Patent Publication Number: US-2017356629-A1

Title: Base can fastening system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/349,928, filed Jun. 14, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a base can fastening system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a fastening system that retains a nut under a base can flange to engage a bolt inserted from above. 
     Base cans are generally known in the art and serve as anchoring devices for removably attaching an object. In particular, the base can may be permanently fixed in an underlying material that may not be conducive to attaching the object directly thereto. Similarly, a base can may provide an enclosure for retaining and protecting portions of the object and related equipment. In some cases, the object itself serves as a cover for the enclosure upon attachment to the base can. One common application for base cans is with electrical installations, using the base can as a convenient and standardized receptacle for anchoring an electrical fixture while also protecting its wiring from the elements by containing them therein. 
     Base cans are often cylindrical in shape, having curved sidewalls and often an at least partial bottom wall. The top end, opposite of the bottom wall if present, is generally at least partially open and includes a flange extending radially inwardly from the circumference of the base can sidewalls. This flange often contains a plurality of threaded base can apertures that are spaced evenly around the circumference of the open top end of the base can. This configuration provides an interface for attaching objects to the base can by inserting couplers, such as bolts from above. In this arrangement, the object attached to the base can effectively closes the base can, which may then be further sealed from the elements by placing intermediate seals or gaskets between the object and the base can before attachment. 
     One particularly challenging application for base cans is within the context of airport lighting, which relies upon base cans being fixed within the runway to anchor in-runway lighting. Mounting base cans and light fixtures within a runway presents many unique challenges, including the need to withstand tremendous forces of airplanes landing and taking off, the need to support quick repairs and replacements to the light fixtures to avoid runway down-time, and the need to maintain a flush runway surface to ensure the safety of the airplane and its passengers. 
     The base cans, lighting fixtures, and fastening systems presently known in the art attempt to meet these challenges as follows. The durability of these elements, as well as the specifications of fasteners for attaching light fixtures to base cans, are specified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that they can withstand the demands of in-runway installations. The time for repairs and replacements of light fixtures is reduced by using commonly known, threaded bolts (albeit, meeting FAA specifications) to install the fixtures from above, standardizing the process and tools involved. Annular spacers are often used as needed to offset the distance between the base can flange and the object, allowing the installed height to be adjusted until it is flush with the surrounding runway surface. 
     A seating ring may also be installed between any spacers and the light fixture, which may contain a recessed surface below the upper surface to allow the fixture to be at least partially nested down within the seating ring upon installation. This arrangement may provide additional benefits, such as providing a seal or supporting the fixture by a lip between the upper surface and the recessed surface of the seating ring. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to a fastening system for coupling an object to a base can. The base can has a flange with an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a plurality of base can apertures through the flange. The object defines a plurality of object openings through the object. The fastening system includes a clip having an upper arm and a lower arm that each extend from a spreader, where the spreader separates the upper arm and lower arm. The clip is configured to engage the flange such that the flange is positioned between the upper arm and the lower arm. A nut has a nut base and a plurality of sides that extend perpendicularly from the nut base. The nut defines a nut opening with internal threads. The clip is configured to retain the nut between the lower arm and the lower surface of the flange such that the nut opening is aligned to a base can aperture of the plurality of base can apertures. A coupling system having a threaded member is configured to couple the object to the base can. When the object is coupled to the base can, the threaded member extends at least through one of each of the plurality of object openings in the object and the plurality of base can apertures in the flange, and the threaded member also extends at least partially into the nut opening to engage the nut. 
     Another embodiment generally relates to a fastening system for coupling an object to a base can with a coupling system and a nut. The nut has a lip and defines a nut opening. The base can has a sidewall with an upper end, a lower end that is opposite the upper end, and a flange that extends radially inwardly and perpendicularly from the upper end of the sidewall. The flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a plurality of base can apertures through the flange. The object defines a plurality of object openings through the object. The fastening system includes a clip configured to engage the flange of the base can. The clip has a spreader and an upper arm, a middle arm, and a lower arm that are each coupled to and separated by the spreader. The upper arm defines an upper opening, the middle arm defines a middle opening, and the lower arm defines a lower opening. In certain embodiments, the upper opening, the middle opening, and the lower opening are axially aligned. The clip is configured to engage the flange such that the flange is positioned between the upper arm and the middle arm. A spacer is positionable between the upper surface of the flange and the object. The spacer has an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a plurality of spacer openings though the spacer. The lower surface of the spacer further defines a plurality of clip grooves that extend towards the upper surface of the spacer, where the plurality of spacer openings coincide with the plurality of clip grooves. The plurality of clip grooves are configured to accommodate the upper arm of the clip such that the upper arm does not prevent the lower surface of the spacer from contacting the upper surface of the flange when the clip is engaged with the flange and the spacer is positioned between the flange and the object. The clip is configured to retain the lip of the nut between the middle arm and the lower arm such that the nut opening is aligned to one base can aperture of the plurality of base can apertures. When the object is coupled to the base can, the threaded member extends at least through one of each of the plurality of object openings in the object, the plurality of spacer openings, the upper opening of the clip, the plurality of base can apertures in the flange, and the middle opening of the clip, and the threaded member also extends at least partially into the nut opening to engage the nut. 
