Abstract:
A fastener apparatus is disclosed that features projecting locking members that extend and retract when a central drive shaft is rotated. The exterior of the connector has a body that is partially threaded to receive a nut so that two structures (e.g. flanges, panels, plates, beams, etc.) can be pulled together by tightening the bolt when the locking members are in the extended position. In one embodiment, the shaft can be an eyebolt.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of my U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/699,139, filed 3 Feb. 2010 (issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,439,613 on 14 May 2013), which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,470, filed 3 Feb. 2009, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/149,470, filed 3 Feb. 2009, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fasteners. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toggle bolt type fastener that can be used for holding or compressing multiple items together such as structural panels, flanges, or the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved fastener device that features an outer body with an inner rotating shaft, rotation of the shaft moving a plurality of locking members between extended and retracted positions or between retracted and extended positions. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Many types of fasteners have been patented that are designed to extend through multiple panels or wall members or through a single wall member. Such fasteners are designed to form a connection between multiple panels or between opposing sides of a particular panel or wall. Many of these fasteners are known as toggle bolts. Examples of possibly relevant patents disclosing toggle bolts and related fasteners are listed in the following table, each hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PAT. NO. 
                 TITLE 
                 ISSUE DATE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   499,444 
                 Bolt for Attaching Articles 
                 Jun. 13, 1893 
               
               
                   
                 To Walls 
                   
               
               
                 1,169,635 
                 Pipe Hanger 
                 Jan. 25, 1916 
               
               
                 1,247,621 
                 Expansion Bolt 
                 Nov. 27, 1917 
               
               
                 1,520,123 
                 Toggle Pin 
                 Dec. 23, 1924 
               
               
                 2,597,857 
                 Plug Fastener 
                 May 27, 1952 
               
               
                 2,782,672 
                 Lock Pin Having Eccentrically 
                 Feb. 26, 1957 
               
               
                   
                 Actuated Plunger and 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Cooperating Locking Slide 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Means 
                   
               
               
                 2,877,818 
                 Anchor Bolt with Spring 
                 Mar. 17, 1959 
               
               
                   
                 Biased Reaming Plates 
                   
               
               
                 3,238,834 
                 Quick Release Pin 
                 Mar. 08, 1966 
               
               
                 3,312,138 
                 Expansion Shell for 
                 Apr. 04, 1967 
               
               
                   
                 Rock Bolts 
                   
               
               
                 3,466,965 
                 Quick Release Pin 
                 Sep. 16, 1969 
               
               
                 3,946,636 
                 Toggle Bolt 
                 Mar. 30, 1976 
               
               
                 4,047,462 
                 Toggle Bolt 
                 Sep. 13, 1977 
               
               
                 4,079,655 
                 Toggle Bolt 
                 Mar. 21, 1978 
               
               
                 4,293,259 
                 Locking Toggle Bolt 
                 Oct. 06, 1981 
               
               
                 4,294,570 
                 Lockable Cap Screw 
                 Oct. 13, 1981 
               
               
                 4,453,845 
                 Base Thrust Anchor 
                 Jun. 12, 1984 
               
               
                   
                 Shell Assembly 
                   
               
               
                 4,557,631 
                 Off-Center Rock Bolt 
                 Dec. 10, 1985 
               
               
                   
                 Anchor and Method 
                   
               
               
                 4,693,389 
                 Reactor Internals Core Barrel 
                 Sep. 15, 1987 
               
               
                   
                 Hole Plug 
                   
               
               
                 5,108,240 
                 Heavy Load Bearing 
                 Apr. 28, 1992 
               
               
                   
                 Toggle Bolt 
                   
               
               
                 5,573,495 
                 Abdominal Wall Elevator 
                 Nov. 12, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 Device Employing Rotatable 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Arms 
                   
               
               
                 5,702,215 
                 Retractable Fixation Device 
                 Dec. 30, 1997 
               
               
                 5,865,559 
                 Float Pins 
                 Feb. 02, 1999 
               
               
                 6,056,489 
                 Expansion Dowel 
                 May 02, 2000 
               
               
                 6,161,999 
                 Toggle Bolt Device 
                 Dec. 19, 2000 
               
               
                 6,203,260 
                 Toggle Bolt Assembly With 
                 Mar. 20, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 Bolt Centering Spacer 
                   
               
               
