GB2196404A

GB2196404A - Fastening element

Info

Publication number: GB2196404A
Application number: GB08622732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Noble
Original assignee: DARENTH VALLEY GOLF COURSE LIM
Current assignee: DARENTH VALLEY GOLF COURSE LIM
Priority date: 1986-09-20
Filing date: 1986-09-20
Publication date: 1988-04-27
Also published as: GB8622732D0

Abstract

A fastener comprising a clamping member 2 such as a split hexagonal nut 3 for clamping onto an elongate bolt member 14, cam members 7 for moving the nut halves 3 together, and a frame 10,11,12 on which the nut halves 3 and the cam members 7 are mounted. To effect clamping, the frame part 11 is pivoted towards the head of the bolt member 14 through 45 degrees so that the cam members 7 force the nut halves 3 together. The chamfered ends 9 of the cam members 7 then engage the washer 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening element This invention relates to a fastening element.

The screwing and unscrewing of a fastening element, such as a nut on a bolt. may often be difficult, for example, where there is limited space to use a spanner or wrench. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening element which ameliorates this problem. According to the present invention there is provided a fastening element comprising a securing member for secural to an elongate member, actuating means for actuating the securing member, and a frame upon which said securing member and actuating means are mounted, which securing member comprises two co-operable elements which elements are movable relative to each other into a securing position in which the two elements are urged together by the actuating means. The two elements of the securing member preferably consist of halves of a split nut. which nut is very preferably hexagonal.The split nut will generally have gripping means on the inside thereof.

The gripping means are preferably provided by threading on the internal surface of the nut.

The securing member may also comprise pivotable attachment means for attachment of the two elements thereof to the frame. the pivotable attachment means being arranged to extend in a direction transverse to a plane lying between the two elements.

It is preferable that the frame be capable of rotation about the pivotable attachment means.

The actuating means preferably comprise cam members which may be attached to the frame. Actuation of the securing member may result from rotation of the actuating means.

Rotation of the actuating means preferably occurs by rotation of the frame.

In an unsecured position the actuating means allow the two elements of the securing member to be separated. so that the fastening element may be placed about an elongate member to which the fastening element is to be secured.

The components of the fastening element may be made of any suitable material, preferably a metal, but alternatively a plastics material.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastening element according to the present invention.

Fig.2 shows a plan view of the fastening element of Fig.1, in an unsecured position.

Fig.3 shows a partially sectional side view of the fastening element of Fig.1, in an unsecured position on a bolt.

Fig.4 shows a plan view of the fastening element of Fig. 1. in a secured position.

Fig.5 shows a partially sectional side view of the fastening element of Fig.1, in a secured position on a bolt.

Fig.6 shows a perspective view of a part of the fastening element of Fig.1, in an unsecured position.

Fig.7 shows a perspective view of a part of the fastening element of Fig.1, in a secured position.

Referring to Figs 1 to 5, there is shown therein an embodiment of a fastening element 1 according to the present invention. A securing member 2 comprises a split threaded hexagonal nut 3 of any suitable size or thread.

The split nut 3 consists of two halves, separated along a plane containing a central axis 4 of the nut 3, and passing through the middle of two of the sides of the nut 3. Each half of the split nut 3 has a locating pin 5 and a pivot member 6. The locating pins 5 align the two halves of the split nut 3, so that the two halves co-operate with one another. Each pivot member 6, on each half of the split nut 3, extends therefrom in a direction transverse to the axis 4 of the split nut 3.

A cam member 7 is located on each pivot member 5. and each cam member 7 is free to rotate about its respective pivot member 5.

Each cam member 7 has a slot 8 into which the split nut 3 may extend, when in an unsecured position. Each cam member 7 also has a wedge-shaped end 9.

A frame 10 is attached to both cam members 7 and surrounds the securing member 2.

The frame 10 consists of first and second generally C-shaped members 11,12 connected together at each cam member 7. A nut 13 is attached to each side of the frame 10 at each connection between the two generally Cshaped members 11,12.

