Fastening assembly

Abstract

A fastening assembly may include a fastener having a threaded portion defined about a longitudinal axis, a drive portion, and a bypass portion. The fastening assembly may include a lever arm movable along the longitudinal axis between a first condition in which the lever arm is docked with the drive portion and a second condition in which the lever arm is docked with the bypass portion, where the lever arm is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first condition in which the lever arm is docked with the drive portion and a second condition in which the lever arm is docked with the bypass portion. The lever arm is operable in the first state to rotate the fastener and in the second state to rotate relative to the fastener.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 661,399, filed June 18, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to fastening components for joining two objects or articles together. For example, this disclosure relates to a fastening component for connecting a toilet seat hinge to a toilet bowl, a toilet mounting base to a floor, a faucet to a sink, etc. This fastening component can also be used in any other application where the desired result is to fasten one article to another. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, this disclosure provides a fastening assembly comprising: a fastener including a threaded portion, a drive portion, and a bypass portion defined about a longitudinal axis; and a lever arm movable along the longitudinal axis between the first state and the second state, wherein in the first state the lever arm is interfaced with the drive portion and in the second state the lever arm is interfaced with the bypass portion, wherein the lever arm is operable in the first state to rotate the fastener and in the second state to rotate relative to the fastener.

[0005] In another aspect, this disclosure provides a fastening assembly configured to hinge a toilet seat to a toilet bowl via a threaded object. The fastening assembly includes: a fastener comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a shear segment; the first segment having a drive portion and a bypass portion extending from the drive portion; the second segment having a threaded portion defined about a longitudinal axis; and the shear segment disposed between the first and second segments; and a lever arm coupled to the first segment and movable along the longitudinal axis between a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the lever arm engages with the drive portion, and in the second state the lever arm engages with the bypass portion, wherein in the first state the lever arm is operable to rotate the fastener relative to the threaded object, and in the second state it is operable to rotate relative to the fastener.

[0006] Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1A toilet seat hinge showing a toilet seat coupled to a toilet bowl using a fastening assembly of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fastening assembly of Figure 1 including a fastener and lever arm in a first state.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fastening assembly of Figure 1 including a fastener and lever arm in a second state.

[0010] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a fastening assembly of Figure 1 showing a lever arm removed from a fastener.

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fastening assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fastening assembly of Figure 5 including a fastener and lever arm in a first state.

[0013] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fastening assembly of Figure 5 including a fastener and lever arm in a second state.

[0014] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a fastening assembly of Figure 5 showing a lever arm removed from a fastener.

[0015] Figure 9 is an exploded view of a fastening assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure showing a fastener adapter and lever arm.

[0016] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a fastening assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure showing a castle slotted fastener and corresponding lever arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The present disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Degree terms such as "substantially", "about", "approximately", and the like, mean to a reasonable degree of error for the pertinent art, e.g., general tolerance levels for manufacturing, assembly, and use of the embodiments described herein.

[0018] Figure 1 A toilet seat 100 is shown coupled to a toilet bowl 200 by a fastening assembly 300 and a bolt 400. The toilet seat 100 includes a toilet seat hinge 104 that enables the toilet seat 100 to pivot about a pivot axis 108 between an upright position and an in-use position relative to the toilet bowl 200. In some embodiments, the toilet seat hinge 104 also supports a toilet lid 112 that pivots about the pivot axis 108. The toilet seat hinge 104 is aligned with a mounting hole 204 in the toilet bowl 200. In some embodiments, the toilet seat 100 can include two toilet seat hinges 104. In other embodiments, the toilet seat 100 can include one toilet seat hinge 105, such as a platform hinge.

[0019] With continued reference to Figure 1 , the toilet seat hinges 104 shown each include a hinge base 116 having an aperture 120 that is aligned with the mounting hole 204. The aperture 120 and the mounting hole 204 receive the bolt 400. On one end, the bolt 400 includes a head 404 that interfaces with the hinge base 116 and prevents the bolt 400 from falling through the aperture 120 and the mounting hole 204. On the other end, the bolt 400 includes external threads 408 that extend at least partially along the length of the bolt 400. The external threads 408 of the bolt 400 are configured to cooperate with the fastening assembly 300, as explained in further detail below. In some embodiments, the bolt 400 can also receive various washers and / or bushings that assist in fastening the toilet seat 100 to the toilet bowl 200.

