A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a nut for insertion into a channel of a strut. As the computer, communications, and energy industries have grown, it is increasingly important to have easy-to-assemble structures to carry computer equipment, cables, etc., for these industries. Often structures made from struts are used to carry such equipment. When a strut is used, often a nut is placed in the channel of the strut to attach other structural components (e.g., another strut, cable hanger, bracket, etc.) to the strut. Struts also often come in different sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Computer equipment, cables, or anything requiring support, may be supported by a metal frame comprising struts. When a strut is used, often a nut is placed in the channel of the strut to attach other structural components (e.g., another strut, cable hanger, bracket, etc.) to the strut.FIG. 1is an isometric projection drawing of an exemplary strut, strut-channel nut, bolt, and bracket in one embodiment.FIG. 1shows a strut102relative to a nut104in four positions (e.g., nut104-1in position1, nut104-2in position2, nut104-3in position3, and nut104-4in position4). Strut102includes an opening112to a channel106through strut102. Nut104is shown four tunes as it is being inserted into channel106, rotated, and ultimately coupled with a bolt108to secure a bracket110to strut102.

In its first position, nut104-1is situated under strut102so that nut104-1can be placed into opening112of strut102. In its second position, nut104-2is situated in channel106of strut102. In its third position, nut104-3has been rotated approximately forty-five degrees (e.g., relative to the position of nut104-2) so that nut104-3can begin to rest on internal flanges114of strut102. In its fourth position, nut104-4has been rotated approximately ninety degrees (e.g., relative to the position of nut104-2) so that nut104-4may fully rest on internal flanges114of strut102.

In the fourth position, nut104-1may receive bolt108that secures bracket110,104, and bolt108to strut102. In one embodiment, as described below, teeth on nut104may help prevent nut104from sliding along the length of strut102. Further, the geometric shape of nut104may prevent nut104from rotating much beyond the position shown by nut104-4(e.g., relative to the position of nut104-2). As discussed below, nut104may be well suited for multiple size struts. Strut102and nut104are described in detail below with respect toFIGS. 2A,2B,3A, and3B.

FIG. 2Ais an isometric projection drawing of strut102andFIG. 2Bis a cross-sectional drawing of strut102. Strut102may include a top portion252, a first leg254-1and a second leg254-2(collectively, legs254), and a first flange256-1and a second flange256-2(collectively, flanges256). First flange256-1may include a first inwardly projecting portion258-1and a first upwardly projecting portion260-1. Likewise second flange256-2may include a second inwardly projecting portion258-2and a second upwardly projecting portion260-2.

As shown toFIG. 2Band described above, strut102has an opening112through which nut102may pass. Opening112has an opening width of d1between first upwardly projection portion260-1and second upwardly projecting portion260-2. Further, channel106has a channel width of d2from the inner wall of first leg254-1to the inner wall of second leg254-2.

FIG. 3Ais an isometric projection drawing of channel nut104andFIG. 3Bis a drawing of channel nut104viewed from the top. Nut104includes a major axis302and a minor axis304. As shown inFIG. 3A, nut104includes a first face308, a first side surface310-1, and a first end surface312-1. Hidden from view inFIG. 3A, nut104also includes a second face314, a second side surface310-2, and a second end surface312-2. A hole306passes through nut104from first face308to second face314. In one embodiment, hole306is threaded to receive bolt108, for example, to secure nut104to, for example, bracket110and strut102.

First face308includes a first set of teeth320-1and a second set of teeth320-2(collectively teeth320). Teeth320may engage with upwardly projecting portions260of flanges256to help secure nut104to strut102. For example, teeth320may increase the friction between nut104and strut102so that nut104does not slide through the length of channel106when nut104is secured to strut102(e.g., via a clamping relationship with bracket110and bolt108). In one embodiment, teeth320may extend from hole306to end surfaces312of nut104(e.g., extending from a tangent of hole306parallel to minor axis304to end surfaces312). In another embodiment, nut104includes a ridge322surrounding hole306. In this embodiment, teeth320may extend from ridge322to end surfaces312(e.g., extending from a tangent of ridge322parallel to minor axis304to end surfaces312). Ridge322, as described in more detail below, may receive a cone for holding nut104to strut102before coupling bolt108to nut104. In yet another embodiment, hole306may include a recess (not shown) surrounding hole306. The recess, as described in more detail below, may also receive a cone for holding nut104to strut102before coupling bolt108to nut104. In this embodiment, teeth320may extend from the recess to end surfaces312of nut104(e.g., extending from a tangent of the recess parallel to minor axis304to end surfaces312). In one embodiment, surface308may be substantially covered with teeth320. In one embodiment, teeth320may extend to the edge of surface308for the entire length of surfaces312. This embodiment may allow for nut104to accommodate struts of different sizes (e.g., different spacing between upwardly projecting portions260).

