Abstract:
A slot nut is provided for securing a threaded rod to a section of channel where the channel defines a slot and the slot nut is affixed to the threaded rod prior to receipt within the slot. A method of securing threaded rod to channel defining a slot using a slot nut is also disclosed wherein the slot nut is affixed to the threaded rod prior to the threaded rod being positioned within the channel slot.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to securement devices for use with channel, and more particularly, to a newly configured nut for use with slotted channel. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Channel, e.g., UNISTRUT, POWERSTRUT®™, is formed strut used for support structures and bracing members. Channel is produced in a variety of sizes and steel gages. Frequently channel is formed with holes or slots to facilitate securing sections of channel with one another and for securing channel to walls and other structures or appurtenances. Channel is generally secured using threaded rod, washers and nuts. Typically, the end of a threaded rod is inserted through a slot in the channel whereupon a washer and nut are secured to the end thereof. The washer and nut prevent the rod from being withdrawn through the slot in the channel. 
     Depending on the application, the threaded rod may need to be tightly secured to the channel. In such an instance, a second washer and nut can be affixed to the insertion end of the rod prior to insertion of the rod through the channel slot, or a second washer and nut may be affixed to the second end of the rod subsequent to the rod being inserted through the slot. Tightening of either nut compresses the slotted channel between the two washers, tightly securing the rod to the channel. This application is generally used to connect hanger rods to channel. 
     When securing a section of channel with another section of channel, or to any object, a threaded rod may again be used. The threaded rod is passed through a slot in each section of channel (or object). A washer and a nut affixed on either end of the rod prevent the threaded rod from withdrawing from the channel. Tightening of the nut, or nuts about the threaded rod secures the section of channel (or object to the threaded rod). In either channel to channel connection, or channel to hanger connection, access to the inserted end of the rod subsequent to insertion through the slot in the channel is vital. Without access to the end of the rod, the washer and the nut necessary to secure the channel cannot be securely affixed to the threaded rod. 
     The configuration of the channel, coupled with the possible applications using the channel, does not always allow for ready access to the end of the threaded rod after it has been inserted into a channel slot. In many applications access to the end of the threaded rod after insertion of the rod through the slot is all but impossible. Therefore, it would beneficial to have a nut capable of securing a threaded rod to a slotted channel where the nut may be secured to the threaded rod prior to insertion into the slot so as to avoid accessibility issues post insertion. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to a slot nut capable of securing an end of a threaded rod to a slotted channel, the nut being secured to the end of the rod prior to insertion through the slot. 
     In one embodiment, the slot nut is substantially oval in shape and has a length and a width slightly smaller than the length and width of the channel slot into which the slot nut is inserted. The slot nut has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is sized to be received in the width of the channel slot to prevent rotation of the slot nut in relation to the channel slot. The second surface is wider then the first surface and forms a shoulder to prevent the slot nut from being withdrawn through the slot after insertion. The slot nut further defines a threaded opening sized to receive a threaded rod. 
     The slot nut replaces the traditional washer and nut configuration which can only be applied to the threaded rod subsequent to insertion of the threaded rod through the slot in the channel. Using the presently disclosed slot nut, the slot nut is affixed to a threaded rod prior to insertion into the channel slot. The end of the threaded rod containing the slot nut is then received through the slot in the channel. Once the slot nut completely passes through the slot in the channel, the rod and nut are rotated until the first surface of the nut aligns with the width of the slot. The rod and nut are withdrawn until the second surface of the nut contacts the channel surface defining the slot. Thereafter, a washer and nut either affixed to the other end of the threaded rod, or affixed prior to insertion of the threaded rod through the slot, may be used to securely affix the rod to the channel. 
