Turn Fastener

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of fasteners, and more particularly to one-piece turn fasteners.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

A variety of fasteners are utilized to secure one panel to another panel or member. Many fastening devices comprise complex organizations of parts or elements which must be assembled in order to construct the fastener. A need exists for a simple fastening apparatus which can be easily constructed and readily able to install on a surface.

One-piece fasteners have been known in the field of latches. Among one-piece fasteners are draw latches, which include a member which is drawn over a stop or receiving member to secure the latch. For example, the one-piece member is attached to one panel or closure member and the receiving member is generally mounted to a second panel. This type of latch usually requires the stretching of the latch to engage the stop or retaining member. An example of a draw latch is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D333,775. Other latches, such as the "Door or Panel Fastener" disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,935 to Robert H. Bisbing, provide rotary operation of a pawl between latched and unlatched positions. Another latch which includes rotation of a pawl to fasten a first panel to a second panel is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,244 issued to Robert H. Bisbing for a "Latch Assembly Having Pull-up Action".

The present invention provides a novel fastening apparatus which can be used to secure two members, such as first and second panels, together. The fastening apparatus can include a member with a head and a body portion extending therefrom. The fastener member is installed by inserting it through an aperture in a first member or panel and then through an aperture or cut-out portion of a second member panel which is to be secured to the first panel. The aperture provided in the first panel accommodates receipt of a portion of the fastener member while preventing the head of the member from passing through the first panel. The novel fastening apparatus of the present invention has a compression portion which acts upon a second member or panel to maintain it in secured relation with another member, such as a first panel. Preferably the compression is provided through a spring biasing member.

The fastening member of the present invention can have a plurality of compression members to offer variable compression for accommodating one or more panels of varying thicknesses.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel fastening member and a keeper member, where the keeper member may comprise the second panel itself, or may ultimately be provided as a receptacle which is installed on a second panel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, on the second panel, a receiving area for the compression member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel fastener which can comprise one-piece construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fastening member which can be installed on one or more panels through insertion into an aperture or cut-out in each panel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastening member which may be secured to a first panel and can connect a second panel to the first panel by insertion in a cut-out of the second panel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stop for the fastening member.

Another object is to provide a stop which includes one or more apertures disposed in the second panel for receipt of a portion of the fastener member therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stop which includes a plurality of elements on the second panel which retain the compression members of the fastener.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a fastener according to the present invention with a receptacle shown below the fastener.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 1 shown in an installation securing two panels together.

FIG. 3 is a front top perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1 shown in an alternate installation.

FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of the head of the fastener shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a first alternate embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of a second alternate embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a third alternate embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a fourth alternate embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is front top perspective view of a socket member according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fastener member 10 according to the present invention is shown. The fastener member 10 is provided with a head 11, a shaft body portion 12, and a pair of arms 13, 14 extending from the shaft body 12. Each arm 13, 14 is provided with retaining means comprising end portions 15 and 16, respectively, disposed on each arm, 13, 14. The shaft body 12 is shown with the head 11 of the member 10 at one end thereof, with the opposite end of the shaft body 12 supporting the arms 13, 14 which extend outwardly therefrom.

The fastener 10 is provided to exhibit a compression fit against a surface with the compression means shown comprising the arms 13 and 14. The arms 13, 14 extend from the shaft body 12 outwardly and preferably upwardly in relation to the fastener head 11. The fastener arms 13, 14 are preferably comprised of a material which is resilient but will also exhibit strength so that the panels can be securely fastened. Such suitable materials comprise plastics, resins, or other pliable like materials.

While not shown, it is understood that the arms 13, 14 can be comprised of a material which may be more resilient than that of the other portions of the fastener member 10. For example, the shaft body 12 of the member 10 can be provided of a hardened material, as can the head 11. In addition, while not shown, the fastener member 10 may be reinforced for heavy duty applications by providing additional strengthening means, which can comprise a steel or wire insert within the member. For example, the shaft body 12, while not shown, may contain a core of wire, as may the arms 13, 14 and the end portions 15 and 16.

In FIG. 1, a second panel 100 is shown for receipt and securing of the fastener member 10 thereto. The second panel 100 is provided with an aperture or cut-out portion 20, and stop means which operates as a stop for the end portions 15 and 16. The stop means is shown comprising stop apertures 21 and 22 disposed on opposite sides of the second panel cut-out portion 20. While not shown, the stop means can also comprise detents or other suitable stopping members, such as raised bosses and the like, on the rear surface 101 of the second panel 100, either in addition to or in place of the stop apertures 21 and 22, for seating the end portions 15, 16 of the fastener. The end portions 15, 16 likewise may be unseated or displaced from the stop means by further rotation of the fastener 10 to move the end portions 15, 16 out of and beyond the stop means. The stop means can also be provided to permit unseating to take place by turning the fastener 10 in the reverse direction relative to the fastening or seating direction.