As mentioned above with respect toFIG. 1, nut104may be inserted into strut102and rotated for securing nut104to strut102.FIG. 4shows nut104in positions2,3, and4, as described above with respect toFIG. 1. In one embodiment, nut104-2has a width that is narrow enough (e.g., narrower than opening width d1) to be inserted into opening112. For example, as shown inFIG. 3A, nut104has a width w1that is less than opening width d1of strut102. In this example, width w1extends along face308from first side surface310-1to second side surface310-2. In one embodiment, nut104is rotated slightly (e.g., such that major axis302is approximately five degrees separated from the major axis of strut102) to fit nut104into opening112. In this way, nut104may be inserted into strut102while face308of nut104is parallel with the surface of top portion252. Put another way, nut may be inserted into strut102while face308is parallel with the surface formed between upwardly projecting portions260.

As shown inFIG. 4, once nut104is inserted into strut102, nut104may be rotated to position2. As shown inFIGS. 3A,3B, and4, nut104includes opposite rounded corners324. A first rounded corner324-1extends between first side surface310-1and first end surface312-1. A second rounded corner324-2(e.g., opposite first rounded corner3244) extends between second side surface3102and second end surface312-2. Rounded corners324allow nut104to continue to be rotated from position2to positions3and4(e.g., a total of 90 degrees from position2). That is, the distance from first rounded corner324-1to second rounded corner324-2is less than channel width d2.

In one embodiment, once in position4, nut104may be prevented from further rotation. As shown inFIGS. 3A,3B, and4, nut104includes projections326on opposite corners. A first projection326-1projects outward from first side surface310-1and extends second end surface312-2. A second projection326-2projects outward from second side surface310-2and extends first end surface312-1. Projections326prevent nut104from continuing to be rotated much beyond position4(e.g., in the clockwise direction shown inFIG. 4). That is, the distance from a corner328-1of first projection326-1to a corner328-2of second projection326-2is greater than channel width d2.

FIG. 5is an end view of strut102, nut104, bolt108, and bracket110looking into channel106. As shown inFIG. 5, bolt108is coupled to nut104. The force between the threads of bolt108and nut104pulls nut104toward a head502of bolt108and head502of bolt toward nut104. Nut104is opposed by strut102(e.g., upwardly projecting portions260). Bolt108is opposed by a base portion504of bracket110. In turn, strut102and bracket110are also in contact with and oppose each other. Teeth320engage upwardly projecting portions260and enhance the friction between the two. Thus, teeth320help prevent nut104from sliding through channel106along upwardly projecting portions260. In this manner, bolt108and nut104secure bracket110to strut102.

FIG. 6is an isometric projection drawing of three instances of a nut604(e.g., nut604-1, nut604-2, and nut604-3) in strut102. Nut604may be configured similarly to nut104described above. Nut604may also be configured similarly to nut802described below with respect toFIGS. 8A and 8B.FIG. 6illustrates three ways of holding nut604to strut102before a bolt (e.g., bolt108) is coupled to nut604to secure it to strut102. In one instance, nut604-1is coupled to a cone606to hold nut604-1to strut102. In another instance, nut604-2is coupled to a spring608to hold nut604-2to strut102. In another instance, nut604-3is held in place with respect to strut102by an electromagnetic force (e.g., a magnet). These three examples are described below with respect toFIGS. 7A through 7C.

