Abstract:
A fastening device includes an insert and an extension bar, where the insert is configured to have a coupling engagement with a bolt so that when coupled together they form a fastener. The insert may include a bolt aperture and an extension aperture. An extension bar may be inserted within the extension aperture to assist with placing and holding the insert into position while the bolt is inserted into the bolt aperture. The bolt and insert may be used to generate a mating engagement between two ancillary structures and fasten them together. While connected to the insert, the extension may be used to assist with maneuvering, positioning, stabilizing and angling the insert to facilitate alignment between the bolt and the bolt aperture. The extension bar may be removed from the extension aperture after the mating engagement is formed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed toward a tool used to generate a fastening engagement between two structures and, more particularly, toward a fastening insert used where the space provided for the mating engagement is constrained or the configuration of the structures generates a compromising work setting. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many structures and equipment components are modular and require temporary and/or permanent fastening. A common form of fastening is a nut and bolt. Unfortunately, design parameters and other constraints sometimes dictate that the mating engagement between these components occurs at an inconvenient location for a user attempting to fasten the components together. For example, some mating engagements are between brackets positioned well within an engine compartment, the parts of which may be hot and spatially constricting. Other mating engagements may be located on equipment that requires users to use poor ergonomics and compromising postures that are unsafe in order to complete the fastening. Still further, other mating engagements require the use of large, heavy fasteners that make it even more difficult for a user. 
         [0003]    Existing fasteners consist of a nut that engages a bolt (threadingly or otherwise) to complete the fastening. Typically, the bolt is inserted through apertures of the structure and engages the nut, which when advanced towards each other, generates the mating engagement. Wrenches or sockets are used to hold and/or manipulate the nut and/or bolt to effectuate the advancement toward each other. Typically, a second wrench or socket is used in an attempt to hold the nut while the first wrench is used to manipulate the bolt, or vice versa. However, wrenches and sockets are designed for leverage and torque, and therefore are not well suited to hold and/or manipulate the nut when the nut is positioned in the constrained and/or compromising position and/or location as described above. For example, it may simply be impossible to maneuver a wrench into a small space in order to engage the nut and/or bolt. 
         [0004]    Other tools exist, such as, for example, sockets, that attempt to hold the nut in a stationary position while the bolt is advanced, but these are also inadequate for several reasons. One of the reasons for their inadequacy is that these tools typically require being placed over or around the nut. This proves to be difficult if the nut is in a compromising position or location, and nearly impossible if the nut is large and heavy. Furthermore, the constrained space may not provide enough headroom to place the tool on or around the nut. In addition, such tools are not well suited to maneuver and position the nut without slipping from the nut or inhibiting rotational motion of the nut relative to the tool. 
         [0005]    The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-identified problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The inventive device includes an insert used as part of a fastener. The insert may be configured to have a coupling engagement with a bolt so that when coupled together they form a fastener. A bolt aperture and an extension aperture are formed into the insert. An extension bar (which assists a user with placement and positioning of the insert during use) may be inserted within the extension aperture to assist with positioning and stabilizing the insert while the bolt is inserted into the bolt aperture. In some embodiments, the insert may be placed in a constrained position with the assistance of the extension bar and used to generate a mating engagement between two ancillary structures so as to fasten the two structures together. After the mating engagement is formed, the extender bar may be removed from the extension aperture. 
         [0007]    As described above, the extension bar may enable placement of the insert in constrained areas or compromising locations of, for example, two ancillary structures. This may include introduction of the insert within a bracket, placing the insert against a platform located within large machinery, placing the insert against a hot manifold within an engine compartment, placing the insert in a cavity formed in the structure, etc. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the insert may be used as a nut to couple an air hose hanger to a railcar coupler by introducing the insert within the railcar coupler and holding it in place while a bolt is introduced from outside the coupler through the air hose hanger and is advanced into the bolt aperture. While connected to the insert, the extender bar may be used to assist with maneuvering, positioning, stabilizing and angling the insert to facilitate alignment between the bolt and the bolt aperture. This may be especially beneficial if the insert is large or heavy. 
