초록 ▼

A clutch fastener is provided for securely receiving pins, shafts, and the like. The clutch fastener includes a housing and a coil spring disposed within a central chamber contained in the housing. The chamber originates near the top surface of the housing and extends through the bottom surface. The

A clutch fastener is provided for securely receiving pins, shafts, and the like. The clutch fastener includes a housing and a coil spring disposed within a central chamber contained in the housing. The chamber originates near the top surface of the housing and extends through the bottom surface. The bottom surface is countersunk to provide for easy insertion of the shaft. The chamber is sized such that it has a larger diameter than the shaft to be retained. The shaft is inserted into the chamber and retained by frictional forces generated against the coil spring. The clutch fastener may allow the user to selectively increase the tension placed on the shaft via a locking mechanism. The clutch fastener may also be provided with a second spring disposed within the chamber in order to limit the degree of compression of the first spring. Various designs are also disclosed for the spring stock from which the coil spring is formed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A clutch fastener for securely retaining a pin or shaft comprising:a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface, said housing further containing a chamber centrally disposed therein, said chamber extending from a location proximate said top surface and extending through sa

[ I claim:] [1.] A clutch fastener for securely retaining a pin or shaft comprising:a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface, said housing further containing a chamber centrally disposed therein, said chamber extending from a location proximate said top surface and extending through said bottom surface, said bottom surface being countersunk and adapted for easy insertion of the pin or shaft to be received, and said chamber being sized larger than the diameter of the pin or shaft to be received;a coil spring formed from a unitary piece of spring stock having a first and second end, and coiled in a helical manner to define a plurality of coils, said coil spring being disposed within said chamber, said coil spring including an outer edge diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said chamber, and said coil including an inner edge diameter dimensioned to fictionally retain the pin or shaft; andmeans for retaining said coil spring within said housing: whereinsaid housing contains a first and second tunnel, each of said tunnels being oriented perpendicular to said chamber, said first tunnel being disposed proximate said top surface and said second tunnel being disposed proximate said bottom surface, both of said tunnels including ridged interiors, and said means or retaining comprises a plurality of bends disposed on the first and second ends of said coil spring, said bends being angled and sized for allowing snug retainment of said first and second ends within said first and second tunnels, respectively.