Abstract:
A mechanism for attaching a structure to a relatively flat panel includes a housing containing an outer button which contains an inner button. Displacement of the inner button into the outer button causes a moveable attachment portion to partially collapse toward a centerline which permits the moveable attachment portion to pass through an engagement aperture in the panel. Movement of the outer button into the housing permits the moveable engagement portion to extend past a back surface of the panel to engage the back surface and hold the attaching structure to the panel via forces exerted by biasing members once the buttons are released.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/420,480, filed Dec. 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field of the present disclosure relates to mechanical devices for attachment to relatively flat panels via a hole in such panels. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mechanical devices for attaching an electrical connector to an electrical panel (such as the computer cable example above) are typically configured to (1) secure an electrical connector to an electrical panel having a predetermined thickness, (2) secure an electrical connector to an electrical panel bearing a mating mounting component, or (3) require threaded rods and corresponding threaded apertures in the electrical panel. For example, one common type of panel mounting device uses a backing member and an opposing member that is designed to entrap a panel having a specific thickness there-between, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,542. Another type of commonly available panel mounting device includes rods having threaded ends that engage threaded apertures, such as devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,942. 
     The present inventor has recognized that using commonly available fasteners to secure electrical connectors to panels, or to secure other suitable objects to relatively flat panels or surfaces is cumbersome because of the use of threaded fasteners or clip-style fasteners requires multiple different fasteners depending on the thickness of the panel. The present inventor has therefore recognized a need to provide improved attachment or mounting devices designed for use with panels having a range of thicknesses and for use without threaded fastening features. 
     Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a left-side isometric cross sectional assembly view of an exemplary attachment device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a right rear-side partly exploded isometric view of the components for the attachment device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a left front-side partly exploded isometric view of the components for the attachment device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a left-side isometric cross sectional assembly view of another attachment device prior to installation in a panel. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a left-side isometric cross sectional assembly view of the attachment device of  FIG. 4  during installation in a panel. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a left-side isometric cross sectional assembly view of the attachment device of  FIG. 4  installed in a panel. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a left-side isometric cross sectional assembly view of the attachment device of  FIG. 4  being detached from a panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an exemplary mounting, or attachment, device  5 . Mounting device  5  is configured to releasably attach an object, such as an electrical connector  500  ( FIG. 3 ), or other suitable structure, to panels or walls (for example, panel  95 ,  FIG. 4 ) having different thicknesses. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , mounting device  5  is configured to attach to a flat surface having a thickness ranging from approximately 0.040 of an inch to approximately 0.10 of an inch. In other embodiments, an attachment device, such as mounting device  5 , may be configured to attach to panels of different suitable thicknesses. In contrast, conventional fasteners are commonly designed to accommodate a single thickness, for example, existing fasteners for attaching an electrical connector housing to a flat surface bearing electronic devices. Therefore, different conventional fasteners typically need to be used when it is desired to attach an electrical connector housing to a panel or wall having a different thickness. 
     In a preferred arrangement, a panel mounting device  5  is configured to be pushed, for example, like pushing a button, to attach into an aperture in a flat surface. Panel mounting device  5  is also configured to be pushed, again, like a button, to release from an aperture in a flat surface. A discussion of assembling an exemplary panel mounting device  5  is followed by operation of a panel mounting device. 
     Assembly 
     A panel mounting device  5  includes an inner button  10  having a shaft  15 , which may be integrally formed with inner button  10 , or may be attached via threads, adhesive, or other suitable attachment. Inner button  10  is inserted into an outer button  20  until a shoulder  25  of inner button  10  contacts an inner lip  30  of outer button  20 . Inner button  10  is preferably inserted through a rear aperture  21  ( FIGS. 2-3 ) of outer button  20  so that a button head  11  projects through a front aperture  22  of outer button  20 . A spring  35  is placed over shaft  15  followed by a collar  40 . Collar  40  is attached to outer button  20 , for example, via a threaded, press fit, or other suitable engagement, and spring  35  is preferably slightly compressed between collar  40  and shoulder  25 . If threads are used to secure collar  40  to outer button  20  a thread locking material, such as one of the products under the Loktite® brand available from, Henkel AG &amp; Co. KGaA of Düsseldorf, Germany is preferably used. Spring  35  urges shoulder  25  of inner button  10  against inner lip  30  of outer button  20 . 
     The button assembly, which includes inner button  10 , outer button  20 , spring  35 , and collar  40 , is inserted through a back side  44  of a button housing aperture  45  (best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) of a button housing  46 , so that a shoulder  50  of collar  40  contacts an inner lip  55  (best illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of the button housing aperture  45 . Engagement of shoulder  50  with inner lip  55  prevents the button assembly from exiting through the front side of the button housing aperture  45 . 