FIG. 7Ais a cross-sectional drawing of channel nut604-1, strut102, and cone606ofFIG. 6, in which channel nut604-1is held in place by cone606. As shownFIG. 7A, cone606includes a cylindrical portion702and a flared portion704. The outer diameter of cylindrical portion702is smaller than channel opening width d1. Flared portion704, on the other hand, has a diameter that is larger than channel opening width d1. As shown inFIG. 7A, cylindrical portion702may fit (e.g., a friction fit) into a cylindrical recess706on the surface of nut604-1. As such, cone606prevents nut604-1from falling away from upward projecting portions260of strut102. In another embodiment, cylindrical portion702may it (e.g., a friction fit) around a ridge protruding from nut604-2(e.g., similar to ridge322shown inFIG. 3A). Cone606may be placed on the face of nut604-1and may accompany nut6041through opening112of strut102. An operator may turn it604-1inside channel106(accompanied with cone606) so that cone606holds nut604-1to strut102. In one embodiment, friction between flared portion704and strut102may help prevent nut604-1from rotating without the operator input.

FIG. 7Bis a cross-sectional drawing of channel nut604-2, strut102, and spring608ofFIG. 6, in which channel nut604is held in place with spring608. As shown, spring608engages the back of nut604-2and the top portion252of strut102. Spring108may be compressed such that it applies a force to the back of nut604-2, pressing nut604-2against upward projecting portions260of strut102. In this way, nut604-2may be held in place until an operator couples a bolt (e.g., bolt108) to nut604-2. Spring608may fit (e.g., a friction fit) into a cylindrical recess712on the surface of nut604-2. In another embodiment, spring608may fit (e.g., a friction fit) around a ridge protruding from nut604-2rather than or in addition to recess712. In another embodiment, spring608may fit (e.g., a friction fit) into a recess330(seeFIGS. 3A and 3B) of nut104. In these embodiments, the outer diameter of spring608may be smaller than channel opening width d1. In this way, spring608may be placed on the back of nut604-2and may accompany nut604-2through opening112of strut102.

FIG. 7Cis a cross-sectional drawing of channel nut604-3and strut102ofFIG. 6, in which channel nut604-3is held in place by a magnetic force acting on nut604-3and strut102. In this embodiment, nut604-3may be magnetized and strut102may be made of a ferromagnetic material, such as iron. In one embodiment, nut604-3may be or include a permanent magnet722that is embedded into nut604-3. In another embodiment, nut604-3may become magnetized by passing nut604-3through a magnetic field. The magnetism and the resulting force prevents nut604-3from falling away from upward projecting portions260of strut102until an operator, for example, attaches a bolt (e.g., bolt108).

FIG. 8Ais an isometric projection drawing of a channel nut804andFIG. 8Bis a drawing of channel nut804from the top in another embodiment. Nut804includes a major axis802and a minor axis803. As shown inFIG. 3A, nut804includes a first face808, a first side surface810-1, and a first end surface812-1. Hidden from view inFIG. 8A, nut804also includes a second face814, a second side surface81062, and a second end surface8122. A hole806passes through nut804from top surface808to bottom surface814. In one embodiment, hole806is threaded to match and receive threads on a bolt (e.g., bolt108), for example, to secure nut804to strut102.

First face808includes a first set of teeth820-1and a second set of teeth820-2(collectively teeth820). Teeth820may engage with upwardly projecting portions260of flanges256to help secure nut804to strut102. For example, teeth820may increase the friction between nut804and strut102so that nut804does not slide through channel106when nut804is secured to strut102. In one embodiment, teeth820may begin at hole806and end at end surfaces812of nut804(e.g., extend between tangents of hole806parallel to minor axis803and extend to end surfaces812). In another embodiment, hole806may include a ridge (e.g., similar ridge322) surrounding hole806. In this embodiment, teeth820may extend from the ridge (or tangents of the ridge) to end surfaces812of nut804. In yet another embodiment, hole806may include a recess (not shown) surrounding hole806. The recess, as described above, may receive cone606for securing nut804to strut102. In this embodiment, teeth820may begin at the recess tangents of the ridge) and extend to the end surfaces812of nut804. In one embodiment, teeth820may cover substantially all of first face808of nut804. In one embodiment, teeth820may extend to the edge of surface808for the entire length of surfaces812. This embodiment may allow for nut804to accommodate struts of different sizes (e.g., different spacing between upwardly projecting portions260).

