The present application relates to a fastening system that provides for quick disconnection.
Prior art fastening systems for hook rails typically have a rail and at least one hook attached to the rail by way of a threaded hole in the back of the hook and a corresponding threaded fastener. Other fasteners such as quarter-turn fasteners and cable ties offer a means of attaching one or more components to another and to provide retention and locking.
According to one embodiment, a fastener assembly is provided having a cylindrical shank with a plurality of annular grooves formed along a length of the shank. A plurality of elongated ribs extends perpendicular to the grooves along the length. A fastener disc is provided with a central opening with a diameter less than a cylindrical shank diameter wherein an inner edge of the central opening includes a contact surface. The fastener disc is retained on the fastener portion in a locked position when the contact surface engages one of the plurality of grooves with a friction fit. The fastener disc is rotated to a release position so that the elongated rib contacts the inner edge thereby releasing the contact surface from the grooves.
In another embodiment, the elongated ribs have drafted sides that act as a cam surface when the disc is rotated.
In another embodiment, in the release position, the rib causes the contact surface to deflect so that the diameter of the central opening is greater than the cylindrical shank.
In another embodiment, a plurality of deflectable tabs is connected to the fastener disc. The contact surface comprises an inner edge of each deflectable tab is defined along the central opening of the fastener disc.
In another embodiment, the fastening disc includes a plurality of slots that project radially outward from the central opening. One of the deflectable tabs is formed between each of the slots.
In another embodiment, the plurality of tabs comprises four deflectable tabs. The fastener disc is turned generally an eighth-turn to the release position.
In another embodiment, a radial opening extends from the central opening and is defined between each of the tabs. The elongated rib is aligned with the radial opening when the disc is in the locked position.
In another embodiment, the fastener assembly includes a disassembly tool, to engage and rotate the disc to the release position.
In another embodiment, the disassembly tool comprises a plurality of teeth, wherein each tooth is shaped to engage a slot between each deflectable tab.
In another embodiment, the disassembly tool grips a peripheral edge of the disc.
In another embodiment, the grooves are defined between the elongated ribs.
According to another embodiment, a quick-disconnect fastener assembly is provided with a mating part with a hardware portion and a fastener portion. The fastener portion is provided with a cylindrical shank with a plurality of annular grooves formed along a length of the shank. A plurality of elongated plateaus extends the length of the cylinder perpendicular to the grooves, the elongated plateaus having drafted sides. A fastener disc is provided with a central opening with a diameter less than a cylindrical shank diameter. A plurality of slots project radially outward from the central opening. A chamfered opening is provided between each of the slots and the central opening. A chamfer angle of the chamfered opening is generally equal to a draft angle of the drafted sides along the plateaus. A plurality of deflectable tabs is provided on the disc, each tab defined between two adjacent slots. An inner edge of each deflectable tab is defined along the central opening. The fastener disc is retained on the mating part when the cylindrical shank is inserted through the central opening so that each of the elongated plateaus is aligned with one of the chamfered openings and the plurality of deflectable tabs is engaged with one of the plurality of grooves with a snap-fit. The fastener disc is disconnected from the mating part by rotation of the disc whereby the elongated plateaus contact the inner edge of the deflectable tabs and release the deflectable tabs from the grooves so that the cylindrical shank is removable from the central opening.
In another embodiment, the hardware portion of the mating part comprises a hook.
In another embodiment, the hardware portion of the mating part comprises a fastener head.
In another embodiment, the mating part comprises a frangible connection for disconnecting the hardware portion.
According to another embodiment, a fastener method is provided. A fastening portion is provided with a cylindrical shank with a plurality of annular grooves formed along a length of the shank and a plurality of longitudinal ribs oriented along the shank that extend perpendicular to and intersect the grooves. A fastener disc is with a plurality of deflectable tabs where an inner edge of each deflectable tab defines a central opening of the fastener disc with a diameter less than a cylindrical shank diameter. The fastening portion is inserted into the central opening disc. The fastening portion is pushed to a locked position where the deflectable tabs are engaged with one of the plurality of grooves with an interference fit.