         [0008]    While these potential advantages are made possible by technical solutions offered herein, they are not required to be achieved. The presently disclosed device can be implemented to achieve technical advantages, whether or not these potential advantages, individually or in combination, are sought or achieved. 
         [0009]    Further features, aspects, objects, advantages, and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the exemplary embodiments and examples described below, in combination with the Figures, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other objects, aspects, features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the inventive insert; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the inventive insert; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows another perspective view of the inventive insert with a threaded bolt aperture; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows the inventive insert with the extension bar inserted into the extension aperture of the insert; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows the inventive insert with the extender bar in juxtaposition with the insert; and, 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an environmental view of the inventive insert being used to secure an air hose hanger to a railcar coupler. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The following description is of an embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles and features of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the claims, which are to be given the full breadth thereof. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the insert  20  may comprise metal, ceramic, rubber, plastic, or other suitable material capable of supporting the loads, stresses, and strains associated with the particular coupling application for which it will be used. The insert  20  may include a disk-like member having a front face  21 , a rear face  22 , and a circumferential side surface  23  between the front  21  and rear  22  faces. A bolt aperture  24  may be formed within the front face  21  and/or the rear face  22  and configured to receive a bolt  30  (see  FIG. 6 ) or other type of fastening member. The aperture  24  may extend all the way through the insert  20 , or only partially there through. An extension aperture  25  is formed within the circumferential side surface  23  and may be configured to receive an extension bar  40  (see  FIG. 4 ) or any other appropriate tool. In addition, while not shown, the insert  20  may be provided with a buffer plate or bumper member disposed on a surface thereof (side, front or rear) for shock absorbance, abrasion resistance, etc. This bumper may be configured as a seal ring or gasket if the insert were to be used as a sealing component of a piece of equipment. 
         [0019]    The faces  21 ,  22  may be flat, convex, conical, or any other shape. Similarly, the side  23  may be circular, polygonal, or any other shape. The shape of the faces  21 ,  22  and side  23  may be configured to accommodate the space within which the insert  20  is to be used. For instance, if the insert  20  is for coupling an air hose hanger to a railcar coupler, the first face  21  may be flat, the rear face  22  may be conical, and the side  23  may form a convex polygonal shape, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Such a configuration may accommodate insertion into the railcar coupler so as to complement the coupler cavity associated with the lightener holes and generate a secure fit. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the bolt aperture  24  protrudes through the disk-like member, extending from the front face  21  to the rear face  22 , and the extension aperture  25  is configured as a dead hole (meaning does not extend all the way through). This configuration may enable insertion of the extension bar  40  within the extension aperture  25  without interference of traverse motion of the bolt  30  through the bolt aperture  24  because the extender bar  40  abuts against an inner wall of the dead hole without intruding into the bolt aperture  24 . However, other configurations may be utilized. For instance, the extension aperture  25  may not be a dead hole, but rather protrude through the disk-like member, extending from a point on the side  23  to a subtending point of the side  23  but without crossing into the line of path formed by the bolt aperture  24 . In another embodiment, the extension aperture  25  may cross into the path of the bolt aperture  24  to enable the extender bar  40  to intrude into the bolt aperture  24 . As will be explained more later, the extension aperture  25  may be provided with an insert retention means  50   b , which not only temporarily secures the extender bar  40  within the extension aperture  25 , but also may serve as a mechanical stop to prevent the extender bar  40  from intruding into the bolt aperture  24 . Other mechanical stops may be utilized, which may include a rim or tab disposed at or near the opening of the extension aperture  25 , or even a tapered shape to the extension aperture  25 . Furthermore, the bolt aperture  24  may be configured as a dead hole (meaning not extending all the way through) having the same or similar features. The bolt aperture  24  may be threaded  50   a  (see  FIG. 3 ) or not threaded. 
