A nut retainer for use with a structural member having a nut entrance channel defined between a pair of opposed shoulders or flanges of some predetermined thickness and a nut receiving channel disposed beneath the shoulders. The nut retainer has a generally frusto-conical body constructed from a resiliently deformable polymeric material with the body smaller diameter end fixedly secured to a rectangular nut upper face in a surrounding relationship with a threaded fastener receiving opening. The body larger diameter end is spaced from the nut upper face by some predetermined distance and has a diameter greater than the width of the structural member entrance channel. The retainer body is conformed such that the body exterior side wall will engage the structural member shoulders at areas therealong which are spaced from the nut upper face by a distance which is less than the thickness of the shoulders when the nut is inserted width-wise into the entrance channel. A force applied against the nut retainer causes it to be slightly deformed and allows simultaneous rotation of the nut and retainer 90 degrees so that the nut is captured in the receiving channel beneath the shoulders. When the force on the retainer is released, the retainer moves back toward its unstressed condition and causes the nut upper face to be drawn into an engaging relationship with the underside of the shoulders.
A connector comprises first and second opposed, spaced apart locking lugs having first and second opposed, spaced apart faces between which the channel member is clamped. A flexible connection integral with the opposed faces of the locking lugs joins the locking lugs together in a unitary structure in a manner which allows for the space between the opposed faces of the locking lugs to be varied. The first and second locking lugs are provided with axially aligned bores which, when securing the connector to the channel member, receive a fastener for drawing the opposed faces of the locking lugs toward one another when the fastener is advanced into the axially aligned bores for clamping the channel member in between the opposed locking lugs of the connector.
An attachment arrangement for securing components or construction parts to an attachment rail (32) with a slot-like opening (34). The attachment arrangement includes a spring element (27) for improved handling which is deflectable both in the axial and radial directions. An axially elastic region (28) of the spring element (27) provides an axial prestress between a base member (21) and an intermediate member (29) whereby spontaneous detachment of the attachment arrangement by turning the base member (21) through 90 degrees relative to the attachment rail (32) is prevented.
An arrangement for fixing a clamp to a C-shaped rail comprises a fixing plate urged against inner arms of the rail by a compression spring, the plate having a width which fits between inner arms so that it can be inserted from above, and a length, which fits between the arms of the C-shape, diagonally opposite portions of the ends of the plate being shaped to permit it to rotate between the arms of the rail. The spring is located between the head of a spigot fixed to the fixing plate and a supporting plate. The ends of inner arms are arranged to be located in grooves in the fixing plate.
The present invention relates to a fastening means (10; 110) consisting of a fastening element (11; 111) and a washer (20; 120), the washer (20; 120) being held on the fastening element (11; 111) in a rotatable and captive manner. Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention is such a fastening element (11; 111) which has at one end a bearing surface (14) for a washer (20; 120) held on the fastening element (11; 111) in a rotatable and captive manner and has an encircling undercut (13; 113) at the end facing its bearing surface (14). Finally, the subject matter of the invention is a washer (20; 120) having a contact surface (21) for the bearing surface (14) of a fastening element (11; 111), at least two axially extending retaining tabs (23; 123) being formed on the contact surface (21). The retaining tabs (23; 123) engage in the undercut (13; 113).
A channel nut is attachable to a structural channel. The channel nut includes a nut portion having a planar surface and a resiliently flexible cone attachable to the nut portion. The cone includes an attachment portion for attachment to the planar surface of the nut portion, the conical portion extending conically from the attachment portion. The conical portion is defined by a conical wall having at least one slot therethrough to permit resilient deflection of the conical wall portion with respect to the attachment portion.
