Patent Application
20230022842
The present invention relates to fasteners, and, more particularly, to a fastener used with solar panel installations.
A threaded fastener is a hardware device that mechanically affixes two or more objects together. In general, threaded fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints, which can be removed or dismantled without damaging the joined objects.
Threaded fasteners have a section along the length that has a thread formed thereon. The thread has a pitch, a major diameter and a minor diameter. The threaded portion is mated to a reciprocally formed threaded item by rotating the two relative to each other.
Threaded fasteners often have a head on one end so that the fastener will engage a surface through which it is passed. The head is also often configured to be driven by a driver that engages a feature on the head. However, the head of a blind bolt has no engaging features and is driven by the end opposite the head, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 9,694,478.
What is needed in the art is a fastener that is more versatile to allow fastening in multiple fashions.
The present invention provides a threaded fastener that is drivable from either end.
The invention in one form is directed to a threaded fastener system including a female threaded part and a male threaded dual driven fastener. The dual driven fastener has a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a portion of the shaft having a male threaded feature that engages the female threaded part. The male threaded feature having a major thread diameter and a minor thread diameter. There is a first driving feature at a first end of the shaft that is larger than the major thread diameter relative to the longitudinal axis and a second driving feature at a second end of the shaft that is smaller than the minor thread diameter. The driving features allow torquing of the dual driven fastener from either end.
The invention in another form is directed to a dual driven fastener has a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a portion of the shaft having a male threaded feature. The male threaded feature having a major thread diameter and a minor thread diameter. There is a first driving feature at a first end of the shaft that is larger than the major thread diameter relative to the longitudinal axis and a second driving feature at a second end of the shaft that is smaller than the minor thread diameter. The driving features allow torquing of the dual driven fastener from either end.
The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of engaging a fastener having the steps of: threading a female threaded part with a male threaded dual driven fastener, the male threaded dual driven fastener including: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a portion of the shaft having a male threaded feature that engages the female threaded part, the male threaded feature having a major thread diameter and a minor thread diameter; a first driving feature at a first end of the shaft that is larger in diameter than the major thread diameter; and a second driving feature at a second end of the shaft that is smaller than the minor thread diameter. The method also including the step of torquing the dual driven fastener using either the first driving feature or the second driving feature.
An advantage of the present invention is that either end of the fastener can be driven to tighten or loosen the fastener.
Another advantage is that one end of the fastener can be driven to engage the fastener and the other end can be driven to tightly secure the fastener.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Threaded dual drivable fastener 10, which can simply be considered a threaded fastener 10 has a shaft 18 with a longitudinal axis LA. A portion 20 of shaft 18 having a threaded feature 22. The threaded feature 22 is a male thread MT having a major thread diameter 24 and a minor thread diameter 26, each shown schematically. At the ends of shaft 18 there is a first driving feature 28 at a first end 30 of shaft 18 that is larger than the diameter of major thread diameter 22; and there is a second driving feature 32 at a second end 34 of shaft 18 that is smaller than the minor thread diameter 26. The driving features 28 and 32 allow torquing of fastener 10 from either end of fastener 10. While driving features 28 and 32 are illustrated as a hexagonal shape that can be driven by wrenches, or sockets driven by a driver or drill, other types of driving features as are known can be used.
First driving feature 28 is also known as a head 28 of fastener 10. As illustrated in
Now, additionally referring to
As previously mentioned second driving feature 32 is shown as having a hexagonal shape, although many other shapes and features are contemplated, including slotted, star, torx, Phillips, and square, among others. In a like manner first driving feature 28 can have a variety of shapes.
Now additionally referring to
While using system 10/12 the steps of: threading a female threaded part 16 with a male threaded dual driven fastener 10, 110, the male threaded dual driven fastener including the elements discussed above, and torquing the dual driven fastener 10, 110 using either the first driving feature 28, 128 or the second driving feature 32, 132. Both the first driving feature 28, 128 and the second driving feature 32, 132 can be used to rotate the dual driven fastener 10, 110 during the torquing step.
Advantageously the present invention allows for the fastener to be rotatedly driven from either end with the appropriate engaging tool. Installations of items such as solar panels SP have two sides with the access to opposite sides being inconvenient to arrange. As such it is desirable to use the inventive nature of the present invention to allow the fastener to secure the items from either side of the assemblage. In way of further explanation solar panels are arranged at angles so that the underside of the panels are usually easier to access than the topside, hence the advantage of tightening the fasteners from the bottom side.
Surprisingly, such a fastener as described herein has not been discovered in the history of fasteners. The inventive nature of this fastener allows more efficient installation of solar panels, and it is contemplated that this dual drivable fastener can be used in the assembling of other items.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
