AU592080B2

AU592080B2 - Fastening device

Info

Publication number: AU592080B2
Application number: AU55943/86A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen James; Ron Locke
Original assignee: Dow Chemical Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Dow Chemical Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1985-04-12
Filing date: 1986-04-10
Publication date: 1990-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2006-04-10
Also published as: AU5594386A

Description

AAJSTRAII- 9.A ]IalenWis A COMPLETE SPECIFAIATION

(ORIGINAL)

Coss Int, Class Ajvl'!,a ioxn Number: 95 -41+ /18(0 Lodyoed: Com1plete Specification Lod~cc?: Accepted: Puiblishecd: Priority Related ArL: This docu=nt coft2afrt ek amv its madebnr ection 49 and is correct fui, printing.

APPLICANT'S REF.: C.A.P. of PH 129

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Namne(s) of Applicant(s): Address(es) of Applicant(s): Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service is: DOW CHEMICAL (AUSTRALIA) LTD.

Kororoit Creek Road Altona Victcria 3018 Aus tralia Stephen James Ron Locke PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: FASTENING DEVICE The following statemfent is a full description of this invention, icluding the best aiethod of performing it known to applicant(s): P19/3/84 7 a i :t;u

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::e -i t i 1 ?.a i i t This invention relates generally to a device for fastening objects together, and in particular to fastening planar objects to structural supports. The device is applicable for fastening insulation boards or panels and other building material sheets laid externally on metal building cladding or decking, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that exemplary application. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that application.

A wide variety of building material sheets are fixed in position as part of building structures. These material sheets include rigid insulation board or panels fixed on the exterior of roof and wall metal cladding or decking.

S Fastening arrangements for the sheets have traditionally included sheet piercing fasteners such as nails, screws, and rivets that pierce the sheets, as well as non-piercing fasteners, such as clips and strips that interengage to lock with the sheets.

It is known that these prior fastening arrangements are 20 not always entirely satisfactory. In that regard, the sheet piercing fasteners may be difficult to use where the sheets or their structural supports are composed of material not conducive to piercing, such as hard or brittle materials. In addition, those fasteners may not proride a fastener bearing area sufficient to retain the sheets in position against significant forces occasionally applied thereto, so that the fasteners "pull through" the sheets on force application. As to the non-piercing fasteners, it is usually necessary that the material sheets be specifically shaped, to interlock with 30 the fasteners and that is not always possible or convenient.

In any event, such shaping may adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the sheets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple fastening device that may alleviate at least some of the foregoing disadvantages of prior fastening arrangements.

objvdt in maind, the pdvcfonf !nventtoeter 1we d3:y provides a device for f jects together, the device 3 ;G 4 A#P :4API FPP1 C -4 P -2-

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i With that object in mind, the present invention broadly provides a device for fastening an object to a support, including: an elongate anchor member connectable at one end region to a support so as to extend longitudinally outwardly therefrom beyond an object adjacent the support; a press member having a press face and an access passage through the press member opening onto the press face, the anchor member longitudinally receivable through the access passage and the press member movable a~ng the anchor member in a forward S 10 pressing direction toward the one end region with the press face leading so that an object located between the one end region of the anchor member and the press member is engaged by the press face for pressing toward the support; and, a locking j unit carried with the press member for selectively Sautomatically clamping the anchor member, the locking unit S including a unit housing and a locking element loosely captured in the unit housing, the locking element being exposed to the access passage whereby, with the anchor member received in the access passage, the locking element loosely engages the ancior member to permit free movement of the press member along the anchor member in the forward direction for pressing the object toward the support, but attempted movement of the press member along the anchor member in a reverse release direction causes the locking element to co-act with the unit housing and firmly engage against the anchor member, thereby clamping the anchor member and preventing that reverse movement.

Preferably, the one end region of the anchor member is S indirectly connectable to the support. Moreover, the device preferably furtheL includes a connecting member through which the anchor member is connected to the support. That connecting member is a connecting bracket in one embodiment, the anchor member being secured to the bracket and the bracket being arranged for clipping to the support.

Preferably, the anchor member is an anchor strap.

The press face is preferably shaped and/or sized so that engagement is over an area which distributes force, applied by the press member to the other object, sufficiently to avoid A M 111adverse stress being placed on the other object. In 3 I- I ,i

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t i :li i 't i Oa ;aaa.n CI^~IX particular, that area is preferably sufficient to avoid damage to the other object as the press member presses thereagainst.

To that end, the press face may have a peripheral edge which, in plan view, is shaped so as to remove sharp corners from the press face. The press member may be a press cap.

Preferably, the locking unit housing is mounted within the press member and has a locking passage extending co-axially of the access passage. The anchor member passes through the locking passage when receiving in the access o10 passage. In one embodiment, the locking element is a locking ball loosely disposed in a cavity in the unit housing. The cavity opens into the locking passage and the unit housing has a side wall defining the cavity at least in part. In this embodiment, the side wall is ramped relative to the locking passage so that the locking ball rolls loosely within the cavity upon movement of the press member in the forward direction and wedges between the ramped side wall and the anchor member upon attempted movement in the reverse direction thereby to clamp the anchor member against the housing.

