Anchoring assembly, assembly of an anchoring assembly and a structural element, method for manufacturing an anchoring assembly, method for installing an anchoring assembly in an

Abstract

An anchor assembly adapted to be pre-assembled in an elongate opening in a structural element, the anchor assembly comprising: an anchor nut having a top side, a bottom side, and a threaded bore having a central axis extending from the top side to the bottom side and defining an axial direction, the nut further having a lateral side extending from the top side to the bottom side; a spring (210) made of metal, the spring having: a spring portion (211) extending from the bottom side of the nut for resiliently supporting the anchoring assembly on a surface of the structural element aligned with the elongate opening; a retaining portion (212) engaged with the nut for retaining the spring on the nut; and a gripping portion (213) extending from the top side of the nut for a user to grip during installation of the anchoring assembly in the structural element. The spring portion, the holding portion and the grip portion are integral, and wherein the grip portion and the holding portion have been formed by bending the spring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an anchor assembly suitable for preassembly in an elongated opening in a structural element, the anchor assembly comprising an anchor nut and a spring for elastically supporting the anchor assembly on a surface of the structural element in line with the elongated opening. Background Art

[0002] This anchor assembly can also be referred to as a channel nut, and is used to preassemble a nut in a structural element with an elongated opening. This preassembly of a nut allows a standard fastener (e.g., hexagonal screw, bolt, hexagon socket screw) to be screwed into the threaded hole of the nut, for example to fix an object to a structural element. The structural element can be a thin-walled hollow profile or track, preferably made of metal, such as a channel element. The elongated opening can, for example, be a longitudinal groove defined in the upper side of the channel element, such as defined between flanges extending toward each other from the corresponding side walls of the channel element. The elongated opening can alternatively be an elongated through hole in the wall of the structural element, such as a rectangular hole with straight lateral end edges at its head end (i.e., at the short side of the hole), but can also be a slotted hole with circular end edges.

[0003] Conventional channel nuts typically include a nut having a threaded hole and a spring extending downwardly from the bottom side of the nut. For example, when installed in a channel element, the spring then biases the top side of the nut toward the flange. See, for example, US7246547. However, these channel nuts are cumbersome to install in a structural element because the installer has an uncomfortable grip on the channel nut and / or must change his grip when he must manually insert the channel nut into the opening and rotate it about its central axis. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative assembly of the type mentioned at the outset. It is a further object of the invention to provide an anchor assembly which is easy to install.

[0005] This object is achieved by an anchor assembly suitable for preassembly in an elongated opening in a structural element, the anchor assembly comprising:

[0006] An anchor nut having a top side, a bottom side and a threaded hole with a central axis, the threaded hole extending from the top side to the bottom side and defining an axial direction, the nut also having a lateral side extending from the top side to the bottom side,

[0007] A spring made of metal having:

[0008] a spring portion extending from the bottom side of the nut, preferably the spring portion extending substantially along the central axis, for elastically supporting the anchor assembly on a surface of the structural element aligned with the elongated opening,

[0009] a retaining portion, engaged with the nut, for retaining the spring on the nut, and

[0010] a gripping portion extending from a top side of the nut for gripping by a user during installation of the anchor assembly in a structural element,

[0011] The spring portion, the holding portion and the gripping portion are integral, and the gripping portion and the holding portion are formed by bending the spring.

[0012] The gripping portion extending from the top side of the nut allows the installer to easily and / or securely grip the anchor assembly to install it in the structural element. This facilitates the ease of installing the anchor assembly in the structural element and / or the ease of removing the anchor assembly from the structural element. In addition, it allows the anchor assembly to be installed more accurately in the elongated opening in the structural element.

[0013] In particular, the anchor assembly according to the present invention allows to easily (accurately) install the anchor assembly in an elongated opening, the elongated opening having a length and a width smaller than the length, and the nut of the assembly having a length and a width smaller than the length, wherein the length of the assembly is greater than the width of the elongated opening, the elongated opening having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and the anchor assembly having a first axis extending in the longitudinal direction and a second axis extending transversely to the first axis.

