초록 ▼

Fasteners are generally described. In some examples, a fastener can be configured to releasably connect a first member to a second member. The fastener can comprise an element that is able to be arranged with respect to the first member. The element can comprise a latching region that is able to ass

Fasteners are generally described. In some examples, a fastener can be configured to releasably connect a first member to a second member. The fastener can comprise an element that is able to be arranged with respect to the first member. The element can comprise a latching region that is able to assume a latching orientation. The fastener can also comprise a latch that is able to be arranged with respect to the second member. The latch can comprise a latching portion that is able to latch with the latching region when in the latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member. The fastener can be configured such that the element is movable relative to the latch so that, when moved relative to the latch, the element urges the latching portion out of the latching region to enable disconnection of the first member from the second member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fastener, comprising: an element that is mounted to a first member releasably connectable to a second member, the element comprising a latching region that is able to be oriented according to a latching orientation; anda latch that comprises a first portion that is fixed to a wall of a latch ho

1. A fastener, comprising: an element that is mounted to a first member releasably connectable to a second member, the element comprising a latching region that is able to be oriented according to a latching orientation; anda latch that comprises a first portion that is fixed to a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member and a second portion that is moveable within the latch housing formed by the second member, the latch comprising a latching portion that is able to latch with the latching region when oriented according to the latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member,wherein, in response to rotation of the element relative to the second portion of the latch that is moveable within the latch housing, the element urges the latching portion out of the latching region to facilitate disconnection of the second member from the first member that is mounted to the element, and the latching region moves between the latching orientation and a non-latching orientation in which the second member is able to be disconnected from the first member that is mounted to the element, andwherein the element is elongate, with an axis relative to the first member defining a longitudinal axis of the element, and a surface of the element associated with the first member comprises a portion for engagement with another element to facilitate the rotation. 2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein a distal end of a first part of the element is configured to engage with and deflect the latch as the first member is being positioned for connection with the second member. 3. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the latching region comprises a groove, ledge, shoulder or rebate formed to extend transversely across a first part of the element, and into or behind which the latching portion becomes located when in the latching orientation. 4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein a second part of the element is configured to be retained by and to rotate within an element housing that is able to be arranged within the first member. 5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein the element comprises a bolt having a head with at least one flange that is configured to be retained by and to rotate within the element housing, with a shank of the bolt protruding beyond the element housing to facilitate engagement with the latch. 6. The fastener of claim 4, wherein the element further comprises at least one projection able to engage with a corresponding part of the element housing when the element is in the latching orientation, wherein the movement of the element to the non-latching orientation is inhibited, and wherein the element is movable relative to the second portion of the latch when the at least one projection is first disengaged from the corresponding part of the element housing. 7. The fastener of claim 6, wherein the element is configured to be biased with a bias to cause the at least one projection to engage with the corresponding part of the element housing when the element is in the latching orientation, and wherein disengagement of the at least one projection from the corresponding part of the element housing is effected by advancement of the element with respect to the element housing against the bias. 8. The fastener of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the element is accessible to facilitate rotation of the element about the axis. 9. A fastener, comprising: an element that is mounted to a first member releasably connectable to a second member, the element comprising a latching region that is able to be oriented according to a latching orientation; anda latch that comprises a first portion that is fixed to a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member and a second portion that is moveable within the latch housing formed by the second member, the latch comprising a latching portion that is able to latch with the latching region when oriented according to the latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member,wherein, in response to rotation of the element relative to the second portion of the latch that is moveable within the latch housing, the element urges the latching portion out of the latching region to facilitate disconnection of the second member from the first member that is mounted to the element, wherein the second portion of the latch is entirely retained within the latch housing when the latching portion is oriented according to the latching orientation, wherein the latch housing comprises an opening that opens to a hollow interior of the latch housing, wherein the opening is defined in part by an adjacent shoulder located at the opening, and wherein the latch is located within the hollow interior and generally behind the shoulder. 10. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the first portion of the latch is fixed to the latch housing at a rear wall of the latch housing or a side wall of the latch housing to extend from the latch housing and into the hollow interior of the latch housing. 11. The fastener of claim 9, wherein: the first portion of the latch is mounted to extend laterally from a distal end of a latch mounting member, wherein the latch mounting member is mounted at a proximal end of the latch mounting member to a rear wall of the latch housing,the latch is a spring, wherein the spring is mounted at a proximal end of the spring a side wall of the latch housing, orthe latch is defined by a resilient member, with a distal edge of the resilient member being arranged to latch with the latching region, and with a proximal edge of the resilient member being mounted to a side wall of the latch housing. 12. The fastener of claim 11, wherein, when the latching portion is latched with the latching region, and when the element is progressively rotated relative to the second portion of the latch, a portion of the latching region deflects the latching portion laterally and progressively out of the latching region. 