Fastening device

Abstract: A fastening device comprises a connecting member (8) and a body (1), an object to be secured typically being attached to the connecting member (8), and the body (1) being installed, at a fixed location (25). To secure the object, an end (11) of the connecting member (8) must be inserted through an opening (6) in the body (1) for engagement with a retaining means (3) after the retaining means (3) has been temporarily moved away from its operating position. An actuating means (13), which may be hidden, is used for release of the object, and may require some skill for operation. Installation of the body (1) is described in relation to one embodiment of the invention.

Description: This invention relates to a fastening device, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fastening device for resisting removal of objects by thieves or vandals. Presently in the construction industry, for example, it is usual to secure objects in a concrete footing to prevent unauthorised removal. However, when it is desired to replace or repair the object, considerable time, resources and effort have to be used in removing the concrete. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a releasable fastening device for securing a post to the ground comprises a connecting member having a holding portion in the form of a ring, a body to be fixed to the ground, having a bore therein which is inclined in use of the device, and a ball movable downwardly along the bore, under the action of its own weight, the ball having an operative position in the bore in which it is engageable with the ring so as to prevent separation of the connecting member therefrom, the body comprising a further bore for receiving a releasing means for moving the ball temporarily away from its operative position. Typically an object to be secured is attached to the connecting member, and the anchorage body is firmly installed at a fixed location. After engagement between the retaining ball and the connecting member, subsequent operation of the releasing means by an authorised person will enable the object to be removed from the fixed location with minimum difficulty. In addition to use in the construction industry, an example of a further use of the invention is for preventing unauthorised removal of valuable goods from shops. Still another use is for securing valuable or vulnerable garden ornaments or furniture. The anchorage body of the device is desirably provided with an opening which intersects with the bore so as to enable an elongate connecting member to be inserted within the anchorage body for engagement with the retaining ball. The device may be conveniently provided with displacing means for moving the retaining ball away from its engaging position during insertion of the connecting member, but allowing the ball to return to the engaging position under the action of its own weight to engage the connecting member after insertion. The displacing means conveniently comprises a camming surface on the connecting member. Alternatively the displacing means may comprise the releasing means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting member comprises balking means for urging the retaining ball against a stop to ensure that the retaining ball remains in the engaging position when an attempt is made to remove the connecting member from engagement with the retaining ball. The stop may conveniently comprise an end wall of the bore. Alternatively to said balking means, or in addition, the wall of the bore may be shaped so as to urge the retaining ball against the stop when attempting to remove the connecting member. Furthermore, the connecting member may desirably be adjustable after engagement with the retaining ball. For example, using screw-threaded means, so as to tighten the engagement between the lower end of the connecting member and the retaining ball. The elongate connecting member is preferably provided with an outwardly directed surface conveniently comprising the camming surface of the displacing means, with an inwardly directed surface comprising a camming surface to form said balking means. The releasing means preferably comprises a striking member which is operated, either manually or by other means such as electrically driven solenoid means, to strike the retaining ball so as to move the retaining ball away from its engaging position. The device may be configured such that a certain level of skill is required by a person in order to co-ordinate the operation of the actuating means and removal of the connecting member, before the retaining ball returns to its engaging position. Operation of the actuating means may desirably be adjustable. The anchorage body of the device may conveniently comprise a plastics moulding. For use in an exposed location, the anchorage body is preferably provided with a drainage channel to prevent the bore filling with water. To resist ingress of water and solids, the opening of the bore is preferably provided with a cover. According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of installing the anchorage body, of a device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, at a fixed location comprises forming a hole to receive a concrete footing, placing the anchorage body in the hole together with a channel means extending above the anchorage body, and casting the footing around the anchorage body and the channel means such that the channel means remains open to allow insertion of the elongate connecting member into the anchorage body. A control link is preferably also provided between the anchorage body and the surface of the ground, or between the anchorage body and a point near to the surface of the ground, for engaging the releasing means. By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the body of the device in a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the body in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the body in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the connecting member of the device in the first embodiment; Figure 5 is a rear view of the connecting member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view in section showing an assembly of the device in the first embodiment; Figure 7 is a partially sectioned view showing the first stage in installing the body of the device; Figure 8 is a partially sectioned view showing the second stage in installing the body of the device; Figure 9 is a partially sectioned view showing the third stage in installing the body of the device; Figure 10 is a partially sectioned view showing the fourth stage in installing the body of the device; Figure 11 is a partially sectioned view showing the fifth stage in installing the body of the device; Figure 12 is a partially sectioned view showing the sixth stage in installing the body of the device; and Figure 13 is a side view in section showing an assembly of the device in a second embodiment, without the connecting member being in place. Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6, the body of the device comprises a plastics moulding in the form of a block 1 having an inclined main bore 2 which contains a retaining means in the form of a stainless steel ball 3. The opening of the bore is sealed by a cover 4 to prevent the ball dropping out prior to installation, and to prevent the ingress of water and solids through the opening after installation. However, in case water should enter by any other opening, a drainage outlet 5 is provided towards the lower end of the bore. Communicating between the bore 2 and the upper face of the block 1 is a slot 6 which intersects both the bore 2 and the drainage outlet 5. The slot 6 provides access to the bore 2 for the connecting member 8 shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The rim of the opening of the slot 6 at the surface of the block 1 is provided with a chamfer 6a to facilitate insertion of the connecting member 8 in use. Coaxial with the main bore 2 is a relatively small bore 7' which connects bore 2 with the outside and provides access for a striker member in the form of a pin (not shown). Co-planar with bore 7', but at an angle of about 60° thereto, is an alternative bore 7" of similar small diameter to that of 7'. This provides access for a striker member in an alternative arrangement of the device. Screw holes 15 may be provided in the sides of the block 1 for use in installation, as described hereinafter. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the upper end of the connecting member 8 in this embodiment comprises a threaded portion 9 which may be screwed into the object to be secured (such as a post 10, the lower end of which is illustrated in Figure 12) in order to join the object to the connecting member prior to use of the device. Also prior to use of the device, the block 1 will have been installed at a fixed location as described hereinafter. The lower end 11 of the connecting member 8 comprises a ring 12, the function of which will now be described with reference to Figure 6. When it is desired to secure the object, the lower end 11 of the connecting member 8 is inserted into the slot 6 of block 1, until ring 12 is locked by ball 3 in the position shown in Figure 6. In doing this, the ball 3 must be displaced upwardly along the bore 2 from the operating position shown in Figure 6, in order to allow ring 12 of the connecting member to pass across the bore 2 to the final position shown in Figure 6. This displacement is achieved by provision of displacing means in the form of a camming surface 12a forming a lower, outwardly directed surface of the ring 12. The direction of insertion of the connecting member 8 is defined by the axis 6b of the slot 6, and camming surface 12a is angled with respect to axis 6b as shown in Figure 6, such that ball 3 is deflected upwardly along bore 2 when camming surface 12a engages with the ball 3 during insertion. Only when the ring has reached the position shown in Figure 6 is the ball 3 free to roll through the ring 12 back to its starting position, thus achieving the locked condition illustrated in Figure 6. If an improper attempt is now made to withdraw the connecting member 8, engagement between the ball and a lower, inwardly directed camming surface 12b of the ring 12 ensures that the ball is wedged against a stop comprised by the lower end wall 2a of the bore 2, such that it is forced to remain inside the ring 12 as illustrated in Figure 6, so preventing the connecting member from being removed. In order to achieve authorised removal of the connecting member 8 from body 1, the striking member (not shown) located in either bore 7' or 7" must be operated to strike ball 3 and drive it upwardly along bore 2 towards the cover 4. The brief interval during which the ball remains in the upper portion of the bore 2 is sufficient to raise connecting member 8 to a position in which the ball can no longer pass back through the ring to lock it in position. The connecting member 8 can then be removed fully from the block 1 so that the object attached to the connecting member can be taken away. The striking member may be operated by manual, electrical or other actuating means. Manual actuating means are utilised in the second embodiment as shown in Figure 13 in a view which corresponds generally to the view of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6. Like reference numerals have been used for like parts in Figures 6 and 13. In Figure 13 the striking member, which is in the form of a pin, is indicated by reference 13. The striking member 13 is housed in bore 7, and the enlarged opening 7a of the bore 7 is covered by a flexible plate 14. If the centre of plate 14 is hit, for example with the foot, it will distort within enlarged opening 7a so as to project striking member 13 forwardly against ball 3 so driving ball 3 up the inclined bore 2 towards cover 4. Return of striking member 13 from its forward position to the position shown in Figure 13 is achieved by the action of a return spring 15 on a lug 13a on the striking member 13. In order to withdraw the connecting member 8 after hitting plate 14 and before ball 3 has returned to its former position, a basic level of skill is required to coordinate hitting of plate 14 and withdrawal of connecting member 8. Installation of the block 1 of the first embodiment for securing a post 10 (see Figure 12) will now be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. The first stage in the installation is to dig a hole 20 in the ground to receive a concrete footing. The hole is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 7 with the front wall cut away for clarity. The hole 20 is extended to one side by a slot 21, the base of which runs at approximately 45° to the horizontal. The second stage, shown in Figure 8, is to place the block 1 approximately centrally at the base of the hole, and to ensure that it is level, with the opening of slot 6 in the block facing upwards. Next a