MXPA97010332A - Easy bolt liberac - Google Patents

Abstract

An easy-release bolt having a shaft and a retainer, with the shaft having a stem of diameter A with a head at one end of the stem and having a T-shaped tip at the other end of the stem, the tip at T-shape has a pole in line with the shank and opposite transverse arms, with the tip post in a diameter B smaller than the diameter A, and with the distance through the transverse arms greater than the diameter B, and with the post of a length C, the retainer has a body with an opening for the tip of the shaft, the body has an inner end to pass the tip of the shaft and an outer end with transverse grips to receive the tip arms, the body has a ramp adjacent to each of the grimaces, with the length D of the body between the inner end and the ramp not greater than the length

Description

EASY-RELEASE BOLT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new and improved bolt having the capability of easy release and to a wheel-axle combination using an easy-release bolt. A variety of said bolts is available today.

A typical bolt has a rod and a retainer, sometimes with some type of spring to maintain pressure on the components that come together. It is also often desirable to be able to control the separation between the components and maintain this constant spacing, as well as to control the load exerted by the bolt on the components.

Another desirable feature for such an easy release bolt is to have the ability to use the rod as an axle to support rotating components such as a wheel, with or without rolling.

A problem with traditional bolt and nut bolts is that it is easy to over tighten the assembly. Over tightening is a problem when the screw is used as an axis with the compression force resulting from the excess pressure that limits the free rotation of the wheel on the shaft.

In contrast, an easy-release bolt operates with a fixed distance and the pressure is designed on the bolt. Over-tightening is eliminated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved easy-release bolt that will achieve these desirable purposes. The invention also comprises novel construction details and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, together with other objectives, advantages, features and results, which will appear later during the course of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The easy release bolt of the invention includes a rod and a retainer, the rod has an axle with a head at one end of the shaft and has a rod ending in a cross bar at the other end of the shaft, with the smaller diameter shaft than the shaft, and the retainer has a body with an opening at the other end of the shaft. The body of the retainer has an internal end to pass the rod and the cross bar and an outer end with transverse notches to receive the cross bar, the body has a ramp adjacent to each of the notches.

A more specific form of the invention includes an easy-release bolt having an axle and a retainer, the axle having a rod of a diameter A with a head at one end of the rod, and having a T-shaped tip in the other end of the rod, the tip in the form of T has a rod in line with the rod and opposite transverse arms, with the rod of the tip of a diameter B minus the diameter A, and with the distance through the transverse arms greater than diameter B and with the rod of a length C. The retainer has a body with an opening for the tip of the shaft and the body has an inner end to pass the tip of the shaft and an outer end with transverse notches to receive the arms of the shaft. tip, the body has a ramp adjacent to each of the notches with the length D of the body between the inner end and the ramp no greater than the length C.

The bolt may include a spring washer in the stem between the head of the shaft and the inner end of the retainer, and with the transverse arms of the tip with convex inner sides and with the head of the shaft has a non-round tool engaging surface .

The bolt of the invention can be used in combination with a wheel, with the axis of the bolt as the wheel axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an enlarged view of an easy release bolt embodying the features of the present invention and used as an axle for a wheel; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a bolt and the wheel of Figure 1 showing the bolt in place and serving as an axle for the wheel; Figure 3 is an outer end view of the bolt retainer of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 4A are sectional views taken along lines 4-4 and 4A-4 A, respectively, of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the axis of the bolt of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 showing another use of the bolt of the invention; Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figures 2 and 7 showing another use of the bolt; Y Figure 9 is an enlarged view showing the use of the bolts of the invention in a double axle arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREDILECT COPIES With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the bolt includes an axle 11, a retainer 12 for the axle, and a spring washer 13, sometimes known with a Bellevile washer. In an alternative construction, the washer 13 may be made of rubber or neoprene or other compressible material. A flat washer can be used between the spring washer and the axle head, if desired. A wheel 14 is carried by the bolt on a fork 15. Typically the wheel is mounted on two bearings 16 separated by a sleeve 17. In this construction, the bolt serves as an axle for the wheel.

Looking now at Figures 3 through 6, the shaft 11 has a rod 20 with a head 21 and a tip 22. The tip is T-shaped with a rod 23 and transverse arms or cross bar 24. The inner faces of the Crossbars are preferably convex.

The rod 23 is of a smaller diameter than the rod 20, and in the illustrated example, the rod 20 has a diameter A and the rod 23 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter TO.