     The slot nut replaces the washer and nut which had been necessary to secure threaded rod to slotted channel. Unlike the washer and nut configuration, the slot nut may be secured on the threaded rod prior to inserting the rod into the channel slot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the presently disclosed slot nut are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a prior art channel assembly including two sections of channel secured to a threaded rod with a washer and nut assembly; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a prior art channel hangar assembly illustrating a section of channel secured to a hanger by a threaded rod and washer and nut assembly; 
         FIG. 1C  is an enlarged exploded view of the threaded rod and washer and nut assembly shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed slot nut shown securing sections of channel to a threaded rod; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side perspective view of the slot nut shown in  FIG. 2A  shown securing a piece of channel to a hangar; 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged, exploded side perspective view of the presently disclosed slot nut in association with a threaded rod, washer, and nut assembly; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of the slot nut shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the slot nut shown in  FIG. 3A ; and 
         FIG. 3C  is an end view of the slot nut shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed slot nut for securing channel will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a known method for securing two pieces or sections of slotted channel  12  to a threaded rod  20 . Referring to  FIG. 1A , a first section of slotted channel  12  is secured to a second section of slotted channel  14  and to a threaded rod  20  by a first washer  22  and first nut  24 .  FIG. 1B  shows the same method as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , however, instead of securing slotted second channel  14  to first slotted channel  12 , a hanger  26  is secured to first slotted channel  12 . As seen in  FIG. 1C , securing first slotted channel  12  to either second slotted channel  14  or hangar  26  using threaded rod  20  requires a first washer  22 , a first nut  24  a second washer  26  and second nut  28 . Threaded rod  20  is inserted through channel slot  18  and received by first washer  22  and first nut  24 . Second washer  26  and second nut  28  are affixed to threaded rod  20 . Second washer  26  and second nut  28  may be affixed to threaded rod  20  prior to receiving threaded rod  20  through slot  18 , or subsequent to threaded rod  20  being received through slot  18 . Regardless of when second washer  26  and second nut  28  are affixed to threaded rod  20 , nuts  24  and/or  28  are tightened to secure threaded rod  20  to slotted channel  12 , and/or slotted channel  12  to second channel  14 . 
     The traditional securing method, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , requires access to the end  20   a  of threaded rod  20 , first nut  24  and second nut  28  after the end of threaded rod  20  has been positioned through slot  18 . More specifically, washer  22  and nut  24  must be positioned on threaded rod  20  after end  20   a  of rod  20  has been inserted through a channel slot. Access to first and second nuts  24  and  28  may not always be available, and in many instances, will be very difficult to achieve. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate one preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed slot nut shown generally as  130 . Referring to  FIG. 2A , slotted channel  112  is secured to slotted channel  114  and with threaded rod  120  using slot nut  130 . Slot nut  130  replaces first washer  122  and first nut  124  as depicted in  FIG. 1A . As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , hanger  116  can also be secured to slotted channel  112  with threaded rod  120  and slot nut  130 . The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to securing sections of channel to other sections of channel, or sections of channel with hangers. Any object capable of being affixed or connected in any way to threaded rod  120  can be secured using the preferred embodiment and has been contemplated by this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , slot nut  130  is affixed to threaded rod  120  prior to insertion of threaded rod  120  through slot  118  of slotted channel  112 . Once slot nut  130  is affixed to threaded rod  120 , both slot nut  130  and threaded rod  120  are received through slot  118 . As was the case in the method illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , threaded rod  120  may receive second washer  126  and second nut  128  either prior to, or subsequent to, threaded rod  120  being received through slot  118 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 3A-3C , in one embodiment, slot nut  130  defines a substantially oval body having a first surface  132  and a second surface  134 . Slot nut  130  is sized to be received through slot  118  formed in channel  112 . Generally, slots in channel define an elongated oval. A standard channel slot measures 1⅛″ (inches) long, 9/16″ (inches) wide and has end radii of 0.281″ (inches). Although channel slots are generally oval in shape, other configurations have been contemplated by this disclosure, including rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular etc. Slot nut  130  further defines a threaded opening  136  for receiving a threaded rod  120 . In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the threaded rod may be an integral part of slot nut  130 , i.e., the threaded rod and slot nut  130  may be manufactured as one unit. Slot nut  130  includes a second surface  134  extending beyond first surface  132 . Second surface  134  defines recessed surfaces or shoulders  138  and  140 . First surface  132  is dimensioned to be received within the width of channel slot  118 . In use, once slot nut  130 , affixed to threaded rod  120 , is inserted through channel slot  118 , slot nut  130  is rotated 90° (degree) to align first surface  132  with the width of channel slot  118 . Thereafter, threaded rod  120  is partially withdrawn from slot  118  until first surface  132  is received within the width of the channel slot  118 . Slot nut  130  is prevented from being fully withdrawn from slot  118  by second surfaces  134 . By positioning surface  132  of slot nut  130  within the slot of the channels, the slot nut is rotatably fixed to channel  112 . As such, threaded rod  120  can be securely affixed to channel  112  and/or a second channel  114  by tightening down on second nut  128 . Since slot nut  130  is rotatably fixed within slot  118  of channel  112 , rotation of second nut  128  clamps channel  112  between slot nut  130  and washer  126 . Thus, access to slot nut  130  is not required. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.