Flexible fastener
US6505387B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/45586
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A flexible fastener having a body formed from tightly coiled wire, with a head affixed to one end of the body, the other end being attached to a first structure, which may be a component of a computer system. The fastener functions by maintaining the position of a first structure adjacent to a second structure, which is provided with a slotted flange. The head end of the fastener is lifted and allowed to fall back such that it drops into the slot in the flange, with the head on the side opposite from the first structure, thus maintaining the correct alignment. The fastener may be threaded into a threaded aperture in the first structure, as a means of effecting the attachment to the first structure. The length of the fastener may be adjusted for optimum alignment by threading the fastener to a desired depth in the aperture. A locknut is provided, to lock the fastener to maintain a desired length.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.