[0020] In the embodiment shown, the fastening assembly 300 is operable to secure the hinge base 116 (and ultimately the toilet seat 100) to the toilet bowl 200. The process of installing the toilet seat 100 to the toilet bowl 200 involves tightening a fastener to the bolt 400, which can result in damage to the toilet bowl 200 if the fastener is inadvertently over-torqued, or a loose connection if the fastener is under-torqued. Accordingly, as discussed in U.S. Patent No. 9,635,987, a portion of the fastening assembly 300 breaks when the desired torque is reached, thereby limiting the amount of force applied to the toilet bowl 200 and confirming when the correct amount of force has been applied.

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 to 3The fastening assembly 300 is threaded onto the external threads 408 of the bolt 400 to secure the hinge base 116 to the toilet bowl 200. The illustrated fastening assembly 300 includes a shear nut fastener 304, meaning that a portion of the nut will break when a desired torque is reached. The fastener 304 includes a first section 308, a second section 312, and a shear section 316 connecting the sections 308 and 312. In other embodiments, the fastening assembly 300 can include another nut fastener that does not break.

[0022] The first section 308 includes a first drive portion 324, and the second section 312 includes a second drive portion 328. When the fastener 304 is assembled onto the bolt 400, the first drive portion 324 is driven by a lever arm 332 or a tool until the first drive portion 324 breaks away from (i.e., separates from) the second section 312. At this point, another tool can be used to engage the second drive portion 328 when disassembling the fastener 304 from the bolt 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 are both ½ inch hex nuts. That is, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 have similar external geometries configured to be engaged by the same type and size of tool. In other embodiments, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 can instead have different sizes or different geometries, such as castellations, splines, teeth, or other various mating geometries. In some embodiments, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 can have different sizes and / or geometries from one another. Figure 10 In other embodiments, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 can instead have different sizes or different geometries, such as castellations, splines, teeth, or other various mating geometries. In some embodiments, the first drive portion 324 and the second drive portion 328 can have different sizes and / or geometries from one another.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The second section 312 includes a threaded portion 336 formed or defined helically about a longitudinal axis 338 to allow the fastener 304 to be threaded onto the corresponding external threads 408 of the bolt 400. The first section 308 includes a clearance hole 340 that is unthreaded to allow the first section 308 to break away from the second section 312 (and the bolt 400) when the shear section 316 breaks. The clearance hole 340 is axially aligned along the longitudinal axis 338. To ensure that the shear section 316 breaks rather than either of the sections 308 or 312, the shear section 316 has a lower torque resistance than either of the sections 308 or 312. This means that, as an increasing torque is applied to the section 308 and transferred to the sections 312 and 316, the shear section 316 will break before either of the sections 308 or 312. The lower torque resistance can be provided in a number of ways, such as by having a smaller cross-sectional area of the shear section 316 than either of the sections 308, 312, as shown.

[0024] Depending on the application, the fastener 304 can be, for example, an injection molded part composed of plastic, fiberglass reinforced propylene, nylon, metal, or other suitable material. In some high strength, high torque applications, for example, the fastener 304 can be composed of metal that will still break at the shear section 316. In lower strength, lower torque applications, a fastener 304 composed of a plastic material can be sufficient. Further, in other embodiments, the fastener 304 can be composed of more than one material (e.g., bimetallic), where the first section 308 and the second section 312 are composed of a high strength metal (e.g., stainless steel) and the shear section 316 is composed of a lower strength metal (e.g., carbon steel) to further concentrate the breakage at the shear section 316.

[0025] The fastener 304 also includes a bypass portion 344 incorporated with the first section 308. In some embodiments, the bypass portion 344 is integrally formed (e.g., molded, machined, etc.) as a single piece with the remainder of the fastener 304. In other embodiments, the bypass portion 344 can be formed as a separate piece that is secured to the remainder of the fastener 304. The bypass portion 344 is adjacent to the first drive portion 324 and is axially aligned along the longitudinal axis 338. Specifically, the bypass portion 344 extends away from the first drive portion 324 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 338. In the illustrated embodiment, the bypass portion 344 is a cylindrical sleeve that interfaces with the lever arm 332 and allows the lever arm 332 to rotate about the fastener 304 without rotating the fastener 304. That is, when the lever arm 332 only interfaces with the bypass portion 344, the lever arm 332 can rotate relative to the fastener 304. That is, the lever arm 332 can move between a first state in which the lever arm 332 interfaces (i.e., engages) with the first drive portion 324 and a second state in which the lever arm 332 interfaces (i.e., engages) with the bypass portion 344. As a result, the lever arm 332 is configured to rotate the fastener 304 in the first state, while the lever arm 332 is configured to rotate relative to the fastener 304 in the second state. In other words, the lever arm 332 and the fastener 304 collectively rotate together in the first state. The lever arm 332 is movable along the longitudinal axis 338 between the first state and the second state.