     Another embodiment generally relates to a fastening system for coupling an object to a base can. The base can has a sidewall with an upper end and a lower end that is opposite the upper end, where the base can has a flange that extends radially inwardly and perpendicularly from the upper end of the sidewall. The flange has an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a plurality of base can apertures through the flange. The object defines a plurality of object openings through the object. The fastening system includes a clip configured to engage the flange of the base can, where the clip has a spreader and an upper arm, a middle arm, and a lower arm that are each coupled to and separated by the spreader. The upper arm defines an upper opening, the middle arm defines a middle opening, and the lower arm defines a lower opening. In certain embodiments, the upper opening, the middle opening, and the lower opening are axially aligned. The clip is configured to engage the flange such that the flange is positioned between the upper arm and the middle arm. A coupling system has a threaded member. A nut has a lip and a plurality of sides that extend perpendicularly from the lip, where the nut defines a nut opening having internal threads. The internal threads are threadably engageable with the threaded member of the coupling system. The clip is configured to retain the lip between the middle arm and the lower arm. A spacer is positionable between the upper surface of the flange and the object, where the spacer has an upper surface and a lower surface and defines a plurality of spacer openings through the spacer. The lower surface of the spacer further defines a plurality of clip grooves that extend towards the upper surface of the spacer, where the plurality of spacer openings coincide with the plurality of clip grooves. The plurality of clip grooves are configured to accommodate the upper arm of the clip such that the upper arm does not prevent the lower surface of the spacer from contacting the upper surface of the flange when the clip is engaged with the flange and the spacer is positioned between the flange and the object. The clip is configured to retain the lip of the nut between the middle arm and the lower arm such that the nut opening is aligned to one base can aperture of the plurality of base can apertures. When the object is coupled to the base can, the threaded member extends at least through one of each of the plurality of object openings in the object, the plurality of spacer openings, the upper opening of the clip, the plurality of base can apertures in the flange, and the middle opening of the clip, and the threaded member also extends at least partially into the nut opening to engage the nut. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a base can and fixture assembly as presently known in the art; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial top view of a base can in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of the base can of  FIG. 2A  taken from line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A  shown with an optional chamfer; 
         FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the base can of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of one embodiment of a clip from the fastening system of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the clip shown in  FIG. 3A  with a nut configured to be retained therein; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the clip shown in  FIG. 3A  with the nut retained therein; 
         FIG. 3D  is a bottom view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3B ; 
         FIG. 3E  is a bottom view of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3C ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of the clip shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view taken from the line  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the clip and nut assembly shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3E , further including a bolt threaded through the assembly and onto the nut; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of a spacer of the presently disclosed fastening system configured to be supported on the base can shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view taken from line  6 B- 6 B in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a sectional view taken from line  6 C- 6 C in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6D  is a bottom view of the spacer shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top view of the presently disclosed fastening system installed on the base can shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken from line  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a bottom view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a bottom-back perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed fastening system installed on a base can similar to the assembly shown in  FIG. 7C , but with the base can sidewalls removed; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front-side perspective view of the fastening system shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a top perspective view of the fastening system shown in  FIG. 8A , similar to the assembly shown in  FIG. 7A , but without a spacer installed; 
         FIG. 9A  depicts one coupling system and a pair of wedge lock washers known in the art; 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a sectional view of a nut in accordance with the present disclosure having internal threads with different pitches; 
         FIG. 9C  depicts an embodiment of the coupling system in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9D  is a side view of the coupling system of  FIG. 9C  coupling an object to a base can in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the base can fastening system are described herein. 
