WO2019084949A1

WO2019084949A1 - Cage nut assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2019084949A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/109493
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhilin Li; HaiJie YU
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Shanghai Itw Plastic & Metal Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-11-06
Filing date: 2017-11-06
Publication date: 2019-05-09
Also published as: CN111279088B; DE112017008057T5; CN111279088A

Abstract

A cage nut assembly (100) includes a nut (104) that is configured to be constrained within a retaining chamber (134) of a retaining cage (102). The nut (104) includes a base (140) and a fastener retainer (142) extending from the base (140). The base (140) includes one or more recesses (154) extending into an outer edge (156). The recess (es) (154) are configured to prevent the base (140) from abutting into an internal surface (136) of at least one wall (132) of the retaining cage (102) as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage (102).

Description

CAGE NUT ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to cage nut assemblies, and, more particularly to cage nut assemblies that include a retaining cage that defines an internal chamber that receives and retains a nut that is configured to receive a fastener, such as a bolt or screw.

BACKGROUND

Various systems include panels, blocks, or other such components connected to one another. Automobile systems, for example, include various panels and structures connected to other panels or structures, or to an automobile frame.

Cage nuts are used in various applications, such as with respect to vehicles. For example, a cage nut may be positioned on a vehicle frame that is to be coated with paint. Typically, the nut remains over the frame until the coating process is completed so that the layer of paint covers all, or substantially all, of the frame. Coating the frame in this manner minimizes corrosion. After the coating process is complete, the nut may be torqued toward the vehicle frame to provide a secure connection between the frame and another component, such as a door panel. United States Patent No. 6,644,902 and United States Patent No. 8,029,221 disclose examples of cage nuts.

A known cage nut includes a cage having a nut positioned within an internal chamber. Fingers may support the nut within the cage. The nut may be suspended above bottom edges of the cage. In this position, a top surface of the nut may abut into an internal surface of a top wall of the cage. The cage may also include an opening that allows a threaded opening of the nut to be exposed.

When a fastener, such as a screw or bolt is inserted into the threaded opening of the nut and tightened toward the nut, the nut is forced downward, for example. During this movement, the fingers are spread open as the cage continues to be forced downward, thereby allowing the nut to be forced toward a surface of a component, such as a vehicle frame.

A known cage nut includes a nut having a planar base. The base is rectangular having four right angle corners. As a fastener is tightened within a threaded opening of the nut, the nut may rotate relative to the cage. During such rotation, the corners of the base of the nut may be urged into walls of the cage. As the corners of the base abut into internal surfaces of the walls, the corners of the base may cause the walls of the cage to outwardly bend or otherwise deform. It has been found that certain cages are not robust enough to withstand forces exerted into wall portions as the planar base of the nut is moved therein during a tightening process.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

A need exists for a cage nut assembly having a nut that is not susceptible to deforming a retaining cage during a tightening or torqueing process.

With that need in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cage nut assembly that includes a nut that is configured to be constrained within a retaining chamber of a retaining cage. The nut includes a base and a fastener retainer extending from the base. The base includes one or more recesses extending into an outer edge. The recess (es) are configured to prevent the base from abutting into an internal surface of at least one wall of the retaining cage as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage.

The recess (es) may be located at one or more outer corners of the base. In least one embodiment, four recesses are located proximate to four outer corners of the base.

In at least one embodiment, the nut includes one or more hooks proximate to the recess (es) . The hook (s) are configured to limit a range of rotation of the nut in relation to the retaining cage.

A hook may include one or more protuberances that outwardly extend away from the recess (es) , and one or more stud (s) that that outwardly extend past the protuberance (s) . In at least one embodiment, two studs are aligned along a common linear axis to form a straight, linear beam.

The cage nut assembly may include the retaining cage that includes the wall (s) having the internal surface facing the retaining chamber. In at least one embodiment, the retaining cage includes a support panel, retaining clasps extending from corners of the support panel, and two walls extending from the support panel. Each of the retaining clasps may include an upstanding beam that upwardly extends from the support panel (such that the upstanding beam is perpendicular to the support panel) , an overhanging beam connected to the upstanding beam (such that the overhanging beam is parallel to the support panel) , and a downwardly-angled beam inwardly and downwardly angling from the overhanging beam.

