Abstract:
A fastener for more reliable and rapid securing of an article to a component. The fastener incorporates therein or independently uses a substantially flexible member having a resiliently deformable portion to secure the article to the component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/663,447, filed Mar. 21, 2005, and, in addition, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/242,093, filed on Oct. 3, 2005 and claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/636,647, filed on Dec. 17, 2004. Each aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention is directed to the fastening field, particularly to the mounting of articles to a component. Often, for example, in construction of a new house or in rehabilitation of an existing house, there is need to fasten articles to components such as hollow walls and ceilings. Articles may take the form of hangers, bathroom fixtures, pictures, lighting fixtures, pipes, and ducts.  
         [0003]     A current technology used to affix an article to a component such as a wall or ceiling is a molly-toggle, which includes a displaceable cap attached to the end of a threaded rod. Once inserted through a hole in a wall, the cap is reoriented to prevent dislodging.  
         [0004]     Installation of molly-toggles may be time consuming. Often, as in hanging an article such as a pipe from a component such as a ceiling, there are many to be installed. Also, often there is difficulty in reliably restoring the cap to an orientation where it engages the rear surface of a wall or ceiling. The cap may be stuck in a position not capable of engaging the rear surface and may be immune to the effects of shaking or of gravity.  
         [0005]     Further, installation of the molly-toggle may not be stable. The connection between the molly-toggle and the component may not remain secure with passage of time. Because of the nature of most hollow or partition walls or ceilings, most fasteners currently available, such as the molly-toggle, appear strong and well-fitted when initially installed. However, over time, these fasteners tend to loosen, losing strength and becoming weak.  
         [0006]     In part, the problem lies with the walls themselves. The initial force holding the molly-toggle is not maintained. Because the thickness of the wall changes over time, the fastener loses it grip on the wall and the articles become loosened. Most hollow or partition walls today are made of soft material and the type of fastener used on this type of wall are expansion fasteners. Because of the nature of the walls, especially dry wall, the grip of the expansion fastener becomes weak over time because the sustaining material around it is inherently weak.  
         [0007]     In view of the above difficulties, there is a need for a more reliable and quicker to install means to fasten articles to components.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The needs of the invention set forth above as well as further and other needs and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the embodiments of the invention described herein below.  
         [0009]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a fastener of an article to a component includes at least one substantially flexible member and a locking mechanism. Each substantially flexible member includes at least one first portion and a second portion integral with and substantially orthogonal to the at least one first portion. The locking mechanism is capable of being coupled to each substantially flexible member in order to secure the article to the component and the second portion is resiliently deformable with respect to the at least one first portion.  
         [0010]     In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second portion may be resiliently deformable with respect to the at least one first portion in a first direction and may be substantially non-deformable with respect to the at least one first portion in a second direction. The first direction may be substantially along a longitudinal axis of the at least one first portion and may be directed away from said second portion and toward the at least one first portion and the second direction may be directed substantially oppositely to said first direction.  
         [0011]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the second portion may be elastically alignable with respect to the at least one first portion. In other embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first portion and/or the second portion may be substantially linear. The fastener may further include a third portion integral with the at least one first portion and with the second portion and elastically alignable with respect to the at least one first portion.  
         [0012]     In further embodiments of the present invention, each substantially flexible member may further include at least one recess. The recess may be a groove or a hole and the locking mechanism may further include a flap with an edge complementary to a groove.  
         [0013]     In certain embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism may include a tapped hole or an aperture. In some embodiments of the present invention, the component may be a ceiling, a wall, or a floor or the like. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the article may be a pipe or an electrical fixture.  
         [0014]     According to a further aspect of the present invention, a fastener of an article to a component includes at least one substantially flexible member including an at least one first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, and a locking mechanism capable of being coupled to the at least one substantially flexible member to secure the article to the component. The second portion is integral with the third portion and is substantially orthogonal to the at least one first portion and the third portion is integral with the at least one first portion.  
         [0015]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the second portion may be resiliently deformable with respect to the at least one first portion in a first direction and may be substantially non-deformable with respect to the at least one first portion in a second direction. The first direction may be substantially along a longitudinal axis of the at least one first portion and may be directed away from said second portion and toward the at least one first portion and the second direction may be directed substantially oppositely to said first direction.  