     Through observation and product development, the present inventors have identified problems with base cans and fastening systems known in the art. One application in which this was identified is within the field of runway light fastening systems. Although this disclosure often discusses the presently claimed subject matter in the context of runway lighting, it should be recognized that the following relates to attaching any object to any structure analogous to a base can. 
     One exemplary problem identified by the present inventors is that the threaded openings or apertures in the flange of presently known base cans often become stripped over time. These are also prone to bind with a bolt inserted therein, resulting in the bolt breaking off and the broken portion of the bolt remaining within the threaded opening of the base can flange. In the context of runway lighting fixtures, this problem is further exacerbated by the fact that the presently known and used base cans are not regulated to the same specifications as the fasteners used to attach fixtures to them, resulting in base cans being made of a lower grade material that is more likely to become damaged. 
     Since the integrity of fastener systems for attaching objects such as lights to a runway is critical to the safety of both airplanes and their passengers, damaged base cans must be repaired such that each light fixture remains fixed to the base can with the necessary quantity of fasteners and corresponding threaded base can apertures in fully functional form. In the case of a stripped aperture thread, there is little that can be done to restore the thread integrity while allowing the same standardized bolt to be used in that aperture. In the case of a broken bolt, the fragment must be removed or otherwise drilled out in order to restore an open aperture through the flange. However, this too may result in widening of the aperture diameter or damage to the threads, leading to the inability to engage the aperture using the same standardized bolt used in the other apertures. 
     Furthermore, any such repairs to stripped threads, or efforts to remove a broken bolt fragment, are further complicated in the context of a base can assembly that is permanently fixed within a concrete runway surface, making repairs both difficult and expensive. The present inventors have identified a need to improve the speed and efficacy of making such repairs within the narrow time window that a technician has available between runway uses, as well as a solution to prevent damage and/or to accommodate repair more readily for future base cans being installed. 
     One of the most significant expenses for repairing damaged base cans arises from stripped threads, which require the base can to be removed from the concrete runway surface in order to install a new base can having fully functioning threads. Since a runway must have an exceptionally flat and even surface, removal and replacement of a base can generally requires a section of the runway concrete surrounding the base can to be removed and re-poured in conjunction with the newly installed base can. 
       FIG. 1  depicts one such base can and fastening system as known in the art. As shown, the assembly includes a base can  1  having a plurality of threaded base can apertures  8 , a spacer  44  having a plurality of spacer openings  48  that align with the base can apertures  8 , a seating ring  50  having a plurality of seating ring openings  58  that align with the spacer openings  48 , and an object  90  having object openings  92  that align with the seating ring openings  58 . After properly aligning these elements, the object  90  is coupled or secured to the base can  1  using a coupling system  18 , shown here as a bolt inserted from above, which will be discussed in detail below. In the example shown, the object  90  is a runway light fixture having light emitters  94 . 
     In practice, the base can  1  is permanently fixed within the concrete of a runway. Once the concrete has hardened, an appropriate number of spacers  44  are placed on the base can  1  to ensure the desired overall installation height, a seating ring  50  is placed on the spacers  44 , and an object  90  is secured to the base can from above by inserting a series of coupling systems  18 . Any subsequent repairs are performed on the runway, as the base can  1  is fixed within the concrete. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a cutaway portion of an exemplary base can  1  to which an object  90  may be coupled or secured by the presently disclosed fastening system. As described above, presently known base cans  1  often have sidewalls  2  that are cylindrical and at least a partial bottom wall (not shown). The top end  7  of the sidewalls  2  opposite of the at least partial bottom wall is generally at least partially open and often includes a flange  3 . As shown in  FIG. 2B  or  FIG. 2A , the flange  3  extends radially inwardly from the circumference of the top end  7  of the sidewalls  2 . A plurality of threaded base can apertures  8  are defined within the flange  3  and are spaced evenly around the circumference of the open top end  7  of the base can  1 . The upper surface  4  of the flange  3  and the base can apertures  8  provide an interface for an object  90  to be fastened to the base can  1  by inserting a coupling system  18 , such as a bolt, downwardly through the object  90  and into one of the threaded base can apertures  8  of the base can flange  3 . 