The fastener retainer of the nut may include a fastener-retaining cylinder including a fastener passage having an internal threaded interface that is configured to threadably engage an outer threaded surface of a shaft of a fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of a cage nut assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective top view of a nut, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a lateral view of a fastener, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a cage nut assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cage nut assembly that includes a nut that is not susceptible to deforming a retaining cage during a tightening or torqueing process. The nut includes a base having recesses that are sized and shaped so that outer edges of the nut do not abut into internal surfaces of walls of the retaining cage as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage. In at least one embodiment, the base may also include hooks that may be configured to hook onto lateral edge portions of the wall portions during a tightening process. The hooks are configured to prevent rotational motion of the nut in relation to the retaining cage past a certain radial position.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective top view of a cage nut assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cage nut assembly 100 includes a retaining cage 102 that retains a nut 104. The retaining cage 102 may be formed of metal, for example. Optionally, the retaining cage 102 may be formed of plastic. In at least one embodiment, the retaining cage 102 is formed from a single piece of stamped and formed metal. The nut 104 may be formed of metal, for example. Optionally, the nut 104 may be formed of plastic.

The retaining cage 102 includes a support panel 106, such as a flat planar panel. A retaining clasp 108 may extend upwardly from each

corner

110, 112, 114, and 116 of the support panel 106. The retaining clasps 108 include an upstanding beam 118 that upwardly extends from the support panel 106. The upstanding beam 118 may be generally perpendicular to the support panel 106. The upstanding beam 118 connects to an inwardly-canted overhanging beam 120, which may be generally parallel to the support panel 106. A downwardly-angled beam 122 may inwardly and downwardly angle toward a top surface 124 of the support panel 106. As shown, the beams 122 may not contact the top surface 124 of the support panel 106. A connecting bar 126 may connect interior lateral edges 128 of the beams 122 of the retaining clasps 108 at the

corners

110 and 116 together. Similarly, a connecting bar 126 may connect interior lateral edges 128 of the beams 122 of the retaining clasps 108 at the

corners

112 and 114 together. Alternatively, the retaining cage 102 may not include the connecting bars 126.

The support panel 106 may also include outwardly extending tabs 130 that outwardly extend between the

corners

110 and 116 and between the

corners

112 and 114. Optionally, the support panel 106 may not include the tabs 130.

The retaining cage 102 also includes upturned walls 132 that upwardly extend from the support panel 106. The walls 132 may be flat, planar wall portions that are generally perpendicular to the top surface 124 of the support panel 106. As shown, the retaining cage 102 includes two walls 132, with one wall 132 between the

corners

110 and 112, and the other wall 132 between the

corners

114 and 116. Optionally, the retaining cage 102 may include more or less walls. For example, instead of a single wall between the

corners

114 and 116, the retaining cage 102 may include two walls separated by a gap. Further, upstanding walls may be positioned between the

corners

112 and 114 and/or the

corners

110 and 116.

A retaining chamber 134 is defined between the top surface 124 of the support panel 106, internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132, and internal surfaces 138 of the retaining clasps 108. The internal surfaces 136 face the retaining chamber 134. The retaining chamber 134 is configured to retain or otherwise constrain the nut 104.

The nut 104 includes a base 140 and a fastener retainer, such as a fastener-retaining cylinder 142, upwardly extending from the base 140. The cylinder 142 includes a fastener passage 143 that includes an internal threaded interface 144 that is configured to threadably engage an outer threaded surface of a shaft of a fastener (shown in Figure 3) . As shown, the base 140 of the nut 104 is retained and/or otherwise constrained within the retaining chamber 134 of the retaining cage 102.

The fastener passage 143 may or may not extend through the base 140. In at least one embodiment, the support panel 106 may include a through-hole that is axially aligned with the fastener passage 143. Optionally, the support panel 106 may not include a through-hole that is axially aligned with the fastener passage 143. In at least one embodiment, the retaining cage 102 may be similar to the cage shown and described in United States Patent No. 8,029,221, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective top view of a nut, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base 140 may be a flat, planar sheet that is configured to be positioned over (or under, to a side, etc., depending on the orientation) the top surface 124 of the support panel 106 of the retaining cage 102 (shown in Figure 1) . The base 140 includes four

outer corners

146, 148, 150, and 152. A recess 154 inwardly extends into an outer edge 156 of the base 140 at or otherwise proximate to each

corner

146, 148, 150, 152. Optionally, recesses 154 may be formed at or proximate to less than all of the

corners

146, 148, 150, and 152.

