Abstract:
A fastening device for the connection of two bodies having aligned openings therein utilizing two members having facing inclined surfaces and projections engaging the lip of an opening such that an impact force creates a wedging action resulting in firmly securing the two bodies.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 559,329; Filed, Mar. 17, 1975, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,621. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel fastening device for use in holding one body to another and particularly useful in the construction of iron work. 
     The earliest fasteners, devised to solve the age old problem of connecting one body to another, includes screws, bolts and nuts, anchors, nails, spikes and the like. Since the advent of the inclined plane, the strain and force of a wedge as a fastener has been realized. However, it has been difficult to control the great forces produced by wedging action and the damage resulting from frictional engagement with the members to be fastened. Also, a simple wedge has a tendency to loosen with the lapse of time because of the reduction of the normal force of friction as a result of warping and deformation of the wedged members. 
     Previous devices have been partially successful but are not considered adaptable to a variety of applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention a fastening device is provided for the connection of a first body to a second body, both bodies having alignable openings, therein. 
     The device includes a first member having a projection such as a hook, nub, and the like which engages the first body and holds it against the lip of the opening in the second body. A second member, which may be detachably connected to said first member, likewise includes a projection for holding the first body against the lip of the opening in the second body. Both members have inclined surfaces that face one another. The administration of an impact force on at least one member causes the detachment of the members, when that embodiment is employed, and in any case causes the inclined surface to slide upon one another. 
     The sliding action between the inclined surfaces creates a spreading or wedging action on the walls of the openings. Thus, the members fit snugly within the opening and exert a force upon the surrounding walls. The projections firmly hold the first body to the second body. 
     Serrations may be placed on the member surfaces engaging the walls of the openings as well as a portion of the inclined surface. 
     Where the members are connected to form a unit, such unit may be conveniently placed within the openings by the user and positioned with one hand. The device will support itself on at least three points for the sake of stability. The connectable members may be constructed such that the connection part or neck of one member fits with a recess of the other member after importing the impact force. 
     An alternate embodiment the device includes a first member having an end portion and a second member with opposing inclined surfaces. In addition, the second member includes an angularly disposed end portion. In operation the end portion of said first member pushes the angularly disposed end portion of said second member against the wall of the openings. The interaction of the end portions tends to straighten the angularly disposed end portion of the second member. This action forces the second member against opposite walls in the openings. In addition, the alternate embodiment includes inclined surfaces to further wedge the first and second members within the aligned opeinings. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening device which will connect two bodies together quickly and easily. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastening device employing the wedging principle without incurring the disadvantages of a single wedge. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fastening means to connect two bodies having alignable openings therebetween by utilizing a pair of members disposed in opposition with the openings and each member possessing an inclined surface that rides upon one another when an impact force is delivered to the members. The sliding of the inclined surfaces produces a wedging force which securly fixes the first body to the second body. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastening device useable in the construction of iron work such as railings and the like. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which may be mass produced by an extrusion process instead of casting. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to produce a fastening device useable to fasten together two bodies at oblique angles as well as bodies positioned at right angles to the fastener. 
     The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
     For better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the device before application of the impact force. 
     FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the device after application of the impact force. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the device after application of the impact force of two bodies affixed at an oblique angle. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the device before application of impact force. 
     FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6 after application of the impact force. 
     FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the device after application of the impact force of the alternate embodiment having two members affixed at oblique angles. 
     FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The fastening device as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10. The device includes a first member 12 and a second member 14. The members may be constructed separately but are shown in FIG. 1 as connected together by neck 16. The device 10 may be employed to fasten any bodies together but as depicted in the drawings, the device fixes body 18 to body 20. The bodies preferably include openings, such as opening 22 and opening 24, respectively associated with body 18 and body 20. 
     The openings 22 and 24 align, allowing at least portions of members 12 and 14 to position within the openings. The device 10 may also be shaped such that it provides its own openings upon impartation of an impact force. However, the preferred embodiment requires that aligned openings 22 and 24 be furnished by a suitable means known in the art. 
     The members 12 and 14 include inclined surfaces 26 and 28 that face one another and slide upon one another, which will be more fully described as a specification continues. The upper part of members 12 and 14 include projections 30 and 32 that hold a portion of the body 18 to the body 20. As may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the undersurfaces of projections 30 and 32 are oriented approximately parallel to the surface of body 18. Where the surfaces of bodies 18a and 20a intersect the wall engaging surfaces 34a and 36a at oblique angles, the undersurfaces of projections 30a and 32a may be fashioned to complement such angle, resulting in the above described parallel disposition of projections 30 and 32 and body 18. This embodiment of the present invention, device 10a FIGS. 4 and 5, is particularly useful in the installation of railings and the like on stairways, ramps and similar areas. 
