Patent ID: 8529151
Filing Date: 2013-09-10
Classification: A01B,A01D,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fastener, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing forms a housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity includes at least two recesses, wherein the at least two recesses includes a first recess and a second recess that are spaced apart by an axial distance; a cage at least partially disposed in said housing cavity, wherein an outer surface of the cage is spaced apart from an inner surface of the housing that forms the housing cavity, wherein the cage defines: a cage cavity, and a plurality of passages aligned with said first recess and said second recess, wherein the plurality of passages includes a first circumferential group of passages and a second circumferential group of passages that are also spaced apart by the axial distance; a plurality of retaining members at least partially retained within said plurality of passages, wherein the plurality of retaining members includes a first group of retaining members and a second group of retaining members, wherein the first group of retaining members are disposed within the first circumferential group of passages, wherein the second group of retaining members are disposed within the second circumferential group of passages, wherein the first group of retaining members arranged within the first circumferential group of passages are aligned with the first recess for selective communication with the first recess, wherein the second group of retaining members arranged within the second circumferential group of passages are aligned with the second recess for selective communication with the second recess; a plunger including a surface that engages the plurality of retaining members, wherein the plunger is at least partially movable within said cage cavity between: a first position to cause said plurality of retaining members to be displaced radially outwardly from the first and second circumferential groups of passages of the cage to the first and second recesses of the housing thereby mechanically coupling said housing to said cage, and a second position to allow said plurality of retaining members to be displaced radially inwardly from the first and second recesses of the housing to the first and second circumferential groups of passages of the cage thereby allowing said housing to be uncoupled from said cage, wherein the plunger includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the plunger is at least partially disposed in said cage cavity; and an end plug including a distal end, a proximal end and an outer threaded side surface, wherein the cage cavity includes an inner threaded surface, wherein the outer threaded side surface of the end plug threadingly engages the inner threaded surface of the cage cavity.