Cage nut

Abstract

A cage nut including a nut arranged in a cage. The cage has a base which has a round hole from which two opposing side parts ascend, each side part carrying a supporting portion facing outward. The cage and the nut have diametrically opposed projections which are shaped in such a way that, in a determined rotational position, when the nut is arranged in the cage it can be partially inserted axially into a non-round, preferably square opening in a thin wall, if necessary after compressing the side parts, whereupon the screw can be screwed into the nut.

Claims

1. A cage nut for insertion into a thin wall, comprising: a cage; a nut configured to be arranged in the cage and to accept a screw therethrough, the nut having diametrically opposed projections; wherein the cage has a base that has a round hole from which two opposing side parts ascend, each side part carrying a supporting portion facing outward, wherein the supporting portions of the two opposing side parts are distinct from one another and form a head of the cage; wherein the supporting portions of the two opposing side parts face outward on two opposing sides of the cage and the head includes continuous flat sides on two other sides of the cage; wherein the projections of the nut are shaped so that, in a determined rotational position, when the nut is arranged in the cage the cage nut can be partially inserted axially from a top direction into a rectangular opening in the thin wall, whereupon the screw can be screwed into the nut; and wherein the head of the cage is shaped such that the cage with the nut arranged therein can be partially inserted from a bottom direction through the rectangular opening in the thin wall by compressing the two opposing side parts towards each other such that the rectangular projection is compressed for partial insertion through the bottom direction.

2. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein the cage nut is configured so that, before the screw is screwed into the nut, the cage with the nut can be turned in the rectangular opening by an angle of less than 90 degrees, wherein the cage with the nut is inserted in a diagonal direction of the rectangular opening, whereupon the cage with the nut can be pushed in until the supporting portions contact the thin wall.

3. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein sides of the supporting portions have teeth that are configured to prevent the cage from falling out of the rectangular opening after being mounted.

4. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein the rectangular opening is a square opening; wherein the nut viewed from the top has a shape of a circle from which each nut projections protrudes and narrows into a right angle; and wherein nut is shaped such that the circle is configured to fit into the square opening and the projections are configured to fit into two opposite corners of the square opening.

5. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein an axially extending edge with a contact surface is provided in the area, which contact surface is configured to engage with an edge formed by the nut at a transition from a circle to one of the nut projection when the screw is screwed into the nut.

6. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein the nut projections form a grip-behind configured to support an inner rim of the rectangular opening.

7. The cage nut according to claim 1; wherein the side parts form slits, each slit having a narrowed portion along its extension.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective, exploded view of two components, namely, the cage and the nut of a cage nut according to the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the parts of the cage nut which are inserted one inside the other.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a top view of the arrangement from FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a view similar to FIG. 2 but rotated by 90 degrees.

(5) FIG. 5A shows a top view of the cage nut mounted in a square hole.

(6) FIG. 5B shows a sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 5A.

(7) FIG. 5C shows a perspective rear view of the arrangement in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

(8) FIG. 6A shows a top view showing the mounting step of inserting the cage nut into an opening of suitable dimensions in a thin wall in a 45-degree position.

(9) FIG. 6B shows a top view showing the subsequent mounting step of turning by 45 degrees.

(10) FIG. 6C shows a top view showing the mounting step of inserting a screw into a round hole in a first portion of thin wall material.

(11) FIG. 6D shows a top view showing the mounted screw with a second part mounted on the first part.

(12) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of another embodiment form of the cage nut according to the invention in axial sectional view.

(13) FIG. 8 shows a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 7 in highly enlarged scale showing the section line from FIG. 7.

(14) FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the fastening process when mounting from the top.

(15) FIG. 9B shows a corresponding view of the mounting process when mounting from the bottom.

(16) FIG. 10 shows the arrangement after mounting has been completed.

(17) FIG. 11 shows the arrangement from FIG. 7 but in an exploded view.

(18) FIG. 12A shows an enlarged view of the cage of the arrangement from FIG. 7 in a perspective view.

(19) FIG. 12B shows a side view of a prior-art arrangement which is to be improved.

(20) FIG. 12C shows a side view of the prior-art arrangement rotated by 90 degrees.

(21) FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C show, in section, a top view and a bottom view of the prior-art arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(22) It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

(23) The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

(24) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cage nut 10 comprising a nut 14 arranged in a cage 12. The cage 12 has a base 16 with a bore 44 from which two opposing side parts 18 ascend, each carrying a supporting portion 20 which faces outward. The nut 14 has diametrically opposed projections 22 which are shaped in such a way that in a determined rotational position, see FIG. 6A, when the nut 14 is arranged in the cage 12 it can be partially inserted into the non-round, preferably square opening 26 in a thin wall 28, see FIG. 6B, whereupon the cage 12 with the nut 14 is rotated by an angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably 45 degrees, in the opening 26, namely, into the position shown in FIG. 6B, whereupon the cage with the nut can be pushed in until the supporting portions 20 contact the thin wall 28, whereupon the screw 30 can be screwed into the nut 14.

(25) The sides of the supporting portions 20 carry teeth 32 which prevent the cage 12 from falling out after mounting.

(26) Viewed from the top, see FIG. 5A, the nut 14 has the shape of a circle 34 from which protrude diametrically opposed projections 22 which narrow into a right angle. The dimensions are configured such that the circle 34 fits into the square opening 26 and the projections 22 fit into two opposite corners of the square.

(27) The cage in the area of the diametrically opposed projections 22 has a rectangular shape 36 which can be inserted snugly through the square opening 26.