[0026] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 , the lever arm 332 is prohibited from moving beyond the first state. As shown, the lever arm 332 is prevented from moving beyond the first state because the lever arm 332 includes a shoulder 348 that abuts a corresponding shoulder 352 of the fastener 304 (see Figure 2 This abutment is shown in Figure 3(Refractive symbols are shown in the accompanying drawings). Shoulder 348 is located within the drive engagement portion 356 of lever arm 332. One side of shoulder 348 has a hexagonal geometry (…). Figure 4 In its first state, it engages with the hexagonal geometry of the first drive portion 324. The other side of the shoulder 348 has a cylindrical geometry. Figure 4 In its second state, it engages with the cylindrical sleeve of the bypass portion 344. Therefore, the drive engagement portion 356 can independently and exclusively dock with either the first drive portion 324 or the bypass portion 344.

[0027] Lever arm 332 is also prevented from moving beyond the second state. As shown, lever arm 332 is prevented from moving beyond the second state by a retaining portion 360 of fastener 304. The retaining portion 360 engages with the first segment 308. The retaining portion 360 is a quick-release mechanism that allows lever arm 332 to be selectively removed from fastener 304. While this quick-release mechanism allows lever arm 332 to be assembled onto or removed from fastener 304, it is also designed to retain lever arm 332 on fastener 302 after assembly if desired. Therefore, lever arm 332 can be packaged and sold as part of fastening assembly 300, so the user does not need to provide his or her own tools. Figure 4 As best shown, the retaining portion 360 includes a series of tabs 364 and hooks 368 located at the distal end of each tab 364. This series of tabs 364 extends cantileveredly from the bypass portion 344 and extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 338. In contrast, the hooks 368 extend radially outward from each tab 364 to mechanically interfere with the lever arm 332 and prevent the lever arm 332 from being removed. However, in response to the lever arm 332 sliding past the hooks 368, the tabs 364 can temporarily deform radially inward (e.g., bend), allowing the lever arm 332 to be assembled onto or removed from the fastener 304. In the illustrated embodiment, four tabs 364 are present, while in other embodiments, more or fewer than four tabs 364 may be present. Furthermore, the retaining portion 360 can be other types of quick-release mechanisms, including ball-lock, sleeve and lift valve, toggle pin, or other quick-release mechanisms.

[0028] The lever arm 332 also includes a handle 366 coupled to and extending away from the drive engagement portion 356. The handle 366 of the illustrated embodiment extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 338. Depending on the application, the handle 366 can be, for example, an injection molded part composed of plastic, fiberglass reinforced propylene, nylon, metal, or other suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 366 is integrally formed with the drive engagement portion 356 as a single piece. In other embodiments, the handle 366 can be formed as a separate piece that is coupled to the drive engagement portion 356. The handle 366 of the lever arm 332 allows a user to grasp and manipulate the lever arm 332 relative to the fastener 304. That is, using the handle 366, a user can move the lever arm 332 along the longitudinal axis 338 and about the longitudinal axis 338 relative to the fastener 304, as explained in further detail below.

[0029] During operation, the fastener 304 is threaded onto the bolt 400 by using the lever arm 332 to engage the first section 308. When the lever arm 332 is in the first state, the drive engagement portion 356 of the lever arm 332 engages the first drive portion 324 of the first section 308 and causes the fastener 304 to rotate in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) as the handle 366 is rotated about the longitudinal axis 338 to advance the fastener 304 along the bolt 400. Although the lever arm 332 and the fastener 304 are shown and described as having a hexagonal profile to transfer torque from the lever arm 332 to the fastener 304, in other embodiments, the lever arm 332 and the fastener 304 can have any suitable non-circular profile. For example, the lever arm 332 and the fastener 304 can have a square profile, a triangular profile, a pentagonal profile, an octagonal profile, a D-shaped profile, an elliptical profile, an oblong profile, a spline profile, an irregular profile, etc. In tight spaces, the handle 366 can only be rotated, for example, 45 degrees or less. In this case, the lever arm 332 is translated along the longitudinal axis 338 so that the lever arm 332 disengages the first drive portion 324 of the hexagon and aligns with the cylindrical sleeve of the bypass portion 344. Now, the lever arm 332 is in the second state and is rotated in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite the first direction. The fastener 304 does not rotate because no torque is transferred from the lever arm 332 to the fastener 304 when the lever arm 332 is aligned with the bypass portion 344.