     A spring  60  is placed into the button housing aperture  45  over collar  40  (which overlies shaft  15 ) and contacts the shoulder  50  of collar  40 . A ring  65  is threaded, press fit, or otherwise suitably secured, into the back side  44  of the button housing aperture  45 . Preferably, spring  60  is slightly compressed between ring  65  and shoulder  50  to urge shoulder  50  of collar  40  against inner lip  55  of button housing  46 . 
     Collar  40  includes cantilever beams  70  separated by slots  75  (best illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). Each cantilever beam  70  includes a ramped surface  80  and a snap-lock ridge  85  proximate the free end  90 . The purpose of the cantilever beams  70 , ramped surfaces  80 , and snap-lock ridges  85  are explained below with respect to operation of a panel mounting device. 
     Operation 
     Securing an electrical connector  500  ( FIG. 3 ) to a relatively flat panel  95  ( FIG. 4 ) is described below, however panel mounting devices, such as panel mounting device  5 , are not limited to securing electrical connectors to panels. For example, other embodiments may include a modified button housing that permits use of a panel mounting device in a manner similar to use of a Cleco-style fastener, or other embodiments may attach other suitable devices to relatively flat panels or other suitable objects. 
     Attachment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , securing panel mounting device  5  to a panel  95  is preferably accomplished by aligning the cantilever beams  70  with an attachment aperture  100  in the panel  95  and contacting the ramped surfaces  80  against the circumference of the attachment aperture  100 . Note that aperture  100  preferably includes a chamfer  101  facing the panel mounting device  5 , but does not include a chamfer on the opposing side  96  of the panel  95 . A small radius  102  may be included in the aperture  100  on the opposing side  96  to facilitate detaching the panel mounting device  5  from the panel  95  as described below with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     A user pushes inner and outer buttons  10  and  20  toward the panel  95  which initially moves the inner button  10  approximately 0.010 of an inch into outer button  20  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) because the interaction of the ramped surfaces  80  with the circumference of the attachment aperture  100  inhibits movement of the cantilever beams  70  through the attachment aperture  100 . 
     The shaft  15  of inner button  10  thus moves toward panel  95  causing a circumferential groove  105 A to partially align with a circumferentially-oriented ridge  110 A located on an internal surface (i.e., facing the shaft  15 ) of each cantilever beam  70  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). The “A” suffix denotes that the circumferential groove  105 A and circumferentially-oriented ridge  110 A of  FIGS. 4-7  are at difference locations relative to the similar circumferential groove  105  and circumferentially-oriented ridge  110  of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Contact between an outer surface  115  of shaft  15  and ridges  110 A causes the free ends  90  of cantilever beams  70  to flex away from a central axis  120 , thus cantilever beams  70  exert a spring force that urges the free ends  90  toward the central axis  120 . Therefore, when groove  105 A partially aligns with ridges  110 A, the free ends  90  of cantilever beams  70  move sufficiently toward the central axis  120  to permit ramped surfaces  80  and snap-lock ridges  85  to pass entirely through the attachment aperture  100 . Interaction between chamfer  101  and ramped surfaces  80  preferably facilitates snap-lock ridges  85  passing entirely through the attachment aperture  100 . 
     Button housing  46  contacts panel  95 , and as the user continues to push on the inner button  10  and the outer button  20 , spring  60  compresses and the cantilever beam portions  70  of collar  40  extend through the attachment aperture  100  (best illustrated in  FIG. 5 ). As the user continues to push on the inner button  10  and outer button  20  the snap-lock ridges  85  pass entirely through the attachment aperture  100 . Preferably, snap-lock ridges  85  make an audible click as they pass through the attachment aperture  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , spring  60  is close to its maximum compression amount, and thus collar  40  is close to its maximum extension through panel  95 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , panel  95  may have a range of thicknesses and mounting device  5  remains capable of securing itself and an associated object to panel  95 . For example, a back surface  96  of panel  95  could be located anywhere over distance “d” and the back surface  125  of snap-lock ridges  85  would be able to move past and engage the back surface  96  as described below. 
     Snap-lock ridges  85  pass through the attachment aperture  100  and frictionally engage the back surface  96  of panel  95 , for example, evidenced by the audible click. In a preferred embodiment, such frictional engagement is via contacting the back surface  125  of snap-lock ridges  85  against the back surface  96  of panel  95 . The user ceases pushing on the inner button  10  and the outer button  20 . The frictional engagement of the back surface  125  of snap-lock ridges  85  against the back surface  96  of panel  95  prevents spring  60  from urging shoulder  50  of collar  40  into contact with inner lip  55  of button housing  46  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). Spring  35  thus urges inner button  10  back to its home position with respect to outer button  20 , that is, with shoulder  25  engaging inner lip  30 . When inner button  10  moves back to its home position with respect to outer button  20 , groove  105 A no longer partially aligns with ridges  110 A, thus causing outer surface  115  of shaft  15  to engage ridges  110 A and move the free ends  90  of the cantilever beams  70  away from the central axis  120 . 