(28) As will be seen from FIG. 5A, the nut 12 viewed from the top has the shape of a circle 34 from which protrude diametrically opposed projections 22 which narrow into a right angle. The dimensions are configured such that the circle fits into the square opening and the projections 22 fit into two opposite corners of the square. An axially extending edge 40 being provided with a contact face 41 in the area of the cage 12, the cage 12 engages, see FIGS. 1 and 3, with an edge 38 formed by the nut at the transition from the circle to the projection 22 when the screw is screwed into the nut.

(29) The projections 22 of the nut 14 form a grip-behind 50 for the inner rim 52 of the square opening 26 after rotating 45 degrees, FIG. 5A.

(30) The associated head screw 30 has a head 48 and a neck 42, and the neck 42 penetrates the round aperture 44 in the mounting plate 46, FIG. 6C.

(31) Also located below this region are the surfaces 40, 41 of cage 12 and nut 14, which surfaces 40, 41 engage one another.

(32) FIG. 7 shows in an axial sectional view an alternative cage nut 110 comprising a nut 114 arranged in a cage 112. The cage 112 has a base 116 with a bore 44 from which two opposing side parts 118 ascend, each carrying a supporting portion 120 which faces outward. The nut 114 has diametrically opposed projections 122, see FIG. 7, which are shaped in such a way that in a determined rotational position, see FIGS. 9A, 9B, when the nut 114 is arranged in the cage 112 it can be partially inserted into the rectangular, preferably square opening 126 in a thin wall 128, see FIGS. 10, 11, whereupon the cage 112 together with the nut 114 is snapped into the opening 126, namely, into the position shown in FIG. 10, at the lower end of the cage 112 with the upper end while compressing the side parts 118 of the cage 112 above the nut 114, whereupon the nut in the cage can be pushed in until contacting the thin wall 128 in that the screw 130 is screwed into the nut 114. The sides of the supporting portions 20 carry strips 132, 133, 135 which prevent the cage 112 from falling out after being snapped in.

(33) Here also, see FIG. 5A, the nut 114 has the shape of a circle from which protrude diametrically opposed projections 122 which narrow into a right angle. The dimensions are configured such that the circle fits into the square opening 126 and the projections 122 fit into two opposite corners of the square.

(34) The cage in the area of the diametrically opposed projections 122 has a rectangular shape which can be inserted snugly through the square opening 136.

(35) As will be seen from FIG. 12A, the cage 112 has a bore for the nut 114, which bore seen from the top has the shape of a circle 134 from which protrude diametrically opposed slots 137 for the projections 122. The dimensions are configured such that the circle fits into the square opening and the projections 122 fit into two opposite corners of the square. An axially extending edge 140 with a contact surface is provided in the area of the cage 112. The contact surface engages with an edge 138 formed by the nut at the transition from the circle to the projection 122 when the screw is screwed into the nut.

(36) The projections 122 of the nut 114 form a grip-behind 150 which supports the inner rim of the square opening 126.

(37) The associated head screw 130 has a head and a neck and a shank. The neck penetrates the round aperture 144 in the mounting plate.

(38) The engaging surfaces of cage and screw are also located in this region. In its upper position, see FIG. 7, the screw of the cage prevents the side parts from being pressed together.

(39) Accordingly, the cage 12, 112 comprises a round, cylindrical part with a twofold split and supporting portions 20, 120 which could also be called a head. Located below the head is a square projection 24, 124.

(40) As regards the first arrangement of the cage nut 10, the latter should only be mounted blind from the front, and an acceptable fit was achieved in that the square projection 36, 136 is outfitted at four surfaces with teeth 32 which prevent the cage nut from falling out or shifting after mounting.

(41) In the second arrangement of the cage nut 110, there is also provided a head with a square 124 located below it and an additional strip 132, 133, 135 which form a U-shaped groove 55 by which the cage 112 is anchored in the square or rectangular opening 126. In order to carry this out, the opposing side parts 118 must be bent inward somewhat during mounting so that the U-shaped grooves 55 can surround the plate 128.

(42) It is the case with both cage nuts 10, 110 that, after mounting the cage 12, 112, the screwed-in screw 30, 130 moves the nuts 14, 114 axially until they rest on the back side of the plate 28, 128 by their projections 22, 122. During this process, the side parts 18, 118 are stabilized. The side parts and nuts then fill the square hole 26, 126 in one direction without clearance and simultaneously prevent the nuts from rotating.

(43) The supporting portions 20, 120 can be supported by two strips 132, 133, 134 which are axially spaced apart from one another, the one strip 132 being provided in a missing portion of the other strip 133, 134 for purposes of simplifying the injection molding die.

(44) The side parts 118 can form slits 137 which have a narrowed portion 57.

COMMERCIAL APPLICABILITY

(45) The invention is commercially applicable in switch cabinet construction, automobile construction and in the thin sheet-metal processing industry.

(46) While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(47) 10, 110 cage nut

(48) 12, 112 cage

(49) 14, 114 nut

(50) 16, 116 base

(51) 18, 118 side part

(52) 20, 120 supporting portion

(53) 22, 122 projection of the nut

(54) 24, 124 projection of the cage

(55) 26, 126 square opening

(56) 28, 128 thin wall

(57) 30, 130 screw

(58) 32, 132 tooth strips, teeth

(59) 34, 134 circle

(60) 36, 136 rectangular shape

(61) 137 slits

(62) 38, 138 axial strip of the nut

(63) 40, 140 axial strip of the cage

(64) 41 contact surface of the nut

(65) 42, 142 neck

(66) 44, 144 round hole

(67) 46, 146 mounting plate

(68) 48, 148 head

(69) 50, 150 grip-behind

(70) 55 U-shaped groove

(71) 57 narrowed portion