GB2464834A

GB2464834A - Fastener holder

Info

Publication number: GB2464834A
Application number: GB0919061A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoff Carr
Original assignee: UM GHI PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: UM GHI PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-30
Filing date: 2009-10-30
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Also published as: GB0819921D0; GB0919061D0

Abstract

The fastener holder 1 includes a support having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of vane formations extending inwardly of the support. First fixed ends of the vane formations are secured on an inner surface of the support. At least some of the vane formations are disposed at different longitudinal positions of the support. The vane formations may alternatively be disposed at the same longitudinal position. The fastener holder may be provided in a magazine of fastener holders.

Description

FASTENER HOLDER

The present invention relates to fastener holders.

Driving a fastener, such as a screw or threaded fastener, using a driver device or tool (such as a powered screwdriver or manual screwdriver) into a material is often an awkward and potentially hazardous procedure. It is known to hold the fastener in the desired position and orientation with one hand and then, apply the driving device (whilst still holding the fastener). The user is required to ensure that the fastener is perpendicular to the surface of the material -this is usually very difficult for the user to correctly judge. If the user does not hold the fastener perpendicular to the surface when the driver device is applied to the fastener, the fastener is liable to slip across the surface of the material and potentially result in a skin puncture wound to the user. It may, in any case, be difficult for a user is with limited gripping strength and control, such as a sufferer of arthritis, to hold the fastener. Furthermore, holding the fastener whilst applying the driver device can result in the thread of the fastener cutting the user's fingers as the thread rotates.

We have realised that it would be desirable to alleviate these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener holder comprising a support having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of vane formations (e.g. flexible vane formations) extending inwardly of the support, first fixed ends of the vane formations being secured on an inner surface of the support, wherein at least some of the vane formations are disposed at different longitudinal positions of the support.

The use of vanes to hold a fastener, such as when in combination with the location of vanes at different longitudinal positions on the support, provides excellent stability and a secure hold of a fastener, thereby offering safety and accuracy to the user. Moreover, the vanes may engage with threads on the shank of a fastener such as a screw, thereby further providing accuracy and stability in use.

Preferably, a plurality of vane formations are disposed at substantially the same longitudinal position.

Preferably, two, three or more vane formations are disposed at substantially the same longitudinal position.

Preferably, two or more (e.g. two, three or four) vane formations are disposed at each of a plurality (e.g. two, three or four) of longitudinal positions.

Preferably, three vane formations are disposed at each of two or more longitudinal positions.

Preferably, three or more (e.g. four) vane formations are disposed at each of a first and second longitudinal position and two vane formations are formed at a third longitudinal position between the first and second longitudinal positions.

Preferably, one or more of the vane formations is inclined towards an intended bottom end of the support.

This incline allows for insertion of a fastener downwardly into the fastener holder when the fastener holder is in its intended position, while preventing the upward removal of a fastener.

Preferably, the one or more vane formations is inclined at an angle of between 5 degrees and 45 degrees to a plane which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.

More preferably, the one or more vane formations is inclined at an angle of io between 10 degrees and 30 or 20 degrees, e.g. 15 degrees.

Preferably, one or more of the vane formations at one or more of the different longitudinal positions comprises a free end having a cut-away portion, e.g. the cut-away portion having substantially part-circular shape.

Preferably, one or more but not all of the vane formations at one or more of the longitudinal positions comprises a free end having a cut-away portion, e.g. the cut-away portion having substantially part-circular shape.

Preferably, the free ends are spaced from one another to define a passage for receiving a fastener, in use.

Preferably, the free ends of the vane formations are of smaller dimensions than the fixed ends of the vane formations.

Preferably, at least some of the vane formations are of substantially curvilinear triangular shape.

Preferably, at least some of the vane formations are of substantially rectangular, e.g. square, shape.

Preferably, the support is of concave cross-section.

Preferably, the support is configured to be resiliently openable about a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Preferably, the distance between an intended bottom edge of the support and a vane or vanes closest to said intended bottom edge is equal to or greater than a length of said vane or vanes closest to said intended bottom edge.

io According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a magazine comprising a plurality of fastener holders as described above.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a combination of one or more magazines and a handle.

