Fastener for attaching objects to channeled members

A fastener for attaching objects to channeled members wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button and a retainer. The button includes an abutment wall, an abutment surface and an axially extending slot. The retainer includes an engagement boss and a head at opposite ends of shaft. The retainer extends through the button slot. For attaching the object, the button extends through the object hole with the abutment wall adjacent the object and the abutment surface adjacent the channeled member. The retainer boss and part of the shaft extend through the longitudinal slot. The retainer is rotated for engaging the longitudinal walls with the boss. The longitudinal walls are sandwiched between the boss and the button abutment surface and the object is sandwiched between the channeled member and the button abutment wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of fasteners. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fastener for attaching objects having a hole extending therethrough to a channeled member such as a T-slot member.

Channeled structural members such as T-slot extrusion members are today commonly used for assembly of various structures and things. The channeled members include a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. Objects such as flat planar members, shelves, hooks, etc. are oftentimes secured to the channeled. members.

Fasteners are used to attach such objects to the channeled members. Such fasteners typically take the form of a bolt adapted to extend through a hole in the object and into the channeled member slot. A nut is located within the slot and is drawn onto the bolt for engaging the channeled member projecting walls and thereby frictionally engaging the projecting walls and attaching the object thereto. As is known to those skilled in the art, the use of such currently known fasteners is cumbersome and time consuming.

It is, therefore, desirable to provide an improved fastener for attaching objects, and particularly objects having a planar portion, to channeled members and wherein the fastener can easily and quickly be used and the object can effectively and reliably be secured to the channel member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form thereof the present invention is directed to a fastener for attaching objects to channeled members, wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal. The fastener includes a button adapted to extend through the object hole and having an abutment wall adapted to abut the object. The fastener also includes a retainer operatively associated with the button and adapted to rotate about an axis. The retainer includes an engagement boss adapted to extend through the channeled member slot and also, upon rotation of the retainer about the axis, engage the projecting walls whereby the object is sandwiched between the button abutment wall and the channeled member.

In another form thereof, the present invention is directed to a fastener for attaching objects to channeled members, wherein the objects have a hole extending therethrough and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button adapted to extend through the object hole and to be attached to the object. The button has an abutment surface adapted to abut the channeled member. The fastener also includes a retainer operatively associated with the button and adapted to rotate about an axis. The retainer includes an engagement boss adapted to extend through the channeled member slot and also, upon rotation of the retainer about the axis, engage the projecting walls thereof, whereby the channeled member walls are sandwiched between the button abutment surface and the engagement boss.

In yet another form thereof the present invention is directed to a fastener for attaching objects to channeled members, wherein the objects have a planar portion and a hole extending through the planar portion and the channeled members have a longitudinal slot formed between projecting longitudinal walls. The fastener includes a button adapted to extend through the planar portion hole and has an abutment wall adapted to abut the planar portion. The fastener also includes a retainer operatively associated with the button and adapted to rotate about an axis. The retainer includes an engagement boss adapted to extend through the channeled member slot and also, upon rotation of the retainer about the axis, engage the projecting walls thereof, whereby the object planar portion is sandwiched between the button abutment wall and the channeled member.

Preferably, the button further includes an abutment surface adapted to abut the channeled member and wherein, upon rotation of the retainer about the axis, the channeled member walls are sandwiched between the button abutment surface and the engagement boss. The button can include alignment tabs adapted to extend into the channeled member slot. Also preferably, the retainer further includes a raised step adapted to engage a button surface when the retainer is rotated about the axis, whereby a retainer portion between the engagement boss and the button is placed in tension. The retainer engagement boss can further include a rounded surface adapted to slidingly engage and raise the engagement boss over the projecting walls, whereby a retainer portion between the engagement boss and the button is placed in tension. Further preferably, the retainer can include a stop surface adapted to engage a channeled member projecting wall when the retainer is rotated about the axis thereby preventing further rotation of the retainer. The button may also include a shoulder adapted to engage the object and retain the button thereon prior to the rotation of the retainer about the axis. Yet further preferably, the button includes an axially extending slot, the retainer includes a head at a terminal end opposite the engagement boss and the retainer extends through the button slot and the head abuts the button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIGS. 1 and 2, a fastener constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral10. As further described hereinbelow, fastener10is used for attaching objects12to channeled structural members14. Objects12can be flat panels as, for example, shown inFIGS. 1 and 2and can take on many other forms and structures including but not limited to hooks, shelves, partitions, screens, etc. Objects12can be made of various materials including but not limited to plastics, wood, steel, rubber, etc.