[0030] The process is repeated such that the lever arm 332 is moved back along the longitudinal axis 338 to the first state and then rotated about the longitudinal axis 338 in the first direction to advance the fastener 304 along the bolt 400. In this way, the lever arm 332 remains connected to the fastener 304 and can be moved between the states without having to disconnect the lever arm 332 from the fastener 304. The torque applied to the first section 308 is transmitted to the second section 312 via the shear section 316 and this causes the second section 312 to be threaded onto the bolt 400. The first section 308 has a clearance hole 340 rather than internal threads, so the first section 308 does not engage the bolt 400 (e.g., is not threaded onto the bolt 400). When the torque between the second section 312 and the bolt 400 reaches a desired level, further application of torque to the first section 308 causes the shear section 316 to break, such that the first section 308 separates from the second section 314 and the first section 308 can be removed. The fastening assembly 300 allows a user to apply a sustained torque to the fastener 304 without worrying about over-tightening the fastener 304 or damaging the toilet bowl 200. Furthermore, the user knows to continue to rotate the fastener until the shear section 316 breaks, at which point the fastener 304 is sufficiently tightened onto the bolt 400. Thus, the toilet seat hinge 104 is fastened to the toilet bowl 200 with a predetermined torque of the fastening assembly 300.

[0031] If it is later necessary to remove the fastener 304 from the bolt 400, another tool can be used to engage the second section 312 to unscrew the fastener 304 from the bolt 400. Alternatively, assuming the first section 308 and the second section 312 are the same size and geometry, the lever arm 332 can be removed from the first section 308 by the retaining portion 360 and engaged with the second section 312 to unscrew the fastener 304 from the bolt 400.

[0032] Figures 5 to 8 A fastening assembly 1300 according to another embodiment is shown. The fastening assembly 1300 is similar to the fastening assembly 300; thus, like parts are designated with like reference numerals plus "1000". At least some differences and / or at least some similarities between the fastening assemblies 300, 1300 will be discussed in detail below. Furthermore, parts or features described only for one or some of the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to any other embodiment described herein.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, the fastening assembly 1300 is a shear bolt fastener 1304, meaning that a portion of the bolt will break when a desired torque is reached. The fastening assembly 1300 is threaded onto the inner threads 1408 of the nut 1400 to secure the hinge base 116 to the toilet bowl 200. The fastener 1304 includes a first section 1308, a second section 1312, and a shear section 1316 connecting the sections 1308 and 1312. Thus, the fastener 1304 can also be referred to as a shear bolt.

[0034] With continued reference to Figure 5 , the first section 1308 includes a first drive portion 1324 and the second section 1312 includes a second drive portion 1328. When assembling the fastener 1304 onto the nut 1400, the first drive portion 1324 is driven by the lever arm 1332 or a tool until the first drive portion 1324 breaks away from (i.e., separates from) the second section 1312. At this point, another tool can be used to engage the second drive portion 1328 when disassembling the fastener 1304 from the nut 1400. In the illustrated embodiment, the first drive portion 1324 and the second drive portion 1328 are both ½ inch hex bolts. In other embodiments, illustrated below, the first drive portion 1324 and the second drive portion 1328 can instead have different sizes or different geometries, such as castellations, splines, teeth, or other various mating geometries. In some embodiments, the first drive portion 1324 and the second drive portion 1328 can have different sizes and / or geometries from one another. Figure 10

[0035] With reference to Figures 5 to 7 , the second section 1312 includes a threaded portion 1336 formed helically about a longitudinal axis 1338 to allow the fastener 1304 to be threaded onto the corresponding inner threads 1408 of the nut 1400. To ensure that the shear section 316 breaks rather than either of the sections 1308 or 1312, the shear section 1316 has a lower torque resistance than either of the sections 1308 or 1312. This means that, as an increasing torque is applied to the section 1308 and transferred to the sections 1312 and 1316, the shear section 1316 will break before either of the sections 1308 or 1312. The lower torque resistance can be provided in a variety of ways, such as, as shown, by making the shear section 1316 have a smaller cross-sectional area than either of the sections 1308, 1312.

