Lever-Actuated Cage Nut Fastener for Tool-Less Rack Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cage nut fasteners require the use of separate tools for installation and removal, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when large quantities are needed for electronic equipment racks and cabinets.
Innovation Solution
A cage nut fastener design that includes a spring cage with at least one cage arm and a lever arm, allowing for tool-free installation by applying a force to the lever arm to compress the spring cage and clamp it against a frame member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cage nut fasteners are used, then the fastener can securely hold the nut in place, but the installation and removal process requires separate tools making it cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the installation tool function directly into the cage nut fastener by adding lever arms that extend from the cage structure. These lever arms allow the user to compress the spring cage and install the fastener using only the fastener itself, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing installation time while maintaining secure holding capability
2Device complexity
If conventional cage nut fasteners are used, then the spring cage provides structural support, but the need for separate tools increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arms are integrated as part of the cage structure, merging the tool function into the fastener itself. This integration maintains relatively simple device structure while dramatically improving ease of operation, as the lever arms are straightforward extensions that provide mechanical advantage during installation without adding complex mechanisms
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
Enables efficient and rapid installation and removal of cage nut fasteners without the need for tools, significantly reducing assembly time and relocation costs in electronic equipment setups.
Implementation Method 1
Application of a force upon the lever arm manipulates the spring cage to a compressed state in order to facilitate clamping installation of the cage nut fastener against the frame member
Implementation Method 2
the spring cage helps to ensure that the nut remains in a set orientation during installation
Data Source
AI summary
A cage nut fastener includes a nut and a spring cage comprised of a back wall with a wall aperture therethrough, first and second hooking arms disposed at opposite sides of the back wall, and one or more cage arms. At least one of the hooking arms includes a compressible lever, and each hooking arms terminates with an outwardly-oriented hooked portion at a front of the nut. The nut is retained at a caged location by at least the one or more cage arms and includes a nut aperture therethrough in alignment with the wall aperture of the back wall. Application of a compression force upon the lever, without the aid of tools, manipulates the spring cage to a compressed state that facilitates positioning of a distal end of one or both of the hooked portions through an aperture of a frame member.