[0014] A gripping portion extending from the top side of the nut allows the gripping portion to be gripped and then the assembly to be manipulated so that the first axis of the assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening. Subsequently, the anchor assembly can be inserted into the opening so that the spring portion engages a bottom surface of the structural element, which is parallel to the opening. The spring portion can then be tensioned by applying downward pressure while gripping the gripping portion so that the top side of the nut is located below the opening, and the assembly is rotated about its central axis so that the second axis of the assembly is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening. Finally, by releasing the downward pressure while gripping the gripping portion, the spring portion can be at least partially released so that the spring portion biases the top side of the nut toward an inner surface of the structural element adjacent to the elongated opening so that the top side of the nut is in supporting engagement with the inner surface of the structural element.

[0015] After mounting the anchor assembly in the opening of the structural element, the gripping portion may be bent such that it extends substantially along the top side of the nut, preferably such that it does not cover the threaded hole.

[0016] The spring portion, the holding portion and the gripping portion being integral, and the gripping portion and the holding portion having been formed by bending the spring is advantageous for manufacturing, as it allows a simple and efficient manufacturing process with few parts.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the spring is made of a metal wire, which can be made of spring steel, for example. The spring is then actually a spring wire and the gripping portion is a bent wire portion. Spring wire is particularly advantageous for this simple and efficient manufacturing process. In addition, this is a lightweight solution. Alternatively, the spring can be made of sheet metal, for example.

[0018] In a practical embodiment, the spring part is a helical spring. Preferably, the helical spring is coaxial with the threaded hole, for example coaxial with its central axis.

[0019] In another embodiment, the gripping portion has been bent to be stiffer than the spring portion in the axial direction. This facilitates the installation accuracy of the anchor assembly, since the gripping portion and the nut have a more stable position relative to each other when the assembly is manipulated, while the anchor assembly still has the desired spring elasticity for elastically supporting the anchor assembly on a surface of the structural element parallel to the elongated opening.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the gripping portion is formed as an arch. This is particularly convenient for the user to grip. In addition, it is particularly suitable for the gripping portion to be bent so that it extends substantially along the top side of the nut, preferably so that it does not cover the threaded hole.

[0021] In an embodiment, the retaining portion engages with a bottom side of the nut and / or one of the lateral sides of the nut.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the retaining portion also engages with the top side of the nut.

[0023] In a practical embodiment, the nut is provided with a recess in which the retaining portion is received, the recess being in particular a groove. This allows an engagement between the nut and the spring which prevents a relative displacement between them, for example due to sliding. The nut and the spring may for example be in interlocking engagement.

[0024] In a further practical embodiment, the retaining portion is permanently fixed to the nut. For example, by riveting or nailing the retaining portion to the nut. For nailing, the retaining portion is usually received in a recess (e.g., a groove) in the nut, after which a fixing material is pressed against the retaining portion with a punch-like tool (e.g., substantially perpendicular to the extension of the retaining portion in the recess) so that the retaining portion is fixed to the nut body. The pressing of the fixing material can produce a further recess in the nut, so that the fixing material is recessed into the outer surface of the nut or flush with the outer surface of the nut.

[0025] The invention further relates to a combination of an anchor assembly and a structural element according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0026] In one embodiment, the structural element is a channel element having a bottom, side walls extending from the bottom and an upper side opposite the bottom, wherein the upper side of the channel element comprises flanges extending from the respective side walls towards each other and defining between them an elongated opening extending over the length of the channel element. Typically, the bottom of such a channel element is substantially flat. Furthermore, typically, the side walls of such a channel element extend from the bottom at approximately right angles. For such a channel element, the elongated opening is a longitudinal slot.

[0027] In a further embodiment, in the mounted state, the top side of the nut engages with the flange from below and the gripping portion does not extend above the flange. This is advantageous because interference from the gripping portion is prevented when, for example, assembling or fixing an object to the channel element.

[0028] The invention further relates to a method for producing an anchor assembly according to the invention.