[0036] ​Depending on the application, the fastener 1304 can be, for example, an injection molded part composed of plastic, fiberglass reinforced propylene, nylon, metal, or other suitable material. In some high strength, high torque applications, for example, the fastener 1304 can be composed of metal that will still break at the shear section 1316. In lower strength, lower torque applications, a fastener 1304 composed of a plastic material can be sufficient. Further, in other embodiments, the fastener 1304 can be composed of more than one material (e.g., bimetallic), where the first section 1308 and the second section 1312 are composed of a high strength metal (e.g., stainless steel) and the shear section 1316 is composed of a lower strength metal (e.g., carbon steel) to further concentrate the breakage at the shear section 1316.

[0037] The fastener 1304 also includes a bypass portion 1344 that is incorporated with the first section 1308. In some embodiments, the bypass portion 1344 is integrally formed (e.g., molded, machined, etc.) as a single piece with the remainder of the fastener 1304. In other embodiments, the bypass portion 1344 can be formed as a separate piece that is secured to the remainder of the fastener 1304. The bypass portion 1344 is adjacent to the first drive portion 1324 and is axially aligned along the longitudinal axis 1338. Specifically, the bypass portion 1344 extends away from the first drive portion 1324 in a direction along the longitudinal axis 1338. In the illustrated embodiment, the bypass portion 1344 is a cylindrical sleeve that interfaces with the lever arm 1332 and allows the lever arm 1332 to rotate about the fastener 1304 without rotating the fastener 1304. That is, the lever arm 1332 can rotate relative to the fastener 1304 when the lever arm 1332 only interfaces with the bypass portion 1344. That is, the lever arm 1332 can move between a first state in which the lever arm 1332 interfaces (i.e., engages) with the first drive portion 1324 and a second state in which the lever arm 1332 interfaces (i.e., engages) with the bypass portion 1344. As a result, the lever arm 1332 is configured to rotate the fastener 1304 in the first state and is configured to rotate relative to the fastener 1304 in the second state. In other words, the lever arm 1332 and the fastener 1304 co-rotate together in the first state. The lever arm 1332 moves along the longitudinal axis 1338 between the first state and the second state.

[0038] The lever arm 1332 is prohibited from moving beyond the first state. As shown, the lever arm 1332 is prevented from moving beyond the first state because the lever arm 1332 includes a shoulder 1348 that abuts a corresponding shoulder 1352 of the fastener 1304 (e.g., the first section 1308, the second section 1312, etc.). In other words, the shoulder 1348 of the lever arm 1332 is configured to abut the shoulder 1352 of the fastener 1304 when the lever arm 1332 is in the first state. When the lever arm 1332 is in the first state, the shoulder 1348 of the lever arm 1332 abuts the shoulder 1352 of the fastener 1304, which prevents the lever arm 1332 from moving beyond the first state. Figure 8). The shoulder 1348 is hexagonal in geometry on one side that mates with the hexagonal geometry of the first drive portion 1324 in the first state. The shoulder 1348 is cylindrical in geometry on the other side that mates with the cylindrical sleeve of the bypass portion 1344 in the second state. Thus, the drive engagement portion 1356 is capable of interfacing exclusively with either the first drive portion 1324 or the bypass portion 1344.

[0039] The lever arm 1332 is also prohibited from moving beyond the second state. As shown, the lever arm 1332 is stopped from moving beyond the second state by a retention portion 1360 of the fastener 1304. The retention portion 1360 is in particular conjunction with the first section 1308. The retention portion 1360 is a quick disconnect mechanism that enables the lever arm 1332 to be selectively removed from the fastener 1304. The retention portion 1360 includes a series of tabs 1364 and a hook 1368 at a distal end of each tab 1364. The series of tabs 1364 cantilever from the bypass portion 1344 and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 1338. In contrast, the hooks 1368 extend radially outward from each tab 1364 to mechanically interfere with the lever arm 1332 and prohibit the lever arm 1332 from being removed. However, in response to the lever arm 1332 sliding past the hooks 1368, the tabs 1364 can temporarily deform radially inward (e.g., bend) so that the lever arm 1332 can be removed from the fastener 1304 (e.g., to replace the fastener 1304 or to replace the lever arm 1332). Figure 8 ). In the illustrated embodiment, there are four tabs 1364, while in other embodiments there can be more or less than four tabs 1364. Further, the retention portion 1360 can be other types of quick disconnect mechanisms, including ball-lock, sleeve and poppet, toggle pin, or other quick release mechanisms.