The head 21 of the shaft desirably has some non-round characteristic for engaging with the tool. The head itself can be square or hexagonal or it can have a slot. As an alternative, an opening 26 can be provided in the head and, if desired, extended to the rod, the opening being non-round, such as a square or a hexagon. Typically, the distance through the arms 24 is the same as the diameter of the rod, as seen in Figure 6. A groove 27 can be provided in the rod 20 adjacent to the head 21 to serve as a retainer for the collar 13. When a rubber washer is used, it can be designed as a pressure coupling on the rod and the groove will be superfluous. A bevel can be provided at the end 36 of the shaft for ease of installation.

The retainer 12 has a body 29 with an opening 30 therethrough between an inner end 31 and an outer end 32. The inner end 31 may be inclined or have other shapes, for insertion into a member to be connected by the pin. The opening 30 of the retainer is configured to receive the tip 22 of the shaft, and typically has a diameter corresponding to the diameter 23 of the rod, illustrated as B, as well as grooves of opposite extension to receive the transverse arms 24 of the shaft, illustrated herein with the dimension A.

The transverse grooves 33 are provided at the outer end of the retainer to receive the transverse arms 24 of the shaft. Preferably the notches are concave for better coupling with the convex cross bars of the shaft. Also, ramps 34 are preferably provided at the outer end of the retainer for coupling by means of the transverse arms during installation. Preferably, the internal sides 34 of the arms are convex, as best seen in Figure 5. Also, the distance between the inner end 31 of the retainer and the ramp 34, indicated as D in Figure 4, should not be greater than the length of the rod 23. , indicated as C in Figure 5. This arrangement allows the transverse arms to pass over the ramps when the end 36 of the shank of the shaft is connected to the inner end 31 of the retainer. The bolt may be made bidirectional by providing two sets of ramps 34. The head 21 and the outer end of the upper part 22 of the shaft and the rearward end 32 of the retainer are illustrated flat, but may be more curved or shaped like dome if desired.

In the installation illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the inner end 29 of the retainer is reduced as indicated in Figure 4 and an opening 39 in the fork 15 has a rounded inner portion 40 and an unrounded outer portion 41. The retainer it is placed in the opening 39 and can be fixed in place by stacking, or in other ways if desired. The wheel 14 is assembled on the fork 15 by placing the wheel between the arms of the fork and then sliding the shaft 11 with the washer 13 therein through the opening 452, through the bearings 16 and the separate 17 and inside. of the retainer. A thrust force is applied to the shaft to compress the collar 13 and a pressure is applied to the shaft to rotate the transverse arms on the ramps 34 within the notches 33. The compression force produced by the bolt is controlled by the compressed spring . The spacing between the fork arms can be controlled by splicing the end 36 of the shaft against the end 31 of the retainer.

Another example of an installation of the bolt of the invention is illustrated in Figure 7 with the retainer 12 carried in a frame member 45 with a channel 46 and an elastomer foot or shoe 47. The head 21 of the shaft and the spring washer 13 they are placed in a recess 48 in the shoe 47, with the retainer 12 placed in the frame member 45.

Another example of using the bolt of the invention is illustrated in Figure 8, with a leaf 41 glass or something similar carried on a channel 42, with the channel attached to a support frame 43 using the bolt. If desired, a drawing can be used at the end 31 of the retainer to secure the retainer to the frame. Also, if desired, the retainer could be formed integrally in the frame 43 or in the frame member 45.

A copy using two easy-release bolts for a pair of wheels is illustrated in Figure 9. Two axes 11 are formed in line with each and integral to a support arm 50. Smooth surfaces 51 can be provided on the shaft if desired, and a washer 13 A with a corresponding opening can be placed on the shaft 11 between the wheel and the washer 13. The retainer 12 will have a shape for coupling with a tool for rotating the retainer 12 to engage the shaft and release the shaft retainer. Typically the external shape is hexagonal.