Referring now also toFIG. 19, objects12are adapted for use with the fastener10by providing a hole16extending through a planar portion18thereof. Planar portion18includes inner and outer surfaces20,22defining a planar portion thickness PT. For accommodating planar portions18having a thickness less than PT, washers of various thickness (not show) can be added adjacent the planar portion. In this manner, an effective thickness PT can be provided for use with fastener10as more fully described hereinbelow. Hole16preferably includes chamfered edges24along the inner and outer surfaces20,22and has a diameter HD.

The channeled structural members14can be T-slot structural extrusions which are today ell known and commercially available. InFIG. 2the object12is shown secured with fasteners10to T-slot structural extrusions14having four longitudinally extending slots26extending along sides/surfaces28which together form a square when viewed from a terminal end thereof or in cross-section. Channeled structural members/T-slot structural members14are made of materials such as aluminum, plastic, steel, etc. by extrusion, machining, assembly, etc. in a known and customary manner and can, of course, include a single side28with a single slot26or multiple sides28with corresponding slots26.

Each of the longitudinal slots26is formed between projecting longitudinally extending walls30and leads to a longitudinally extending cavity32. Each of the longitudinally extending walls30is defined by an exterior side surface28, an interior wall surface34and a terminal nosing36. An outside rounded edge surface38is provided between the exterior side surface28and the terminal nosing36, and an interior rounded edge surface40is provided between the interior wall surface34and the terminal nosing36.

The fastener10comprises a button42and a retainer44which are assembled together and cooperate with one another to engage and secure an object12to a channeled structural member14. More particularly, fastener10is adapted to extend through a hole16and secure the planar portion18of object12to the channeled structural member14by also extending through a slot26and clamping onto the walls30thereof.

Referring now more particularly toFIGS. 3 through 8, the fastener button portion42includes a longitudinal axis46. Button42comprises a disk shaped section48and an axially aligned integrally formed barrel section50. Disk section48includes an annular frustoconical abutment wall52defined by an inner frustoconical surface54, an outer frustoconical surface56and an annular abutment surface58therebetween. When attaching a planar portion18to a channeled structural member14, the planar portion18is sandwiched between the structural member exterior side surface28and the disk shaped section48with the annular surface58of frustoconical wall52abutting the outer surface72of the planar portion18.

A disk shaped depression60extends into the button disk shaped section48from the outer frustoconical surface56to a disk shaped surface62an axial distance defined by a frustoconical surface64. Radial location indicating grooves66are provided and extend into the abutment wall52from the outer frustoconical surface56. Grooves66provide a visual indication of the radial position of button42relative to the object12and channeled member14.

A rectangular slot68is provided and extends from the disk shaped surface62through the disk shaped section48and through the barrel section50. A pair of half-moon shaped projections70are thereby defined at the barrel section50with the rectangular slot68extending therebetween. Projections70are mirror images of one another and essentially identical. Each projection70includes an outer cylindrical surface72extending axially from the inner frustoconical surface54. The cylindrical surfaces72or both projections70define a cylinder having diameter which is adapted to be received within the hole16of the planar portion18. The terminal end abutment surfaces74of the projections70are adapted to abut a channeled member exterior side surface28. Alignment tabs76extend axially from the terminal end surfaces74and include a rounded surface78adapted to abut an outside rounded edge surface38of a projecting longitudinal wall30.

