CA1254409A - Fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed is a fastening device adapted to be secured to an article having an opening therein by means of an externally threaded member. The device is provided with a thread engagement member having an aperture for receiving the threaded member therethrough and that is moveably disposed within a space between a base member and a guide member having substantially aligned openings therethrough that are adapted to permit the threaded member to move lateral to the central rotational axis thereof.
The thread engagement member has thread engagement means at least partially surrounding an aperture through a projection that extends from the engagement member through the guide member's opening for a distance sufficient to prevent dislodgement of the thread engagement member and to restrict its lateral movement within an area determined by the area of the guide member opening. The device preferably includes a resilient arm for clipping the device to the edge of an article and a shield for protecting exposed portions of the threaded member and thread engagement means as well as preferably including positioning means enabling the threaded member to position the engagement member within the space between the base member and the guide member.

Description

FASTENING DEVICE ~ 4~

IN~R9DUCTION
_ This invention relates generally to a fastening device for securing an externally threaded member such as - 5 a screw to an article such as a plate through an opening therein and more particularly to such device that is provided with a thread engagement me~ber for engag1ng the threads of the threaded member that is.able to be positioned after the device has been secu~ed to the 10 article to accommodate varying lateral positions of the threaded member within the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIOI~
Fastening devices having means for engaging the threads of a threaded member such as a s~re~ inserted 15 through an opening through the article for securing the threaded member to the article in response to th~ rotation of the threaded member abo~t the rotational ax:is ther~o~
are well known in the a~t. ~xamples of Eastening devices which utilize a helically warped edge to engage the 20 threads of the threaded member are respectively disclosed in United States Patents 2,228,584; 2,901,938; 3,108,371 and 3,362,278. Examples of fastening devices which utilize free ends of resilient fingers or tongues for engagement with the threads of a threaded member are respectively disclosed in 25 United States Patents Nos. 2,239,797; 2,318,708 and 4,200,027.
Examples of fastening devices which use a combina-tion of resilient fingers or tongues and a helically deformed edge of an aperture to engage the threads of the threaded member are respectively disclosed in United States patents 2,228,584;
30 2,434,844; 2,494,882; 2,771/113; 3,308,708 and 3,362,278.

~5~

~ lthough fasteners of the type disclosed in the above referenced patents may be used to advantage, they all have the disadvantage of not enabling the threaded member to position the thread engagement means associated with the fastener after the fastener has been secured to the article and thus require precise alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the threaded member in order to secure the threaded member to the article and further, upon securement of the fastener to the article, are unable to adaet to varying positions of a threaded member inserted through an opening in the article that is larger than the portion of the threaded member inserted through the opening and are also unable to accommodate for misalignment between openings of two or more articles such as panels that are to be secured together or for changes in the size of the opening or openings due to the effects of thermal expansion resulting from changes in temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a fastening device for securing a threaded member to an article that is adae~able to varying lateral positions of the thceaded member within an opening through the article through which the threaded member is received.
It is another object of this invention to pLovide a fastening device that enables the threaded member to position the means associated with the device for engaging the threads of the threaded member after the device has been secured to the article.
A fastening device for securing a threaded member to an article, said threaded ~ember extending through an opening in the article, and said device comprising:
a base member having an opening adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move ~ithin said opening in a direction lateral to a central rotational a~is of the threaded member, a guide member in a spaced-apart relationship to the base member on the side thereof facing away from the article, said base member having an elongate opening adapted to enable the threaded ~25~199 member to be received therethrough and to move along the central longitudinal axis thereof in a direction lateral to ~he rotational axis of the threaded member, a thread engagement member moveably disposed within the space between the base member and the guide member, said thread engagement member having an aperture that is adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough that is at least partially surrounded by thread engagement means and which extends through the elongated guide member opening for a distance sufficient to prevent dislodgement of the thread engagement membeL from the space between the guide member and the base member and to enable an edge of the guide member surrounding the alongate guide member opening to engage therewith to restrict movement of the thcead engagement member in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the guide member opening and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member wi~hin an area determined by the area of the elongated guide member opening, said thread engagement means being o~erative to ~ecure the threaded member to the article by advancement o~ the threaded member through the aperture in response to rotation of the threaded member about its ro~ational axis, and means for securing the base member to the article in such a manner as to enable the threaded member to be inserted through the article opening and the base member opening.
In a more particular embodiment the invention provides a fastening device a fastening device for securing a threaded member to an article, said threaded member extending ~hrough an opening in the article, and said device comprising a base member having an elongate opening therethrough, said opening having a central longitudinal axis and being adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded membe~ to move within the base member opening in a direction along the longitudinal axis and lateral to the rotation axis of the threaded member, said base member having at least one Lesilient arm extending from the base member ~o a free-end thereof that is spaced-apar~ from ~he base