Preferably, the handle is removably attached from one or more of said is magazines.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener holder comprising a housing and a plurality of vane formations, respective fixed ends of the vane formations are secured on an inner surface of the housing and respective free ends of the vane formations are located inwardly of the housing, and at least some of the vane formations are at different longitudinal positions of the housing.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastener holder; Figure 2 is a frontal side elevation of a fastener holder; Figure 3 is a rear side elevation of a fastener holder; Figure 4 is a plan view of a fastener holder; Figure 5 is a cross-section on section A-A; Figure 6 is a cross-section on section B-B; io Figure 7 is a perspective view of a fastener holder; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a magazine of fastener holders; Figure 9 is a side view of a magazine of fastener holders; Figure 10 shows a fastener holder in perspective view; Figure 11 shows a fastener holder in cross-section; is Figure 12 shows a fastener holder in plan view; Figure 13 shows a fastener holder in cross-section; Figure 14 shows a fastener holder in cross-section; Figure 16 shows magazines of fastener holders.

With reference initially to Figure 1 there is shown a fastener holder 1 comprising a part-cylindrical housing 3 and a plurality of vane formations 5a and 5b. The fastener holder 1 is suitable for receiving and locating a fastener, such as a driveable screw, and to allow easy application of a driver device to the fastener.

The vane formations 5a and 5b are in the form of blades or fins which each comprise a fixed end portion 10 and a free end portion 11. The fixed end portions 10 are attached to inner surface 4 of the housing 3 and the free ends 11 are located inwardly of the inner surface 4, or rather the volume which is bounded by the housing 3. In the embodiment shown, three sets of three vane formations 5a and 5b are included. Each set is located at a different respective longitudinal position of the housing 3. Each vane formation of each set is located at a respective circumferential position, and the vane formations of each set are spaced apart. Each vane formation 5a and 5b is of substantially curvilinear triangular shape. The free ends 11 of the vane formations are of part-circular shape and are spaced from each other so as to, collectively, define an aperture 15, and the apertures 15 are longitudinally aligned.

A longitudinal cut-out section, or opening, of the housing defines an aperture 20.

As best seen in Figure 6, the vane formations 5a and 5b are positioned at an incline of 15 degrees relative to a horizontal plane of Figure 6.

The vane formations 5a and 5b are made of a suitable resilient material so that a degree of flexure by the free ends 11 is possible. Use of the fastener holder 1 is now described. As shown in Figure 7 a threaded screw 30 is located in the aperture 15 by way of engagement of the free ends 11 with the threaded shaft of the screw. In this condition the screw 30 is held substantially centrally of the holder 1. The screw 30 is loaded into the holder by way of a user urging the screw laterally through the aperture 20 and towards the central aperture 15 of each vane formation set. Curved sides 7 of the vane formations 5a conveniently serve to guide the screw io towards the apertures 15. In the loaded condition, the free ends 11 grip the thread of the screw's shaft. In view of the inclination of the vane formations the screw, once in the loaded condition, cannot easily be retracted towards upper end 16. Rather, the inclination of the vane formations allow the screw to be urged towards a basal end 17.

It will be appreciated that the threaded screw 30 could also be located into the holder 1 from the upper end of the holder, and fed through the aligned apertures 15.

It is to be noted that the holder is configured such that the size of the aperture 20 can be resiliently manually adjusted, effectively causing the entire device to be opened out. This has the advantage that the holder is capable of accommodating fasteners with shafts, shanks or heads of different respective widths. This feature also allows the holder 1 to be laterally removed from around a partially inserted fastener. It will be appreciated, however, that the holder could be removed from a partially embedded fastener by way of the user simply gripping the holder and pulling the holder away from the fastener. The resilient opening capability of the holder also allows part of the driver device to enter into the holder as the driver device urges the fastener home in the material.

With the screw 30 in the holder 1, the user grips the holder and places the basal end 17 against a surface of a material into which the screw 30 is to be driven. The basal end 17 is located in a plane which is orientated at substantially ninety degrees to the longitudinal direction of the housing 3, and in particular at ninety degrees to the length of the screw 30 The basal end 17 is of a suitable diameter to so as to provide a stable base and ensures that the screw 30 is orientated at ninety degrees to the surface of the subject material. The driver device is then engaged with the head of the screw 30. Thereafter the user can release his grip on the holder 1. The user then applies the driver device and causes the screw 30 to rotate and enter into the material, the holder 1 ensuring that the screw enters the material at the correct orientation. The inclination and resilience of the vane formations 5a and 5b serve to aid insertion of the screw into the material.

It will be appreciated that a user handle or gripping device (not illustrated) either integral with the holder 1 or detachably connectable thereto, can be used by the user to maintain the holder at the required position.