         [0016]     In certain embodiments of the present invention, the second portion may be disengagably couplable to the first portion. In additional embodiments of the present invention, a fourth portion may be integrally coupled to the second portion and may be disengagably coupled to the at least one first portion. The fourth portion may surround the at least one first portion. In other embodiments of the present invention, the third portion may be elastically alignable with respect to the at least one first portion, and the second portion may be elastically alignable with respect to the at least one first portion.  
         [0017]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for attaching an article to a component includes resiliently deforming a portion of a substantially flexible member with respect to another portion of the substantially flexible member, inserting the resiliently deformed portion through an opening in the component, and engaging the substantially flexible member with a locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating an opening in the component.  
         [0018]     In certain embodiments of the present invention, resiliently deforming the portion of the substantially flexible member with respect to the other portion of the substantially flexible member may include elastically aligning the portion of the substantially flexible member with respect to the other portion of the substantially flexible member. In other embodiments of the present invention, engaging the substantially flexible member with the locking mechanism may include inserting the substantially flexible member through the locking mechanism.  
         [0019]     Still other embodiments of the present invention may further include pulling the substantially flexible member through the locking mechanism until the locking mechanism couples the article to the component. In additional embodiments of the invention, engaging the substantially flexible member with the locking mechanism may include engaging a flap of the locking mechanism with a recess in the substantially flexible member. The recess may be a groove or an opening.  
         [0020]     In still additional embodiments of the present invention, the component may be a wall, floor, or a ceiling or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the substantially flexible member may be transportable through the locking mechanism in a single direction.  
         [0021]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is an schematic illustration of cross-sectional, exploded view of an unassembled prior art molly-toggle fastener including a threaded rod with a cap affixed and a locking nut;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of the insertion of a prior art molly-toggle through a hole in a wall and a hole in an article;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional schematic illustration of the assembly of the prior art molly-toggle of  FIG. 2A  so as to secure an article to the wall;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention including a planar view of a substantially flexible member and a planar view of a locking mechanism;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention including a cross-sectional view of the substantially flexible member and a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram illustrating one method for mounting an article to a component with a fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a T-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing the initial presentation of the T-top fastener to an article and component;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a T-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing deformation of a resilient portion of a substantially flexible member from an initial shape of  FIG. 5A  in penetrating holes in the article and the component;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5C  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a T-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing restoration of the initial, undeformed shape of the resilient portion after passage through holes in the article and the component;  
         [0031]      FIG. 5D  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a T-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing engagement of the substantially flexible member with a locking mechanism to bind the article and component together;  
         [0032]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic illustration, of method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a triangular-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing the initial presentation of the fastener to an article and component;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a triangular-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing deformation of a resilient portion of a substantially flexible member from an initial shape of  FIG. 6A  in penetrating holes in the article and the component;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6C  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a triangular-top fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing restoration of the initial, undeformed shape of the resilient portion after passage through holes in the article and the component;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6D  is a schematic illustration of a method according to embodiments of the present invention for installing a triangular-top fastener, showing engagement of the substantially flexible member with a locking mechanism to bind the article and component together;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7A  is a schematic illustration, of method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing the initial presentation of the fastener to an article and component;  
         [0037]      FIG. 7B  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing deformation of a resilient portion of a substantially flexible member from an initial shape of  FIG. 7A  in penetrating holes in the article and the component;  
         [0038]      FIG. 7C  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener, an embodiment of the present invention, showing restoration of the initial, undeformed shape of the resilient portion after passage through holes in the article and the component;  
         [0039]      FIG. 7D  is a schematic illustration of a method according to embodiments of the present invention for installing a sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener, showing engagement of the substantially flexible member with a locking mechanism to bind the article and component together;  
         [0040]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention including a triangular-top fastener with a pair of substantially flexible shafts with a locking mechanism to bind an article and a component together, where the locking mechanism includes a threaded hole; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention including a triangular-top fastener with a pair of substantially flexible shafts with a locking mechanism to bind an article and a component together, where the locking mechanism includes a hole tappable by a self-tapping screw.  
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a perspective schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention for a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener showing a substantially flexible member having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener by a loop enclosing the shaft of the fastener.  