2(a) member such that the arm is ab].e to coact with the base membeL to provide an open-ended clip for securing the base member to the article, said resilient arm having an opening therethrough that is substantially aligned with the base member opening and is adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and to enable the threaded member to move within the base member's opening in a direction along its lsngit~dinal axis and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member, a guide member extending integrall'y from the base member to a free-end thereof that is spaced apart from the base member, said guide member having at least a portion thereof having an elonga~ed opening therethrough having a central longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base member's opening for receiving the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move within the base member's opening i.n a direction along its longitudinal axis and lateral to the rotational axis o~ the threaded member, a thread engagement member moveably cliseosed wi~hin the space between ~he base membeL and the guide member, said thread engagement member having an aperture adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough, with marginal portions of the thread engagement member surrounding the aperture defining a hollow open-ended projection that is substantially coaxially aligned ~ith the apecture and has means associated therewith for engaging the threads of the threaded member and which projection extends through the elongated guide member's opening for a distance sufficient to prevent the thread engagement means from dislodgement Prom the space between the base member and the guide member and enable an edge of the guide member surrounding the elongated guide member's opening to engage therewith to restrict the movement of ~he thread engagement member within limits determined by the length of the elongated guide member's opening, and at least a portion of the base member having a concave configuration facing towards the base member that is adapted to position the thread engagement member when engaged by the end of 2(b) ~254409 the threaded member firs~ inserted through the article's opening and then the base member's opening 80 as to enable the threaded member to enter into the thread engagement member's aperture and advance through the aperture and the erojection and engage the thread engagement means associated therewith to secure the threaded member to the article in response to rotation of the threaded member about its rotational axis.

Z(c) ~ ~L254409 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
FIGURE lA is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the fastening device of the invention secured to an article;
FIGURE lB is a cut away section of the thread engagement member of the device of FIGURE lA;
FIGURE 2 is a bottom plane view of the device of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the device of 10 FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the fastening device of the invention;
FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the fastening device of the invention;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view oE an embodiment o a thread engagement member that may be used with the fastening device of the invention; and FIGURE 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a thread engagement member that may be used with the 20 fastening device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-FIGURES lA, lB, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the fastening device of the invention in the form of device 50 for securing to a threaded member such as threaded member 25 21 to an article 17 such as a plate or panel or the like inserted through an opening 19 therethrough. Opening 19 is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion of threaded member 21 and enables threaded member 21 to move within opening 19 lateral to the central longitudinal 30 rotational axis C thereof. Device 50 has a base member 10 having an opening 12 therethrough that is adapted to enable threaded member 21 to be received therethrough and move within opening 12 lateral to rotational axis "Cl"
of member 21. Although not required, opening 12 through r ~;25~