     While  FIGS. 2A-2C  generally depict a base can  1  as known in the art, the figures include the addition of a chamfer  9  that cooperates with the presently claimed fastening system, thus depicting an improved base can  1 . This will be discussed in detail below. 
     Beyond the improvement for new base cans  1 , the present inventors have designed and developed the presently disclosed fastener system to allow an existing base can  1  to be restored to functioning condition after the threaded base can apertures  8  have been damaged or rendered otherwise unusable. Specifically, the present inventors have developed a fastening system  100  that enables a new nut  12  having fully functional threads within the nut opening  16  defined therein to be retained under a damaged base can aperture  8  of the base can flange  3 , allowing the threaded nut opening  16  to be engaged by a coupling system  18  to couple an object  90  to the base can flange  3  regardless of the condition of the threads within the base can aperture  8 . 
     It should be noted that although this disclosure generally refers to base cans  1  oriented with the open end facing upwardly, and in the context of in-runway lighting, the present disclosure anticipates use of the disclosed fastening system for any base cans, such as overhead lighting or other applications. 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  show one embodiment of the present fastening system having a substantially C-shaped clip  20  that attaches onto the base can flange  3  shown in  FIG. 2B . The clip  20  supports and retains a new, fully functional nut  12  under the flange  3  to be threadably engaged by a coupling system  18 , such as a hex head bolt, to fix an object  90  (each shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the flange  3  from above. The clip  20  is comprised of an upper arm  24  spaced apart from the lower arm  28  by a spreader  22 , whereby the upper arm  24  and lower arm  28  are substantially parallel and the spreader  22  is substantially perpendicular to the upper arm  24  and the lower arm  28 . The height of the spreader  22  is configured to be substantially equal to the thickness between the upper surface  4  and lower surface  5  of the base can flange  3 . Since the bolt must now extend fully-through a drilled-out or striped flange opening  8 , a longer bolt may be required as compared to the original installation using functional apertures  8 . Other than meeting FAA specifications, the coupling system  18  includes a variety of devices generally known in the art. These include a bolt having a head on a first end opposite of a tip on a second end and being threaded along the length of the shaft (see  FIG. 1  generally). However, it also includes a combination of threaded rod with bolts, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     The present inventors have identified another embodiment of the present disclosure as being particularly advantageous in the context of runway repair. Frequently, runway resurfacing requires an extension  60  to be placed above flange  3  of base cans  1  set within the runway. These extensions  60  have been observed to shift relative to the base can  1  over time and through use, causing shearing or other damage any coupling systems  18  used to couple an object  90  to the base can  1 . There are presently no known methods or devices for solving this problem. 
       FIGS. 9C-9D  depict an embodiment configured to resolve the challenges relating to the use of extensions  60  described above. As shown, the coupling system  19  has top threads  116  and bottom threads  118  on threaded member  19 , with a stop  112  positioned therebetween to limit the respective threadable engagements of a top nut  17  and a nut  12 . A hex cap  114  near the top allows the coupling system  18  to be rotated with an external tool to threadably engage the nut  12 . This fixes the extension  60  to the base can  1  (via flange  3 ) when an extension  60  is required to modify the height of the base can  1  following a resurfacing of the runway. In this configuration, a taller clip  20  is required such that the clip  20  can engage both the flange  3  and the extension  60  to couple them together via the coupling system  19  as shown. In the context of  FIG. 1 , which shows a base can known in the art, the extension  60  requiring accommodation by the embodiment of clip  20  discussed above would be positioned between the flange  3  and any spacer  44  and/or seating ring  50  used, as well as the object  90 . 