With reference to Figures 8 and 9 there is shown a magazine 100 of fastener holders 1, the fastener holders connected by a framework or connection structure comprising upper longitudinal members 81 and transverse members 80, and lower longitudinal members 91 and transverse members 90. As shown in Figure 9, the magazine can be pre-loaded with screws 30, ready for use.

In a further embodiment as shown in Figures 10 to 13, there is provided a fastener holder 200 comprising an elongate housing 202 of arcuate or horseshoe section to provide an aperture 203 along its length and having three sets of flexible vanes 204, 206, 208 attached to the inner wall 210 thereof.

The first set of vanes 204 comprises four vanes 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D located adjacent an intended top edge 212 of the housing 200. Each vane 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D is of substantially rectangular shape and attached to the inner wall 210 of the housing 200 along at least one off its edges, such that when viewed from above (see Figure 13) most of the recess formed by the arcuate housing 202 is covered by the vanes 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D.

Two of the vanes, 204C, 204D are larger than the two other vanes 204A, 204B, and the inner free corners of the larger two vanes 204C, 204D is shaped to form a central aperture 214, in which a screw may be held in use.

Spaces 216A, 216B, 216C, 216D are also provided between adjacent edges of the vanes 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D to ensure freedom of movement.

The effective offset of the aperture 214 from the space 216d between the two vanes 204A, 204D adjacent the aperture 203, effectively provided by the difference in size and shape of those vanes 204A, 204D, ensures that a fastener is securely held, in use, e.g. locking the fastener in position and preventing its passage back out through the gap 216D and aperture 203.

The corners 218A, 218D of the vanes 204A, 204D adjacent the aperture 203 in the housing 202 are preferably curved to allow easy lateral insertion of a screw to the central aperture 214.

Each of the vanes 204A, 204B, 204C, 204D is inclined downwards in intended use, at an angle of 15°.

The second set of vanes 206 comprises a pair of substantially rectangular vanes 206A, 206B positioned below the first set of vanes 204. Figure 14 io shows the second set of vanes 206 viewed from above. Each vane 206A, 206B is attached along one edge to the inner wall 210 of the housing and is sized such that most of the recess formed by the arcuate housing 202 appears covered when viewed from above.

Parts of the adjacent edges 219A, 219B of the vanes 206A, 206B are shaped to provide an inlet 220 therebetween from the aperture 203 of the housing 202, the inner end 222 of which inlet 220 is positioned beneath the central aperture 214 in the first set of vanes 204. The remainder of the adjacent edges 219A, 219B of the vanes 206A, 206B are separated by a further space 224. The vanes 206A, 206B are inclined downwardly at an angle of 15° to the horizontal.

The third set of vanes 208 is positioned below the second set of vanes 206, but shaped and arranged identically to the first set of vanes 204, i.e. comprises four vanes 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D. Each vane 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D is substantially rectangular shape and attached to the inner wall 210 of the housing 200 along at least one of its edges, such that when viewed from above (see Figure 13) most of the recess formed by the arcuate housing 202 is covered by the vanes 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D.

Two of the vanes, 208C, 208D are larger than the two other vanes 208A, 208B, and the inner free corners of the larger two vanes 208C, 208D are shaped to form a central aperture 226, in which a screw may be held in use.

Spaces 228A, 228B, 228C, 228D are also provided between adjacent edges of the vanes 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D to ensure freedom of movement.

The effective offset of the aperture 226 from the space 228D between the two vanes 208A, 208D adjacent the aperture 203, effectively provided by the difference in size and shape of those vanes 208A, 208D, ensures that a fastener is securely held, in use.

The corners 229A, 229D of the vanes 208A, 208D adjacent the aperture 203 in the housing 202 are preferably curved to allow easy lateral insertion of a screw to the central aperture 226.

Each of the vanes 208A, 208B, 208C, 208D is inclined downwards in intended use, at an angle of 15°.

The distance in between the intended bottom edge 230 of the housing 202 and the unions of the third set of vanes 208 and the inner wall 210 of is greater than the length M of one, some or all of the third set of vanes 208.

This feature ensures that a fastener, e.g. a screw, can be fully engaged with a substrate against which the bottom edge rests, without its head trapping one or more of the vanes.

In use, a fastener, e.g. a screw is pushed laterally into the housing 232 through the aperture 203 such that its shank 232a is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the housing 202.