member 10 preferably has a shape and area that corresponds to the shape and area of opening 19 through article 17.
For cases where opening 19 through article 17 is an elongate opening or slot having a longitudillal axis 5associated therewi~h, opening 12 through base member 10 is preferably an elongate opening having a shape and area corresponding thereto and a longitudinal axis C3 (as shown in FIGURE 3) that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the opening through article 17 when 10device 50 is secured thereto. Device 50 has a resilient arm 26 extending from base member 10 to a free-end 30 thereof that is spaced-apart from base member 10 on the side thereof facing article 17 to provide a resilient arm that coacts with base member 10 to provide an open-ended 15clip that is adapted to receive and secure device 50 to artic:Le 17 adjacen~ an edge thereofO ~lthough arm 26 m~y be secured to base member 10 in any suitable manner, arm 26 preferably extends integrally from member 10 by being bent along an edge thereof in the manner shown in FIGURE
20lA. A portion 32 of arm 26 adjacent free-end 30 preferably extends angularly away from article 17 to enhance the ability to receive article 17 into the space between arm 26 and base member 10. Arm 26 has an opening 28 therethrough that is adapted to receive threaded member 25 21 therethrough and enable threaded member 21 to move within opening 28 in a direction lateral to rotational axis "Cl" of threaded member 21. Although opening 28 may be open-ended to provide two spaced-apart legs of arm 26 as shown in FIGURE 3, opening 28 may be an enclosed 30 opening and may have any shape which enables threaded member 21 to move therewithin in the manner desired in a direction lateral to rotational axis "Cl" thereof.
Opening 28 may be an elongated opening having a longitudinal axis, not referenced, that is in substantial 35 alignment with axis "C3" of opening 12 through base member 10.

~25~4~

Secured to base member 10 on the side thereof facing away from article 17 is guide member 14. Guide member 14 is spaced-apart from base member 10 for a distance sufficient to enable thread engagement member 18 5 to be moveably disposed within the space therebetween~
Although guide member 14 may be secured to base member 10 in any sui~able manner, guide member 14 preferably extends integrally from base member 10 and ends in free-end 15 over base member 10 as shown in FIGURE lA. Guide member 10 14 has at least a portion thereof having opposite sides that respectively face towards and away from base member 12 having an opening 16 therethrough. Opening 16 is adapted to receive threaded member 21 therethrough and, like opening 12 through base mernber 10, enable threaded 15 member 21 to move withi.n open.ing 16 ln A d;rection lateral to rotational axis "Cl" oE threaded member 21. Llke opening 12 thro~gh member 10, opening 16 through member 14 is preferably an elongate opening having a longitudinal axis "C2" (as shown in FIGURE 2) that is substantially 20 parallel aligned with axis "C3" of opening 12. As shown in FIGURE lA, the plane of opening 12 through base member 10 and the plane of opening 16 through guide member 14 are preferably in substantial parallel alignment with the plane of opening 19 through article 17 so as to enhance 25 the ability of threaded member 21 to move within the respective open;ngs in a direction lateral to rotational axis "Cl" of threaded member 21.
Previously described thread engagement member 18 has an aperture 24 therethrough surrounded by marginal 30 portions of member 18 surrounding aperture 24 that extend 4 from member 18 towards guide member 14 from the side of ~ember 18 facing towards member 14 to define projection ~
20. Projection 20 is preferably a hollow open-ended 4 configuration having a central longitudinal axis 35 substantially coaxially aligned with aperture 24 that is ~:25~4, E;1~3 preferably substantially transverse to the plane of openings 12 and 16. Aperture 24 is adapted to receive the end of threaded member 21 first inserted therethrough from the side of member 18 facing towards base member 10.
5 Projection 20 is provided with means for enyaging threads 23 of threaded member 21 such as threads 27 shown in FIGURES lB and 2. A slot such as slot 22 may be included to enhance bendability of guide member 10 in embodiments of the device of the invention where guide member 14 10 extends integrally from base member 10 by being bent along an edge thereof as shown in FIGURE 2.
The fastening device of the invention broadly contemplates thread engagement means at least partially surrounding an aperture through the engagement member that `15 extends from the engagement member through the opening in tbe guide member to provide a means of preventing dislodgement o the engagement member rom the space between the base member and the guide member and to provide.a means of restricting lateral movement of the 20 aperture to within an area determined by the area of the opening through the gui~e member. In device 50, such means are jointly provided as a result of projection 20 extending from member 18 through opening 16 of mem~er 14 for a distance sufficient to prevent member 18 from 25 dislodgement from the space between members 10 and 14 and enable edge 23 surroundin~ opening 16 to:engage with projection.20 and preyent proj:ection 20 (and apertuxe 2 from moving laterally with respect.to rota-tional axis "Cl~ of member 21.outside the area of 30 opening 16~
The fastening device of the invention also - broa~ly contemplates the preferable inclusion of means associa~ed with member 18 enabling the end of threaded member 21 first inserted through opening 12 of base member 35 10 to position member 18 laterally with respect to ~25~af~631~D