Semicircular shoulders80are located adjacent the terminal end surfaces74and project radially beyond the outer cylindrical surfaces72a distance slightly greater than the hole16diameter HD. Shoulders80are adapted to abut the inner surface20of the planar portion18or, more preferably, the chamfered edge24between the inner surface20and the hole16for thereby detachably retaining the fastener button42on the planar portion18.

Each projection70further includes a slot surface82extending from the disk shaped surface62, through the annular abutment wall52and the projections70, and also along the alignment tabs76. The slot surfaces82of each projection70are joined at the disk shaped section48by connecting surfaces84. An axially extending trough86is recessed into each projection70along its slot surface82and is centered between the connecting surfaces84.

Referring now more particularly toFIGS. 9 through 14, the fastener retainer portion44includes a longitudinal axis88. When retainer44is received through and is assembled with the button42, the longitudinal axis46of button42and the longitudinal axis88of retainer44are collinear. Retainer44comprises a tool engagement head90, a rectangular shaped engagement boss92and a shaft integrally secured with and extending between the head90and the boss92.

Tool engagement head90is adapted to be received within the disk shaped depression60of the button disk shaped section48and, in this regard, includes a frustoconical surface96shaped similar to but being radially smaller than frustoconical surface64. A disk shaped surface98extends radially interior of the inside edge of the frustoconical surface96and perpendicular to the axis88. Raised step100extends above the surface98and is defined by a generally rectangular shaped ledge102and step surface104. Rectangular shaped step100is slightly smaller than the rectangular shaped slot68and, when retainer44is assembled with the button42and is in its detached position, the disk shaped surface98abuts the disk shaped surface62and the step100extends into the rectangular slot68. However, when retainer44is rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis88and placed in its attached position, the step surface104abuts the disk shaped surface62thereby axially displacing the disk shaped surface98from the disk shaped surface62a distance equal to the ledge102. SeeFIG. 20.

An exterior generally cylindrical surface106extends interior of the outside edge of the frustoconical surface96. A tool engagement slot108extends from the surface106into the tool engagement head90and is adapted to be engaged with a tool such as a screwdriver or a coin whereby the retainer44can be rotated about its longitudinal axis88. Of course, other tool engagement shapes can be formed into the head90for accommodating other toots including but not limited to, for example, phillips screwdriver slots, a hex bolt head, etc.

Rectangular shaped engagement boss92forms a T-shape with the shaft94. Boss92is defined by a rear end terminal surface110, left and right side surfaces112,114, abutment surfaces116,117and T-end surfaces118. Preferably, the rear end surface110and the T-end surfaces118are joined by angled surfaces120so that, when the retainer44is rotated to its attached position as shown inFIG. 2, the angled surfaces120accommodate the shape of and allow the boss92to better fit within the longitudinal extending cavities32of common T-slot extrusion members14.

A rounded surface122is provided between the right side surface114and the abutment surface116, and a rounded surface124is provided between the left side surface112and the abutment surface117. When retainer44is rotated from its detached position as shown inFIG. 19whereat boss92is aligned with the longitudinal slot26to its attached position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 20whereat boss92is perpendicular to the longitudinal slot26, rounded surfaces122,124slide against the interior rounded edge surfaces40for thereby smoothly transitioning the abutment surfaces116,117over and onto the interior wall surfaces34of the T-slot extrusion members14.

A left side stop surface126is provided perpendicular to and adjacent the abutment surface116axially along the shaft94, and a right side stop surface128is provided perpendicular to and adjacent the abutment surface117axially along the shaft94. When the retainer44is rotated from its detached position as shown inFIG. 19whereat boss92is aligned with the longitudinal slot26to its attached position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 20whereat boss92is perpendicular to the longitudinal slot26, the left and right side stop surfaces126,128abut the terminal nosing36of the T-slot projecting longitudinal wills30thereby further rotation of the retainer44and also providing the user of the fastener10a positive tactile indication that the retainer is, in fact, in its attached position.

