GB1587939A

GB1587939A - Fastening devices

Info

Publication number: GB1587939A
Application number: GB4871077A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Daley F A
Current assignee: Daley F A
Priority date: 1973-02-27
Filing date: 1978-05-25
Publication date: 1981-04-15

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FASTENING DEVICE# (71) I, FRANK ARTHUR DALEY, of 4, Leicester Road, Upper Hill Lane, Southampton, a British Subject, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray- that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to fastening devices and is concerned with improvements in or modifications of the fastening devices disclosed by my U.K. Patent No. 1,444,559, hereinafter referred to as the "parent patent".

The parent patent describes and claims a fastening device for location in an aperture, comprising a deformable sleeve and a sleevedeforming member for insertion in the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member preceding the sleeve and passed through the aperture, the sleeve-deforming member having a female screw-thread for screw-threaded engagement with a male screw-thread on a second member whereby the sleeve-deforming member can be drawn into the sleeve so that the sleeve can be made to bulge around the sleeve-deforming member so as to anchor it by encapsulation.

The male screw-threaded second member may remain in place or it may be replaced by another male screw-threaded member such as a tie rod for supporting a weight.

The fastening device of the parent patent is particularly useful for suspending ceilings etc. from terra-cotta "pots". Tests conducted now indicate that in very extreme conditions of fire, the sleeve may possibly become ineffective and allow the part of the ceiling suspended by the device to sink.

The object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of this taking place.

According to the present invention, a fastening device as claimed in Claim 1 of Patent No.

1,444,559 is provided with resilient restraining means of fire resistant material, capable of being passed through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member and operable so as to open out thereafter whereby movement of the sleeve-deforming member back through the aperture is substantially resisted, the resilient restraining means comprising an annular member which, after passage through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member, effectively enlarges the sleeve-deforming member.

The annular member may comprise a simple ring retainable by a cooperating portion of the sleeve-deforming member.

Alternatively, the annular member may be of conical form, operable so as to fit over the sleeve-deforming member.

The invention also resides in an anchor com prising a support having an aperture and having fixed therein a fastening device wherein the sleeve encapsulates the sleeve-deforming member and the resilient restraining means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, wherein:- Figure 1 is a side view of a fastening device disposed in an aperture, but before being fixed therein, Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view of the upper part of the same device, partly in medial section, and after fixing, and Figure 3 is a side view of a modified form of fastening device, and the accompanying drawing, (Figure 4), which is a fragmentary side view of a further modified form of fastening device.

The following disclosures are intended to be read in conjunction with the disclosures of the parent patent, (No. 1,444,559). In all of the figures, i.e. those of the parent patent as well as those of the present application, like reference numerals refer to like components.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a fastening device 1 for locating in an aperture 2 comprises a deformable sleeve 3 and a sleeve-deforming member 40 for insertion in and through the aperture 2, with (as shown) the sleeve-deforming member 40 preceding the sleeve 3. The member 40 has means for engagement with a second member 5 used to draw the sleeve-deforming member 40 and sleeve 3 together, whereby, (as shown in Figure 2), the sleeve 3 bulges around the sleeve-deforming member 40 so as to anchor it by encapsulation. The member 40 is so anchored that it cannot be moved back out of the sleeve 3.

In further detail, the member 40 is substantially identical to the member 4b of the parent patent. The means for engaging the member 40 with the second member 5 com- prise a female screw-thread extending through the member 40 and the second member 5 comprises a male screw-threaded member in the form of a rod. Both the member 40 and the sleeve 3 are of substantially circular cross-section.

The deformable sleeve is of P.V.C. (polyvinyl chloride) plastics material and the aperture 2 is formed in the bottom 7 of a terracotta "pot" used in the building industry between beams to support, inter alia, suspended ceilings, and services such as "Sprinkler" anti-fire devices.

The sleeve-deforming member 40 is formed with a waisted portion 15 adjacent the base of a frusto-conical portion 16. The waisted portion 15 comprises a right cylinder and has a peripheral groove 17 defining a cooperating indentation into which a ring 41 is subsequently disposed.

The fixing device 1 incorporates a ferrule 8 of frusto-conical form. The sleeve-deforming member 40 is also of frusto-conical form but is substantially thicker than the ferrule 8. The length of the sleeve 3 is equivalent to the depth of the aperture 2 plus at least 1.5 times the thickness of the sleeve-deforming member 40.

In accordance with the present invention, the fastening device 1 is provided with resilient restraining means of fire resistant material (stainless steel), comprising the ring 41. The original form of the ring 41 is elliptical with over-lapping ends (not shown). The elliptical, over-lapping ends), form of the ring 41 renders it capable of being passed through the aperture 2, as explained hereinafter. Subsequently, the ring 41 is expanded to assume a substantially circular form whereby it effectively enlarges the cross-section of the member 40 so as to give it an outer diameter larger than that of the hole 2.