     The device 10, having detachable connected members 12 and 14, may be easily formed of aluminum by an extrusion process, as well as by casting; both familiar to persons skilled in the art. 
     As depicted by FIGS. 1 - 3, the device 10 fits snugly in openings 22 and 24 which are rectangular in cross-sectional configurations, since the surfaces 34 and 36 are rectangularly shaped. The surfaces 34 and 36 may be of a rounded shape to fit into round openings, or any other shape conforming to the configuration of the opening. For instance, openings 22a and 24a have a trapezoidal configuration, FIG. 5. 
     The surfaces 34 and 36 contain serrations to grip the walls of the openings 22 and 24 when the device 10 has been pounded into position, as shown by FIG. 2. 
     One of the inclined surfaces 26 and 28 also includes a serration 42 (depicted on surface 26 of the FIGS. 1-4) along a portion of the same. The serration 42 serves the purpose of fixing the inclined surfaces together during implacement of the device 10. 
     Member 14 includes an angularly disposed leg 43 forming a chamber or recess 44 between member 12 and the wall of opening 24. Recess 44 encloses the portion of neck 16 still attached to member 12 after detachment of the neck. Leg 43 has a serration 46 which grips the wall of opening 24 to reinforce holding force of the device 10 insuring a tight fit. 
     In operation (FIG. 1), the user places device 10 within the openings 22 and 24. The embodiment, having detachably connected members 12 and 14, will be supported in an upright position at points 48, 50 and 52. The stability of this support allows the user to impart the placement force with one hand. It should be noted that the upper portion of the surface 36 does not engage the wall of opening 24 at this stage in the placement of device 10. Projection 32 aids in the support of device 10 within the openings 22 and 24. 
     A force imparting instrument such as hammer 54 pounds the device 10 into place within openings 22 and 24. The hammer 54 initially strikes member 12 but may strike both members at the terminus of the blow. When members 12 and 14 are attached, neck 16 breaks away and enters recess 44. The inclined surfaces 26 and 28 slide upon one another as member 12 moves downward into the openings 22 and 24. The surfaces 34 and 36 push against the walls of openings 22 and 24, and the previously spaced upper portion of the device 10 adjacent the lip of the opening 22 in body 18, wedges firmly against the walls of the openings 22. Thus, a wedging action has been created causing the device 10 to fit snugly within openings 22 and 24 to securely hold body 18 to body 20 using projections 30 and 32. Additional gripping action derives from serrations 38, 40, 42 and 46 which bite into the wall surfaces of openings 22 and 24. 
     With reference to the alternate embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, similar wedging occurs in placing the device 10a. 
     Another embodiment (FIGS. 6 - 8) of the device 10b employes a first member 12b a second member 14b having projections 30b and 32b respectively for holding a portion of the first body 18b to the lip of the opening of the second body 20b. The first and second member 12b and 14b have inclined surfaces 26b and 28b respectively, in the order of 30 (FIG. 6). 
     The second member 14b includes an end portion 60 angularly disposed in relation to the axis of the second member 14b. Serrations 62 and 64 engage one another (FIG. 7) which will be more fully described as the specification continues. It should be noted that serration 64 is part of inclined surface 28b. End portion 60 may have serrations 66 at its end to engage the wall of body 20b. 
     Neck 16b breakably connects members 12b and 14b. Serrations 36b are located on the surface 36b of member 14b which engages the wall of opening 24b. 
     In operation, the user impacts the tope of first member 12b. The members 12b and 14b separate and engage one another along inclined surfaces 26b and 28b, as member 12b moves into openings 22b and 24b. The surfaces 34b and 36b push against the walls of openings 22b and 24b. Serrations 62 and 64 grip one another to prevent relative movement of the members 12b and 14b lateral or otherwise. Serrations 36b holdingly engage the walls of openings 22b and 24b. The end portion of member 12b urges end portion 60 against the wall of opening 24b where serrations 66 frictionally grip the wall of opening 24b (FIG. 7). As may be seen the down ward movement of end portion 60, causes further wedging of members 12b and 14b against the walls of openings 22b and 24b. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 depict an alternate embodiment of the device 10c which may be employed when the bodies 18c and 20c intersect the wall engaging surfaces 34c and 36c at oblique angles. The device includes members 12c and 14c having projections 30c and 32c which parallel the slanting surface 18c. This embodiment is useful in the installation of railings and the like on stairways, ramps and other angularly disposed areas. 
     The detachable connection of members 12 and 14 is preferable in the present invention and such connection saves approximately 50% in labor costs during the installation of railing systems and much expense in the manufacture of the device 10. 
     It has been found that a device 10, designed to fit in a 1.4 centimeter opening of a tubular metal rail piece, requires in excess of 725 kilograms of tensile force for subsequent removal. 
     While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention have been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.