In this embodiment an elongate member, to which the fastening element 1 may be secured, is provided by a threaded bolt 14. A washer 15 is placed over said bolt 14 and is positioned between the fastening element 1 and the head of said bolt 14. Said bolt 14 is compatible with the split nut 3.

Referring to Figs 2 and 3, there is shown therein the fastening element 1 of Fig.1, in an unsecured position. In this position the first Cshaped member 11 lies in a plane at 45 degrees to the axis 4 and the head of said bolt.

The second C-shaped member 12 lies in a plane transverse to the axis 4 of the split nut 3.

Referring to Figs 4 and 5, there is shown therein the fasteni-ng element 1 of Fig. 1, in a secured position. In this position the second C-shaped member 12 lies in a plane at 45 degrees to the axis 4 and the head of the bolt 14, and the first C-shaped member 11 lies in a plane transverse to the axis 4. Each cam member 7 is aligned parallel to the axis 4, with each wedge-shaped end 9 making contact with the washer 15 against the head of said bolt 14.

Referring to Fig.6, there is shown therein a part of the fastening element 1 of Fig.1, in an unsecured position, in which each respective half of the split nut 3 extends into the slot 8 in each corresponding cam member 7.

Referring to Fig.7 there is shown therein a part of the fastening element 1 of Fig.1, in a secured position. in which each cam member 7 is aligned, such that each wedge-shaped end 9 points in the direction of the axis 4 of the split nut 3. In this position each half of the split nut 3 is misaligned with the slot 8 in each cam member 7.

To secure the fastening element 1 to said bolt 14 and said washer 15, the position of the frame is adjusted to the unsecured position. The split nut 3 is parted and the fastening element 1 is placed around said bolt 14, so that the bottom of the split nut 3 just makes contact with said washer 15. The frame 10 is rotated through 45 degrees to the secured position. by a force applied to the first C-shaped member 11, in a rotation of the frame 10 causes each half of the split nut 3 to misalign with the slots, so that the split nut 3 is urged together around said bolt 14. Also, as the frame 10 is rotated through 45 degrees, the wedge-shaped ends 9 are made to align parallel to the direction of the axis 4 of the split nut 3. This causes the wedge-shaped ends to extend beyond the bottom of the split nut 3, thereby making contact with said washer 15 against the head of said bolt 14.

The fastening element is thereby secured rigidly to said bolt 14, the effect being similar to that of a conventional nut.

For small fastening elements in which it may be difficult to apply sufficient leverage using only finger pressure, there may be used on the nuts 13 a spanner, wrench or other suitable tool to rotate the frame. Alternatively, a substantial force could be applied to rotate the frame by the use of e.g. the end of a screw driver.

By means of the present invention a convenient fastening element has been described.

This is particularly the case where it may be necessary to use a fastening element in a confined space, where it is often inconvenient to use a spanner, or any other tool, to tighten the fastening element.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art to perform the invention otherwise than has been particularly described, and the invention includes within its scope all changes or modifications to the invention which would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fastening element comprising a securing member for secural to an elongate member, actuating means for actuating the securing member, and a frame upon which said securing member and actuating means are mounted, which securing member comprises two co-operable elements which elements are movable relative to each other into a securing position in which the two elements are urged together by the actuating means.

2. A fastening element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said two elements of said securing member comprise halves of split hexagonal nut.

3. A fastening element as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said split nut includes as gripping means, threading on its interval surface.

4. A fastening element according to any one of preceeding claims, wherein the securing member further comprises pivotable attachment means for attachment of the two elements of the securing member to the frame, said pivotable attachment means being arranged to extend in a direction transverse to a plane lying between the two elements.

5, A fastening element according to any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the actuating means comprises cam members secured to the frame.

6. A fastening element according to any preceeding claim, wherein rotation of the frame relative to the actuating means, by approximately 45 , causes the co-operable elements to move into or out of said securing position.

7. A fastening element substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. The features hereinbefore disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.