Similar to nut104, nut804may be inserted into strut102and rotated for securing nut804to strut102. Nut804includes a width w2that is narrow enough to be inserted into opening112(e.g., narrower than opening width d1). In this example, width w2extends along face808from first side surface810-1to second side surface810-2. In this way, nut104may be inserted into strut102while face808of nut804is parallel with the surface of top portion252. Put another way, nut may be inserted into strut102while face808is parallel with the surface formed between upwardly projecting portions260. In this embodiment, nut804does not have to be rotated slightly to enter opening112because nut804does not include projections326.

Once nut804is inserted into strut102, nut804may be rotated such that teeth820engage upwardly projecting portions260of strut102. Like nut104, nut804includes opposite rounded corners824. A first rounded corner824-1extends between first side surface810-1and first end surface812-1. A second rounded corner824-2extends between second side surface810-2and second end surface812-2. Rounded corners824may allow nut804to continue to be rotated until major axis802is perpendicular (or substantially perpendicular) to the major axis of strut102. That is, the distance from first rounded corner824-1to second rounded corner824-2is less than channel width d2.

As with nut104, nut804may be prevented from further rotation. As shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, nut804includes opposite angled corners826. A first corner826-1exists between first side surface810-1and second end surface812-2. A second corner826-2exists between second side surface810-2and first end surface812-1. As better seen inFIG. 8B, first end surface812-1extends away from minor axis803of nut804(passing through the center of hole806) as surface812-1approaches angled corner826-2. Further, second end surface812-2extends away from minor axis803of nut804(passing through the center of hole806) as second end surface812-1approaches angled corner826-2, Corners326prevent nut804from continuing to be rotated much beyond the position where major axis802is perpendicular to the major axis of strut102. That is, the distance from first corner826-1to second corner826-2is greater than channel width d2.

As mentioned above, nuts disclosed herein (e.g., nut104and/or nut804) may be used for struts of various sizes.FIGS. 9 and 10show two struts of two different sizes.FIG. 9is a cross-sectional drawing of a strut902andFIG. 10is a cross-sectional drawing of a strut1002. Strut902includes an opening912to a channel906and strut1002has an opening1012to a channel1006. Strut902has an opening912width of o1and a channel906width of c1. Strut1002has an opening1012width of o2and a channel1006width of c2. In this example, o2=o1and c2>c1. For a nut to fit both struts (while maintaining the feature of locking when rotated), the following may be design criteria: (1) the minimum width of the nut (e.g., w1or w2) should be less than opening width o1and o2so that the nut can pass through both openings912and1012; (2) the length of the nut from every point on the rounded corner (e.g. rounded corner324-2or824-2) to a corresponding point on the opposite rounded corner (e.g., rounded corner324-1or824-1) should be less than channel width c1of smaller strut902so that the nut can be rotated (e.g., approximately 90 degrees) after being inserted into strut902and strut1002; (3) the length of the nut from one end surface (e.g., end surface312-2or812-2) to a corresponding point on the other end surface (e.g., end surface312-1or812-1) should be less than channel width c1of smaller strut902so that the nut may be rotated (e.g., approximately 90 degrees) after being inserted into strut902and strut1002; (4) the length of the nut from the non-rounded corner (e.g., corner328-2or corner826-2) to the opposite non-rounded corner (e.g., corner328-1to corner826-2) should be greater than channel width c2of larger strut1002so that the nut will lock when rotated in both struts902and1002; (5) the distance between the start of the teeth (e.g., a distance b1shown inFIG. 3Band a distance b3shown inFIG. 8B) should be less than opening width o1and o2; (6) the distance between the end of the teeth (e.g., a distance b2shown inFIG. 3Band a distance b3shown inFIG. 8B) should be greater than the opening width o1and o2. In one embodiment, extending the teeth to the end surfaces312and812help achieve the last two criteria. The design of nuts104and804, for example, meet these design criteria. Other design criteria are possible. In one embodiment, opening widths o1and o2are 0.875 inches, channel width c2is 1⅝ inches, and channel width c1is 1½ inches. In one embodiment, extending the teeth to end surfaces312or812allows for accommodation of different opening widths for struts while still allowing the strut to engage the teeth.

The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. Although terms such as “front,” “rear,” “forward,” “backward,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” “under,” and “over” are used, these terms are used for convenience to show elements in the figures relative to each other. These terms are not used to indicate absolute direction or position. As such, the terms “rear” and “front” may be interchanged, “top” and “bottom” may interchanged, etc.

Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.