Referring to FIG. 2, the fastener 10 of FIG. 1 is shown installed to fasten a first panel 102 to the second panel 100. The end portions 15, 16 of the fastener 10 are shown resting in the stop means apertures, respectively 21, 22. The arms 13, 14 flex away from the shaft body 12 by the force exerted upon them by the first and second panels, respectively 102, and 100. The arms 13, 14 provide a compression force which operates against the first and second panels 102, 100 to compress the panels together and against the fastener head 11.

Preferably, the fastener head 11 is provided of a sufficient dimension relative to the first panel 102 to rest on at least a portion of the first panel 102 which it engages when the fastener 10 is installed. The first panel 102, preferably, is provided having a receiving aperture or cut-out portion therein 23 through which the arms 13 and 14 of the fastener member 10 fit. The receiving aperture 23 of the first panel 102 may be aligned with that aperture or cut-out portion 20 of the second panel 100, or may be perpendicularly provided in relation to the aperture 20 of the second panel 100. The fastener member 10 may be installed to the first panel 102 by insertion into the first panel receiving aperture 23. The first panel receiving aperture 23 can be provided to have a variety of configurations which are suitable to receive the arms 13, 14 of the fastener 10 therein. Likewise, the receiving aperture 23 also is preferably provided to permit the fastener head 11 to be retained by the first panel surface. The receiving aperture 23, for example, may comprise a configuration, having, as its longest dimension, a dimension smaller than the largest cross-sectional width dimension between the arms 13 and 14 and end portion members 15 and 16. In such a configuration, where the first panel aperture 23 is smaller in relation to the arm width of the fastener member 10, the arms 13, 14 must flex for press-fit for installation to the first panel 102, or can be installed one arm at a time. In this manner, the receiving aperture 23 is preferably smaller than the width of the arms 13, 14 to facilitate retention of the fastener head 11 on the first panel 102. This permits the fastener member 10 to remain on the first panel 102 prior to and during installation of a first panel 102 to a second panel 100. It is noted that where a plurality of fastener members 10 are employed, they can be installed onto a first panel such as that 102, and the first panel 102, carrying the fastener members, then attached to a second panel, such as that 100.

Likewise, the second panel aperture 20 may also be provided having a smaller width dimension than that of the fastener member 10 width, as described above, to permit press-fit installation of the fastener 10 into the second panel aperture 20. In that case, press-fit installation of the fastener member 10 and through the receiving aperture 23 in the first panel 102 and subsequently through an aperture 20 in the second panel 100 can provide preliminary attachment of the first panel 102 with the second panel 100 before the fastener 10 is turned to complete installation by moving the end portions 15, 16 into engagement with the stop means.

The fastener 10, once received in the aperture 20 of the second panel 100 is turned to align the end portions 15, 16 into positions within the stop apertures 21, 22. The end portions 15, 16 are preferably provided having a radial or arcuate configuration. This configuration facilitates movement of the arms 13, 14 and end portions 15, 16 across the second panel rear surface 101, as well as over the wall 24 defining the second panel aperture 20 (if the wall 24 is engaged during installation), and within the stop means.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the fastener 10 according to the present invention in an installation where a first member 150 is shown having a prep hole 151 for receipt of the fastener arms 13, 14 which are snapped into the hole 151 of the first member 150. A separate retainer member or element is not required in this installation. A second member 152 is provided for attachment to the first member 150. The second member 152 preferably includes a receptacle, shown comprising a radial slot 153 which is perforated or formed into the second member 152 for receipt of the fastener arms 13, 14. The arms 13, 14 can be pressed into the receptacle 153 for snap or press-fit installation. The second member 152 preferably is provided with a stop, which is shown comprising the apertures 154 and 155.