One advantage of having an easy-release bolt is the rapid replacement of worn parts, such as shoes, wheels, rubber insulators, and wood and glass components. The bolt can also be used in deployment racks where rapid assembly or disassembly of display panels and shelves will be useful. The spring washer will compensate dimensional variations. The above is an important feature when used to control the bolt load applied to fragile or delicate panels, such as glass or soft materials that can break or crush when a bolt or bolt is tightened.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS: 1. An easy-release bolt that has an axle and a retainer, said axle has a rod with a head at one end of said rod, and has a rod that ends in a crossbar at the other end of said rod, with said rod of smaller diameter than that of the first rod, said retainer has a body with an opening for said other end of said shaft, said body having an inner end for passing said rod and said transverse rod and an outer end with transverse notches for receiving said transverse bar, said bar has a ramp adjacent each of said notches.
2. 2. An easy-release bolt having an axle and a retainer, said axle having a rod of diameter A with a head at one end of said rod and having a T-shaped tip at the other end of said bolt, said tip in shape of T has a rod in line with said rod and opposed transverse arms, with said rod of said tip of a smaller diameter B than said rod, and with the distance through said transverse is greater than the diameter B and with said rod of a length C, said retainer has a body with an opening for said tip of said shaft, said body having an inner end for passing said tip of said shaft and an outer end with transverse notches for receiving said arms of said tip, said body having a ramp adjacent each of said notches, with the length D of said body between the inner end and said ramp not greater than said length C.
3. 3. A bolt as defined in Claim 2 which includes a spring washer in said rod between said head of said shaft and said inner end of said retainer.
4. 4. A bolt as defined in Claim 3 wherein said transverse arms of said tip have convex inner sides.
5. 5. A bolt as defined in Claim 4 wherein said head of said shaft has a surface for non-round tool engagement.
6. 6. An axle for a wheel having a central opening, including an easy-release bolt having an axle and a retainer, said axle has a rod to be placed in said central opening of said wheel, said axle having a head at one end of the wheel. said rod and has a rod that ends in a crossbar at the other end of said rod, with said rod of smaller diameter than that of said rod, said retainer has a body with an opening for said other end of said shaft, said body has an inner end to pass said rod and said crossbar and an outer end with transverse notches to receive said cross bar, said body has a ramp adjacent each of said notches.
7. 7. An axle for a wheel having a central opening, including an easy-release bolt having an axle and a retainer, said axle having a rod of a diameter A to be placed in said central opening of said wheel, said axle having a head at one end of said rod, and has a T-shaped tip at the other end of said rod, said T-shaped tip has a rod in line with said rod and transverse opposite arms, with said rod of said tip of a rod. diameter B smaller than that diameter A, and with the distance through said transverse arms greater than said diameter B, and with said rod of a length C, said retainer has a body with an opening for said tip of said axis, said body has an inner end to pass said tip and an outer end with transverse notches to receive said arms of said tip, said body has a ramp adjacent to each of said notches, with the length D of said body between said inner end and said ramp not greater than the length C.
8. 8. A combination of axle and wheel, said wheel has a central opening for said axle, said axle includes an easy release pin having an axle and a fastenersaid shaft has a rod to be placed in said central opening of said wheel, said shaft has a head at one end of said rod and has a rod that ends in a crossbar at the other end of said rod, with said diameter post lower than said rod, said retainer has a body with an opening for another said end of said axis, said body has an internal end for passing said post and said cross bar and an outer end with transverse notches for receiving said cross bar, said body it has a ramp adjacent to each of said notches.
9. 9. A double axle for a pair of wheels each has a central opening, which includes a pair of easy-release bolts, each having an axle and a retainer, each of said axles having a rod to be placed in the central opening of a of the wheels, said axes have heads at one end ending in a support arm with said axis in axial alignment, each of said axes having a post terminating in a crossbar at the other end of said rod, with said post of smaller diameter than that of said rod, each of said retainers has a body with an opening for said other end of said shaft, said body having an inner end for passing said post and said cross bar and an outer end with transverse notches for receiving said cross bar, said body has a ramp adjacent each of said notches.
10. 10. A double shaft for a pair of wheels having each central opening, includes an easy-release bolt, each having an axle and a retainer, each of said axes having a rod of a diameter A to place in the central opening of the wheels, said axes have heads at one end ending in a support arm with said axes in axial alignment, each of said axes has a T-shaped tip at the other end of said rod, said T-shaped tip has a pole in line with said rod and opposite transverse arms, with said post of said tip of a diameter B less than said diameter A, and with the distance through said transverse arms greater than said diameter B, and with said post of a length C, each of said retainers having a body with an opening for said tip of said axis, said body having an inner end for passing said tip of said axis and an outer end with transverse notches versa for receiving said arms of said tip, said body has a ramp adjacent each of said notches, with the length D of said body between said inner end and said ramp not greater than said length C. EXTRACT OF THE INVENTION An easy-release bolt having an axle and a retainer, with the shaft having a rod of a diameter A with a head at one end of the rod and having a T-shaped tip at the other end of the rod. , the T-shaped tip has a pole in line with the rod and opposite transverse arms, with the tip post in a diameter B smaller than the diameter A, and with the distance through the transverse arms greater than the diameter B , and with the post of a length C, the retainer has a body with an opening for the tip of the shaft, the body has an inner end to pass the tip of the shaft and an outer end with transverse notches to receive the arms of the tip , the body has a ramp adjacent to each of the notches, with the length D of the body between the inner end and the ramp not greater than the length C.