Attachment apparatus and method for attaching

An apparatus which attaches a first device within a cavity of an anchor without using inserts, flanges, or adhesives is disclosed. Flexibility in positioning the device relative to the anchor is provided regardless of whether the anchor cavity or the device is threaded. A keeper having two rows of teeth, each row being substantially perpendicular to the threads, is mounted between the device and anchor and rotates under a force exerted by a pin so that only one of the two rows engages the thread channels. The force exerted by the pin also causes the keeper to pivot about a pivot end which is specifically shaped to prevent binding upon removal of the device from the cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to the attachment of one object 
within a cavity of another object. Specifically, the present invention 
relates to locking the two objects together when one of the objects may be 
threaded. More specifically, the present invention permits flexibility in 
alignment of one object with the other regardless of a particular thread 
crest position. 
One technique for attaching a first object within a second object having a 
cavity is to incorporate a flange on the first object which is too large 
to fit through the opening to the cavity. A substantial portion of the 
first object engages the cavity, but the flange overlaps the opening to 
the cavity and remains outside the second object. Any number of suitable 
fasteners may then affix the first object's flange to the outside of the 
second object. However, this technique is limited to applications where 
sufficient room exists outside the second object to accommodate the flange 
portion of the first object. 
Another technique for attaching a first object within a cavity in a second 
object concerns threading. Mated screw threads are formed on the first 
object and on a cavity wall of the second object. The two objects are 
attached together by screwing the first object into the second object 
until the first object is sufficiently locked in place. 
This technique may be effective where insufficient room exists outside the 
second object to accommodate a flange, but is still limited to 
applications where the cavity is circular in cross sectional area and 
where the screw threads on the first and second objects are in good shape. 
Furthermore, controlling the precise angular beginning and depth of 
threads formed on either the first or second objects may be difficult. 
Thus, the threading technique is further limited to applications which can 
tolerate a certain amount of variation in the relative angular orientation 
of the first object within the cavity of the second object, and the depth 
to which the first object is displaced within the second object. 
Still another technique for attaching a first object within a cavity of a 
second object uses a suitable adhesive. However, attachment with adhesives 
is limited to applications where suitable adhesives exist and where 
removal of the first object from the cavity is not anticipated. 
Yet another technique for attaching a first object within a second object 
having a cavity uses a combination of threading and various inserts. An 
insert placed inside the cavity may expand as the first object is screwed 
into it causing attachment of the first object by clamping forces exerted 
through the deformed insert and against the cavity walls. Alternatively, a 
slip ring surrounding the first object may be screwed into a threaded 
cavity also causing attachment through clamping. Since clamping forces are 
used to attach the two objects together, this technique provides more 
flexibility in alignment. However, special tools permitting the exertion 
of great forces on the first and second objects are often required, 
inserts may not be reusable, and the additional required slip rings and 
inserts are easily lost. 
Accordingly, the present invention provides an attachment apparatus that 
permits the attachment of a first object within a cavity of a second 
object without the use of flanges, inserts, or adhesives. Thus, the 
present invention allows the first object to be mounted entirely within 
the cavity, does not require the use of components which may be wasted or 
lost, and permits a multiplicity of removals and re-attachments. 
The present invention addresses concerns about the ease of attachment of 
the first object within the cavity of the second object. Accordingly, the 
present invention allows mounting the first object within the cavity of 
the second object without the use of special tools or the application of 
large forces. 
Another facet relates to permitting flexibility in both the angular 
alignment of the first object relative to the second object and the depth 
the first object is displaced within the second object. Thus, the present 
invention may be adapted for use with threading techniques, but it 
compensates for alignment problems which are characteristic of threading 
techniques. 
The present invention additionally places minimum requirements on the shape 
of the first object or the cavity in the second object. Consequently, the 
present invention may be employed with cavities which are not circular in 
cross-section. Further, if the present invention is used with a threading 
technique, it remains operative in spite of rusty or damaged threads. 