         [0043]      FIG. 10A  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener by a loop enclosing the shaft, an embodiment of the present invention, showing the initial presentation of the fastener to an article and component;  
         [0044]      FIG. 10B  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener by a loop enclosing the shaft, an embodiment of the present invention, showing deformation of a resilient portion of a substantially flexible member from an initial shape of  FIG. 7A  in penetrating holes in the article and the component;  
         [0045]      FIG. 10C  is a schematic illustration of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention for installing a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener by a loop enclosing the shaft, an embodiment of the present invention, showing restoration of the initial, undeformed shape of the resilient portion after passage through holes in the article and the component;  
         [0046]      FIG. 10D  is a schematic illustration of a method according to embodiments of the present invention for installing a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener having wing segments disengagably coupled to the shaft of the fastener by a loop enclosing the shaft, showing engagement of the substantially flexible member with a locking mechanism to bind the article and component together. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]     To better understand the concepts and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention, set forth below is a description of an example of a prior art molly-toggle connector  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The molly-toggle  100  comprises a threaded rod  105  with a cap  110  loosely affixed to one end  115 . The cap  110  may be displaced or “rocked” to one side or the other of the threaded rod  105 .  
         [0048]     To install the prior art molly-toggle  100  ( FIG. 2 ), a hole  205 , aligned with a hole  205  in the article  215 , is drilled in the component  210 , such as a wall, and the cap  110  displaced so as to be roughly parallel to the threaded rod  105  ( FIG. 2A ). The displaced cap  110  is then inserted through the hole  205 . After passing beyond the rear surface  220  of the wall  210 , the cap  110  is aligned so as to be parallel to rear surface  220  of the wall  210 , for example, by shaking or by gravity. The treaded rod  105  is then passed through a hole  205  in the article  215 . A nut  120  secured to the threaded rod  105  secures the article  215  to the wall  210  ( FIG. 2B ), in some cases, with use of a washer  225 .  
         [0049]     Reference is now made to the various embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways—from fastening of articles or objects  215  to a component  210  such as wall, ceiling, or floor, or the like, to hanging of material to the wall or ceiling, to attaching like and unlike materials together. Articles  215  may include, but are not limited to, fixtures, bathroom fixtures, hooks, hangers, types of lighting fixtures, pipes, etc. Walls and ceilings  210  are generally of the hollow variety, that is, of limited thickness, as is associated with dry wall.  
         [0050]     Embodiments of the present invention achieve tight coupling, durable and permanent attachment of articles  215  to a hollow wall, ceiling, or floor or the like  210 , or to like or unlike materials. A fastener according to the present invention may be comprised of a substantially flexible member having at least one shaft with the configuration of a cable tie and a top including wing segments, which are integral with and substantially orthogonal to the shaft. The wing segments are resiliently deformable and elastically alignable with respect to the shaft and allow for penetration of a wall  210  and then restoration to a shape that prevents their being pulled out again.  
         [0051]     A locking mechanism containing a lock similar to that employed to immobilize cable ties may be used to hold the top in place against the rear surface of the wall  210  and, at the same time, may restrain the top from being pulled out again from the front of the wall  210 . Other embodiments may allow for attachment of machine screws or self-tapping screws to the fastener, as may be preferential with other types of fixtures.  
         [0052]     Embodiments of the present invention provide a fastener that may more quickly and more reliably mount articles  215  such as light fixtures and pipes to components  210  such as walls, ceilings, and floors than by the means currently represented by the prior art molly-toggle fastener  100  described above. A fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one substantially flexible member that may include a shaft or ribbon with recesses, that is, holes or grooves, separated by teeth, molded or embossed into the shaft and a top, which is ordinarily in whole or in part substantially orthogonal to the shaft. Pushing the top into a hole in the component causes the top to be distorted into a furled or compressed configuration. Subsequent passage through the hole results in redeployment of the top to its initial, at least partially, substantially orthogonal orientation, thereby preventing a later reemergence of the top from the component  210 . Pulling of the shaft of the substantially flexible member through a locking mechanism causes the fastener to be held in position against the component  210 .  
         [0053]     Embodiments according to the present invention, using substantially flexible members that include resiliently deformable segments, allow for quicker and more reliable installation than do the existing fasteners such as those employing molly-toggles  100 . Once inserted, a fastener according to the present invention remains in place, escape being prevented by the redeployed top. There is no need for reorientation relying on gravity or sensitive to initial cap position. Top redeployment is automatic following penetration of the hole by the top.  
