Fastener with floating nut

Claim 2

A floating nut device comprising a member having a tubular portion and an integral flange at one end of said tubular portion, said flange having a first portion extending generally radially outwardly from said tubular portion, and a second portion extending generally longitudinally toward the opposite end of said tubular portion and terminating in a substantially radial edge adapted to engage a workpiece, said first and second portions defining a recess, a nut received in said tubular portion, said tubular portion having a greater internal lateral dimension than the external lateral dimension of said nut, and outwardly projecting tab means on said nut, said tubular portion having aperture means therethrough radially inwardly said second portion of said flange, and axially between said first portion of said flange and said radial edge, said tab means extending through said aperture means and being received in said recess adjacent said first and second portions of said flange, whereby said nut is permitted lateral floating movement while said tab means preclude substantial rotation of said nut.

Claim 3

A device as recited in claim 1 in which the opposite end of said tubular portion is bendable outwardly for forming a second flange for cooperating with said first-mentioned flange in holding said member to a workpiece.

Claim 4

A device as recited in claim 2 in which said tubular portion at said opposite end is of reduced wall thickness for facilitating the outward bending of said second flange.

Claim 5

A device as recited in claim 2 in which said tab means extend radially with respect to said nut at one end thereof.

Claim 6

A device as recited in claim 4 in which said nut is received entirely within said member.

Claim 7

A device as recited in claim 3 in which said flange and said substantially radial edge thereof are annular.

Claim 8

A device as recited in claim 6 in which said aperture means includes a pair of diametrically opposed circumferential slots in said tubular portion, said slots being radially opposite said second portion of said flange, and said tab means include a pair of tabs, said tabs extending radially from said nut in opposite directions at one end of said nut, said tabs being received in said slots, said tabs being narrower than said slots, the dimension between the outer ends of said tabs being less than the internal diameter of said second portion of said flange.

Claim 9

A device as recited in claim 7 including in addition a bolt for engagement with said nut, said bolt having a threaded shank terminating in a substantially conical end for facilitating entry of said shank into said nut.

Claim 10

A device as recited in claim 8 in which said bolt includes a relatively wide thin head.

Claim 11

A device as recited in claim 9 in which said nut includes a central protrusion extending outwardly from the outer surface of said head for use in aligning a driving tool on said head.

Claim 12

In combination with a workpiece having an opening therethrough, a first surface at one end of said opening and a second surface at the opposite end of said opening, a nut device comprising a member having a tubular portion extending through said opening, a first flange at one end of said tubular member extending outwardly and overlapping said first surface, a second flange at the opposite end of said tubular portion, said second flange having a first portion extending generally radially outwardly from said tubular portion, said first portion being spaced outwardly from said second surface, and a second portion extending from the outer edge of said first portion generally longitudinally toward said one end of said tubular portion, said second portion terminating in a substantially radial edge engaging said second surface for cooperating with said first flange in holding said member to said workpiece, said first and second portions defining a recess, and a nut received in said tubular portion, said nut including outwardly projecting tab means, said tubular portion having aperture means therethrough located axially between said first portion of said flange and said substantially radial edge, said tab means extending through said aperture means into said recess for retaining said nut to said member and preventing substantial rotation of said nut relative to said member, said tubular portion having a greater internal lateral dimension than the external lateral dimension of the body of said nut, said second portion of said second flange having a greater internal lateral dimension than the lateral dimension of said tab means, whereby said nut is permitted lateral floating movement relative to said sleeve.

Claim 13

In combination with a workpiece having an opening therethrough, a first surface at one end of said opening and a second surface at the opposite end of said opening, a nut device comprising a member having a tubular portion extending through said opening, a first flange at one end of said tubular member extending outwardly and overlapping said first surface, a second flange at the opposite end of said tubular portion, said second flange having a first portion extending generally radially outwardly from said tubular portion, said first portion being spaced outwardly from said second surface, and a second portion extending from the outer edge of said first portion generally longitudinally toward said one end of said tubular portion, said second portion terminating in a substantially radial edge engaging said second surface for cooperating with said first flange in holding said member to said workpiece, said first and second portions defining a recess, and a nut received in said tubular portion, said nut including outwardly projecting tab means, said tubular portion having aperture means therethrough located axially between said first portion of said flange and said substantially radial edge, said tab means extending through said aperture means into said recess for retaining said nut to said member and preventing substantial rotation of said nut relative to said member, said tubular portion having a greater internal lateral dimension than the external lateral dimension of the body of said nut, said second portion of said second flange having a greater internal lateral dimension than the lateral dimension of said tab means, whereby said nut is permitted lateral floating movement relative to said sleeve.

Claim 14

A device as recited in claim 11 in which said tab means includes a pair of diametrically oppositely extending flat tabs, and said aperture means includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots larger than said tabs so as to provide a clearance around said tabs.