FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to mechanical fixing devices and in particular to screw and nut fixing devices and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide.

[0003] As would be readily appreciated by the reader, to use a typical nut or female threaded device, the female component must be rotated, in the thread direction, onto a corresponding male component utilising time that could be best spent on other tasks.

[0004] If the alignment of the typical female and male components is not precise, a cross threading of the component/s will occur rendering one or both of the components unable to be used, requiring replacement which at times may also require cutting the components apart in order to remove them. Again utilising precious time.

[0005] Should over-tightening of typical male and female components occur, the resulting outcome will be stripping of the thread/s rendering one or both of the components unable to be used, thus requiring replacement which at times may also require cutting the components apart in order to remove them and utilising time that could be best spent on other tasks.

[0006] Therefore, as is readily appreciated, the typical nut and bolt fixing system comprises a threaded male part (the bolt) adapted to be received by a nut having a threaded internal passage where the thread of the nut engages with the threaded shaft of the bolt by way of rotation of the bolt relative to the nut (or vice versa). It will also be appreciated that to remove the bolt from the nut, the bolt (or nut) must be rotated in the opposite direction to disengage the threaded portions of the nut and bolt until the bolt is clear of the nut. This basic system has been in existence for many, many years and is recognised as a means of fixing (securing) two items together. The advantage of this traditional nut and bolt fixing system as that shear forces along the longitudinal axis of the bolt are insufficient to disengage the bolt from the nut due to the secure engagement of the threaded portions of both bolt and nut, and therefore, the only way to disengage the bolt is through rotation of the bolt with respect to the corresponding nut. However, whilst this secure engagement provides advantage in the disengagement of bolt from the nut, it consequently ensures that the bolt cannot be engaged with the nut without the application of a rotational torque to either bolt or nut. This requirement ensures that engagement of a bolt to an associated nut is time and labour intensive.

[0007] With the existence of so many varieties of nuts in the world, no single nut has the ability to slide onto its male counterpart without having to be either: hinged and clamped (see Australian Patent Application No. AU 2008201755 B2); or require several moving parts (cams) in the one device which require further tooling for fixing and manufacture (see International Application No. PCT/US1993/000617).

[0008] The use of a 'clamping' nut for non-specific use would require the same amount of time to fasten as a regular nut as would a nut with cam mechanisms also. The cam mechanism nut would also be far more expensive to produce thus limiting its financial viability for mass consumption in the marketplace.

[0009] It is the objective of this invention to provide a solution that would be cost effectively manufactured for mass consumption and provide time savings in its application to a nut and bolt fixing system.

SUMMARY

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[001 1 ] The present system relates to reinforcement systems and, more particularly, to a nut that slides onto a threaded bolt (or male counterpart) without need of rotation until the point of final torque.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing system for providing improved fixing operation. The fixing system may comprise a bolt portion comprising an elongate threaded shaft portion. The fixing system may further comprise a nut portion. The nut portion may comprise a central bolt-receiving aperture adapted to receive the bolt portion. The nut portion may further comprise a plurality of resiliently biased leaves located in the aperture. The leaves may each comprise a series of ridges. The ridges may be adapted to engage the threaded shaft of the bolt. [0013] According to an arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixing system for providing improved fixing operation comprising: a bolt portion comprising an elongate threaded shaft portion; and a nut portion comprising: a central bolt- receiving aperture adapted to receive the bolt; and a plurality of resiliently biased leaves located in the aperture, wherein the leaves each comprise a series of ridges adapted to engage the threaded shaft of the bolt.

[0014] The plurality of resiliently biased leaves may be hingedly engaged with said nut. The plurality of leaves may be elongate and extend substantially from a proximal surface of the nut and substantially the length of the bolt-receiving aperture. A proximal end of each of the plurality of leaves may be hingedly engaged with the nut substantially adjacent the proximal surface. A distal end of each of the plurality of leaves may be resiliently biased such that the distal end extends into the bolt-receiving aperture against the hinged engagement at the proximal end.

[0015] In use, a bolt may be inserted into the bolt-receiving aperture from the proximal surface. A longitudinal force may be applied to the bolt thereby to cause the bolt to engage the plurality of leaves and cause each of the plurality of resiliently biased leaves to retract away from the bolt-receiving aperture thereby permitting the bolt to pass through the bolt- receiving aperture. On removal of the longitudinal force, the plurality of leaves are each resiliently biased against the elongate threaded shaft portion of the bolt such that the series of ridges engages with the thread of the threaded shaft portion of the bolt.

[0016] On engagement of the series of ridges with the thread of the threaded shaft portion of the bolt, the bolt may thereby be secured against removal from the nut by application of a reverse longitudinal force.

[0017] On engagement of the series of ridges with the threaded shaft portion of the bolt, the bolt may be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof and in engagement with the ridges for either additional tightening or removal of the bolt with respect to the nut.