         [0054]     Elastic restoration forces generated during attachment maintain firm attachment of the article to the component  210  even as the component  210  texture evolves over time. Further, the quality of the attachment is not subject to sensitivity to the amount of torque applied to a fastener that may lead to damage to a portion of the component  210  underlying a fastener such as a molly-toggle  100 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of the invention, a T-top fastener  300 , comprising a substantially flexible member  305  and a locking mechanism  310  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The substantially flexible member  305  includes a substantially linear shaft or stem  315  with longitudinal axis  340  and integral with a substantially linear top or cross-piece  320 , where the top  320  is substantially orthogonal to the shaft  315  and resiliently deformable or elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 . The shaft  315  has recesses such as grooves or notches  325 , or, in some cases, holes and is similar, in configuration, to a cable tie. The locking mechanism  310  is shown in the form of a button containing an aperture  312  with a clasp or flap  314  that partially occludes the aperture  312 . The flap  314  includes an edge  313  that may be complementary to at least one groove  325 .  
         [0056]     Passage of the shaft  315  through the aperture  312  results in sequential engagement and disengagement of the flap  314  with the grooves  325 . When the top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  is immobilized, pulling of the shaft  315  through the locking mechanism  310  proceeds until the pulling force generates an equal and opposite restoring elastic force in the shaft  315 . The pulling force may be removed and the elastic force preserved by the immobility of the locking mechanism  310  with respect to the shaft  315  resulting from the interaction of the flap  314  and the groove  325 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  by which an embodiment of the invention may be used to attach an article  215  such as a light fixture to a component  210  such as a wall. The substantially flexible member  305  is presented with its top  320  in an undeployed configuration adjacent to overlapping openings or holes  205  in a component  210  and in an article  215  (Step  410  and  FIG. 5A ). The component  210  may be a wall, the article  215  may be another wall, a layer or possible a base of a fixture. Holes  205  in the component  210  and in the article  215  may be created if they do not already exist.  
         [0058]     Next, wing segments  505  of the top  320  are bent away from the wall by, for example, squeezing between fingers, or by insertion of the top  320  with sufficient force to resiliently deform or elastically align the top  320  by bending the wing segments  505  of the top  320  into substantial alignment with the shaft  315  (Step  415  and  FIG. 5B ). The wing segments  505  are resiliently deformed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  in a direction from the top  320  to the shaft  315 .  
         [0059]     In such a resiliently deformed condition, the top  320  is inserted through the holes  205  or openings in the article  215  and component  210  or wall until the top  320  has proceeded far enough to allow the wing segments  505  of the top  320  to redeploy to their original orientation, that is, nearly perpendicular or substantially orthogonal to the shaft  315  (Step  420  and  FIG. 5C ).  
         [0060]     The top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  is made of an elastic-type of material, that is, a resiliently deformable material, which permits the wing segments  505  of the top  320  to be bent into substantial alignment with the shaft  315  and then, once the force that caused the bending is removed, to allow the wing segments  505  to assume their former configuration, substantially orthogonal to the shaft  315 , and to remain substantially nondeformable when pulled in the substantially opposite direction. The deployed wing segments  505  resist an attempt to be bent or deformed in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  and directed from the shaft  315  toward the top  320 . Consequently, extraction of the top  320  through the holes  205  in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of insertion is prevented during subsequent tightening of the locking mechanism  310 .  
         [0061]     In the final phase of the attachment process, the end  510  of the shaft  315  of the substantially flexible member  305  distal from the top  320  engages a locking mechanism  310 , by, in some embodiments, insertion through the locking mechanism  310  (Step  425 ), and the locking mechanism  310  is pushed toward the component  210 . Engagement may be a result of a flap  314  of the locking mechanism  310  engaging a recess  325 , including a groove or opening, in the substantially flexible member  305 . The shaft  315  is then pulled firmly until the article  215  and the component  210  are firmly coupled or bound by compression between the locking mechanism  310  and the deployed wing segments  505  of the top  320  (Step  430  and  FIG. 5D ). The shaft  315  of the substantially flexible member  305  is transportable through the locking mechanism  310  in only a single direction.  