         [0021]    Other configurations may include the bolt aperture  24  on the side  23 . Further configurations may include the extension aperture  25  on any one of the front  21  and rear faces  22 . In addition, the insert  20  may be provided with a plurality of bolt apertures  24  and/or a plurality of extension apertures  25 . At least one of the apertures  24 ,  25  may be conjoined with another of the same type of aperture  24 ,  25 . For instance, a first extension aperture  25  may extend from the front face  21  to conjoin with a second extension aperture  25  extending from the side  23 . Similar configurations may exist for the bolt aperture  24 . 
         [0022]    The apertures  24 ,  25  may exhibit a variety of shapes. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the bolt aperture  24  may be circular, whereas the extension aperture  25  may be polygonal. The shapes of the apertures  24 ,  25  may be chosen to accommodate and/or complement the shapes of the bolt  30  and extension bar  40 , or other fasteners and tools being inserted therein; therefore, the shapes are not limited to what is illustrated in the Figures. 
         [0023]    The polygonal shape of the extension aperture  25  may provide added utility by inhibiting free rotational movement of the insert  20  relative to the extender bar  40 . In an exemplary use of the device  10  (see  FIG. 4 ), the extension bar  40  is inserted into the extension aperture  25  and the insert  20  is introduced into a location for engagement with the bolt  30  (such as, for example, into the cavity of a railcar coupler), and held in place by the extension bar  40  (see  FIG. 6 ). The bolt  30 , which may be threaded, is inserted into the bolt aperture  25 , which may also be threaded. A user would hold the insert  20  stationary via the extender bar  40  while the bolt  30  is advanced, via the threading or other engagement of the bolt  20  and bolt aperture  24 , toward the insert  20 . In this example, as the extension bar  40  is inserted into the extension insert  25 , the extender bar  40  enables a user to prevent rotational motion of the insert  20  as the bolt  30  is advanced. In addition to a polygonal socket type connection, other shapes and configurations can be used to inhibit free rotational motion of the insert  20 , such as a splined/keyed engagement or a threaded engagement between the extension bar  40  and the extension aperture  25 . 
         [0024]    In addition, any of the apertures  24 ,  25  may exhibit a flare  26  (see  FIG. 1 ), wherein the outer portion of the aperture  24 ,  25  is wider than that of the inner portion. This may enable easier guidance of the bolt  30  or extension bar  40  into the respective aperture  24 ,  25 . Some embodiments may include a flange or collar disposed around the aperture  24 ,  25 , which again may be flared for the same purpose. 
         [0025]    An extension retention means  50   b  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) within the extension aperture  25  may be provided to temporarily retain the extension bar  40  therein. The extension retention means  50   b  may be a threading engagement, a pin and detent engagement (similar to a socket engagement), or the like. For example, the extension aperture  25  may have a detent  50   b  disposed on an inner surface thereof that mechanically engages with a spring-loaded pin  60  (see  FIG. 5 ) of the extension bar  40  (similar to a socket connection). Alternatively, the extension bar  40  may be provided with the detent and the extension aperture  25  with the spring-loaded pin. Furthermore, the bolt  30 /bolt aperture  24  may also operate via the pin/detent engagement, and/or the extension bar  40 /extension aperture  25  may operate via the threaded engagement. Other coupling engagements may include, but are not limited to, magnetic couplers, bayonet-style fasteners, a cam, interference fit, etc. In a preferred form, the extension bar  40  is removably connected to the insert  20  to allow the insert to be positioned at a desired location and attached to the bolt  30 . Then the extension bar  40  is removed. 
