Hinged arm mechanically activated fastener

摘要

A fastener attached to a first member releasably connects the first member to a second member. The fastener can have a head that moves towards or away from a housing that is separate from, or part of, the first member. A linkage assembly has linkage arm(s) extending from the head to the housing, or to the first member, and the fastener can be pivotally connected at a first end to the housing, or to the first member, and also to the head at a second end. Each linkage arm can define a joint located between the first and second ends. When unfastened, the head can be positioned away from the housing, extending each linkage arm. When fastened, the head may be positioned towards the housing, whereby the joint of each linkage arm can become displaced laterally in the fastener, e.g., connecting the second member to the first member.

主权项

1. A fastener comprising:
a head configured to move towards or away from a housing, wherein the housing is configured to attach to part of a first member via a threaded connection, and wherein the fastener does not comprise the first member; a shaft associated with the head, comprising an externally threaded portion that is arranged to engage with an internally elongate sleeve inside the housing, the internally threaded elongate sleeve being rotatable around a longitudinal axis in a first direction to cause movement of the shaft into the housing, and in a second direction to cause movement of the shaft out from the housing; and a linkage assembly comprising at least one linkage arm configured to extend from the head toward the housing, the at least one linkage arm pivotally connected at a first end to the head, wherein, in an unfastened orientation, the head is positioned away from the housing, with the at least one linkage arm extended, and wherein, in a fastened orientation, the head is positioned towards the housing, and the joint of the at least one linkage arm is displaced laterally from the fastener.