rotational axis "Cl" thereof within an area determined by the area of opening 16 through member 14 so as to enable member 21 to be inserted into aperture 24 as previously described. Such positioning means are provided 5 in device 50 by at least a portion of the side of member 18 facing towards member 10 having a concave configuration 25 facing towards member 10 (as referenced in FIGURE lA
and shown in FIGURE lB) that is shaped so as to enable the end of threaded member first inserted through opening 12 10 of member 10 to impinge thereagainst and cause member 18 to move laterally for a distance sufficient to enable member 21 to be inserted into aperture 24. Also shown in FIGURE lB are threads 27 engageable with threads 23 of member 21 as previously described.
FIGURE 4 shows an embodiment of the fastening device of the invention in the form oE device 52. Device 52 has: a base member 10 having an opening 12 therethrough; a guide member 14 having an opening 16 therethrough; a resilient arm 26 having an opening 28 20 therethrough; and a thread engagement member 18 having a hollow open-ended projection 20 extending therefrom through opening 16 as previously described with respect to device 50.
The fastening device of the invention broadly 25 contemplates the inclusion, where preferred, of ~eans for protecting at least that portion of the means for restricting lateral movement of member 18, such as projection 20, that is exposed on the side of guide member 14 facing away from base member 10 and for protecting any 30 portion of threaded member 21 that is exposed on the side of guide member 14 facing away from base member 10 after the threaded member is secured to an article by means of the device of the invention. The means for protection associated with device 52 is in the form of arm or shield 35 34 secured to guide member 14 and shaped into a concave ~2~

configuration tha~ faces towards the side of guide member 14 facing away from base member 10 and is adapted to provide ~he protection previously described. Although shield 34 may be secured to either base member 10 or guide 5 member 14 in any suitable manner and may have any shape that affords the protection desired, shield 34 preferably extends integrally from guide member 14 to a free-end 15 thereof to provide a concave configuration overhanging and facing towards the side of guide member 14 facing away 10 from base member 10 as shown in FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in the form of device 54 that, like devices 50 and 52, has a base member 10 having an opening 12 therethrough; a guide member 14 having an opening 16 therethrough; and a thread 15 engagement member 18 having a projection 20 extending therefrom through opening 16 as previously described.
Device 50, however, does not have previously described resilient arm 26. Device 54 illustrates that means other than resilient arm 26 may be used to secure the device of 20 the invention to the article to which the threaded member is to be secured. ~or example, the side of base member 10 facing towards the article may be coated with a suitable adhesive enabling the device to be adhesively secured to the article.
FIGURE 6 shows an embodiment of a thread engagement member in the form of engagement member 18' that may be used with the device of the invention. Member 18' has an aperture 33 therethrough for receiving the threaded member and a pair of opposed spaced-apart arms 36 30 and 36' which extend towards each other from member 18l on opposite side of aperture 33 to respective free-en~s 37 and 37' in overhanging relationship to the side of member 18' facing away from base member 10. Free-ends 37 and 37' are adapted to coact with each other in engaging the 35 threads of a threaded member inserted therebetween from ;.