[0018] The nut portion may comprise at least two resiliently biased leaves. The nut portion may comprise between 2 and eight resiliently biased leaves. The nut portion may comprise either 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7 or 8 resiliently biased leaves.

[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provide a nut comprising a central bolt- receiving aperture adapted to receive a corresponding bolt. The bolt may comprise an elongate threaded shaft portion. The nut may further comprise a plurality of resiliently biased leaves located in the bolt-receiving aperture. The leaves may each comprise a series of ridges. The series of ridges may be adapted to engage the threaded shaft of the bolt.

[0020] According to an arrangement of the second aspect, there is provide a nut comprising a central aperture adapted to receive a corresponding bolt, said bolt comprising an elongate threaded shaft portion; and a plurality of resiliently biased leaves located in said aperture, wherein said leaves each comprise a series of ridges adapted to engage said threaded shaft of said bolt.

[0021 ] The plurality of leaves are elongate and extend substantially from a proximal surface of the nut and substantially the length of the plurality of resiliently biased leaves may hingedly engaged with the nut bolt-receiving aperture.

[0022] The plurality of resiliently biased leaves may be hingedly engaged with the nut. The plurality of resiliently biased leaves may hingedly engaged with the nut adjacent a proximal surface of the nut. A distal end of each of the plurality of leaves may be resiliently biased such that the distal end extends into the bolt-receiving aperture against the hinged engagement at the proximal end.

[0023] Arrangements of the above aspects may further comprise the following features:

[0024] The nut may be adapted to slide onto a threaded bolt or male counterpart without need of rotation until the point of final torque. A final rotation may be applied to the bolt after insertion into the nut. The final rotation may be adapted to supply the final torque to secure the bolt within the nut.

[0025] The resiliently biased leaves of the nut may be formed from spring steel or high grade nylon to lend itself to multiple environments and applications.

[0026] The nut may be characterised by an internal ratchet threading system thus allowing for variable configuration of thread type, thread size, hole diameter, outer nut shape (i.e. hexagonal, square, octagonal etch), nut depth and nut flange inclusion and size.

[0027] The nut may allow its corresponding male counterpart to slide into the central bolt- receiving aperture without need for rotation of either male or female components by means of a threaded ratchet system within the nut.

[0028] The nut allows variable materials and dimensions to be used in production of the nut, thus having the ability to be used with any existing bolt or threaded male counterpart currently available. [0029] The nut may be slid onto its male counterpart or have its male counterpart slid into it with minimal force (for example, by hand) wherein no fixing tools are required to be used to secure the nut to the bolt until the point of final torque.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred arrangement / preferred arrangements of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0031 ] Figure 1 shows a side view of a nut according to the invention;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a top view of a nut according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a side view in partial section along line A-A in Figure 4;

[0034] Figure 4 shows the front and back views of a nut according to the invention;

[0035] Figure 5 shows the back view partial section along line B-B in Figure 2;

[0036] Figure 6 shows a 3D artistic impression of the ratchet nut, 3/4 front, top and side view; and

[0037] Figures 7A and 7B show a further arrangement of a nut according to the invention. DEFINITIONS

[0038] The following definitions are provided as general definitions and should in no way limit the scope of the present invention to those terms alone, but are put forth for a better understanding of the following description.

[0039] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0040] The articles "a" and "an" are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" refers to one element or more than one element. [0041 ] The term "about" is used herein to refer to quantities that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by as much as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10% to a reference quantity.

[0042] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[0043] Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods and materials are described. It will be appreciated that the methods, apparatus and systems described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. The description here is by way of example only.

DETAILED Description

[0044] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different arrangements denote the same or similar features.

[0045] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a nut 100 according to the above aspects of the present invention. Nut 100 comprises proximal and distal surfaces 101 and 103 respectively defined by central bolt-receiving aperture 105 adapted to receive a bolt (not shown).

[0046] Figure 1 shows a side view of a nut 100 according to particular arrangements of the presently disclosed fixing system. The configuration of the outer face may be any shape applicable, i.e.: octagonal, hexagonal, square, round, ribbed or any other desired

configuration.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3, nut 100 further comprises a plurality of resiliently biased leaves 107a and 107b located within aperture 105. Leaves 107 each comprise a series of ridges or teeth 109. The ridges 109 are adapted to engage the threaded shaft of a bolt when inserted into bolt-receiving aperture 105.