     Returning to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the clip  20  further includes a middle arm  36  disposed between the upper arm  24  and lower arm  28 . Certain embodiments do not include a middle arm, including some that incorporate a threaded opening within the lower arm  28 , as is discussed below. Also shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  is a nut  12  having a lip coincident with its nut base  14 , whereby the nut  12  can be slideably inserted between the middle arm  36  and lower arm  28 . Specifically, the middle arm  36  and lower arm  28  sandwich the nut base  14  to engage the nut  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . In some embodiments, the tip  31  of one or more finger  29  may be bent in an upward direction towards the upper arm  24  or middle arm  36  to improve retention of the nut  12  within the clip  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 3D  further depicts an embodiment of clip  20  wherein the lower arm  28  is comprised of two fingers  29 , whereby the fingers  29  retain the nut base  14  of the nut  12  between the middle arm  36  and the lower arm  28 . Each finger  29  may also define an opening to together define a notch  30  therebetween. The notch  30  is configured to contact one or more sides  15  of the nut  12  to prevent its rotation. It is anticipated by the present disclosure that the nut  12  need not be hexagonal, but need only have one or more side  15  or other feature to engage with a finger  29  or the notch  30  of a finger  29  in the presently disclosed embodiment. Alternatively, the present disclosure also anticipates that the nut  12  may be integral with the clip  20 , eliminating the need for engagement between a side  15  of the nut  12  and the finger  29  or notch  30  to prevent rotation of the nut  12  relative to the clip  20 . As discussed above, integrating the nut  12  and the clip  20  eliminates the need for both the middle arm  36  and lower arm  28 , as the nut  12  may be attached to either one, eliminating the need for the other. Similarly, the present disclosure anticipates configurations in which the nut  12  is not integral to the lower arm  28 , and wherein the nut  12  engages directly with the lower surface  5  of the flange  3 , rather than with a middle arm  36 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  further illustrate the alignment of openings within the clip  20 —the upper opening  25  in the upper arm  24 , the middle opening  39  of the middle arm  36 , the lower opening  32  of the lower arm  28 —such that a coupling system  18  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is insertable through the clip  20  to be threaded into nut opening  16  of the nut  12  to fix an object  90  to the base can  1  from above. As such, the clip  20  in practice is aligned to a base can aperture  8  in the base can flange  3  that has defective threads, has been drilled out, or is otherwise in need of replacement. The assembly of the coupling system  18 , clip  20 , and nut  12  is also shown in  FIG. 5 , though it should be noted that the object  90 , optional seating ring  50 , optional spacer  44 , and base can flange  3  are omitted in this illustration. 
     It should be recognized that while the openings in the clip  20  are in some embodiments depicted as circular holes, these openings may have other shapes and also need not be enclosed, such as shown for lower opening  32 . 
     The inventors have further developed an improvement to new base cans  1  to accommodate the presently disclosed fastening system  100  for use in repairing newly manufactured base cans  1  as they become damaged in the future. For example, the embodiment of  FIG. 3B  has a middle arm  36  of the clip  20  with a raised alignment feature  40 , shown as frustoconical shape surrounding the middle opening  39 . This alignment feature is shown to extend upwardly from the upper surface  37  of the middle arm  36  and to match a corresponding frustoconical chamfer  9  within the lower surface  5  of the base can flange  3  that surrounds the flange opening  8 . The mating of the alignment feature  40  on the clip  20 , with the chamfer  9 , assists in aligning or maintaining alignment of the clip  20  and nut  12  relative to the base can base can aperture  8  before the threaded member  19  has been inserted through the base can aperture  8  to fix this alignment. 
     In other embodiments, the fit and friction between the upper surface  37  of the middle arm  36  and the lower surface  5  of the flange  3  is sufficient to maintain alignment of the clip  20  to the flange  3  without an alignment feature  40  and chamfer  9 . Therefore, the presently disclosed fastening system  100  also functions with existing base can installations. 
     In base can  1  assemblies known in the art, a pair of wedge lock washers  11  are routinely installed between the object  90  and the coupling system  18  in circumstances where vibrations may cause loosening over time (shown in  FIG. 9A ). Specifically, each of the wedge lock washers  11  have a coarse pitch D on one side and a fine pitch E on the other side. The two coarse pitches D are positioned in contact with one another in use, as would be known to one having ordinary skill in the art. 
     While the presently disclosed fastening system  100  can incorporate wedge lock washers  11  as known in the art, the present inventors have further identified improvements by instead using a nut  12  having variable pitches within the nut opening  16 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9B , the nut  12  has a first pitch A, second pitch B, and third pitch C. The present inventors have identified that this variable pitch serves as a mechanical lock on the coupling system  18  to prevent loosening over time. Exemplary products providing this functionality are offered for sale by Spiralock® and reduce the overall parts required in the presently disclosed fastening system  100 . 
     As discussed above, the presently known base can systems commonly include the use of spacers, as necessary, to ensure that the final installation of an object  90  on the base can  1  remains at a height that is substantially flush with the runway surface. However, the present inventors have also identified that the use of a clip that attaches onto the base can flange would interfere with the presently known spacers making contact with the base can flange upper surface. Accordingly, the present inventors have developed an improved spacer  44  to accommodate the use of the clip  20  in the presently disclosed fastening system, as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIGS. 6A-D  depict one embodiment of a spacer  44  configured to be placed on flange  3  to provide the necessary offset for a shorter object fixed to the base can. In some cases, multiple spacers may be necessary to achieve the desired overall assembly height. 