13. The fastener of claim 12, wherein, as the latching portion is deflected laterally and progressively out of the latching region, the latch mounting member is able to flex between the distal end of the latch mounting member and the proximal end of the latch mounting member; orthe spring is able to compress; orthe resilient member is able to deform between the distal edge of the resilient member and a proximal edge of the resilient member. 14. A first member releasably connectable to a second member, comprising: an element that is attached to the first member, wherein the element comprises a latching region that is able to be oriented according to a latching orientation, the element attached to the first member is releasably connectable to the second member via a latch, a first portion of the latch is fixed to a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member, a second portion of the latch is moveable within the latch housing formed by the second member, the latch is retained within a hollow interior of the latch housing and behind a shoulder located at an opening of the latch housing that opens to the hollow interior, the opening is defined in part by the shoulder, and, in response to rotation of the element relative to the second portion of the latch that is moveable within the latch housing, the latch is forced out of the latching region and the second member is disconnected from the first member that is attached to the element. 15. The first member of claim 14, wherein a housing for the element is mounted within or is formed by a recess preformed in the first member. 16. The first member of claim 15, wherein the first member comprises a wall or a panel through which the recess extends, and wherein, when the element is mounted to the first member, a proximal end of the element is accessible. 17. A second member releasably connectable to a first member, comprising: a latch able to be arranged with respect to the second member, the latch comprising a latching portion that is able to latch with a latching region when oriented according to a latching orientation to connect the second member to the first member, wherein a first portion of the latch is mounted to extend from a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member, a second portion of the latch is moveable within the latch housing formed by the second member, the latch is located within a hollow interior of the latch housing and behind a shoulder located at an opening of the latch housing that opens to the hollow interior, the opening is defined in part by the shoulder, and the latch is disconnected from the latching region in response to rotation of the first member with respect to the second portion of the latch that is moveable within the latch housing. 18. The second member of claim 17, wherein the latch housing is formed by a recess preformed in the second member. 19. A fastener system, comprising: a fastener including: an element that is joined to a first member releasably connectable to a second member, the element comprising a latching region that is able to be oriented according to a latching orientation; anda latch that comprises a fixed portion that is mounted to extend from a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member, a moveable portion that is moveable within the latch housing formed by the second member, and a latching portion that is able to latch with the latching region when oriented according to the latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member, wherein the latch is retained within a hollow interior of the latch housing and generally behind a shoulder located at an opening of the latch housing that opens to the hollow interior, wherein the opening is defined in part by the shoulder, and wherein, in response to rotation of the element relative to the moveable portion of the latch that forces the latching portion out of the latching region, the second member is disconnected from the first member that is joined to the element;the first member to which the element is able to be mounted; andthe second member to which the latch is able to be mounted. 20. The fastener system of claim 19, wherein the fastener and the latch are respectively mounted to the first and second members during fabrication of the first and second members. 21. A method to releasably connect a first member to a second member using a fastener, comprising: positioning the first member in relation to the second member including latching a latching portion of a latch that is able to latch with a latching region when oriented according to a latching orientation to connect the first member to the second member,wherein the fastener comprises an element that is secured to the first member, the element comprising the latching region, wherein the latch is retained within a hollow interior of a latch housing formed by the second member and behind a shoulder located at an opening of the latch housing that opens to the hollow interior, wherein the opening is defined in part by the shoulder, and wherein the latch comprises a fixed portion that extends from a wall of a latch enclosure formed by the second member, and a moveable portion that is moveable within the latch enclosure formed by the second member; andin response to rotation of the element relative to the moveable portion of the latch, operating the element to urge the latching portion out of the latching region to facilitate disconnection of the second member from the first member that is secured to the element. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the element is moved relative to the latch, and wherein the latching region orients according to the latching orientation prior to or after the positioning the first member in relation to the second member. 23. The method of claim 21 wherein, when the latching portion is latched with the latching region, to disconnect the first member from the second member, the element is rotated relative to the moveable portion of the latch to urge the latching portion out of the latching region, and at least one of the first member or the second member is moved away from the other. 24. An apparatus, comprising: element means for facilitating a releasable connection of a first member to a second member, the element means comprising a latching region for orientating according to a latching orientation; andlatch means for moving with respect to the second member, the latch means comprising a latching portion for latching with the latching region when in the latching orientation to form the releasable connection of the first member to the second member,wherein the latching portion is associated with a latch that is fixed to extend from a wall of a latch housing formed by the second member,wherein the latch is contained within a hollow interior of the latch housing and generally behind a shoulder located at an opening of the latch housing that opens to the hollow interior, and the opening is defined in part by the shoulder, andwherein, in response to rotation of the element means relative to a moveable portion of the latch means, the element means urges the latching portion out of the latching region for disconnecting the first member from the second member.