[0029] In an embodiment, wherein the spring is made of metal wire, the method comprises the step of bending the spring by means of a wire bending process. The wire bending process may advantageously comprise bending the spring using an automatic wire bending machine (eg, a CNC wire bending machine).

[0030] In a further embodiment, the spring is produced from a metal sheet, for example from spring steel, by means of a cutting and / or bending process.

[0031] The invention further relates to a method for installing an anchor assembly according to the invention in an elongated opening in a structural element, the elongated opening having a length and a width less than the length, and a nut of the assembly having a length and a width less than the length, wherein the length of the assembly is greater than the width of the elongated opening,

[0032] wherein the elongated opening has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein the anchor assembly has a first axis extending in the longitudinal direction and a second axis extending transversely to the first axis,

[0033] wherein the gripping portion is adapted to be gripped, for example, between two fingers,

[0034] The method comprises the following steps:

[0035] - grasping the gripping portion, manipulating the assembly so that the first axis of the assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening,

[0036] - inserting the anchor assembly into the opening so that the spring portion engages a bottom surface of the structural element that is aligned with the opening,

[0037] - tensioning the spring portion by applying downward pressure while grasping the gripping portion so that the top side of the nut is located below the opening, and rotating the assembly about its central axis so that the second axis of the assembly is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening,

[0038] - at least partially releasing the spring portion by releasing the downward pressure while grasping the gripping portion, so that the spring portion biases the top side of the nut toward an inner surface of the structural element adjacent to the elongated opening, so that the top side of the nut is in supporting engagement with the inner surface of the structural element and the threaded hole is aligned with the opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts. In these drawings:

[0040] Figure 1A A perspective view showing a spring for an anchor assembly according to the present invention,

[0041] Figure 1B It is shown that the Figure 1A A perspective view of the anchor assembly of the spring.

[0042] Figure 2A A perspective view showing another spring for an anchor assembly according to the present invention,

[0043] Figure 2B It is shown that the Figure 2A A perspective view of another anchor assembly of a spring.

[0044] Figure 3A A perspective view showing yet another spring for an anchor assembly according to the present invention,

[0045] Figure 3B It is shown that the Figure 3A A perspective view of yet another anchor assembly of a spring.

[0046] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Perspective views showing an assembly of an anchor assembly and a structural element according to the invention at various stages of installation of the anchor assembly in the structural element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] exist Figure 1A A perspective view of a spring 110 for an anchor assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The spring 110 is made of a metal wire, which may be made of spring steel.

[0048] exist Figure 1B1 shows an anchor assembly 100 suitable for preassembly in an elongated opening in a structural element. The anchor assembly 100 comprises an anchor nut 120 having a top side 121, a bottom side 122 and a threaded hole 123 having a central axis extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122 and defining an axial direction. The nut 120 also has a lateral side 124 extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122.

[0049] The anchor assembly 100 further comprises a spring 110 made of metal. The spring 110 has a spring portion 111 extending from a bottom side 122 of the nut 120 for elastically supporting the anchor assembly 100 on a surface of a structural element aligned with the elongated opening.

[0050] The spring 110 also has a retaining portion 112 that engages with the nut 120 for retaining the spring 110 on the nut 120. Here, the retaining portion 112 engages with the bottom side 122 of the nut. A gripping portion 113 extends from the top side 121 of the nut 120 for a user to grip during installation of the anchor assembly 100 in a structural element.

[0051] The spring portion 111, the holding portion 112 and the gripping portion 113 are integral. The gripping portion 113 and the holding portion 112 have been formed by bending the spring. Figure 1A to Figure 1B In the embodiment, the spring portion 111 is a coil spring. The coil spring is coaxial with the threaded hole 123.

[0052] At the upper end, the coil spring has a first straight portion 112a of the retaining portion 112, which extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut). The straight portion 112a is then bent into an arch 113a or ring to form a gripping portion 113. The arch 113a extends along the lateral sides of the nut and above it. At the lower end of the arch 113a, the coil spring is bent into a second straight portion 112b of the retaining portion 112, which extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut).