It is noted that as best seen inFIGS. 10,12and14, the rectangular shaped engagement boss92is radially aligned with the rectangular shaped raised step100. The rectangular shaped boss92is also slightly smaller than the rectangular shaped slot68whereby it can be received therethrough. Also, the shaft94diameter SD is sized so that the shaft94is slindingly received and retained between and within the axially extending troughs86of the projections70and so that the shaft94is rotatable about its longitudinal axis88.

The shaft axial distance SX extending between the abutment surfaces116,117of the retainer44and the annular abutment surface58of the button42in its free state as shown inFIGS. 9-14is slightly less than the overall added thickness of a longitudinal wall30and the thickness PT of the planar portion18. More particularly and yet more preferably, after the retainer44is received in and assembled with the button42, in their detached position and free state as shown inFIG. 19, the axial distance PX between the terminal end surfaces74and the annular abutment surface58is slightly less than the thickness PT of the planar portion18, and the axial distance WX between the abutment surfaces116,117and the terminal end surfaces74is slightly less than the thickness of the longitudinal walls30. As should now be appreciated, in this manner, when retainer44is placed in its attached position as shown inFIG. 20, longitudinal watts30are sandwiched and clamped/compressed between the abutment surfaces116,117and the terminal end surfaces74and the object planar portion18is sandwiched and clamped/compressed between the structural member exterior side surface28and annular abutment surface58.

As should now also be appreciated, fastener10is assembled by inserting the abutment boss92and shaft94through the depression60of the tool engagement head90and through the rectangular slot68between the projections70and placing the raised step102into the rectangular slot68and the surface98adjacent the surface62. For attaching the planar portion18to the channeled structural member14, either before or after the assembly of button42and retainer44, the button projections70are inserted through the planar portion hole16causing the semicircular shoulders82to abut the hole chamfered edges24along the inner surface20of the planar portion18. The engagement boss92is then inserted into the structural member longitudinal slot26and the cavity32, as shown inFIG. 19, causing the alignment tabs76to at least partially project into the slot26and placing the planar portion inner surface20adjacent the structural member exterior surface28.

The tool engagement slot108is then engaged with a tool and the retainer44is rotated clockwise 90° about its longitudinal axis88until the stop surfaces126,128abut a respective terminal nosing36. As the retainer44is rotated, the rounded surfaces122,124slidingly engage respective interior rounded edge surfaces40and, in view of the dimensions mentioned hereinabove, cause the engagement boss92to be axially displaced away from the button disk shaped section48and the retainer head90. In the final attachment position as shown inFIG. 20whereat boss92is located perpendicular to the longitudinal slot26and the boss abutment surfaces116,117abut the interior wall surfaces34of the channeled structural member14, the shaft94is placed in tension thereby axially expanding, and both the engagement boss92and the frustoconical abutment wall52flex axially. Accordingly, the longitudinal walls30of the channeled structural member14are sandwiched and clamped/compressed between the abutment surfaces116,117and the terminal end surfaces74of the button42, and the object planar portion18is sandwiched and clamped/compressed between the structural member exterior side surface28and the annular abutment surface58of button42.

As should now be appreciated, in the attachment position, the planar portion18and object12are securely attached to the channeled structural member14with the fastener10. However, one skilled in the art should now also appreciate that, by controlling and varying the several dimensions described hereinabove, the compression stress on the planar portion18can be controlled and increased or eliminated as may be needed or desired. Similarly, the clamping/compressive force applied to the structural member longitudinal walls30can be decreased or increased as may be needed for less or more securely attaching the fastener10thereto.

Should it be desired to detach the object12from the channeled structural member14, the above described attachment process can simply be reversed and the fastener10can be removed from the channeled structural member14and the planar portion18.

Finally, it is noted that button42and retainer44are preferably made by injection molding although it is contemplated that they can also be made by other manufacturing methods including, for example, cast forming, 3D printing, machining, etc. Button42and retainer44are preferably made of nylon or other plastics although it is contemplated that they can also be made of other materials including steel, copper, etc.