Patent US3900931A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3900931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Releasable panel fastening device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A releasable panel fastening device for attaching and locking together a base member and a cover member, applicable, for example, in connection with shelfing components. The base member and cover member have matching buttonhole-type apertures comprising a rectangular slot and a central circular opening. The cover member has a raised portion in the area of its buttonhole and two extensions which engage the slot ends of the base member. A key with a rectangular profile fits into the buttonhole slots. The key has opposing lateral indents so that when the key is rotated 90*, it locks the members together. To insure the locking action, the overall thickness of the base and cover members increases along the paths of the two indents (in the key) when the key is rotated 90*, as aforesaid. This increase in thickness insures that the sidewalls in the indents in the key clamp the base and cover members tightly together.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Lavoillotte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/10; F16B21/00; F16B21/02; F16B21/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S24/00; Y10S24/30; Y10S24/51; Y10S24/53; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45005; Y10T24/45089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for fastening together first and second flat plates both of which define an elongated slot through the thickness of the plate, said slots being of generally the same size and shape, each of said slots having a circular middle portion and two diametrically opposed elongated portions of a width and length for receiving the fastening portion of a flat rectangle-shaped key including an elongated handle portion and a short fastening portion having indents which extend inward of each other from opposing edges of the longer sides of said rectangle in the vicinity of one of the shorter sides of said rectangle, the diameter of said circular middle portions being less than the width of said fastening portion and greater than the distance between said indents, one of said plates being wholly flat whilst the area including the circular middle portion of the slot of the other plate is raised to form a blister having opposite entry ramps, whereby the key may be inserted into said elongated slots after said first and second plates have been placed one on the other with their respective slots in alignment when the width of the key is placed in the elongated portions of the slots, and the key may fasten the plates together when it is turned from the position it assumed when it was inserted as aforesaid, with each indent following one of said opposite entry ramps up to the uppermost portion of said blister.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
244 words
A device for fastening together first and second flat plates both of which define an elongated slot through the thickness of the plate, said slots being of generally the same size and shape, each of said slots having a circular middle portion and two diametrically opposed elongated portions of a width and length for receiving the fastening portion of a flat rectangle-shaped key including an elongated handle portion and a short fastening portion having indents which extend inward of each other from opposing edges of the longer sides of said rectangle in the vicinity of one of the shorter sides of said rectangle, the diameter of said circular middle portions being less than the width of said fastening portion and greater than the distance between said indents, one of said plates being wholly flat whilst the area including the circular middle portion of the slot of the other plate is raised to form a blister having opposite entry ramps, whereby the key may be inserted into said elongated slots after said first and second plates have been placed one on the other with their respective slots in alignment when the width of the key is placed in the elongated portions of the slots, and the key may fasten the plates together when it is turned from the position it assumed when it was inserted as aforesaid, with each indent following one of said opposite entry ramps up to the uppermost portion of said blister.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fastening device as defined in claim 1 in which the second plate has resilience to thus cause the key to bind as it is turned in said angular direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A fastening device as defined in claim 1 in which the elongated slot in one of the plates is slightly longer than in the other plate, said other plate having pins affixed thereto extending into the extreme opposite end portions of the elongated slot of the other plate to thus prevent the plates from twisting with respect to each other when they are fastened together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |