Abstract:
A fastener assembly for securing two components to one another. The fastener assembly includes a barrel or pin that has a radially extending hole in the barrel. The pin also has a reduced diametrical portion on at least one end to form a shoulder and possibly on both ends. The pin is inserted into a hole formed into a hollow or sandwich component. The shoulder engages against a wall on the component to orient and secure the pin in the hole. A threaded fastener is then inserted transversely through the two components to engage in the radially extending hole. The threaded fastener is then rotated to secure the two components t o one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/122,546 filed on May 16, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of fasteners and particularly to the field of barrel nut assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This often becomes necessary to secure two abutting components together with fasteners. These can be a problem if the fasteners are not able to extend the full width of the components, such as in a panel, post or other larger member. Another problem occurs when one of the components is hollow such as in a tube, a sandwich panel, composite material or when the material of the component is not sufficiently strong to engage and hold a fastener. 
         [0004]    One type of fastener that has been used in the past is a barrel nut fastener. barrel nut fasteners have been widely used in several industries, including, for example, aeronautics, construction and furniture, utilizing applications where a first component, such as a panel, is to be fastened to another component. Barrel nut fasteners typically have two components, a cylindrical pin with a radial tapped hole and an elongated bolt that is received in the radial tapped hole. The cylindrical pin is inserted in a transverse hole in the panel with the radial tapped hole is aligned with a through hole in the first component. The bolt is inserted through the second component and into the through hole until it engages in the radial tapped hole. The bolt is then rotated to fasten the first component and second component to one another. 
         [0005]    One of the problems associated with the previous barrel nut fasteners is the alignment of the cylindrical pin in the transverse hole. The pin tends to slide transversely or rotate within the hole. This can be frustrating and increase the assembly time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a fastening system that allows two components to be fastened to one another even if one or both of the components has a hollow portion. The present invention enables the fasteners to be aligned and oriented relative to one another. 
         [0007]    The present invention, in a preferred embodiment provides a pin that can be inserted into a hole formed into a hollow portion of one of the components. The pin has a radially extending threaded portion that will engage with a threaded fastener. The pin also has diametrically reduced end portions so that shoulders are formed on each end of the pin. These shoulders engage with the side walls of the hollow portion of the component to align and secure the pin in the correct position. The threaded fastener is then inserted through the other component and into the hollow portion until it engages with the radially extending threaded portion of the pin. The threaded fastener is then rotated to draw the pin towards the other component so that the components are securely fastened. 
         [0008]    The pin, in another preferred embodiment, includes a slot on one end of the pin. This allows the blade of a tool to be inserted into the slot and rotate the pin until the radially threaded hole is properly aligned with the threaded fastener. 
         [0009]    The pin, in another preferred embodiment has only one reduced portion on one end of the pin to form only one shoulder. This end is inserted in the hole of the hollow component until that shoulder engages against the wall of the component to align and secure the pin. This embodiment is particularly useful when the width of the pin is greater than the width of the component. 
         [0010]    Another preferred embodiment of the present invention has notches formed on one or both ends of the pin rather than the circumferential indentations. The notches then engage in the sidewalls of the component. 
         [0011]    These and other features of the present invention will be evident from the ensuing detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments and drawings thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the pin of a preferred embodiment of the fastener assembly of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the pin of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the threaded fastener of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the pin of  FIG. 1  being inserted into a hollow tube. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pin and threaded fastener of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  securing two components together. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective cutaway view of the fastener assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  securing two components to one another. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is another perspective cutaway view of the fastener assembly securing two other components together. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of another embodiment of the pin of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of the pin of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the pin of  FIG. 9  inserted into a hollow component. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective cutaway view illustrating the pin of  FIG. 9  inserted into a hollow component. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective cutaway view illustrating the pin with dual slots and clips securing the pin in the component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The present invention, in a preferred embodiment, provides an improved barrel nut fastener assembly. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below. It is to be expressly understood that this descriptive embodiment is provided for explanatory purposes only, and is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Other embodiments of the present invention are considered to be within the scope of the claimed inventions, including not only those embodiments that would be within the scope of one skilled in the art, but also as encompassed in technology developed in the future. 
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment of a barrel nut fastener of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . This preferred embodiment is described for use with tube members but it is to be expressly understood that the preferred embodiment can be used to fasten any other types of components. 
         [0026]    Barrel nut fastener assembly  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The barrel nut fastener assembly includes cylindrical pin  20  and bolt  40 . The cylindrical pin  20  includes reduced diametrical portions  22 ,  24  on each end  26 ,  28  of the cylindrical pin. The reduced diametrical portions  22 ,  24  form shoulders  30 ,  32  on the pin. 
         [0027]    While this preferred embodiment describes a cylindrical pin, the pin can be any desired geometrical shape. A cylindrical pin is preferred since the pin will be inserted into a hole which is normally cylindrical as well, but other shapes may be used as well. The end portion  26  of the cylindrical pin includes a transverse slot  34  for receiving the blade of a screwdriver. Other shapes of slots can be used as well such as for receiving a Phillips screwdriver blade, an alien wrench, or any other type of bit or tool. Preferably the slot  34  is in alignment with radial whole  36  discussed below. In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical pin  20  does not include the slot on the end of the pin. 
         [0028]    Radial hole  36  is formed in a center of the cylindrical pin  20 . This hole is tapped to form threads  38  that will receive the bolt  40  as described in greater detail. The bolt  40  is a standard bolt having a head portion  42 , shank portion  44  and threaded portion  46 . Any type of bolt, screw or threaded fastener can be used in lieu of the descriptive bolt illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0029]    The barrel nut assembly  10  is used to secure two parts together, such as a rail  50  and post or panel  60  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pin  20  is inserted into a transverse hole  62  in the posts  60  as illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 4 . The transverse hole  62  has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the pin  20 . The length of the pin  20  is approximately the length of the transverse hole. If the post  60  is solid, then the pin can be shorter than the width of the post. The shoulders  28 ,  30  formed on the pin will engage against the walls of the hollow post as shown in  FIG. 5 . This initially helps to align the pin so that the radial hole  36  is properly aligned. 
         [0030]    The bolt  40  is inserted into a radially extending hole  52  that extends through the first component  50  and into the second component  60  until it engages in the radial hole  36  of the pin. The pin  20  can be rotated by a screwdriver or tool engaging in slot  34  until the radial hole  36  is aligned with the bolt  40 . Since the slot  34  is aligned with the radial hole  36 , it will be easy to determine the correct orientation. Once the bolt  40  and radial whole  36  are properly aligned, the bolt can be rotated so the threads of the bolt engage with the threads of the pin to draw the pin towards the head of the bolt as shown in  FIG. 5 . This will tighten and secure the rail  50  against the post  60 . 
         [0031]    As the pin  20  is moved towards the head of the bolt  40  during the tightening process, the shoulders  28 ,  30  on the pin  20  engage against the sides of the whole  52 . This provides a more secure engagement and also keeps the pin  20  properly aligned. The pin  20  will be unable to be accidentally dislodged or moved out of alignment. The barrel nut fastener assembly of this preferred embodiment in use is shown in different views in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0032]    Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . This pin  80  of this preferred embodiment has a reduced portion  82  on only end of the pin  80  that forms a shoulder  84 . This pin is used in a similar manner as the earlier described pin except the shoulder  84  only engages on one wall. The pin of this embodiment will slightly cock as the bolt is tightened against the pin but will prevent accidental dislodgement. 
         [0033]    Another preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11 . The pin  90  of this preferred embodiment includes a circumferential notch  92  formed near one end of the pin. The pin also includes a slotted end  94  and a radially extending threaded hole  96 . It is used in a manner similar to the earlier described embodiments. Once the pin is inserted into the transverse hole of a hollow tube or other component, the notch  92  engages the wall of the tube to secure the pin and align the pin. The bolt then pulls the pin so that the notch will engage against the wall and prevent accidental dislodgement or misalignment of the pin. Also, not only is the pin nut locked in the tube, the engagement of the slot in the side of the tubing puts pressure on the threads of the bolt to prevent the bolt from loosening due to vibration. 
         [0034]    Another preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The pin nut  100  includes two circumferential slots  102 ,  104  formed near each end of the pin respectively along with the radially extending threaded hole  110 . Clips  112 ,  114  are engaged in the slots  102 ,  104 , respectively, once the pin  100  is inserted in the tubing hole. The clips  112 ,  114  prevent the pin from sliding out of the tubing accidentally. 
         [0035]    The present invention has widespread applications, particularly for hollow tubing, hollow or composite panels, or any other application where two components are to be fastened to one another. In particular, the present invention has utility for fastening components where the fasteners are not able to extend fully through both components or one of the components is hollow or not able to structurally secure a fastener. 
         [0036]    One example of the application of the present invention is found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111767,166 assigned to the assignee of the present application. In this application, a receiver mounted cargo carrier is formed from hollow tubing. The hollow tubing, as shown in  FIGS. 6-12  of that application are assembled to one another by the fastening systems of the present invention. This provides a carrier that is able to be shipped in a knock downed configuration, easily assembled with common tools and securely fastened so that it can carry relatively heavy cargo. Other applications include crates, trailers, and any other application that requires fastening systems for hollow or other types of components. 
         [0037]    These and other embodiments of the present invention are considered to be within the scope of the invention as claimed.