[0048] Figure 3 shows a side view of nut 100 in partial section along line A-A in Figure 4. This partial section shows the 'spring' threaded ratcheting leaf segments 107. Each segment 107 having a wedge shaped void 117 toward the outer most face at the distal end 115 of leaf segments 107. These wedges 117 allow the pliability for the ratcheting leaf segments 107 to accommodate a male counterpart insertion while they flex at point C 111 comprising a fixed hinged/pliable connection to nut 100. Once the male counterpart (the bolt having an elongate threaded shaft) is inserted into bolt-receiving aperture 105 with a longitudinal force along the central longitudinal axis of the bolt into proximal surface 101 and towards distal surface 103 of nut 100, if the bolt is pulled back again (with a reverse longitudinal force) the ratcheting leaf segments 107 will cause the reverse longitudinal force on the bolt force to displace radially inward at the point of attachment thus creating a tighter fit to the male component (the bolt, not shown). Using a spring washer in addition to nut 100 will further ensure force displacement and thus cause resiliently biased leaves 107 to grip the bolt tightly regardless of any lack of pulling force (reverse longitudinal force) acting on the bolt. If the pulling force exceeds the limitations of the structural force tolerance, the ratchet segments will fracture at hinged connection 111 , in turn maintaining full thread contact between the two components while under tension and maintaining structural integrity of the nut and bolt combination.

[0049] Nut 100 in particular arrangements utilises a single, solid piece nut, manufactured to any desired shape, thread type and size for use on existing male counterparts (threaded bolts). In use, nut 100 simply slides over the male counterpart by means of a ratcheting thread system within the nut comprising resiliently biased leaves 107. Once the nut 100 has been slid onto the male counterpart to the desired point, the nut may then be tightened to the required torque by means of typical tools such as a spanner, socket wrench etc. or the like.

[0050] Leaves 107 are each hingedly engaged with nut 100 by respective hinge portion 111 at a proximal end 113 of each leaf 107 substantially adjacent the proximal surface 101 of nut 100. In particular arrangements, hinge portion 111 is a pliable connection between leaves 107 and nut 100. Each of the leaves 107 are resiliently biased such that respective distal ends 115 of each leaf 107 extends into (radially inwards) the bolt-receiving aperture 105 against the hinged engagement 111 at the proximal end 113.

[0051 ] In use, the bolt 130 (a small portion of bolt 130 is shown in broken lines depicting the engagement of the thread of bolt 130 with ridges 109 of leaf portion 107b) is inserted into the bolt-receiving aperture 105 from proximal surface 101 and a longitudinal force is applied to the bolt thereby to cause the plurality of resiliently biased leaves 107 to retract away (radially outwards) from bolt-receiving aperture 105 and thereby permitting the bolt to pass through the bolt-receiving aperture until the desired point is reached. On removal of the longitudinal force applied to the bolt, the plurality of leaves 107, by way of the resilient bias of the distal end thereof into bolt receiving aperture 105, are each resiliently biased against the elongate threaded shaft portion of the bolt such that the series of ridges 109 of each leaf 107 engages with the thread of the threaded shaft portion of the bolt.

[0052] The removal of the male counterpart (bolt 130) is the same as per existing bolt & nut systems which requires that the nut must be unscrewed from the bolt (or vice versa) in the normal manner. According to aspects disclosed herein of the improved nut & bolt system, it is impossible for cross threading to occur, while alignment of the threads on the male and female counterparts (bolt 130 and nut 100 respectively) is automatic when the male threaded counterpart is pushed into the female counterpart (nut 100). This is achieved by the 'spring' threaded ratcheting segments being pliable when the male threaded counterpart bolt 130 is inserted in an inward direction to bolt-receiving aperture 105 from proximal surface 101 of nut 100.

[0053] In further arrangements, an additional spring washer may be used in combination with nut 100 to further ensure that once tightened, the opposing force of the spring washer will cause the ratcheting segments (i.e. series of ridges 109 of each leaf 107) to clamp down tight on the bolt and thereby engage with the threaded portion of the elongate shaft of the bolt. This is due to spring washer imparting a force on the bolt in the opposite direction to the insertion, thus engaging the leaf sections 107. The use of a spring washer will also allow for a bolt to simply be hammered into nut 100 for a tight fit without the requirement of any rotation of the parts (the bolt or not 100) for tightening.

[0054] Stripping of threads is also overcome by the system disclosed herein. For instance, once the male threaded counterpart (bolt 130) has reached its maximum penetration into the female counterpart (not 100), any over tightening will result in the 'spring' threaded ratcheting segments pushing outwardly thus forcing the male counterpart to slip back into its point of maximum penetration.

[0055] Similarly as to the application of a small amount of rotational torque to the bolt once inserted into the nut and wherein the thread of the bolt is engaged with the series of ridges 109 on each leaf 107 of nut 100. On engagement of the series of ridges 109 with the thread of the threaded shaft portion of the bolt, the bolt may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and in engagement with the ridges 109 for either additional tightening or removal of the bolt with respect to the nut.