In another embodiment, the method includes rotating the fastener disc to a release position so that the elongated rib contacts the inner edge of the deflectable tabs to disengage the tabs from the grooves.
In another embodiment, in the release position, the rib causes the contact surface to deflect so that the diameter of the central opening is greater than the cylindrical shank.
In another embodiment, the method includes rotating the fastener disc generally an eighth-turn to the release position.
In another embodiment, a radial opening extending from the central opening and defined between each of the tabs, the method further comprising aligning the elongated rib is with the radial opening when the disc is in the locked position.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Quarter-turn fasteners and cable ties, more commonly known as “zip-ties,” offer a quick and easy means of attaching one or more components to another. In general, these objects utilize a flexible component to engage threads or a set of repeating features at right angles for optimal retention. However, these types of fasteners are difficult to disconnect or are not reusable after disconnection.
The spring disc 12 may be formed of metal and produced using a high-speed stamping process. This process also allows the spring disc 12 to be produced in high volumes at relatively low cost. The disc 12 may be made from a grade of spring steel. Alternatively, the disc 12 may be formed of suitable injection molded polymeric material using a multi-cavity mold.
Four flexible tabs 26 are defined between the slots 18. The flexible tabs 26 define a forward surface 28 of the disc 12. The forward surface 28 faces the user as the disc 12 is pushed onto the mating part 40. The forward surface 28 is offset and generally parallel to a mounting surface. The forward surface 28 is connected to the peripheral base 24 by a peripheral surface 30. The peripheral surface 30 may extend generally perpendicular to the forward surface 28. Alternatively, the peripheral surface 30 may be angled outwardly from the forward surface 28 for ease of tooling and reduced stress within the part during assembly and use. The point where these two surfaces 28, 30 meet has a rounded edge, which is also for ease of tooling and reduced stress.
An inner edge 34 of the flexible tabs 26 is allowed to deflect by a distance which is equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the spring disc 12 without exceeding the working limits of the material used. The through-holes 16 help to minimize stresses created as the flexible tabs 26 move toward or away from the peripheral base 24. The through-holes 16 are located radially close to the peripheral surface 30 to allow each of the four flexible tabs 26 to move independently of each other as needed thereby providing the overall tolerance sensitivity of the system. The inner edges 34 of each of the flexible tabs 26 define the diameter D1 of the central opening 20. The flexible tabs 26 allow variations in tolerance by having the diameter D1 equal to or less than a minor diameter of the mating part 40 and thus generating a spring tension between disc 12 and the mating part 40 at full engagement. The flexible tabs 26 have a ramped surface 38 that extends upward from the forward surface 28.
The fastener disc 12 mates or interfaces with the mating part 40, such as a hook illustrated in
The mating part 40 also includes a fastener portion 44. The fastener portion 44 of the mating part 40 is typically inserted through a board or panel 80 that forms the rail of the hook-and-rail assembly. The fastener disc 12 is then applied to the fastener portion 44 from the back side of the panel for a quick and easy means of securing the mating part 40 or other component without the need for threaded holes or threaded fasteners.
With reference to
The grooves 48 may be v-shaped having symmetrically angled walls that intersect to form the grooves 48. Alternatively, may be asymmetrical, with each groove having a steeper sloped wall closest to the distal end 58 and a moderate sloped wall inboard closest to the base 46. The asymmetrical groove may be formed similar to a ratchet tooth. The grooved cylindrical shank 50 may be die-cast or molded with the mating part 40 thus eliminating the drilling and/or tapping operations required with typical mating components.
Additionally, the cylindrical shank 50 has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 54 that extend the length of the cylindrical shank 50 and are perpendicular to the grooves 48. As shown in
As shown in
The mating part 40 also includes an anti-rotation feature 66. The anti-rotation feature 66 is formed as a wedge connected between the fastener portion 44 and the base 46. The anti-rotation feature 66 engages a corresponding groove formed on the panel 80 to which the mating part 40 is attached to prevent the mating part 40 from rotating during use and while the disc 12 is be connected and disconnected. Other anti-rotation or keying methods which prevent rotation of the mating part 40 are also possible.
