Spring-Locked Fastener With Collapsible Head for Quick Panel Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners, such as those used in attaching deck panels to trusses or mounting wheels, often require nuts that can be dropped during use, and do not allow for quick and secure attachment and detachment without the risk of losing the fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded fastener design where the nut or head is convertible between a use position for attachment and a collapsed position for detachment, remaining attached to the shank to prevent dropping and allowing quick connection and disconnection without the need for loose nuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nuts and bolts are used for attaching deck panels to trusses, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the nuts may be dropped by workers and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nut and bolt into a single integrated fastener unit where the nut is non-detachably attached to the shank. This eliminates the separate nut component that could be dropped, while maintaining the secure attachment function through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener incorporates a collapsible head that can transition between an expanded attachment position and a collapsed storage position. This dynamic capability allows the fastener to adapt its form factor, enabling secure attachment when needed while minimizing protrusion to prevent dropping during transport or storage.
2Reliability
If traditional fasteners are used for connecting decking panels to framework, then secure connection is achieved, but quick connection and disconnection is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible head design enables rapid transition between attachment and detachment states. When the head is collapsed, the fastener can be quickly inserted into the framework; when expanded, it provides secure attachment. This dynamic transformation eliminates the need for time-consuming assembly/disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is pre-configured with the nut non-detachably attached to the shank, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps. The collapsible head is pre-positioned to enable quick insertion, and the integrated design ensures proper alignment and engagement without requiring additional preparation actions.
3Ease of operation
If loose nuts are used for fastening, then flexibility in assembly is provided, but the nuts are susceptible to being dropped and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nut and shank into a single non-detachable unit, eliminating loose nuts from the assembly process. This integration maintains assembly flexibility through the collapsible head design while completely preventing the loss of fastener components that plagues traditional loose-nut systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fastener enables secure and efficient attachment and detachment of panels to platforms or scaffolding without the risk of losing fasteners, ensuring they remain engaged and minimizing the risk of accidental dropping, while allowing for minimal threading and unthreading for quick movement between attachment and detachment states.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (98) received within the spring housing and biased upwardly to urge the nut toward the use position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fastener which comprises a tubular member, a sleeve, a spring, a shank, and an elongate head. A lower end portion of the shank extends through the tubular member to threadedly engage a lower part. The elongate head rotates within a slot in the upper end of the shank between a first position extending longitudinally of the shank so that it can receive an upper part to be attached to the lower part and a second position extending radially of the shank to prevent removal of the upper part. The shank is received within the sleeve and has a pair of slots in its upper end which are alignable with the shank slot. The sleeve is biased to an upper position by the spring, which is in the tubular member. When the sleeve is in a position wherein it is biased upwardly, the sleeve partially covers the shank slot to prevent rotation of the elongate head between the first and second positions. The sleeve can be pushed downwardly against the force of the spring when the shank is sufficiently loosened to substantially uncover the shank slot thereby allowing rotation of the elongate head between the first and second positions.