Advantages

[0056] The improved fixing system disclosed herein has significant advantages over prior fixing systems, including: • significant reduction in the amount of time required in assembly and/or manufacture that utilises existing nut designs that can be replaced by the presently disclosed fixing system. This reduction of time spent both increases productivity and reduces machine/head hour costs to the manufacturer(s).

• greatly increased quality control with the abolition of thread stripping, cross threading and over tightening which would result in possible product failure.

[0057] Under fractured conditions, for example, where breakage of connection 111 causes a leaf segment 107 to break free of the not 100, the ratchet leaf segments 107 will remain locked between the nut 100, the bolt inserted into the nut 100 and restraint points D of

Figure 3. Once the bolt is removed from a fractured nut unit (by unscrewing the bolt in the normal manner), the fractured, loose ratchet leaf segments 107 will fall out of the nut 100 which will then require replacement.

[0058] As the leaf segments 107 remain locked into the nut in the event of a fracture, it is still possible to simply unscrew the bolt without any further damage to nut 100 or to the bolt thereby eliminating any requirements for time consuming cutting of the component(s) to remove the bolt from the fracture nut unit. The insertion of the bolt is unidirectional with the inserted from proximal surface 101 of nut 100, being the side closest to the hinge connection / flex points 111 of the leaf segments 107.

[0059] Figure 4 shows the front and back views of the invention. As is evident in the figure, it is possible for any outer shape configuration of the invention be it hexagonal, round or otherwise providing the shape does not impede the inner workings or structural integrity of the invention.

[0060] Figure 5 shows the back view partial section along line B-B in Figure 3. This figure illustrates the ends 115 of the ratchet leaf segments 107 with the restraint points D removed.

[0061 ] Figure 6 shows a 3D artistic impression of the ratchet nut, 3/4 front, top and side view.

[0062] Figure 7 depicts and end view of a further arrangement of a nut 200 according to the improved fixing system disclosed herein. Nut 300 comprises three (3) resiliently biased leaves 207a, 207b and 207c located in aperture 205. As will be appreciated by the skilled addressee, a nut according to the improved fixing system disclosed herein may comprise any number of resiliently biased ratcheting leaves as disclosed herein in accordance with requirements or practicalities. For instance in particular arrangements, a nut according to the improved fixing system disclosed herein may comprise 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more resiliently biased ratcheting leaves.

[0063] All figures shown have variable measurements dependant on application, desired outer body shape, thread type and size and depth of ratchet segments flex required.

Industrial Applicability

[0064] This invention is able to be applied where use of any standard nut may be found by simply substituting the standard nut for invention nut 100 as disclosed herein. This substitution would ultimately result in significant time and cost savings. In addition, with the ability to form nut 100 from spring steel or high grade nylon, or any alternate suitable material, its scope of uses is further expanded.

[0065] In addition, arrangements of the improved fixing system disclosed herein including 'spring' threaded ratcheting segments within the nut 100 may be applied in various other bodies. Such an example would be applying the ratcheting segments 107 into a wall plug design to avoid the necessity to have a bolt already threaded through the nut portion of the existing design. Another such use could be applying the ratcheting leaf system to a tool such as a shifting spanner (adjustable wrench) in place of the grub screw. This would allow for fast and more precise alignment of the jaws and quick releasing by simply pulling the ratcheting system toward the handle, away from the threaded portion of the opening jaw.

[0066] The improved fixing system disclosed herein could also be applied with great success to flat pack furnishings and other D.I.Y packs where speed of assembly is desirable and the addition of a 'second set of hands' is less than likely. By using nut 100 as disclosed herein, a consumer having purchased the flat-pack furnishing can quickly and easily slide respective bolts to the provided nuts to initially obtain and to maintain the structural integrity of the furnishing being assembled before final tightening of nuts is done.

INTERPRETATION

In accordance with:

[0067] As described herein, 'in accordance with' may also mean 'as a function of and is not necessarily limited to the integers specified in relation thereto. Arrangements:

[0068] Reference throughout this specification to "one arrangement" or "an arrangement" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the arrangement is included in at least one arrangement of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one arrangement" or "in an arrangement" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same arrangement, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more arrangements.

[0069] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example arrangements of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single arrangement, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed arrangement. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific arrangements are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific arrangements, with each claim standing on its own as a separate arrangement of this invention.

[0070] Furthermore, while some arrangements described herein include some but not other features included in other arrangements, combinations of features of different arrangements are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different arrangements, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed arrangements can be used in any combination.

Specific Details

[0071 ] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that arrangements of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

[0072] In describing the preferred arrangement of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Different Instances of Objects

[0073] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Comprising and Including:

[0074] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various arrangements of the invention.

[0075] Any one of the terms: "including" or "which includes" or "that includes" as used herein is also an open term that also means "including at least" the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[0076] Thus, while there has been described herein what are believed to be the preferred arrangements of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0077] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.