[0040] The lever arm 1332 also includes a handle 1366 coupled to and extending away from the drive engagement portion 1356. The handle 1366 of the illustrated embodiment extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1338. Depending on the application, the handle 1366 can be, for example, an injection molded part composed of plastic, fiberglass reinforced propylene, nylon, metal, or other suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 1366 is integrally formed with the drive engagement portion 1356 as a single piece. In other embodiments, the handle 1366 can be formed as a separate piece that is coupled to the drive engagement portion 1356. The handle 1366 of the lever arm 1332 allows a user to grasp and manipulate the lever arm 1332 relative to the fastener 1304. That is, using the handle 1366, a user can move the lever arm 1332 along the longitudinal axis 1338 and about the longitudinal axis 1338 relative to the fastener 1304, as explained in further detail below.

[0041] During operation, the fastener 1304 is threaded onto the nut 1400 by using the lever arm 1332 to engage the first section 1308. When the lever arm 1332 is in the first state, the drive engagement portion 1356 of the lever arm 1332 engages the first drive portion 1324 of the first section 1308 and causes the fastener 1304 to rotate in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) as the handle 1366 is rotated about the longitudinal axis 1338 to advance the fastener 1304 along the nut 1400. Although the lever arm 1332 and the fastener 1304 are shown and described as having a hexagonal profile to transfer torque from the lever arm 1332 to the fastener 1304, in other embodiments, the lever arm 1332 and the fastener 1304 can have any suitable non-circular profile. For example, the lever arm 1332 and the fastener 1304 can have a square profile, a triangular profile, a pentagonal profile, an octagonal profile, a D-shaped profile, an elliptical profile, an obround profile, a spline profile, an irregular profile, etc. In tight spaces, the handle 1366 can only be rotated, for example, 45 degrees or less. In this case, the lever arm 1332 is translated along the longitudinal axis 1338 so that the lever arm 1332 disengages the first drive portion 1324 of the hexagon and aligns with the cylindrical sleeve of the bypass portion 1344. Now, the lever arm 1332 is in the second state and rotates in a second direction (e.g., counterclockwise) opposite the first direction. The fastener 1304 does not rotate because no torque is transferred from the lever arm 1332 to the fastener 1304 when the lever arm 1332 is aligned with the bypass portion 1344.

[0042] The process is repeated such that the lever arm 1332 is moved along the longitudinal axis 1338 back to the first state and then rotated about the longitudinal axis 1338 in the first direction to advance the fastener 1304 along the nut 1400. When the torque between the second section 1312 and the nut 1400 reaches a desired level, further application of torque to the first section 1308 causes the shear section 1316 to break such that the first section 1308 is separated from the second section 1312 and the first section 1308 can be removed.

[0043] Figure 9 A fastening assembly 2300 according to another embodiment is shown. The fastening assembly 2300 is similar to the fastening assembly 300; thus, like parts are designated with like reference numerals plus "2000". At least some differences and / or at least some similarities between the fastening assemblies 300, 2300 will be discussed in detail below. Moreover, parts or features described only with respect to one or some of the embodiments described herein are equally applicable to any other embodiment described herein.

[0044] Referring to Figure 9 The fastening assembly 2300 is an adapter that, for example, couples to a nut or bolt head to drive the nut or bolt to secure an object. The fastening assembly 2300 includes a drive portion 2324 and a bypass portion 2344 such that the entire fastener 2304 is only similar to the first section 308 of the fastener 304 without the second section 312 and the shear section 316. The fastening assembly 2300 also includes a lever arm 2332 or tool.

[0045] The drive portion 2324 can be formed in various sizes (e.g., 3 / 8 inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, etc.) to accommodate different sizes of nut fasteners 304 or different sizes of bolt fasteners 1304. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive portion 2324 does not include a threaded portion. However, in other embodiments, the fastener 2304 can have a threaded portion to be directly threaded onto a bolt (e.g., the bolt 400).