Referring to FIG. 4, the fastener head 11 is shown having rotating means, such as, for example, the screw slot 25. While a screw slot 25 is shown, it is understood that other means such as a Philip's screw head or other head configuration may be employed in a similar manner. A knob may also be provided for turning the fastener 10 without an additional tool.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in the form of a multi-arm fastener member 110 having multiple arms 113, 114, 115, 116 which extend from a shaft body 112. The arms 113, 114, 115, 116 can be provided similar to those arms 13, 14 described above in relation to the fastener 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The multi-arm fastener member 110 shown in FIG. 5 can, as described above in relation to the FIGS. 1-3 fastener embodiment 10, have strengthening means, including a wire member disposed throughout the shaft body 112 and/or arm members 113, 144, 115, 116, in order to provide improved strength. The fastener member 110 can be installed to a first panel by inserting the lower arms 115, 116 through a slot provided in a first panel, and rotating the fastener 110 to insert the upper arms 113, 114 through the same slot. In this manner, the multi-arm fastener 110 can be utilized for securing a plurality of panel members to each other, to a mounting surface, or can secure a plurality of other members together. The arms 113, 114, 115, 116, while shown provided at different heights along the shaft body 112, can be placed in alternate arrangements to accommodate panels of a variety of thicknesses. In addition, the position of the upper arms 113, 114, while shown 90 degrees from the lower arms 115, 116 on the shaft body 112, can be provided at different angles around the shaft body 112 relative to the lower arms 115, 116. Furthermore, while shown symmetrically opposed to one another, the upper arms 113, 114 may be provided at different positions around the circumference, or even at different heights along the vertical axis, of the shaft body 112.

The multi-arm fastener 110 also comprises end portions 120, 121, 122, 123 which function in the manner described above with respect to end portions 15 and 16 of the fastener member 10.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, where an alternate embodiment of a fastener member 210 according to the present invention is shown. The fastener 210 is provided with a head 211 and a shaft body 212 extending therefrom with a pair of arms extending outwardly from the shaft body 212. End portions 215 and 216, respectively, are provided on the end of each arm member 213, 214. In the FIG. 6 fastener member embodiment, the arms 213 and 214 are shown provided at different heights along the shaft body 212. The upper arm 214 is shown extending from the shaft body at a point closer to the head 211 of the fastener member 210 than the lower arm 213. The lower arm 213 extends outwardly from the bottom end of the shaft body 212. The offset fastener member 210 is shown in an installation with two panels wherein a first panel 300 of uniform thickness is secured to a second panel 301 having zones of differing thickness throughout. The first panel 300 has a receiving aperture 323 and the second panel 301 is also provided with an aperture 320. As shown in FIG. 6, a thin zone 302 of the second panel 301 is provided along with a thick zone 303. The second panel 301 is provided with stop means comprising a first recess 304 disposed in the thin portion 302 of the panel 301 and a second recess 305 disposed in the thick portion of the second panel 301. The end portions 215, 216 are respectively secured in the first and second recesses 305, 304. In this embodiment, the varied placement of the arms 213, 214 along the shaft body 212, permits panels having different thicknesses, such as that second panel shown as 301, for example, to be fastened with the fastener member 210 according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows another alternate embodiment of a fastener 220 according to the present invention. The multi-arm fastener 220 shows a plurality of arms 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226, extending from the fastener body 227. The body 227 has a head 228 with a screw slot 229 at one end thereof and arms 223, 226 extending therefrom at the opposite end.

Another alternate embodiment of a fastener 240 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 8, wherein a plurality of arms, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248 are shown in staggered relationship along the shaft body 250 to provide multiple gripping by the arms over the range of the fastener body 250. The fastener 240 has a head 251 with a screw slot 252. In addition to staggering the arms, as shown in FIG. 8, the arms, for example, while not shown, may be provided in a cascading arrangement. Preferably, the alternate embodiments can be press-fit into first and second members as described above in relation to the fastener 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the aperture or cut-out portion 20 may be cut directly into the panel to which the fastener member 10 is to be installed, or may itself receive an additional socket member 50, as shown in FIG. 9. The socket member 50 is provided as an insert which is received in a panel aperture, such as that second panel aperture 20, shown in FIG. 1. The socket 50 is installed to a second panel, generally 500. The second panel 500 is provided having receiving means, such as the detents or apertures 521, 522, shown in broken-line representation on the second panel 500 and disposed on opposite sides of the socket 50. The socket 50 is shown comprising a rectangular member having four walls 51, 52, 53 and 54 which are vertical in relation to flange portions 55, 56, 57 and 58, respectively, which extend from each wall and rest on the surface of the second panel 500.

It is further understood that while the socket member 50 is shown as a rectangular member, it may be provided in other forms as long as the arms 13, 14 of the fastener member 10, or any fastener embodiment 110, 210, to be used therewith, can fit through the socket. In addition, while not shown, stop means may be provided on the socket member. The socket member 50 can be used where the second panel or member requires reinforcement for retention of the fastener legs.

Other advantages and modifications consistent with the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made. For example, the number and placement of arms on the fastener member shaft body can be varied to suit the thickness of the panel or member being fastened, or the number of panels or members being fastened.