         [0062]     Compression is preserved even as pulling of the shaft  315  ceases by the combination of the elastic stretching imposed on the resilient deformable flexible member  305  and the immobility resulting from the interaction of the grooves  325  of the shaft  315  with the flap  314  of the locking mechanism  310 . Retraction of the button  310  is generally not possible without damage to the shaft  315  or to the locking mechanism  310 .  
         [0063]     In other embodiments of the present invention, the substantially flexible member  305  may be presented first to a hole  205  in the component  210 . After insertion of the top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  through the hole  205  in the component  210 , the shaft  315  of the substantially flexible member  305  may be inserted through a hole  205  in the article  215 . The locking mechanism  310  may then be engaged with the shaft  315 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 6  illustrates another configuration of the substantially flexible member  305 , a triangular-top fastener  600 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the ends  605  of the wing segments  505  of the top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  are also supported by connecting segments  610  connecting to an extension  615  of the shaft  315  or stem. The connecting segments  610  may be integral with the shaft  315  and wing segments  505  of the top  320  and increase resistance of the deployed top  320  to pull through. The connecting segments  610  may also be resiliently deformable and elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 .  
         [0065]     The insertion process is similar to the process illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , where, following presentation of the substantially flexible member  305  to the component  210  ( FIG. 6A ), the wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  of the top  320  are folded or compressed to allow penetration of the compressed top  320  through holes  205  in the component  210  and article  215  ( FIG. 6B ). The wing segments  505  are resiliently deformed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  in a direction from the top  320  to the shaft  315 .  
         [0066]     Upon passage through the holes  205  in the article  215  and component  210 , the resiliency and elasticity of the wing segments  505  and connecting segments  610  allows redeployment of the top  320  in such a manner as to prevent the top  320  from being pulled out if the shaft  315  is pulled away from the component  210  or article  215  ( FIG. 6C ). The wing segments  505  remain substantially nondeformable when pulled in the direction substantially opposite to the direction of insertion so as to attempt to bend or deform the wing segments  505  in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  and directed from the shaft  315  toward the top  320 . Finally, a locking mechanism  310  engages the shaft  315  to preserve compression of the article  215 -component  210  combination ( FIG. 6D ).  
         [0067]      FIG. 7  illustrates an additional configuration of the substantially flexible member  305  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, a sliding triangular-top fastener  700 , the outer ends  605  of the wing segments  505  of the top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  are integral with the connecting segments  610  connecting to an extension  615  of the shaft  315  or stem. In contrast to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 , where the wing segments  605  were also integral with the shaft  315 , in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the wing segments  505  are not integral with the shaft  315 . The wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  are resiliently deformable or elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 .  
         [0068]     The wing segments  505  may be disengagably couplable with the shaft  315 . In some embodiments, contact between the wing segments  505  and the shaft  315  may be absent before, during, and after deployment, as where the space  705  between the inner ends  710  of the wing segments  505  and the shaft  315  is sufficiently large. In other embodiments, contact between the wing segments  505  and the shaft  315  may be absent before and after deployment, but present during deployment as the wing segments  505  slide back and forth along the shaft  315 . In further embodiments, contact between the wing segments  505  and the shaft  315  may be present before, during, and after deployment as the inner ends  710  of the wing segments  505  maintain contact with the shaft  315  in sliding along the shaft  315 .  
         [0069]     The connecting segments  610  may be integral with the shaft  315  and wing segments  505  of the top  320  and increase resistance of the deployed top  320  to pull through. The connecting segments  610  may also be resiliently deformable and elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 .  
         [0070]     The insertion process is similar to the process illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Following presentation of the substantially flexible member  305  to the component  210  ( FIG. 7A ), the wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  of the top  320  are folded or compressed to allow penetration of the compressed top  320  through holes  205  in the component  210  and article  215  ( FIG. 7B ). During compression of the top  320 , the inner ends  710  of the wing segments  505  move along the shaft  315 , either without contact or with disengagable coupling. The wing segments  505  are resiliently deformed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  in a direction from the top  320  to the shaft  315 .  