     The spacer  44  contains one or more clip groove  47  in the lower surface  46  of the spacer  44  that each substantially correspond a spacer opening  48  through the spacer  44 . The clip groove  47  is configured to be at least the size of the upper arm  24  of the clip  20  such that the clip groove  47  may fully accommodate the upper arm  24  therein when the spacer  44  is placed on the upper surface  4  of the base can  1  flange  3  with a clip  20  attached thereto. The clip groove  47  may be substantially larger than the dimensions of the upper arm  24  of the clip  20 , and in fact, the portion of the spacer  44  comprised of clip grooves  47  may be substantially greater than the portion of the lower surface  46  that makes contact with the upper surface  4  of the base can flange  3 . 
       FIGS. 7A-C  show a partial view of a base can  1  with a clip  20  retaining a nut  12  attached to the base can flange  3 , along with a spacer  44  placed above the clip  20 , in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically,  FIG. 7A  is a partial top view of a spacer  44  disposed on the upper surface  4  of a base can  1  with a clip  20  installed.  FIGS. 7B and 7C  demonstrates the alignment of the spacer openings  48  in the spacer  44  with the upper opening  25 , the middle opening  39 , and the lower opening  32  of the clip  20 , with the base can apertures  8  of the base can flange  3 , and with the nut opening  16  of the nut  12  upon installation of the clip  20  and the spacer  44  onto the flange  3 . 
     An optional seating ring  50  may be placed on the upper surface  45  of the spacer  44  shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C  to provide an interface for mounting the object  90  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , the seating ring  50  includes three substantially parallel surfaces: an upper surface  52 , a lower surface  56 , and a recessed surface  54  therebetween. The circumferential wall created between the upper surface  52  and the recessed surface  54  forms a lip  53  that may provide support and alignment for the object  90  to be placed on the recessed surface  54 . A plurality of seating ring openings  58  extend through the seating ring  50  between the recessed surface  54  and lower surface  56  and are spaced evenly around the circumference of the seating ring  50  to substantially vertically align with the spacer openings  48  of the spacer  44  below. 
     In this arrangement, the object  90  is coupled or secured to the base can  1  by inserting a coupling system  18 , such as a bolt, into an opening  92  in the object  90 , through a seating ring opening  58  in the seating ring  50 , through a spacer opening  48  in the spacer  44 , through the upper opening  25  in the upper arm  24  of the clip  20 , through the base can aperture  8  of the flange  3 , through the middle opening  39  of the middle arm  36  in the clip  20 , and finally into and threadably engaging the nut opening  16  of the nut  12  within the lower opening  32  of the lower arm  28  of the clip  20 . 
     As discussed above, the present disclosure anticipates clips  20  that do not include a middle arm  36 , but instead retain the nut  12  between the base can flange  3  and the clip  20  by merely the lower arm  28 . For example, the lower arm  28  may comprise a pocket shaped recess to prevent rotation of the nut  12  and to upwardly retain the nut  12  against the lower surface  5  of the flange  3  when the clip  20  is attached onto the base can flange  3 . 
       FIG. 7B  further discloses the alignment feature  40  of the middle arm  36  being aligned and nested within the chamfer  9  in the lower surface  5  of the base can flange  3 , which provides fixation for the clip  20  relative to the base can flange  3  before a bolt or coupling system  18  more generally is inserted therein. The present inventors have found that the alignment feature  40  and chamfer  9  are not required of the presently disclosed fastener system  100 , but are useful improvements ton incorporate into newly installed base cans  1  to simplify repairs to the presently disclosed fastening system  100  in the future. This alignment feature is also shown in  FIGS. 4A-B .  FIGS. 8A-C  depict one embodiment of the presently disclosed fastening system  100  installed on a flange  3  of an existing base can  1  known in the art. The base can flange  3  is shown without sidewalls to provide unobstructed viewing. As can be seen, since the flange  3  does not have a chamfer, the raised alignment feature  40  of the clip  20  is not engaged therein. However, the clip  20  nonetheless functions equally well without base cans  1  that incorporate this alignment feature. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.