control link 22 is positioned so that it extends from an attachment with the opening to bore 7" on the block 1 to the surface of the ground, or near to the surface of the ground, along slot 21. The next stage in the installation, illustrated in Figure 9, is to place a channel member 23 over the block. The front wall of channel member 23 is shown cut away in the drawing for clarity, but is in fact a tubular member of square cross-section, which is apparent in Figure 10. A slot 24 is provided one side wall of the channel member 23, extending from the lower edge thereof, in order to allow the channel member to pass over the control link 22. In the embodiment shown, the channel member may be joined to the body 1 using screws fastened in holes 15 in the body. However, the channel member may be joined to the body in other ways. For example the channel member and body may be formed to snap-fit together. The final stage in installation of the block 1 is to cast the concrete footing 25 around channel member 23 and the communication link 22, as shown in Figure 11, and to cover slot 21 for the communication link, or to fill it with earth, concrete or other suitable material according to requirements. For example, if it is desired for the communication link to project permanently above the ground, it may be held in place by pouring concrete into slot 21. Alternatively, it may be desirable for the end of the communication link to be hidden below the surface of the ground, so that it can be operated only by persons aware of its location. In this case, the communication link could be covered with earth, the earth being used to fill the slot 21. When the concrete has set, the device is ready for use. To secure a post of square section as shown in Figure 10, for example, the connecting member 8 is fastened centrally in the lower end of the post, with the ring 12 of the connecting member oriented transversely. The end of the post can then be lowered into channel member 23 so that ring 12 enters the slot 6 in block 1 and becomes locked in position by the ball 3. The post can only be removed thereafter by use of control link 22 to operate the striking member located in bore 7" of the block 1.

Claims: A releasable fastening device (1) for securing a post to the ground comprising a connecting member (8) having a holding portion in the form of a ring (12), a body (1) to be fixed to the ground, having a bore (2) therein which is inclined in use of the device, and a ball (3) movable downwardly along the bore, under the action of its own weight, the ball (3) having an operative position in the bore (2) in which it is engageable with the ring (12) so as to prevent separation of the connecting member (8) therefrom, the body comprising a further bore (7) for receiving a releasing means (13) for moving the ball (3) temporarily away from its operative position. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the body is provided with an opening (6) which intersects with the bore (2) so as to enable the connecting member to be inserted within the body for engagement with the ball. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, provided with displacing means (12a) for moving the ball away from its operative position during insertion of the connecting member, but allowing the ball to return to the operative position under the action of its own weight to engage the connecting member after insertion. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the displacing means comprises a camming surface (12a) on the connecting member. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting member comprises balking means (12b) for urging the ball against a stop (2a) to ensure that the ball remains in the operative position when an attempt is made to remove the connecting member from engagement with the ball. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the stop comprises an end wall (2a) of the bore. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting member is adjustable after engagement with the ball so as to tighten the engagement between the connecting member and the ball. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which an outwardly directed surface (12a) of the holding portion comprises said camming surface. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which an inwardly directed surface (12b) of the holding portion comprises a camming surface which forms said balking means. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the releasing means comprises a striking member (13) for striking the ball so as to move the ball away from its operative position. A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the striking member is driven by solenoid means. A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the striking member is manually driven. A device as claimed in claim 12, in which said further bore (7) is closed at the outer end thereof by a flexible plate, which can be manually distorted (for example by hitting with the foot) so as to drive the striking member against the ball to move the ball away from its operative position so enabling separation of the connecting member therefrom. A device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, in which the striking member comprises a pin. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the body comprises a plastics moulding. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the body is provided with a drainage channel (5) to prevent the bore filling with water. A method of installing at a fixed location the body of the device claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising forming a hole (20) to receive a concrete footing (25), placing the body (1) in the hole together with a channel means (23) extending above the body, and casting the footing around the body and the channel means such that the channel means remains open to allow insertion of the connecting member into the body. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which a control link (22) for operating said releasing means is provided between the body and the surface of the ground. A method as claimed in claim 17, in which a control link for operating said releasing means is provided between the body and a point near to the surface of the ground.

Inventors: GOODLAND CHRISTOPHER ALAN, GOODLAND, CHRISTOPHER ALAN
Applicants: GOODLAND CHRISTOPHER ALAN, GOODLAND, CHRISTOPHER ALAN
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E05B73
IPC codes: E05B15, E05B35, E05B73