industry with a useful choice.
Accordingly in a first embodiment the present invention consists in a fastening mechanism for connecting posts or other objects together consisting of:
a housing;
a first and second cam oppositely mounted in said housing, said first and second cams having opposed threads; and
a threaded stud having clockwise and counter clockwise portions, said threaded stud connecting said first and second cams allowing said cams to be drawn together in use.
Preferably each said cam has at least one flange in use said at least one flange of said first cam and said at least one flange of said second cam being substantially parallel.
Preferably said at least one flange is two flanges.
Preferably said housing in use prevents said first and second cam rotating relative to each other.
Preferably rotation prevention means in said housing for said first and second cams are offset to allow in use said first and second cams to be drawn closely together.
Preferably said housing is made of mild steel and powder coated.
Preferably cams are made of mild steel and chrome plated.
Preferably said cams are made of mild steel and blackened.
Preferably said housing comprises first and second shells.
Preferably said first and second shells are held together by clips.
Preferably said housing includes rotation prevention means and said housing and said rotation prevention means comprises one pair of offset slots for each said cam, said housing including ends to prevent each said cam from being accidentally withdrawn from said housing
Preferably said first and second shells are made of nylon.
Accordingly in a second embodiment the present invention consists in a method of fastening posts or other objects together using the fastening mechanism described above wherein each said cam has a pair of flanges, in use said pair of flanges of said first cam and said pair of flanges of said second cam being substantially parallel, said method comprising the steps of:
passing a first said cam and part of said housing through a hole in a first and second post, said hole being sized and shaped to allow said cam flanges and said housing to pass through;
turning said fastening device in said hole so that said cam flanges are not aligned with said hole; and
turning said threaded stud to bring said cams together, said cam flanges pulling said posts together.
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
A fastening mechanism in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—
Referring to
Cams 110, 111 being substantially circular and having a pair of flanges 115, 116 located at either end of the housing 101. In use the flanges 115, 116 of each cam 110, 111 move in the offset channels as the cams are pulled towards each other. In one embodiment of the invention the four flanges 115, 116 are offset at approximately 90 degrees as are the channels but they may be spaced any way so long as the pairs of flanges are not aligned. While the invention has been described with two flanges any number of flanges would be suitable. So for example one or three flanges and therefore one or three channels in the housing would be used.
The cams are threaded 131, 132 and in use are threaded on to opposite ends 141, 142 of the threaded stud 105. As the threaded stud 105 is turned in one direction both cams 110, 111 move together or apart simultaneously. The movement either together or apart occurs because substantially one half of the threaded stud 105 has a counterclockwise 122 thread and the other half of the thread stud has a clockwise 121 thread.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The fastening mechanism 1 is then turned so that none of the flanges 115, 116 are aligned with the insertion hole 601. In the preferred embodiment the fastening mechanism is turned approximately 45 degrees. The threaded stud 105 is then turned bringing the cams 110,111 and therefore the objects 602, 603 together.
In the preferred embodiment the threaded stud 105 is turned using an allen key but slots to allow the use of a slotted or philips type screwdriver could be substituted.
The present invention is particularly suited to situation where access is from the side of one object only. But because the threaded stud 105 may be turned from either end the most convenient access may be used.
To remove the fastener the threaded stud 105 is turned the opposite way to release the cams 110, 111 allowing the fastening mechanism body 101 and two flanges 115 or 116 to be removed.
A further advantage is that fastening mechanism can be manufactured using a die-casting process. The housing 101 is preferably made of mild steel and powder coated to increase the aesthetic value. The cams 110, 111 are also preferable made mild steel and powder coated to increase the aesthetic value. The threaded stud 105 is preferably made of mild steel and finished using a chrome plate or blackening. The preferred materials will reduce increase the durability of the fastening mechanism.
Referring to
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, since many modifications or variations thereof are possible in the light of the above teaching. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention. The embodiments described herein were chosen and described in order best to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, when interpreted in accordance with the full breadth to which they are legally and equitably suited.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200501575-5 | Mar 2005 | SG | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SG2005/000135 | 4/30/2005 | WO | 00 | 6/11/2008 |