The recess 154 inwardly extends into an outer edge 156 at the

corners

146, 148, 150, and/or 152 at an angle. The recess 154 recedes inwardly from an outermost surface of the outer edge 156 towards a central radial axis, a longitudinal axis and/or a lateral axis of the base 140. The recess 154 may connect to a protuberance 158 (such as a bump or ridge) that outwardly extends away from the recess 154. The protuberance 158, in turn, connects to an outwardly-directed stud 160 (such as a tip, beam, post, or the like) that outwardly extends past the protuberance 158. As shown, the studs 160 at the

corners

146 and 152, for example, may be aligned along a common linear axis 161 to form a straight, linear beam 162. Similarly, the studs 160 at the

corners

148 and 150 may be aligned along a common linear axis 162 to form a straight, linear beam 162. As such, a first pair of studs 160 are aligned along a first common linear axis to form a first straight, linear beam, and a second pair of studs 160 are aligned along a second common linear axis to form a second straight, linear beam.

In at least one embodiment, the protuberances 158 and the studs 160 provide a hook 164. Alternatively, the hook 164 may include just the protuberance 158 or the stud 160. That is, in at least one embodiment, the base 140 may include one of the protuberances 158 or the studs 160.

Figure 3 illustrates a lateral view of a fastener 170, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fastener 170 may be a bolt, screw, or the like having a head 172 and a shaft 174 extending from the head 172. An outer surface 176 of the shaft 174 includes threads 178 that are configured to threadably engage the threaded interface 144 of the nut 104 (shown in Figures 1 and 2) .

Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the cage nut assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 1-4, as the nut 104 is rotated relative to the retaining cage 102 in the direction of arc A (such as when the fastener 170 is rotationally tightened within the fastener passage 143) , the outer edges 156 of the base 140 of the nut 104 are not urged into the internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132. In particular, the recesses 154 are sized and shaped to prevent the outer edges 156 from abutting into the internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132. Because the recesses 154 define inwardly-recessed portions of the outer edges 156 of the base 140, there is no material present that is able to contact the internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132 as the but 104 is rotated in the direction of arc A relative to the retaining cage 102.

Further, during rotational motion in the direction of arc A, the hooks 164 abut into (for example, hook onto) lateral edges 137 of the walls 132, thereby halting further rotational motion of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102 in the direction of arc A. For example, the lateral edges 137 may be hooked onto an area between the protuberances 158 and the studs 160. As such, the hooks 164 prevent further rotational direction of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102 that would otherwise cause portions of the base 140 to abut into the internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132. The hooks 164 limit a range of rotation of the nut 104 in relation to the retaining cage 102. The hooks 164 prevent rotation of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102 past a desired radial position.

The recesses 154 and the hooks 164 may be sized and shaped to cooperate with one another to allow for a desired amount of rotation between the nut 104 and the retaining cage 102 in the direction of arc A without the outer edges 156 of the base 140 abutting into the internal surfaces of the walls 132. For example, the hooks 164 may be longer, wider and/or otherwise larger (or shorter, slimmer, and/or otherwise smaller) than shown, and/or the recesses 154 may inwardly extend a greater or lesser extent into the base 140 than shown.

During rotation of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102 in the direction of arc A, the hooks 164 exert forces in the directions of arrows B into the lateral edges 137 of the walls 132. Notably, the exerted forces (or a substantial portion thereof) are exerted along a length L of the walls 132, instead of perpendicular to the length L of the walls 132. The walls 132 are generally able to withstand such forces exerted by the hooks 164 in the directions of arrows B without deforming during a tightening process of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102. In particular, the forces are distributed along a relatively large length of the walls 132, instead of along a relatively small width of the walls 132.

As described herein, the recesses 154 and the hooks 164 of the base 140 of the nut 104 are configured to prevent the nut 104 from deforming the walls 132 as the nut 104 is tightened and rotated relative to the retaining cage 102. During rotational motion of the nut 104 relative to the retaining cage 102, no portion of the nut 104 may be urged into the internal surfaces 136 of the walls 132. As such, the walls 132 of the cage nut assembly 100 are not susceptible to deformation.