                 FR1236,439 
                 Dispositif de soutenement 
                 Jun. 07, 1960 
               
               
                   
                 par bil-broche notamment 
                   
               
               
                   
                 pour plafonds de galeries de mines 
                   
               
               
                 DE1092415 
                 Anke fur den Ankerausbau 
                 Nov. 10, 1960 
               
               
                 DE1936360 
                   
                 May 1970 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved toggle bolt type device or fastener that can be used to join two members together such as a pair of panels, structures, flanges or the like. For example, the present invention can be used to join two spool pieces with pipe flanges together wherein each of the flanges has an opening of a selected diameter. The fastener of the present invention can extend through the openings for holding or fastening the two flanges together. 
     The apparatus includes an elongated body having first and second end portions and a central, longitudinal bore that is partially threaded. A first end portion of the body has a socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart, radially extending slots that communicate with the socket. 
     A shaft extends through the bore of the body and has respective first and second end portions that communicate with the body end portion. The shaft is partially externally threaded and rotates relative to the body. The partially externally threaded portion of the shaft engages an internally threaded portion of the body at the bore. An end portion of the shaft has a handle for rotating the shaft. The handle can be in the form of an eye or eyelet. A collar interlocks with the handle to prevent rotation of the shaft until the collar is disengaged from the handle (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     A plurality of locking members are attached to the shaft at a first end portion of the body. The locking members can be attached to a plate mounted to the first end portion of the shaft. 
     The locking members are movable between extended and retracted positions responsive to a rotation of the shaft once the collar is disengaged from the handle. Rotating the shaft in either of two selected direction can either move the locking members from an extended to a retracted position or from a retracted to an extended position. 
     In the locking position, the locking members extend radially beyond the outer surface of the body and the selected diameter. This enables the projecting, locking members in the extended position to engage one side of a selected member or members to be held together (wall, panels, flanges, etc). A fastener such as a nut is then connectable to the body at a partially externally threaded portion and opposite the locking members. The nut can then be tightened against the locking members so that compression can be applied to the shaft for holding the selected structures, flanges, panels together or for attaching the apparatus to a selected structure (wall, flange, beam, etc). 
     The apparatus of the present invention can be used to form an attachment to a wall, panel, beam, plate, slab or other structure by inserting the body through an opening in the selected structure when the locking members are retracted and then moving the locking members to an extended position so that they can form an attachment to the selected structure at one end portion of the opening. At the opposite end portion of the opening, the nut can be attached to the body and threadably engaged thereto for supplying compression to the body and for holding and anchoring the entire apparatus into a selected position at the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an extension of the locking members by rotating the eyelet; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating an attachment to an aperture in the plate; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-4  show fastener  10  that can be attached to any opening such as the opening  49  in plate  50  in  FIGS. 3-4 . Fastener  10  provides a central shaft  11  having an upper end portion  12  and a lower end portion  13 . Upper end portion  12  of central shaft  11  provides a head or handle  57  or gripping surface, or other structure that can be for example in the form of an eye or eyelet  14  having an eyelet opening  15 . 
     At lower end portion  13  of central shaft  11  is provided an externally threaded section  16  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Externally threaded section  16  engages corresponding threads of internally threaded opening  18  of disk or plate  17  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9 . 
     Disk or plate  17  can provide a generally cylindrically shaped outer wall  19  that is of a diameter that is about equal to the diameter of tool body  30 . Plate  17  provides upper surface  20  having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pins  21 . Each pin  21  extends radially away from internally threaded opening  18 . Each pin  21  carries a locking member  22 . Each locking member  22  thus has an opening  23  that receives pin  21 . Each locking member  22  can pivot about a pin  21 . 
     Each locking member  22  has a tip end  27  opposite opening  23  and opposed surfaces that have one or more concavities or concave surfaces. In  FIG. 9 , each locking member  22  has a pair of concavities  24 ,  25  on one surface and a single concavity  26  on the other surface. The locking members occupy a cavity  43  that can be a milled portion of tool body  30 , having wall segments  61  spaced apart with openings  60  therebetween. Each wall segment has end portions or edges  45 ,  59 . Each wall segment can be provided with a concavity  62  and a projecting portion or projection  63  as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . 