In operation, an assembly is made comprising the members 40, and butterfly nut 10 screwthreaded on the rod 5 and the ring 41, sleeve 3, ferrule 8 and washer 9 loosely located on the rod 5. This assembly is disposed in the aperture 2 as shown in Figure 1, with the (elliptical) ring 41 preceding the sleeve 3 and supported by the upper or leading end thereof. The frusto-conical sleeve-deforming member 40 has a maximum (lateral) cross-section larger than the bore of the sleeve 3 but can be inserted through the aperture 2 with small lateral clearance.

The rod 5 is then held stationary and the butterfly nut 10 tightened. This causes the sleeve-deforming member 40 and the sleeve 3 to be drawn together, whereby the leading end of the sleeve 3 pushes the ring 41 up over the truncated portion 16 of the member 40, the ends of the ring opening out to allow this, until the ring, now substantially circular, with the ends in substantial alignment and apart, snaps into place within the groove 17. Thereafter, further relative movement between the sleeve 3 and member 40 causes the sleeve to bulge around the upper end of the member 40 and ring 41 so as to anchor the member 40 and ring 41 by encapsulation, as shown in Figure 2.

At the same time, the sleeve 3 is bulged outwardly so as to contact the surrounding aperture 2 of the structure 7 and the ferrule 8 made to "bell" the adjacent (lower) end of the sleeve 3 so that it engages with the periphery of the aperture 2.

Once in position within groove 17, the ring 41, which effectively enlarges the cross-section of member 40, has an external diameter which is larger than that of aperture 2. This results in an efficient anchor being formed which comprises the support 7 with the encapsulated device 1 fixed therein.

In the present example, the ring 41 has a major internal dimension of between .300" and .3 row; the diameter of the ring in its expanded form is about .340". The cross-sectional diameter of the ring material is .040".

After removal of the rod 5 with washer 9 and butterfly nut 10, the rod 5 can be replaced by a similar rod (for support of the suspended ceiling). Alternatively, the rod 5 can be left in place and only washer 9 and nut 10 removed.

As the sleeve 3 and the member 40 it has captured remain stationary, this can be done without trouble. The effective length of the rod 5 (or its replacement) can easily be adjusted by rotating the rod 5 within the member 40.

In the event of a fire occurring in the building in which the suspended cieling is used, and of such severity that the sleeve 3 becomes ineffective, i.e. loses its ability to anchor, although the device 1 may sink under the weight of the ceiling, the ring 41 , having a larger external diameter than that of the aperture 2, will abut the structure 7 and thus resist movement of the member 40 back through the aperture 2.

The groove 17 of the sleeve-deforming member 40 of Figures 1 and 2 is shown with a sloping lower land which converges with the taper of the frusto-conical portion 16 so as to provide a lead-in for the ring 41. This need not be as pronounded as illustrated, and may comprise merely a "relieved" edge. The upper periphery of the sleeve-deforming member may be "relieved" as well, to assist movement of the sleeve 3 thereover. In another modification, the upper and lower lands of the groove 17 are substantially parallel.

However, provision of a lead-in is preferred.

The amount of sleeve material projecting outwardly above the groove 17 is preferably at least two threads deep.

With reference to Figure 3, in the modification illustrated therein the ring 41 of fastener la is replaced by an annular member 45 of resilient construction and of fire-resistant material. (Stainless steel or other suitable metal).

The member 45 comprises a sleeve of frustoconical form, with tapered slots 46 extending downwardly from the upper end of the sleeve 45 for about two-thirds of sleeve depth so as to make the sleeve castellated. A further slot (47) extends down the side of the sleeve 45.

A non-grooved sleeve-deforming member 40a, (similar to member 4 of the parent patent), is used with the sleeve 45. The depth of the sleeve 45 is greater, (e.g. about 15%), than that of the sleeve-deforming member 40a. In its original, i.e. non-expanded condition, the sleeve 45 has a major.diameter less than the diameter of aperture 2, so as to allow the sleeve 45 to be passed through the aperture, together with sleeve 3 and member 40a. As the butterfly nut 10 is tightened, the member 40a and sleeve 3 are drawn together whereby the sleeve 45 is pushed upwardly over the member 40a, the slots 46,47 allowing the sleeve 45 to open out and allow this movement.The interfitting sleeve 45 and member 40a effectively enlarges the cross-section of the latter so as to give it a diameter larger than that of the aperture 2 whereby any subsequent movement of the member 40a back through the aperture 2 is resisted.

As the sleeve 3 and member 40a are drawn together, the sleeve 3 moves upwardly over the nested sleeve 45 and member 40a to encapsulate and anchor them.

In the event of fire rendering the sleeve 3 ineffective, the sleeve 45, by increasing the effective diameter of the member 40a so that it is greater than that of the aperture 2, serves to resist movement of the member 40a back through the aperture 2.