After passing through the gaps 216D, 220, 228D at the aperture 203 facing portions of the first 204, second 206 and third 208 vane sets, the shank 232a of the screw 232 comes to rest in the central apertures 214, 226 of the first 204 and third 208 vane sets. The threads 234 of the screw 232 hold the screw 232 stable in the longitudinal direction, while the offset between the entry gaps 216D, 228D and the central apertures 214, 226 in the first 204 and third 208 vane sets ensures that the central apertures 214, 226 substantially surround the shank 232a of the screw 232, preventing substantial movement in lateral directions.

Of course, fasteners may also be inserted into the fastener holder 200 by pushing e.g. the shank of a screw downwardly through the apertures 214, 226 in the first 204 and third 208 sets of vanes.

Once inserted into the fastener holder 200, the screw 232 can be easily located at a desired fastening point on a substrate and screwed therein, as is understood by one skilled in the art. The fastener holder 200 need not be moved until the screw 232 is fully engaged with the substrate to the satisfaction of the user.

Figure 16 shows a pair of magazines 240A, 240B of fastener holders 220, each magazine comprising a hook 242 for hanging the magazine 240 e.g. on a retail display unit. The horseshoe type section of the housings 202 allow for easy integral moulding of the magazines 240 in a side-by-side and back-to-back arrangement. The magazines 240 are joined by a removable handle 246, the ends 248a, 248b of which slidably engage with female members 250a, 250b in each of the magazines 240A, 240B.

In use, the user may load screws into each individual fastener holder 200.

The handle 246 can then be used to freely move the magazines 240 to io desired fastening positions and hold the magazines 240 thereagainst, without the requirement to reload each time a fastener is used.

Of course, it is understood by the skilled person that the housing need not be of concave, e.g. horseshoe shaped cross section, but may be, for example, cylindrical or cuboidal or any other shape whereby a fastener may be inserted through the top of the holder.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fastener holder comprising a support having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of vane formations extending inwardly of the support, first fixed ends of the vane formations being secured on an inner surface of the support, wherein at least some of the vane formations are disposed at different longitudinal positions of the support.
2. A fastener holder according to Claim 1, wherein a plurality of vane formations are disposed at substantially the same longitudinal position.
3. A fastener holder according to Claim 2, wherein two, three or more io vane formations are disposed at substantially the same longitudinal position.
4. A fastener holder according to Claim 3, wherein two or more (e.g. two, three or four) vane formations are disposed at each of a plurality (e.g. two, three or four) of longitudinal positions.
5. A fastener holder according to Claim 4 wherein three vane formations are disposed at each of two or more longitudinal positions.
6. A fastener holder according to Claim 4 wherein three or more (e.g. four) vane formations are disposed at each of a first and second longitudinal position and two vane formations are formed at a third longitudinal position between the first and second longitudinal positions.
7. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein one or more of the vane formations is inclined towards an intended bottom end of the support.
8. A fastener holder according to Claim 7, wherein the one or more vane formations is inclined at an angle of between 5 degrees and 45 degrees to a plane which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the housing.
9. A fastener holder according to Claim 8, wherein the one or more vane formations is inclined at an angle of between 10 degrees and 30 20 degrees, e.g. 15 degrees.
10. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein one or more of the vane formations at one or more of the different longitudinal positions comprises a free end having a cut-away portion, e.g. the cut-away portion having substantially part-circular shape.
11. A fastener holder according to Claim 10, wherein one or more but not all of the vane formations at one or more of the longitudinal positions comprises a free end having a cut-away portion, e.g. the cut-away portion having substantially part-circular shape.12. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein the free ends are spaced from one another to define a passage for receiving a fastener, in use.
12. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein the free ends of the vane formations are of smaller dimensions than the fixed ends of the vane formations.
13. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein at least some of the vane formations are of substantially curvilinear triangular shape.
14. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein at least some of the vane formations are of substantially rectangular, e.g. square, shape.
15. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim, wherein the support is of concave cross-section.
16. A fastener holder according to Claim 15, wherein the support is configured to be resiliently openable about a longitudinal axis of the housing.
17. A fastener holder according to any preceding Claim wherein the distance between an intended bottom edge of the support and a vane or vanes closest to said intended bottom edge is equal to or greater than a length of said vane or vanes closest to said intended bottom edge.
18. A fastener holder substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
19. A magazine comprising a plurality of fastener holders according to any preceding Claim.
20. A magazine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
21. A combination of one or more magazines according to Claim 19 or 20 and a handle.
22. A combination according to Claim 20, wherein said handle is removably attached from one or more of said magazines.