[0046] During operation, the drive portion 2324 is coupled to a nut or bolt head, forming a tight fit therebetween. At this point, the lever arm 2332 can be placed in the first state such that the drive engagement portion 2356 of the lever arm 2332 is engaged with the drive portion 2324 to rotate the drive portion 2324 and thus the nut or bolt connected to the drive portion 2324. The lever arm 2332 can then be moved to the second state such that the drive engagement portion 2356 of the lever arm 2332 is docked with the bypass portion 2344 and the lever arm 2332 can be rotated relative to the fastener 2304. The process is repeated until the fastener 2304 has achieved a desired torque level. The fastening assembly 2300 can then be removed from the nut or bolt.

[0047] If the fastener 2304 has a threaded portion and is fastened directly to a bolt, the lever arm 2332 can be removed from the fastener 2304 by the retaining portion 2360.

[0048] While the disclosure has been described in detail with respect to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of one or more aspects of the disclosure described. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A fastening assembly comprising: a fastener comprising a threaded portion defined about a longitudinal axis, a drive portion, and a bypass portion; and a lever arm movable along the longitudinal axis between a first state in which the lever arm interfaces with the drive portion and a second state in which the lever arm interfaces with the bypass portion, wherein the lever arm is operable in the first state to rotate the fastener and in the second state to rotate relative to the fastener. the drive portion and the bypass portion are arranged adjacent to one another along the longitudinal axis.

2. The fastening assembly of claim 1, wherein, the drive portion is arranged radially outward relative to the threaded portion.

3. The fastening assembly of claim 1, wherein, the fastener further comprises a retention portion to selectively retain the lever arm thereon.

4. The fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the retention portion comprises a tab with a hook, wherein the tab cantilevers from the bypass portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the hook extends radially outward from the tab to mechanically interfere with the lever arm and inhibit the lever arm from being removed.

5. The fastening assembly of claim 4, wherein, the tab is configured to flex radially inward in response to the lever arm sliding past the hook.

6. The fastening assembly of claim 5, wherein, the drive portion is a nut and the bypass portion is a cylindrical sleeve extending from the nut in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

7. The fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein, the lever arm comprises a drive engagement portion configured to interface with the fastener and a handle extending from the drive engagement portion configured to be grasped by a user.

8. The fastening assembly of claim 7, wherein, the drive engagement portion of the lever arm comprises a hexagonal geometry to mate with the nut in the first state and a cylindrical geometry to mate with the cylindrical sleeve in the second state.

9. The fastening assembly of claim 8, wherein, 10. A fastening assembly configured to couple a toilet seat hinge to a toilet bowl through a threaded object, the fastening assembly comprising: a fastener comprising: a first section having a drive portion and a bypass portion extending from the drive portion, a second section having a threaded portion defined about a longitudinal axis, and a shear section arranged between the first section and the second section; and a lever arm coupled to the first section and movable along the longitudinal axis between a first state in which the lever arm interfaces with the drive portion and a second state in which the lever arm interfaces with the bypass portion, wherein the lever arm is operable in the first state to rotate the fastener relative to the threaded object and in the second state to rotate relative to the fastener. the shear section fractures at a predetermined torque applied to the first section relative to the second section such that the first section separates from the second section.

11. The fastening assembly of claim 10, wherein, the lever arm remains with the first section when the first section fractures and separates from the second section.

12. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein, ​ 13. The fastening assembly of claim 11, wherein, The drive portion is a first drive portion, and the second section includes a second drive portion such that the lever arm or another tool can engage the second drive portion to rotate the second section relative to the threaded object.

14. The fastening assembly of claim 10, wherein, The first section further includes a retention portion to retain the lever arm on the first section.

15. The fastening assembly of claim 14, wherein, The retention portion includes a tab with a hook, wherein the tab cantilevered suspends from the bypass portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the hook extends radially outward from the tab to mechanically interfere with the lever arm and inhibit the lever arm from being removed.

16. The fastening assembly of claim 15, wherein, The tab flexes radially inward in response to the lever arm sliding past the hook.

17. The fastening assembly of claim 10, wherein, The drive portion is a nut, and the bypass portion is a cylindrical sleeve extending from the nut in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

18. The fastening assembly of claim 17, wherein, The lever arm includes a drive engagement portion configured to interface with the first section and a handle extending from the drive engagement portion, the handle configured to be grasped by a user.

19. The fastening assembly of claim 18, wherein, The drive engagement portion of the lever arm includes a hexagonal geometry to mate with the nut in the first state and a cylindrical geometry to mate with the cylindrical sleeve in the second state.

20. The fastening assembly of claim 10, wherein, The first section is unthreaded.

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