         [0026]    The extension retention means  50   b  may further enable a user to maneuver, position, stabilize and angle the insert  20  to facilitate alignment between the bolt  30  and the bolt aperture  24  by securely holding the extension bar  40  to the insert  20 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the insert  20  is introduced into a very constraining space (e.g., a cavity in a railcar coupler in communication with the lightener holes) and used to fasten an air hose hanger thereto, a compromising work setting for a user may be generated. Not only does the device  10  enable a user to easily place and hold the insert  20  within the railcar coupler, but it may be beneficial to use the extension bar  40  as leverage to manipulate the insert  20  for alignment. As seen in  FIG. 6 , the railcar coupler may have a channeled configuration in which the insert  20  may be used to provide the complementary fastener to a bolt  30 . The air hose hanger may be coupled to the railcar coupler by insertion of the bolt  30  through the hanger and into the insert  20 . The nature of the channel renders it difficult to place, hold, and manipulate the insert  20 , but for the extension bar  40 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5 , the extension bar  40  may include an elongated member having a first end  41  and a second end  42 , and it may comprise the same or similar materials as that of the insert  20 . While the extension bar  40  is shown as being straight, it may exhibit other shapes, such as curvilinear, angled, etc. The various shapes may provide added leverage or enable insertion into contorted work spaces. 
         [0028]    At least one of the first end  41  and the second end  42  may have the cooperating extension retention means  60  to temporarily retain the extension bar  40  within the extension aperture  25 . The extension retention means  60  may be the same type or similar type of mechanisms as previously described. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, only the second end(s)  42  of the extension bar  40  exhibits a complementary shape as that of the extension aperture  25 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , wherein the extension bar body is cylindrical, but the second end  42  is a generally square shape. The benefits of the square shape, and other shapes (e.g., polygonal, etc.), of the second end  42 , along with the square shape of the extension aperture  25 , were described above. In particular, the square shape may be exploited to inhibit free rotational movement of the insert  20  relative to the extension bar  40  when the extension bar  40  is engaged with the insert  20 . Different shapes and configurations of the extension bar body may be used to increase dexterousness or even accommodate less expensive manufacturing methods. For example, a cylindrical shape may be better for grasping the extension bar  40 . A hexagonal shape may assist with gripping and prevent slippage when handing the extension bar  40 . In some embodiments, the extension bar  40  is hollow to lighten its weight. This may require a polygonal shape, or other shapes, applied to the extension bar  40  so as to add structural rigidity and strength to the hollow structure. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, a distal end of the extension bar  40  may be configured as a socket  70  to receive at least one of another extension bar  40  and/or another tool. Thus, the first end  41  may be configured as the socket  70  and the second end  42  may exhibit the complementary shape of the insert aperture  25 . The extension retention means  60  of the second end  42  may be used to temporarily retain the extension bar  40  in the extension aperture  25  of the insert  20 , or a socket  70  of a second extender bar (not shown). Similarly, a socket retention means (not shown), which may be the same type or similar type of mechanisms as those of the retention means  50   a ,  50   b , may be used to temporarily retain first and second extension bars together. 
         [0031]    In addition, the second end  42  of the extender bar  40  may be configured to removably receive an ancillary mechanical socket, thereby enabling interchangeability of socket ends. In this embodiment, the extension retention means  60  would enable the temporary securement of the various mechanical sockets. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the extension bar  40  includes a handle (not shown) to provide added dexterity when manipulating the device  10 . The handle may include a textured surface or a rubber and/or polymer member disposed on a surface thereof. Moreover, the extension bar  40  may be expandable in length. The may be achieved via a telescoping engagement of a plurality of extender body portions  40 ′,  40 ″ (see  FIG. 5 ). These extension bar portions  40 ′,  40 ″ may be threadingly engaged for example, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Portion  40 ′ may be hollow and have a threaded inner surface, and portion  40 ″ may have a complementary threaded outer surface. Thus, extension bar portions  40 ′,  40 ″ may be configured to engage each other so as to enable selective expansion and contraction of the length of the extension bar  40 . 
         [0033]    Other embodiments may include at least one ball joint connecting portions of an extension bar  40  together to enable angled articulation of two or more portions. 
         [0034]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. The disclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or all of the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to cover all such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within the true scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadth thereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is a disclosure of every numerical value within that range, including the end points.