     Back surfaces  125  of snap-lock ridges  85  further engage the back surface  96  of the panel  95  while outer button  20  remains displaced approximately 0.040 of an inch (as best illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) from its home position with respect to button housing  46 . Of course, the amount of displacement of outer button  20  with respect to its home position depends on the thickness of panel  95 . In a preferred arrangement, mounting device  5  is sized and configured to attach through apertures in panels having thicknesses ranging from approximately 0.040 inch to approximately 0.10 inch. Thus, the cantilever beams  70  are prevented from exiting the attachment aperture  100  and spring  60  urges button housing  46  and back surfaces  125  of the cantilever beams  70  toward each other to apply a pinching force to panel  95 . The force exerted by spring  60  thus causes mounting device  5  to securely engage the panel  95 . 
     When mounting device  5  is secured to panel  95 , the spring  60  pushes against shoulder  50  to urge collar  40  away from the panel  95 . However, the thickness of the panel  95  prevents shoulder  40  from contacting inner lip  55 . Thus, spring  60  exerts a sufficient force to secure button housing  46  to flat panel  95 . Note that the force exerted by spring  60  increases as the thickness of flat panel  95  increases. In a preferred arrangement, spring  60  includes a relatively linear spring force of 110 pounds per inch. Other suitable spring forces may be used, including non-linear spring forces. 
     In a preferred arrangement, before a mounting device  5  secures an object to a panel  95  the distance “D” ( FIG. 1 ) from the back surface  125  of snap-lock ridge  85  is approximately 0.035 inch from the back face  130  of a button housing  46 . Thus, mounting device  5  can secure the button housing  46  (and anything attached to the button housing  46 , such as an electrical connector  500 ) to a panel  95  with a thickness of approximately 0.040 inch, or thicker. The range of travel of outer button  20  through a panel mounting device aperture, such as panel mounting device aperture  100 , for example, preferably allows mounting device  5  to also secure the button housing  46  to panels, such as panel  95 , with thicknesses up to approximately 0.100 inch. In other embodiments, the distance between the back surface  125  of snap-lock ridge  85  and the back face  130  of button housing  46 , the range of travel of outer button  20  through a panel mounting device aperture, or both, may be modified to permit a mounting device, such as mounting device  5 , to secure a button housing or other suitable structure to panels having different ranges of thicknesses. 
     Preferred embodiments do not require tools, other than a user&#39;s hands, to attach a mounting device  5  to a panel  95 , or to another suitable structure. 
     Disengagement 
     To disengage the mounting device  5  from the attachment aperture  100  a tool, such as a small diameter screwdriver shaft, pencil, or other suitable object, is used to push inner button  10  into outer button  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . In other embodiments, a button head, such as button head  11  projects sufficiently past outer button  20  to permit a user&#39;s hand to be used to push inner button  10  into outer button  20 , thus requiring no tool for disengagement. Because the spring force for spring  35  is less than the spring force for spring  60 , collar  40  does not move toward panel  95  when inner button  10  is pressed into outer button  20 . 
     Inner button  10  is moved into outer button  20  until circumferential groove  105 A aligns with circumferentially-oriented ridges  110 A on cantilever beams  70 . In other words, the spring force acting toward central axis  120  exerted by the cantilever beams  70  is able to move ridges  110 A into the deepest portion of groove  105 A. When groove  105 A aligns with ridges  110 A the free ends  90  of the cantilever beams  70  move toward central axis  120  sufficiently far to permit snap-lock ridge  85  to exit attachment aperture  100 . Spring  60  is preferably sufficiently strong to overcome any frictional force created by engagement of the back surfaces  125  of snap-lock ridges  85  and the back side  96  of the flat panel  95  when the free ends  90  of the cantilever beams  70  are at their maximum displacement toward central axis  120  permitted by ridges  110 A moving into groove  105 A. Spring  60  thus causes collar  40  to move away from panel  95  until shoulder  50  engages inner lip  55  which causes cantilever beams  70  to pull their associated snap-lock ridges  85  out through engagement aperture  100 . Mounting device  5  thus “jumps” out of engagement aperture  100  when inner button  10  is displaced sufficiently far into outer button  20  to align groove  105 A with ridges  110 A. 
     It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.