Moreover, the present invention need not damage threads which may exist on 
either the first or second objects. For example, the present invention may 
be installed on a first object which substitutes for a plug-like object 
where the plug-like object screws into a cavity in a second object. The 
first object which incorporates the present invention may attach within 
the cavity without damaging the cavity threads and limiting future use of 
the plug-like object. 
Further the present invention indicates by a simple inspection whether the 
first object is locked within the second object. Unlike adhesive and 
insert techniques, an installer of an object incorporating the present 
invention may ascertain that the object is in fact attached without 
testing the object's resistance to being removed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention are 
carried out in one form by an apparatus which includes a keeper positioned 
on an outward side of a first object which is to be attached within a 
cavity of a second object. The keeper contains at least one tooth, which 
protrudes outwardly from the first object, and a pin receptacle. A pin 
couples to the first object so that the pin can move relative to the first 
object, engage the keeper at the pin receptacle, impart a force to the 
keeper, and cause the keeper tooth to move outward. As the keeper tooth 
moves outward it contacts the second object within the cavity and causes 
the first object to become attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the cooperation of the 
various portions of one embodiment of the present invention. An anchor 10 
contains a cavity 12 therein. Cavity wall 14 forms the boundary between 
anchor 10 and cavity 12. In this specific embodiment cavity wall 14 has a 
screw thread 15 having a predetermined pitch formed thereon. Screw thread 
15 contains thread crests 16 which represent the portions of screw thread 
15 which are nearest the inside of cavity 12, and thread channels 18 which 
are furthest from the inside of cavity 12. 
Cavity 12 holds a device 20. Thus, anchor 10 and screw thread 15 surround 
device 20. An outward facing surface 22 represents a section of device 20 
which faces the outside of anchor 10, and a body 24 represents a section 
of device 20 which is enclosed between surface 22 and cavity wall 14. 
Surface 22 and body 24 have a common axis, represented as axis 26 in FIG. 
1. 
A side of device 20 which faces cavity wall 14 contains keeper chambers 28a 
and 28b. Additionally, device 20 contains cylindrical holes 30 extending 
from the head of device 20 to keeper chambers 28. In this embodiment screw 
threads 32 have been formed on the walls of cylindrical holes 30. 
Device 20 holds keepers 34a and 34b within keeper chambers 28a and 28b 
respectively so that keepers 34 mount between device 20 and anchor 10. 
Keepers 34 represent a specially shaped beam or platform which is 
substantially parallel to axis 26. It serves as a locking mechanism in the 
attachment of device 20 within cavity 12 and is discussed in more detail 
in connection with FIG. 2 hereinbelow. 
Straps 36 attach to device 20 and retain keepers 34 within keeper chambers 
28. Although keepers 34 are retained within keeper chambers 28, straps 36 
permit sufficient movement to allow keepers 34 to contact cavity wall 14. 
FIG. 1 shows keeper 34a in an unlocked position where it is entirely 
contained within keeper chamber 28a. FIG. 1 additionally shows keeper 34b 
in a locked position where a portion of keeper 34b has been moved outside 
of keeper chamber 28b causing keeper 34b to contact cavity wall 14. 
A pin 38 mates with cylindrical hole 30. Thus, a thread corresponding to 
screw thread 32 is formed around the outside of pin 38. Pin 38 has an 
engagement end 40 which is tapered in this embodiment. As pin 38 is 
screwed into cylindrical hole 30, engagement end 40 contacts keeper 34. As 
pin 38 is further screwed into cylindrical hole 30, a force is exerted 
upon keeper 34 in a direction that causes keeper 34 to move outward from 
device 20. The taper at engagement end 40 is one factor in causing this 
force to be directed outward. As pin 38 is screwed still further into 
cylindrical hole 30, keeper 34 contacts cavity wall 14 where keeper 34 
reaches a locked position. A person may observe that device 20 is locked 
in position by inspecting the position of pin 38 relative to surface 22 
and need not test the resistance of device 20 to removal. 