[0053] Figure 1A to Figure 1B The gripping portion 113 is formed as an arched piece, and has been bent to be harder than the spring portion 111 in the axial direction.

[0054] exist Figure 2A A perspective view of a spring 210 for an anchor assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The spring 210 is made of a metal wire.

[0055] exist Figure 2B1 shows an anchor assembly 200 suitable for preassembly in an elongated opening in a structural element. The anchor assembly 200 comprises an anchor nut 120 having a top side 121, a bottom side 122 and a threaded hole 123 having a central axis extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122 and defining an axial direction. The nut 120 also has a lateral side 124 extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122.

[0056] The anchor assembly 200 further includes a spring 210 made of metal. The spring 210 has a spring portion 211 extending from the bottom side 122 of the nut 120 for elastically supporting the anchor assembly 200 on a surface of the structural element aligned with the elongated opening.

[0057] The spring 210 also has a retaining portion 212 that engages with the nut 120 for retaining the spring 210 on the nut 120. Here, the retaining portion 212 engages with the bottom side 122 of the nut and one lateral side 124 of the nut. A gripping portion 213 extends from the top side 121 of the nut 120 for a user to grip during installation of the anchor assembly 200 in a structural element.

[0058] The spring portion 211, the holding portion 212 and the gripping portion 213 are integral. The gripping portion 213 and the holding portion 212 have been formed by bending the spring. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B In the embodiment, the spring portion 211 is a coil spring. The coil spring is coaxial with the threaded hole 123.

[0059] At the upper end, the coil spring has a first straight portion 212a of the retaining portion 212, which extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut). The first straight portion 212a is then bent (e.g., vertically) into a first side portion 212b, which extends along the lateral side of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut). The first side portion 212b is then bent into an arch 213a or ring extending above the nut to form a gripping portion 213. At the lower end of the arch 213a, the coil spring is bent into a second side 212c of the retaining portion 212, which extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut). The side portion 212c is bent into a second straight portion 212d of the retaining portion 212 that extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (eg, adjacent to the nut and / or may be secured to the nut).

[0060] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B The gripping portion 213 is formed as an arched piece, and has been bent to be harder than the spring portion 211 in the axial direction.

[0061] exist Figure 3AA perspective view of a spring 310 for an anchor assembly according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The spring 310 is made of a metal wire.

[0062] exist Figure 3B 1 shows an anchor assembly 300 suitable for preassembly in an elongated opening in a structural element. The anchor assembly 300 comprises an anchor nut 120 having a top side 121, a bottom side 122 and a threaded hole 123 having a central axis extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122 and defining an axial direction. The nut 120 also has a lateral side 124 extending from the top side 121 to the bottom side 122.

[0063] The anchor assembly 200 further includes a spring 310 made of metal. The spring 310 has a spring portion 311 extending from the bottom side 122 of the nut 120 for elastically supporting the anchor assembly 300 on a surface of the structural element aligned with the elongated opening.

[0064] The spring further has a retaining portion 312 that engages with the nut 120 for retaining the spring 310 on the nut 120. Here, the retaining portion 312 engages with the bottom side 122 of the nut, one lateral side 124 of the nut, and the top side 121 of the nut. A gripping portion 313 extends from the top side 121 of the nut 120 for a user to grip during installation of the anchor assembly 300 in a structural element.

[0065] The spring portion 311, the holding portion 312 and the gripping portion 313 are integral. The gripping portion 313 and the holding portion 312 have been formed by bending the spring. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B In the embodiment, the spring portion 311 is a coil spring. FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B In the embodiment, the spring portion 111 is a coil spring. The coil spring is coaxial with the threaded hole 123.