As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cage nut assembly having a nut that is not susceptible to deforming a retaining cage during a tightening or torqueing process.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein. " Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms "first, " "second, " and "third, " etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) , unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

A cage nut assembly, comprising:

a nut that is configured to be constrained within a retaining chamber of a retaining cage, wherein the nut includes a base and a fastener retainer extending from the base, wherein the base includes one or more recesses extending into an outer edge, wherein the one or more recesses are configured to prevent the base from abutting into an internal surface of at least one wall of the retaining cage as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more recesses are located at one or more outer corners of the base.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more recesses comprises four recesses located proximate to four outer corners of the base.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the nut further comprises one or more hooks proximate to the one or more recesses, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to limit a range of rotation of the nut in relation to the retaining cage.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more hooks comprise:

one or more protuberances that outwardly extend away from the one or more recesses; and

one or more studs that that outwardly extend past the one or more protuberances.
The cage nut assembly of claim 5, wherein the one or more studs comprises two studs that are aligned along a common linear axis to form a straight, linear beam.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, further comprising the retaining cage including the at least one wall having the internal surface facing the retaining chamber.
The cage nut assembly of claim 7, wherein the retaining cage comprises:

a support panel;

retaining clasps extending from corners of the support panel; and

wherein the at least one wall comprises two walls extending from the support panel.
The cage nut assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the retaining clasps comprises:

an upstanding beam that upwardly extends from the support panel, wherein the upstanding beam is perpendicular to the support panel;

an overhanging beam connected to the upstanding beam, wherein the overhanging beam is parallel to the support panel; and

a downwardly-angled beam inwardly and downwardly angling from the overhanging beam.
The cage nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener retainer comprises a fastener-retaining cylinder including a fastener passage having an internal threaded interface that is configured to threadably engage an outer threaded surface of a shaft of a fastener.
A cage nut assembly, comprising:

a nut that is configured to be constrained within a retaining chamber of a retaining cage, wherein the nut includes a base and a fastener retainer extending from the base, wherein the base includes:

four recesses extending into four respective outer edges, wherein the four recesses are configured to prevent the base from abutting into internal surfaces of walls of the retaining cage as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage; and

four hooks proximate to the four recesses, wherein the four hooks are configured to limit a range of rotation of the nut in relation to the retaining cage.
The cage nut assembly of claim 11, wherein the four recesses are located at four respective corners of the base.
The cage nut assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the four hooks the comprises:

a protuberance that outwardly extend away from one of the four recesses; and

a stud that that outwardly extends past the protuberance.
The cage nut assembly of 13, wherein a first pair of studs are aligned along a first common linear axis to form a first straight, linear beam, and wherein a second pair of studs are aligned along a second common linear axis to form a second straight, linear beam.
The cage nut assembly of claim 11, further comprising the retaining cage including the walls having the internal surfaces facing the retaining chamber.
The cage nut assembly of claim 15, wherein the retaining cage comprises:

a support panel; and

retaining clasps extending from corners of the support panel.
The cage nut assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the retaining clasps comprises:

an upstanding beam that upwardly extends from the support panel, wherein the upstanding beam is perpendicular to the support panel;

an overhanging beam connected to the upstanding beam, wherein the overhanging beam is parallel to the support panel; and

a downwardly-angled beam inwardly and downwardly angling from the overhanging beam.
The cage nut assembly of claim 11, wherein the fastener retainer comprises a fastener-retaining cylinder including a fastener passage having an internal threaded interface that is configured to threadably engage an outer threaded surface of a shaft of a fastener.
A cage nut assembly, comprising:

retaining cage including walls having internal surfaces facing a retaining chamber; and

a nut that is configured to be constrained within the retaining chamber of the retaining cage, wherein the nut includes a base and a fastener retainer extending from the base, wherein the fastener retainer comprises a fastener-retaining cylinder including a fastener passage having an internal threaded interface that is configured to threadably engage an outer threaded surface of a shaft of a fastener, wherein the base includes:

four recesses extending into four respective outer edges, wherein the four recesses are configured to prevent the base from abutting into the internal surfaces of the walls of the retaining cage as the nut is rotated relative to the retaining cage, wherein the four recesses are located at four respective corners of the base; and

four hooks proximate to the four recesses, wherein the four hooks are configured to limit a range of rotation of the nut in relation to the retaining cage, wherein each of the four hooks the comprises a protuberance that outwardly extend away from one of the four recesses, and a stud that that outwardly extends past the protuberance, wherein a first pair of studs are aligned along a first common linear axis to form a first straight, linear beam, and wherein a second pair of studs are aligned along a second common linear axis to form a second straight, linear beam.
The cage nut assembly of claim 19, wherein the retaining cage comprises:

a support panel; and

retaining clasps extending from corners of the support panel, wherein each of the retaining clasps comprises:

an upstanding beam that upwardly extends from the support panel, wherein the upstanding beam is perpendicular to the support panel;

an overhanging beam connected to the upstanding beam, wherein the overhanging beam is parallel to the support panel; and

a downwardly-angled beam inwardly and downwardly angling from the overhanging beam.