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of keeper 34. Keeper 34 represents a 
generally planar platform having four ends or sides and having various 
features which protrude away from the planar surface of the platform. A 
pivot end 42 opposes a toothed end 44. Both pivot end 42 and toothed end 
44 are generally parallel to a transverse axis shown as axis 56 in FIG. 2. 
When keeper 34 is in the locked position, toothed end 44 represents that 
end of keeper 34 which contacts cavity wall 14. Keeper 34 pivots around 
pivot end 42 as it moves between the locked and unlocked positions. 
First opposed side 46 and second opposed side 48 connect pivot end 42 with 
toothed end 44. When keeper 34 is installed within keeper chamber 28, both 
first opposed side 46 and second opposed side 48 are generally paralled to 
axis 26, as shown in FIG. 1. 
The toothed end section of first opposed side 46 contains first teeth 52, 
and the toothed end section of second opposed side 48 contains second 
teeth 54. Teeth 52 and 54 protrude away from the planar surface of keeper 
34 so that when keeper 34 is installed within keeper chamber 28 teeth 52 
and 54 face cavity wall 14. 
The shape and size of teeth 52 and 54 correspond to requirements set by the 
predetermined pitch of screw thread 15 formed in cavity wall 14. The 
distance between the tips of each tooth of teeth 52 and between each tooth 
of teeth 54 is equivalent to the distance between thread channels 18 on 
screw thread 15. This shape and size allows the tips of the teeth to 
engage the thread channels on screw thread 15 when keeper 34 is in the 
locked position. 
In this embodiment, teeth 52 are shifted in position along opposing side 46 
from the position of teeth 54 on opposing side 48. Thus, the shift is 
along a line which is substantially parallel to axis 26 when keeper 34 is 
installed within keeper chamber 28. Teeth 54 are positioned toward pivot 
end 42 a distance equivalent to one-half the pitch of screw thread 15. 
Accordingly, if a tip of one tooth from teeth 52 lies on transverse axis 
56, then a point half way between two of the teeth 54 also lies on 
transverse axis 56. 
The shifted position of teeth 52 from teeth 54 aids the alignment of device 
20 with anchor 10. As pin 38 engages keeper 34 causing keeper 34 to 
contact cavity wall 14, either teeth 52 or teeth 54 contact cavity wall 14 
before the other set of teeth. This first contact occurs because the tips 
of the contacting teeth will be aligned so that they are nearer thread 
crests 16 than are the non-contacting teeth. On the other hand, the tips 
of the non-contacting teeth will be more closely aligned with thread 
channels 18. As pin 38 causes keeper 34 to move closer toward cavity wall 
14, keeper 34 rotates about the contacting teeth until the non-contacting 
teeth mentioned above also contact cavity wall 14 near thread channels 18. 
At this point device 20 is locked in place within cavity 12 because thread 
crests 16 block removal of the tips of the teeth which contact thread 
channels 18. The rotation of keeper 34 to select the alternate tooth, 
which is more closely aligned with thread channels 18, for contact with 
thread channels 18 prevents the displacement of device 20 within cavity 12 
from becoming altered. The rotation also obviates the exertion of large 
forces against cavity wall 14. Since large forces are not needed to lock 
device 20 into cavity 12, special installation and removal tools are not 
needed and screw thread 15 is not damaged. 
In this embodiment pivot end 42 is displaced away from the planar surface 
of keeper 34 in the same direction as teeth 52 and 54. In this specific 
embodiment the tips of teeth 52 and 54 and pivot end 42 define a plane 
which is substantially parallel to the planar surface of keeper 34. 