[0066] At the upper end, the coil spring has a first straight portion 312a of the retaining portion 312, which extends along the bottom side 122 of the nut (e.g., can be fixed to the bottom side 122 of the nut). The first straight portion 312a is then bent (e.g., vertically) into a side portion 312b, which extends along the lateral side of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or can be fixed to the nut). The side portion 312b is bent (e.g., vertically) into a second straight portion 312c of the retaining portion 312, which extends along the top side of the nut (e.g., adjacent to the nut and / or fixed to the nut with a fastener 129). The second straight portion 312c is then bent into an arch 313a or ring extending above the nut to form a gripping portion 313.

[0067] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3B The gripping portion 313 is formed as an arched piece, and has been bent to be harder than the spring portion 311 in the axial direction.

[0068] On the top side 121 of the nut 120 , the retaining portion is permanently fixed to the nut 120 by means of a fastener 129 (eg by riveting or nailing).

[0069] The spring 110, 210, 310 is made of a metal wire, which can be made of spring steel or another suitable elastic metal. The spring is made by means of a wire bending process. In particular, an automatic wire bending machine (CNC wire bending machine) can be advantageously used to manufacture the spring 110, 210, 310 in large quantities and cost-effectively.

[0070] Although there are advantages to manufacturing springs bent from wire, leaf springs can also be manufactured, for example, from spring steel, by a cutting and bending process.

[0071] The spring may also be made of other elastic materials, such as plastic or composite materials.

[0072] exist FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C 4 shows a perspective view of an assembly 400 of an anchor assembly 100 and a structural element 500 at various stages of installation of the anchor assembly 100 in the structural element 500 .

[0073] The structural element 500 is a channel element having a bottom 501, side walls 502 extending substantially at right angles from the bottom 501, and an upper side 503 opposite the bottom 501, wherein the upper side 503 of the channel element 500 comprises flanges 503 extending toward each other from the respective side walls 502 and defining between them an elongated slot 505 extending over the length of the channel element 500.

[0074] exist FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The particular channel element shown in is a profile section element with inwardly bent flanges and is known in the art as a "post rail". However, other mounting rails, for example with a C-shaped cross section, may also be used. Other hollow profile section elements may also be used, in which at least one wall may be provided with an elongated through hole to allow coupling with an anchor assembly.

[0075] In any case, the structural element has an elongated opening 505. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In the example of , the opening 505 is a longitudinal slot. Alternatively, the elongated opening may be an elongated through hole. The longitudinal slot 505 has a length W and a width W that is smaller than the length. S , and the component has length L A and less than the length L A Width W A , where the length of the component is L A Greater than the width W of the longitudinal groove S .

[0076] The longitudinal groove 505 has a longitudinal axis L S and transverse axis T S , and the anchor assembly 100 has a first axis A1 extending in the longitudinal direction and a second axis A2 extending transversely to the first axis.

[0077] The gripping portion 113 of the assembly 100 is adapted to be gripped, for example, between two fingers.

[0078] exist Figure 4A 4 shows a perspective view of the assembly 400 in a pre-installed state. The assembly 100 is grasped by the user through the grasping portion 113 or can be grasped by the user through the grasping portion 113. The assembly 100 is manipulated so that the first axis A1 of the assembly 100 is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the longitudinal groove 505. S Then, the assembly 100 for combination with the element 500 can be inserted into the longitudinal slot 505 .

[0079] exist Figure 4B 4 shows a perspective view of the assembly 400 in an intermediate installed state. The anchor assembly 100 has been inserted into the longitudinal slot 505 so that the spring portion 111 engages the bottom surface 501 of the structural element 500, which is parallel to the longitudinal slot 505. In addition, the assembly 100 has been rotated about its central axis so that the second axis A2 of the final assembly 100 is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the elongated opening. S Basically aligned (such as Figure 4C To achieve this, the spring portion 111 is typically tensioned by applying downward pressure while the user grasps the grip portion 113 so that the top side 121 of the nut 120 is located below the longitudinal slot 505.

[0080] exist Figure 4C , the top side 121 of the nut 120 engages the flange 503 from below, and the gripping portion 113 does not extend above the flange 503. The spring portion 111 biases the top side 121 of the nut 120 toward the inner surface 504 of the structural element 500 adjacent the longitudinal slot 505, so that the top side of the nut is in supporting engagement with the inner surface 504 of the structural element. Typically, this is achieved by releasing the downward pressure while gripping the gripping portion 113 to at least partially release the spring portion.