The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the various featuies of the fastening device of i 1 i a i 1 i 1 1 ii 1 j:E

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4 -7 the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the device is illustrated in that preferred embodiment. It is to be understood that the fastening device of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a part sectional side elevational view of the fastening device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device illustrated fastening objects together; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of Fig.

o oo I; and, °9 9 Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the locking unit of the device of Fig. i.

•0 a Referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2, there is generally illustrated fastening device i, fastening rigid insulation panel 2, laid externally on top of a previously installed metal building cladding 3. Building cladding 3, comprises a series of cladding sheets 4, (of which only two are illustrated in part) arranged in side-by-side relationship with juxtaposed edge regions 5, overlapping. Edge regions are configured to provide upstanding rib 6, on which panel 2, *19t is supported. Moreover, outer edge region 5, provides external terminal edge 7, extending along rib 6.

Device i, includes elongate anchor strap 8, having spaced apart connecting region 9, and locking region 10. Anchor FIC, strap 8, is inextensible at least longitudinally and otherwise may be composed of stiff, resilient, or flexible material. In that regard, anchor strap 8, may be composed of metal, such as stainless steel. As illustrated, in use of device i, anchor strap 8, extends from connecting region 9, adjacent terminal edge 7, upwardly through an opening in panel 2, or between adjacent panels 2, and beyond.

Device i, also includes connecting bracket 11,ii through which anchor strap 8, is connected to cladding 3.

Specifically, anchor strap 8, is secured to bracket 11ii, which 39 in turn is clipped to terminal edge 7. To that end,

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3 i XSI~P1~--- II.--CI--ICI;-Y -rri- 2 connecting bracket 11, includes hook-shaped clipping portion 12, for hook connection about terminal edge 7. Moreover, bracket 11, is provided with a pair of slots 13, through which connecting region 9, is passed in a tortuous path to secure anchor strap 8, thereto. Connecting bracket 11, may be composed of metal such as stainless steel or galvanised steel, or plastics material.

Although not illustrated, anchor strap 8, may be i.ndirectly connectable to cladding 3, without the use of ancillary device parts such as connecting bracket 11. That connection may be releasable or permanent. In one arrangement, such connection may be achieved by welding, braising, or soldering, or through the use of adhesives or cements.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, connecting region 9, of anchor strap 8, may be connectable directly to cladding 3. Such a connection may be releasable or permanent.

That may be achieved by simply tying connecting region 9, to an appropriate region of cladding 3, or by otherwise shaping connecting region 9, relative to cladding 3. In that regard, it may be possible to bend or otherwise shape connecting region 9, to provide a hook by which connection to terminal edge 7, may be achieved.

Device i, also includes press cap 14, which, in device use, is located at locking region 10, of anchor strap 8, so that insulation panel 2, is located between cladding 3, and cap 14. Press cap 14, is broadly planar providing press face and exposed face 16.

Press face 15, is shaped so as to engage panel 2, entirely over face 15. To that end, press face 15, may be shaped to complement the shape of panel 2, and so may be planar (as illustrated), curved or otherwise shaped (not illustrated).

Press cap 14, also has open ended access passage 17, opening onto faces 15,16, and through which anchor strap 8, extends in device use. Access passage 17, is generally short in comparison to tVe length of locking region 10, so that locking region 10, passes therethrough in device use. Access 39 passage 17, can open onto press face 15, centrally thereof.

-I~c .iit II I I a, araaarcp~ I Moreover, passage 17, can extend perpendicular to press face although it should be appreciated that other angular relationships may be more suitable in some device applications. Passage 17, may be of any cross-sectional shape suitable for receiving anchor strap 8, and so may be slot-like for receipt of strap 8, therein.

Press cap 14, has peripheral edge face 18, extending between faces 15,16. That face 18, is shaped so as to generally remove sharp corners from the periphery of press face 15, which otherwise might bruise insulation panel 2, I during use. That may be achieved by curving edge face 18, so Sthat press face 15, is circular shape in plan view.

Press cap 14, may be composed of any suitable material Shaving regard to the intended application of device i. In the example application, the material may be a plastics material, which may be ultraviolet radiation stabilised for external use in building structures.

SFastening device 1, also includes locking unit 19, by which locking region 10, of anchor strap 8, is selectively clamped so that anchor strap 8, and press cap 14, are effectively locked together. Locking unit 19, is illustrated I in more detail in Fig. 3.

Locking unit 19, includes unit housing 20, securely mounted in access passage 17, of press cap 14. Unit housing may be so mounted in any suitable manner, including by frictional fit, with adhesives, or integral incorporation during manufacture.

Unit housing 20, provides open ended locking passage 21, coincident with access passage 17, so that locking region extends therethrough during device use. Locking passage 21, is shaped and sized relative to anchor strap 8, so as to be a loose sliding fit therein, and so may be a narrow slot extending between a pair of opposed side walls 22,23.

Locking unit 19, also includes locking ball 24, loosely captured within housing 20, and intended to coact therewith, during device use, to selectively clamp locking region 10, of anchor strap 8. To that end, unit housing 20, has cavity in which ball 24, is disposed. Cavity 25, extends between 39 side wall 22, and side wall 26, and opens through side wall AT -7yr 22, into locking passage 21, so as to expose ball 24, to passage 21. Cavity 25, is elongate along a line parallel to locking passage 21, with side wall 26, being longitudinally ramped relative to side wall 22. In this way, depending upon its position within cavity 25, locking ball 24, may loosely roll against locking region 10, within locking passage 21, or jam between locking region 10, and side wall 26, so as to clamp locking region 10, against housing wall 23.

In using device 1, connecting bracket 11, with anchor strap 8, secured thereto is connected to terminal edge 7.

That connection is such that anchor strap 8, outstands from cladding 3, beyond panel 2. Panel 2, may have been previously positioned or subsequently po.~itioned adjacent anchor strap 8, C and in that regard anchor strap 8, may extend between juxtaposed panels 2, or through an opening in one panel 2.

Press cap 14, with locking unit 19, is then manually positioned over insulation panel 2, so that press face 15, is 0.Urected toward panel 2, and access and locking passages 17, and 21, align with anchor strap 8. Press cap 14, is then manually fed along anchor strap 8, until press face engages upon insulation panel 2. Force may be applied so as to firmly press cap 14, against insulation panel 2, and so firmly draw and hold panel 2, and cladding 3, together.

During feeding of press cap 14, locking ball 24, is at the divergent end of cavity 25, and so loosely rolls against locking region 10. Upon release of press cap 14, reaction to the force applied against panel 2, tends to move press cap 14, Ate V t in a reverse direction along anchor :3trap 3. However, that movement causes locking ball 24, to roll toward the convergent end of cavity 25, and wedge between side wall 26, and locking region 10. That, in turn, moves locking region 10, into frictional engagement with side wall 23, thereby clamping or jamming region 10, and inhibiting reverse movement of press cap 14. That clamping may be such as to cause mechanical deformation of lockihg region 10, where contacted by locking ball 24.

Where locking region 10, protrudes excessively beyond locking passage 21, then that access may be subsequently 39 removed by cutting.

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i i i i i: i i 1:$r 1 i i i A fastening device according to the present invention provides rapid and simple fastening of objects. In addition, the device can be used to provide effective fastening for a wide range of different objects.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations may be made to the fastening device without departing from the ambit of the present invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

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Claims

1. A device for astening an ouject to a support, pres

6. including: an elongate anchor member connectable at one end A pres I region to a support so as to extend longitudinally outwardly therefrom beyond an object adjacent the support; a press so member having a press face and an access passage through the press member opening onto the press face, the anchor member

8. longitudinally receivable through the access passage and the press member movable along the anchor member in a forward i0 has {I pressing direction toward the one end region with the press pass Sface leading so that an object located between the one end Sregion of the anchor member and the press member is engaged by

9. the press face for pressing toward the support; and, a locking Sunit carried with the press member for selectively automatically clamping the anchor member, the locking unit including a unit housing and a locking element loosely ie leas icaptured in the unit housing, the locking element being received in the access passage, the locking element loosely 2 dire engages the anchor membt: to permit free movement of the press anch member along the anchor member in the forward direction for ther pressing the object toward the support, but attempted movement

10. of the press member along the anchor member in a reverse s subs release direction causes the locking eument to co-act with (acco the. unit housing and firmly engage against the anchor member, thereby clamping the anchor member and preventing that reverse movement. DATE 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one end region of the anchor member is indirectly connectable to the PHIL support, and the device further includes d connecting member DOW through which the anchor member is connected to the support. 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a connecting bracket, the anchor member being secured to the bracket and the bracket being arranged for7910

7910. clipping to the support. 4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the anchor member is an anchor strap. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the press face is shaped to complement the shape of a face of the I( 10 r. i jn object against which it presses so that, in device use, the press member and object are in face-to-face engagement. 6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the press face has a peripheral edge which in plan view is shaped so as to remove sharp corners from the press face. 7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the press member is a press cap. 8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking unit housing is mounted within the press member and has a locking passage extending co-axially of the access passage, the anchor member passing through the locking passage when received in the access passage. 9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking element is a locking ball loosely disposed in a cavity in the unit housing, the cavity opening into the locking passage and the unit housing having a side wall defining the cavity at Teast in part, the side wall being ramped relative to the locking passage so that the locking ball rolls loosely within the cavity upon movement of the press member in the forward direction and wedges between the ramped side wall and the anchor member upon attempted movement in the reverse direction thereby to clamp the anchor member against the housing. A device for fastening an object to a support, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 4 I4 *e I 41£ I I;~ I: DATED: 16 August, 1989 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: DOW CHEMICAL (AUSTRALIA) LTD. a 7910E 11 I~ y