         [0071]     Upon passage through the holes  205  in the article  215  and component  210 , the resiliency and elasticity of the wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  allow redeployment of the top  320  in such a manner as to prevent the top  320  from being pulled out if the shaft  315  is pulled away from the component  210  or article  215  ( FIG. 7C ). The wing segments  505  resist an attempt to be bent or deformed in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  and directed from the shaft  315  toward the top  320 . Finally, a locking mechanism  310  engages the shaft  315  to preserve compression of the article  215 -component  210  combination ( FIG. 7D ).  
         [0072]      FIG. 8A  illustrates another embodiment  800  of the present invention in which, instead of a single shaft  315 , there are two shafts  315  connecting to the top  320 , and could be additional ones. A plurality of shafts  315  has the benefit of multiplying the resistance of the fastener  800  to displacement subsequent to its attachment. Further, according to the embodiment of  FIG. 8A , the locking mechanism  310  contains a hole  205  in its center, tapped for threads  810  to accept a machine screw. With such an embodiment, an article  215  such as a lamp fixture or other fixture having a clearance hole  205  for a machine screw may be attached to a wall or ceiling  210 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a further embodiment  850  of the present invention in which, as in  FIG. 8A , there are two shafts  315  for holding an article  215  against a component  210 . In addition, the locking mechanism  310  contains an aperture  205  sized to accept a self-tapping screw. The locking mechanism  310  is thicker in the region adjacent to its center to allow for an increased engagement with a subsequently attached screw.  
         [0074]      FIG. 9  illustrates a further configuration  900  of the substantially flexible member according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, a stabilized sliding triangular-top fastener  900 , the wing segments  505  are disengagably coupled to the shaft  315  of the substantially flexible member  305  by a loop or ring  905  integral with the inner ends  710  of the wing segments  505 . The loop  905  surrounds the shaft  315  as the shaft  315  passes through the opening  910  of the loop  905 .  
         [0075]     As in the sliding triangular-top fastener  700 , the outer ends  605  of the wing segments  505  of the top  320  of the substantially flexible member  305  are integral with the connecting segments  610  connecting to an extension  615  of the shaft  315  or stem. The wing segments  505  are not integral with the shaft  315 . The wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  are resiliently deformable or elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 .  
         [0076]     The loop  905  may be disengagably couplable with the shaft  315 . In some embodiments, contact between the loop  905  and the shaft  315  may be absent before, during, and after deployment, as where the opening  910  of the loop  905  is sufficiently large. In other embodiments, contact between the loop  905  and the shaft  315  may be absent before and after deployment, but present during deployment as the loop  905  slides back and forth along the shaft  315 . In further embodiments, contact between the loop  905  and the shaft  315  may be present before, during, and after deployment as the loop  905  maintains contact with the shaft  315  in sliding along the shaft  315 . The loop  905  maintains the inner ends  710  of the wing elements  505  substantially in the vicinity of the shaft  315  during insertion of the substantially flexible member  305 .  
         [0077]     The connecting segments  610  may be integral with the shaft  315  and wing segments  505  of the top  320  and increase resistance of the deployed top  320  to pull through. The connecting segments  610  may also be resiliently deformable and elastically alignable with respect to the shaft  315 .  
         [0078]     The insertion process is similar to the process illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Following presentation of the substantially flexible member  305  to the component  210  ( FIG. 10A ), the wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  of the top  320  are folded or compressed to allow penetration of the compressed top  320  through holes  205  in the component  210  and article  215  and the loop  905  moves toward the top  320  ( FIG. 10B ). During compression of the top  320 , loop  905  and the inner ends  710  of the wing segments  505  integral with the loop  905  move along the shaft  315 , either without contact or with disengagable coupling. The wing segments  505  are resiliently deformed in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  in a direction from the top  320  to the shaft  315 .  
         [0079]     Upon passage through the holes  205  in the article  215  and component  210 , the resiliency and elasticity of the wing segments  505  and the connecting segments  610  allow redeployment of the top  320  in such a manner as to prevent the top  320  from being pulled out if the shaft  315  is pulled away from the component  210  or article  215  ( FIG. 10C ). During redeployment of the top  320 , the loop  905  moves along the shaft  315  in a direction away from the top and toward the shaft  315 . The wing segments  505  resist an attempt to be bent or deformed in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  340  of the shaft  315  and directed from the shaft  315  toward the top  320 . Finally, a locking mechanism  310  engages the shaft  315  to preserve compression of the article  215 -component  210  combination ( FIG. 10D ).  
         [0080]     Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized that this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.