     Nut  28  provides an internally threaded opening  29  that enables nut  28  to connect with tool body  30 . Tool body  30  has a central open ended bore  31  that is receptive of central shaft  11 . Tool body  30  provides an externally threaded section  32  that forms a connection with nut  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 . 
     Tool body  30  has an upper annular shoulder  33 . Coil spring  34  rests against annular shoulder  33 . Tool body  30  provides an un-threaded surface  35  that is surrounded by spring  34 . 
     Collar  36  is positioned in between spring  34  and handle or head  57  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . Collar  36  provides a socket  37  that is receptive of head or handle  57 . The underside  58  of collar  36  provides an annular recess  38  that is receptive of coil spring  34  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Collar  36  and head  57  can be locked together using spring loaded locking pin  39 . The locking pin  39  has a spring  40  that urges the pin end  41  into a locking position with socket  42  on head  57  as shown in  FIG. 2 . This locking position can be overcome by pulling on ring  46  to compress spring  40  and pull pin end  41  away from socket  42  in a releasing position that is indicated by arrow  47  in  FIG. 3 . 
     When spring loaded locking pin  39  is moved to the released position of  FIG. 3 , collar  36  disengages head  57  and can be lowered as indicated by arrow  54  in  FIG. 3 . Head  57  then can rotate as indicated schematically by arrow  48  in  FIG. 3 . A rotation of head  57  rotates shaft  11  and plate  17 . This rotation of plate  17  likewise rotates pins  21  and the locking members  21  that are attached thereto. As the pins  21  rotate relative to tool body  30 , each locking member  22  engages an edge  45 . 
     Continued rotation of the eyelet  14  in shaft  11  urges the locking members  22  to a fully extended position shown in  FIG. 7 . In this position of  FIG. 7 , the locking members  22  prevent a removal of tool body  30  from opening  49  of plate  50 . Nut  28  can then be tightened as indicated schematically by arrow  51  in  FIG. 4 . At this point, fastener  10  is secured to plate  50  as nut  28  and locking members  22  compress plate  50  therebetween. 
     The locking members  22  can be made very thick or tall between surfaces  52 ,  53 , thus fully developing the strength of the fastener  10  so that the “weak” link of the fastener  10  is defined by the diameter and material of shaft  11 . Similarly, the plate  17  can be made very thick to fully develop the connection between shaft  11  and plate  17  at the threaded connection of threads  16 ,  18 . 
     When the head  57  is to be rotated, collar  36  is moved downwardly in the direction of arrow  54 . Otherwise, rotation of eyelet  14  is not possible as the eyelet  14  is constrained by the sidewall  55  of the collar  36 . When collar  36  is moved downwardly, spring  34  is compressed as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once a connection has been perfected between fastener  10  and plate  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 , arrow  56  illustrates a return of collar to its uppermost position responsive to an expansion of spring  34 . It should be understood that other force means can be used to urge collar  36  to the upper position shown in  FIG. 4 , such as magnetism, fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) or other force. For example, head  57  and/or collar  36  could be magnetized. The entire apparatus  10  could be of steel so that if either head  57  or collar  36  were magnetized, the collar  36  would be urged to the upper position of  FIG. 4 . 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     PARTS LIST 
     Part Number Description 
     
         
         
           
               10  fastener 
               11  central shaft 
               12  upper end portion 
               13  lower end portion 
               14  eyelet 
               15  opening 
               16  externally threaded section 
               17  plate 
               18  internally threaded opening 
               19  cylindrically shaped wall 
               20  upper surface 
               21  pin 
               22  locking member 
               23  opening 
               24  concavity 
               25  concavity 
               26  concavity 
               27  tip end 
               28  nut 
               29  internally threaded opening 
               30  tool body 
               31  central open ended bore 
               32  externally threaded section 
               33  annular shoulder 
               34  spring 
               35  un-threaded surface 
               36  collar 
               37  socket 
               38  annular recess 
               39  spring loaded locking pin 
               40  spring 
               41  pin end 
               42  socket 
               43  cavity 
               44  flat surface 
               45  edge 
               46  ring 
               47  arrow 
               48  arrow 
               49  opening 
               50  plate 
               51  arrows 
               52  surface 
               53  surface 
               54  arrow 
               55  sidewall 
               56  arrow 
               57  head/handle 
               58  underside 
               59  edge 
               60  opening 
               61  wall segment 
               62  concavity 
               63  projection 
           
         
       
    
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.