The "sdlid" sleeve 45 may be replaced by an annular member of substantially the same frusto-conical form, but made of wire wound in a zig-zag like manner.

Figure 4 illustrates a modified fastening device ib which makes use of a sleeve-deforming member 40b with a waisted portion 1 Sb of right cylindrical form between a frustoconical portion 16b and an enlarged cylindrical head portion 50. Portion 50 is of substantially the same diameter as sleeve 3.

When the sleeve 3 and member 40b are drawn together, the ring 41 is moved over portion 16b and on to portion 15b. It is thus expanded to assume a substantially circular form whereby it effectively enlarges the crosssection of the member 40b so as to give the latter an outer diameter larger than that of the aperture 2.

In its final position, the ring 41 abuts the head portidn 50 of the member 40b and projects a little laterally thereof. The member 40b and ring 41 are anchored by encapsulation, as before.

The sleeve 3 need not be of plastics material.

It can be of metallic material, such as stainless steel.

Use of the ferrule 8 is optional.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A fastening device as claimed in Claim 1 of Patent No. 1444,559, provided with resilient restraining means of fire resistant material, capable of being passed through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member and operable so as to open out thereafter whereby movement of the sleeve-deforming member back through the aperture is substantially resisted, the resilient restraining means comprising an annular member, which, after passage through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member, effectively enlarges the sleeve-deforming member.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the annular member comprises a ring retainable by a cooperating portion of the sleevedeforming member.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the annular member is of generally conical form.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the cooperating portion of the sleeve-deforming member comprises a groove.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the cooperating portion of the sleeve-deforming member comprises a right cylindrical portion.

6. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve is of plastics material.

7. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeve is of metallic material.

8. A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the sleeve-deforming member is of frusto-conical form with a maximum cross-section larger than the bore of the sleeve.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the sleeve-deforming member has a waisted portion adjacent the base of the frusto-conical form.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, incorporating a further sleeve-deforming member, disposed at the end of the sleeve remote from the sleeve-deforming member, which is arranged also to be drawn into the sleeve.

11. An anchor comprising a support having an aperture and having fixed therein a fastening device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the sleeve encapsulates the sleevedeforming member and the resilient restraining means.

12. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

13. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

14. A fastening device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A non-grooved sleeve-deforming member 40a, (similar to member 4 of the parent patent), is used with the sleeve 45. The depth of the sleeve 45 is greater, (e.g. about 15%), than that of the sleeve-deforming member 40a. In its original, i.e. non-expanded condition, the sleeve 45 has a major.diameter less than the diameter of aperture 2, so as to allow the sleeve 45 to be passed through the aperture, together with sleeve 3 and member 40a. As the butterfly nut 10 is tightened, the member 40a and sleeve 3 are drawn together whereby the sleeve 45 is pushed upwardly over the member 40a, the slots 46,47 allowing the sleeve 45 to open out and allow this movement.The interfitting sleeve 45 and member 40a effectively enlarges the cross-section of the latter so as to give it a diameter larger than that of the aperture 2 whereby any subsequent movement of the member 40a back through the aperture 2 is resisted. As the sleeve 3 and member 40a are drawn together, the sleeve 3 moves upwardly over the nested sleeve 45 and member 40a to encapsulate and anchor them. In the event of fire rendering the sleeve 3 ineffective, the sleeve 45, by increasing the effective diameter of the member 40a so that it is greater than that of the aperture 2, serves to resist movement of the member 40a back through the aperture 2. The "sdlid" sleeve 45 may be replaced by an annular member of substantially the same frusto-conical form, but made of wire wound in a zig-zag like manner. Figure 4 illustrates a modified fastening device ib which makes use of a sleeve-deforming member 40b with a waisted portion 1 Sb of right cylindrical form between a frustoconical portion 16b and an enlarged cylindrical head portion 50. Portion 50 is of substantially the same diameter as sleeve 3. When the sleeve 3 and member 40b are drawn together, the ring 41 is moved over portion 16b and on to portion 15b. It is thus expanded to assume a substantially circular form whereby it effectively enlarges the crosssection of the member 40b so as to give the latter an outer diameter larger than that of the aperture 2. In its final position, the ring 41 abuts the head portidn 50 of the member 40b and projects a little laterally thereof. The member 40b and ring 41 are anchored by encapsulation, as before. The sleeve 3 need not be of plastics material. It can be of metallic material, such as stainless steel. Use of the ferrule 8 is optional. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A fastening device as claimed in Claim 1 of Patent No. 1444,559, provided with resilient restraining means of fire resistant material, capable of being passed through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member and operable so as to open out thereafter whereby movement of the sleeve-deforming member back through the aperture is substantially resisted, the resilient restraining means comprising an annular member, which, after passage through the aperture with the sleeve-deforming member, effectively enlarges the sleeve-deforming member.