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aperture 33 and secure the threaded member to the article in response to the rotation of ~he threaded member about a rotational axis associated ~herewith. Although the use of overhanging resilient arms such as arms 36 and 36' to 5 engage the threads of threaded member is well known in the art, in the present invention the arms are adapted to extend through the previously described opening through the guide member to additionally provide a means of preventing dislodgement of member 18' from the space 10 between member 10 and member 14 as well as enabling the respective arms to engage with the edge of member 14 surrounding the opening therethrough so as to restrict lateral movement of member 18' (and aperture 33) to within an area cletermined by the area of the opening through the ~15 guide member. Although not required, free-ends 37 and 37' may each have concave or seml-circular cut-out as shown in FIG~RE 6 to enhance the engagement with the respective free-ends with the threads of the threaded member as is well known in the art.
FIGURE 7 shows an embodiment of a thread engagement member in the form of engagernent member 18"
that may be used with the device of the invention that utilizes a frusto-conical projection ~0 as the means for engaging the threads of the threaded member. Proiection ~f 25 40 preferably has a slot 41 through the wall thereof that extends radially outwardly for a distance to provide a f warped helical edge 43 extending from opposite sides of slot 41 that is adapted to engage the threads of a threaded member inserted through aperture 38. Such 30 frusto-conical projection means of engaging the threads of a threaded member are well known in the art.
Although the fastening device of the invention may be made in any suitable manner from any suitable material or ma~erials, it is preferred that the base 35 member and guide member be a one-piece construc~ion formed ~z54a~9 from a resilient sheet metal stamping or other suitable metal stamping of suitable thickness by bending guide member 14 from an edge of base member 10 in overhanging spaced-apart relationship as shown in the FIGURES.
5 Likewise, in cases where the device of the invention includes a resilient arm such as arm 26 to provide a clip for securing the device to an article as previously described and/or includes a protective shield, as previously described, such is also preferably made in a 10 one-piece construction by bending the shield in overhanging relationship from an edge of the guide member and the arm providing the clip may be made by bending the arm from an edge of the base member as shown in the FIGURES.
i

Claims (16)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A fastening device for securing a threaded member to an article, said threaded member extending through an opening in the article, and said device comprising:
a base member having an opening adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move within said opening in a direction lateral to a central rotational axis of the threaded member, a guide member in a spaced-apart relationship to the base member on the side thereof facing away from the article, said base member having an elongate opening adapted to enable the threaded member to be received therethrough and to move along the central longitudinal axis thereof in a direction lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member, a thread engagement member moveably disposed within the space between the base member and the guide member, said thread engagement member having an aperture that is adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough that is at least partially surrounded by thread engagement means and which extends through the elongated guide member opening for a distance sufficient to prevent dislodgement of the thread engagement member from the space between the guide member and the base member and to enable an edge of the guide member surrounding the elongate guide member opening to engage therewith to restrict movement of the thread engagement member in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the guide member opening and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member within an area determined by the area of the elongated guide member opening, said thread engagement means being operative to secure the threaded member to the article by advancement of the threaded member through the aperture in response to rotation of the threaded member about its rotational axis, and means for securing the base member to the article in such a manner as to enable the threaded member to be inserted through the article opening and the base member opening.

2. The device of claim 1 including means for positioning the threaded engagement member and enabling the end of the threaded member first inserted through the article's opening and the base member's opening to engage therewith and cause the thread engagement member to move sufficiently in a direction lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member to enable the threaded member to enter into the thread engagement members aperture and advance through the aperture and projection and engage the thread engagement means associated therewith and secure the threaded member to the article in response to rotation of the threaded member about its rotational axis.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the guide member and base member are in substantially parallel alignment.

4. The device of either claims 2 or 3 wherein the means for positioning the thread engagement member is provided by at least a portion of a side thereof facing towards the base member having a concave configuration facing towards the base member and adapted to enable the positioning of the thread engagement member when engaged by the end of the threaded member first inserted through the article opening and the base member's opening.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the base member opening is an elongate opening having a central longitudinal axis associated therewith that is in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the guide member's elongate opening.

6. The device of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the thread engagement means comprises a hollow open-ended projection surrounding its aperture and having a central, longitudinal axis substantially coaxially aligned with said aperture said projection having at least one thread associated therewith comprising the thread engagement means engageable with the threads of the threaded member.