Since pivot end 42 protrudes away from the planar surface of keeper 34, 
keeper 34 pivots around a point 58 inside keeper chamber 28 which is near 
the outside surface of device 20 rather than near an inside wall 60 of 
keeper chamber 28. The positioning of pivot end 42 aids removal of device 
20 from cavity 12 because it prevents keeper 34 from binding against the 
inside wall of keeper chamber 28 to hold device 20 in place after pin 38 
has been loosened. 
Keeper 34 additionally contains a ramp 50 centrally located at toothed end 
44 of keeper 34. Ramp 50 also protrudes away from the planar surface of 
keeper 34 in the same direction as teeth 52 and 54 at toothed end 44. 
However, ramp 50 slants toward the planar surface of keeper 34 as it 
extends toward the interior of keeper 34. When keeper 34 is installed in 
keeper chamber 28, ramp 50 slants inward toward the interior of body 24 of 
device 20 and away from surface 22 of device 20. 
Ramp 50 serves as a receptacle for pin 38 because it defines the position 
where pin 38 engages keeper 34. Ramp 50 additionally alters the direction 
of forces exerted by pin 38 on keeper 34 so that keeper 34 can move in the 
direction of cavity wall 14. 
In the present embodiment keeper 34 is constructed from a hardened material 
so that it does not easily deform when pin 38 causes it to contact cavity 
wall 14 or upon removal of device 20 from cavity 12. 
Although the foregoing uses one specific embodiment to describe the present 
invention, those skilled in the art will be able to apply the teachings of 
the present invention to many alternate embodiments which are intended to 
be included within the scope of the present invention. 
For example, one possible alternate embodiment does not require threads on 
either device 20 or cavity wall 14. In this first alternate embodiment 
cavity wall 14 is constructed from a softer material than keeper 34. The 
tips of the teeth on keeper 34 impale cavity wall 14 when keeper 34 is in 
the locked position thereby causing device 20 to become attached to anchor 
10. 
A second alternate embodiment might use a threaded device 20, but an 
unthreaded cavity wall 14. In this second alternate embodiment keeper 
chamber 28 is located in cavity wall 14, and keeper 34, strap 36, 
cylindrical hole 30, and pin 38 are all associated with anchor 10 instead 
of device 20 as shown in FIG. 1. 
A third alternate embodiment might replace strap 36 with any suitable 
retainer or mounting apparatus. As described above, keeper 34 both pivots 
about pivot end 42 and rotates to select either teeth 52 or teeth 54 for 
contact with thread channels 18. A retaining or mounting apparatus, such 
as loose fitting rivets or bolts, that permits this pivoting and rotation 
may suitably retain keeper 34. 
A fourth alternate embodiment might alter the cooperation of ramp 50 and 
pin 38. For example, cylindrical hole 30 may be slanted instead of ramp 
50. In this example keeper 34 does not need a feature which alters the 
direction of force exerted by pin 38 onto keeper 34 nor does engagement 
end 40 of pin 38 need to be tapered because the force exerted along the 
axis of pin 38 contains a directional component that causes keeper 34 to 
move toward cavity wall 14. Hence, keeper 34 needs only a receptacle for 
pin 38, such as a relatively small depression in the planar surface of 
keeper 34. 
A fifth alternate embodiment might incorporate a different technique for 
moving pin 38 relative to device 20. A ratcheting mechanism represents one 
different technique where force applied along the axis of pin 38 causes 
pin 38 to move relative to device 20 and remain in position after the 
force is removed. 
A sixth alternate embodiment might utilize a different number of keepers 
34. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows two keepers 34, the 
present invention is not limited to that particular quantity. For example, 
some applications may achieve a sufficient degree of attachment through 
the use of only one keeper 34. Other applications may require more than 
two keepers 34. If more than two keepers 34 are used, then the amount of 
shift between teeth 52 and teeth 54 may advantageously match the distance 
between adjacent thread crests 16, measured parallel to axis 26, divided 
by the number of keepers 34. Thus, the shift compensates for the pitch of 
screw thread 15 over a distance between two adjacent keepers 34.