As illustrated in
In the engaged position shown in
By pushing the disc 12 still further, the inner edge 34 of the flexible tabs 26 will rise up from the first groove 82 and drop into the second groove 84 and thus complete the assembly process with maximum retention. During insertion or assembly, the inner edge 34 of each tab 26 will make an audible sound as the tabs 26 are snap-fit into each of the grooves 48 in rapid succession.
The disc 12 is then easily removable from the fastening portion 44 in two motions; first turning the disc and then pulling the disc 12 or mating part 40. By rotating the fastener disc 12 while the mating part 40 remains stationary, the chamfered walls 62 will make contact with drafted side surfaces 56. Continuing to turn the fastener disc 12 another 45-degrees, or approximately an eighth-turn, will cause the inner edge 34 to climb out of the grooves 48 until the inner edge 34 resides on top of the engagement surface 68 of the four longitudinal ribs 54, as detailed in
The hardware portion 92 defines a dome plug 98. The fastening portion 44 enables the attachment of the hook-and-rail assembly to a display card. Such an approach more accurately shows the buying consumer what the product will look like, once installed. The mating part 90 includes a reduced thickness area 96 between the hardware portion 92 and the fastening portion 94. The reduced thickness area 96 is frangible to allow the dome plug 98 to be separated from the fastening portion 44. For example, the hardware portion 92 can be separated by twisting or bending along the reduced thickness area 96 until the hardware portion 92 separates from the fastener portion. The mating part 90 may be formed of polymer material manufactured by injection molding in a color which substantially matches the color of the hook rail.
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
201611033994 | Oct 2016 | IN | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/248,396 filed Jan. 15, 2019, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,788,070, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/296,748 filed Oct. 18, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,215,213, which claims the priority of Indian application no. IN 201611033994 filed Oct. 4, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1201295 | Hendee | Oct 1916 | A |
1512653 | Tinnerman | Oct 1924 | A |
2137929 | Tinnerman | Nov 1938 | A |
2373312 | Hughes | Apr 1945 | A |
2374426 | Diederich | Apr 1945 | A |
2492115 | Crowther | Dec 1949 | A |
2552066 | Sorensen | May 1951 | A |
2929474 | Boardman | Mar 1960 | A |
2979794 | Bartolo | Apr 1961 | A |
3099456 | Hopp | Jul 1963 | A |
3141211 | Blake | Jul 1964 | A |
3855895 | Francis | Dec 1974 | A |
4204566 | Kirrish et al. | May 1980 | A |
4844677 | Schwartzman | Jul 1989 | A |
4866816 | Caveny | Sep 1989 | A |
5207535 | Saab | May 1993 | A |
5520490 | Perach | May 1996 | A |
5620290 | Homfeldt et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5868537 | Latal et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
D445980 | Tjugum | Jul 2001 | S |
6352439 | Stark | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6368319 | Schaefer | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6568893 | Le Vey et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6676350 | McSherry et al. | Jan 2004 | B1 |
7377735 | Cosenza | May 2008 | B2 |
D580616 | Bizzell et al. | Nov 2008 | S |
7613012 | Hung et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
8177455 | Zirin et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8376679 | Gaudron | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8506224 | Cosenza et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8926244 | Sasaki | Jan 2015 | B2 |
9140285 | Burton | Sep 2015 | B2 |
20050226701 | Craven | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20100129144 | Osborne | May 2010 | A1 |
20110164944 | Hughes | Jul 2011 | A1 |
20120294693 | Gonciarz | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20140115861 | Mellis | May 2014 | A1 |
20150167728 | Bizzini | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20210010503 | Forrest | Jan 2021 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210010503 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 16248396 | Jan 2019 | US |
Child | 17032497 | US | |
Parent | 15296748 | Oct 2016 | US |
Child | 16248396 | US |