7. The device of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the thread engagement means comprises a hollow open-ended frusto-conical projection surrounding its aperture and the means associated therewith for engaging the threads of the threaded member is provided by said projection having a slot extending therethrough radially outwardly from the aperture enabling an end of the projection facing away from the base member to be formed into a helical edge extending from opposite sides of the slot and adapted for engagement with the threads of the threaded member.

8. The device of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the thread engagement means comprises a pair of opposed, spaced-apart resilient arms which extend towards each other from the engagement means on opposite sides of its aperture to respective free-ends thereof that are spaced-apart from each other in overhanging relationship to the engagement means and are adapted to coact with each other in engaging the threads of the threaded member.

9. The device of claim 1 including means for protecting any portion of the means for restricting lateral movement of the thread engagement member exposed on a side of the guide member facing away from the base member and for protecting any portion of the threaded member exposed on said side of the guide member facing away from the base member after the threaded member is secured to the article by the device.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the protecting means comprises a shield which is secured to the guide member and extends over the guide member in a concave configuration that faces towards the side of the guide member facing away from the base member and is adapted to protect both said exposed portion of the threaded member and said means for restricting lateral movement of the thread engagement member.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the device to the article comprises at least one resilient arm that extends away from the base member to an opposite free-end thereof that is spaced apart from a side of the base member facing the article to which the device is secured, said arm being positioned to coact with the base member to provide an open-ended clip for attachment of the device to the article, and said arm being provided with an opening to receive the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move within said opening laterally to its rotational axis.

12. The device of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the guide member is secured to the base member by extending integrally therefrom to a free-end thereof that is spaced-apart from the side of the base member facing away from the article.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the shield is secured to the guide member by having at least one end thereof integral therewith.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the resilient arm extends integrally from the base member.

15. A fastening device for securing a threaded member to an article, said threaded member extending through an opening in the article, and said device comprising:
a base member having an elongate opening therethrough, said opening having a central longitudinal axis and being adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move within the base member opening in a direction along the longitudinal axis and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member, said base member having at least one resilient arm extending from the base member to a free-end thereof that is spaced-apart from the base member such that the arm is able to coact with the base member to provide an open-ended clip for securing the base member to the article, said resilient arm having an opening therethrough that is substantially aligned with the base member opening and is adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough and to enable the threaded member to move within the base member's opening in a direction along its longitudinal axis and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member, a guide member extending integrally from the base member to a free-end thereof that is spaced apart from the base member, said guide member having at least a portion thereof having an elongated opening therethrough having a central longitudinal axis that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base member's opening for receiving the threaded member therethrough and enable the threaded member to move within the base member's opening in a direction along its longitudinal axis and lateral to the rotational axis of the threaded member.
a thread engagement member moveably disposed within the space between the base member and the guide member, said thread engagement member having an aperture adapted to receive the threaded member therethrough, with marginal portions of the thread engagament member surrounding the aperture defining a hollow open-ended projection that is substantially coaxially aligned with the aperture and has means associated therewith for engaging the threads of the threaded member and which projection extends through the elongated guide member's opening for a distance sufficient to prevent the thread engagement means from dislodgement from the space between the base member and the guide member and enable an edge of the guide member surrounding the elongated guide member's opening to engage therewith to restrict the movement of the thread engagement member within limits determined by the length of the elongated guide member's opening, and at least a portion of the base member having a concave configuration facing towards the base member that is adapted to position the thread engagement member when engaged by the end of the threaded member first inserted through the article's opening and then the base member's opening so as to enable the threaded member to enter into the thread engagement member's aperture and advance through the aperture and the projection and engage the thread engagement means associated therewith to secure the threaded member to the article in response to rotation of the threaded member about its rotational axis.

16. The device of claim 15 including means for protecting any portion of the projection exposed on a side of the guide member facing away from the base member and for protecting any portion of the threaded member exposed on the side of the guide member facing away from the base member after the threaded member is secured to the article by the device, said means comprising a shield which extends integrally from the guide member to a free-end thereof to provide a concave configuration that faces towards a side of the guide member facing away from the base member and is adapted to protect the exposed portion of the projection and the threaded member.