[0081] After installing the anchor assembly 100 in the longitudinal slot 505 of the structural element 500 , the gripping portion 113 may be bent such that it extends substantially along the top side of the nut 120 , preferably such that it does not cover the threaded hole 123 .

[0082] exist FIG. 4A to FIG. 4CIn the embodiment, the inner surface 504 of the element 500 has serrations, and the nut 120 is provided with one or more recessed portions 125 which engage with the serrations in the mounted state.

Claims

1. An anchor assembly, adapted to be preassembled in an elongated opening in a structural element, the anchor assembly comprising: An anchor nut having a top side, a bottom side and a threaded hole having a central axis extending from the top side to the bottom side and defining an axial direction, the nut also having a lateral side extending from the top side to the bottom side, A spring made of metal, the spring having: a spring portion extending from the bottom side of the nut for elastically supporting the anchor assembly on a surface of the structural element aligned with the elongated opening, a retaining portion engaged with the nut for retaining the spring on the nut, and a gripping portion extending from the top side of the nut for gripping by a user during installation of the anchor assembly in the structural element, Wherein the spring portion, the holding portion and the gripping portion are integral, and wherein the gripping portion and the holding portion have been formed by bending the spring.

2. The anchor assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring is made of metal wire.

3. The anchor assembly of claim 2, wherein the spring portion is a coil spring.

4. An anchor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping portion has been bent to be stiffer than the spring portion in the axial direction.

5. An anchor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping portion is formed as an arch.

6. Anchor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining portion engages with the bottom side of the nut and / or with one of the lateral sides of the nut.

7. The anchor assembly of claim 6, wherein the retaining portion also engages the top side of the nut.

8. Anchor assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nut is provided with a recess, in particular a groove, in which the retaining portion is received.

9. An anchor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining portion is permanently fixed to the nut.

10. Anchor assembly according to claim 9, wherein the retaining portion has been fixed to the nut by riveting or nailing.

11. A combination of an anchor assembly and a structural element according to any one or more of the preceding claims.

12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the structural element is a channel element having a bottom, side walls extending substantially at right angles from the bottom, and an upper side opposite the bottom, wherein the upper side of the channel element includes flanges extending toward each other from the respective side walls and defining the elongated opening extending over the length of the channel element between the flanges.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein in the installed state the top side of the nut engages the flange from below and the gripping portion does not extend above the flange.

14. A method of manufacturing an anchor assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. A method according to claim 14, in so far as it depends on claim 2, wherein the method comprises the step of bending the spring by means of a wire bending process.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wire bending process comprises bending the spring using an automatic wire bending machine, such as a CNC wire bending machine.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the spring is produced from a metal sheet, for example spring steel, by means of a cutting and / or bending process.

18. A method for installing an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in an elongated opening in a structural element, the elongated opening having a length and a width less than the length, and the nut of the assembly having a length and a width less than the length, wherein the length of the assembly is greater than the width of the elongated opening, wherein the elongated opening has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, and wherein the anchor assembly has a first axis extending in the longitudinal direction and a second axis extending transversely to the first axis, wherein the gripping portion is adapted to be gripped, for example, between two fingers, The method comprises the following steps: grasping the gripping portion, manipulating the assembly so that the first axis of the assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening, inserting the anchor assembly into the opening such that the spring portion engages a bottom surface of the structural element, the bottom surface being aligned with the opening, tensioning the spring portion by applying downward pressure in the axial direction while grasping the gripping portion so that the top side of the nut is located below the opening, and rotating the assembly about its central axis so that the second axis of the assembly is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated opening, The spring portion is at least partially released by releasing the downward pressure while grasping the grasping portion, so that the spring portion biases the top side of the nut toward an inner surface of the structural element adjacent the elongated opening so that the top side of the nut is in supporting engagement with the inner surface of the structural element.

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