Fastener nut for channel framing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9790980-B2
Application number	US-201414581588-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 23, 2014
Priority date	Dec 23, 2013
Publication date	Oct 17, 2017
Grant date	Oct 17, 2017

Abstract

A fastener nut for securing a part to channel framing defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing. The fastener nut includes a nut body, and first and second wings extending longitudinally outward from respective first and second longitudinal ends of the body. The first and second wings having respective terminal ends defining an effective wing span therebetween that is greater than the length of the body such that at least a portion of the fastener nut has a generally T-shaped side profile. The fastener nut is insertable in the generally T-shaped track of the channel framing to allow the fastener nut to slide along the length of the channel framing and to restrict transverse movement of the fastener nut in the interior, relative to length of the framing, for use in positioning the fastener nut along the channel framing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener nut for securing a part to a channel framing having a length and an open interior defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing, the fastener nut comprising:
a nut body having a top, a bottom, opposite first and second longitudinal ends, opposite sides extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, a fastener opening extending from the top toward the bottom for receiving a fastener for securing the part to the channel framing, a length extending between the opposite first and second longitudinal ends, and a maximum width extending between the opposite sides, wherein the length is greater than the maximum width; and
first and second wings extending longitudinally outward from the respective first and second longitudinal ends of the body, the first and second wings having respective terminal ends defining an effective wing span therebetween that is greater than the length of the body such that the fastener nut has a generally T-shaped side profile,
wherein the fastener nut is insertable in the generally T-shaped track of the channel framing to allow the fastener nut to slide along the length of the channel framing and to restrict transverse movement of the fastener nut in the interior, relative to length of the framing, for use in positioning the fastener nut along the channel framing,
wherein the sides of the nut body have lower portions that flare away from one another toward the bottom of the nut body such that a lower portion of the nut body has longitudinal end profiles that are generally dovetail-shaped.

2. The fastener nut set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of the longitudinal ends of the nut body is rounded from adjacent one of the sides toward the other side.

3. The fastener nut set forth in claim 1 , wherein the wings extend longitudinally outward from adjacent the top of the nut body.

4. The fastener nut set forth in claim 3 , wherein the wings are integral extensions of the nut body.

5. The fastener nut set forth in claim 4 , wherein the wings comprise flanges having upper surfaces generally coplanar with the top of the nut body.

6. The fastener nut set forth in claim 1 , wherein the wings are resiliently flexible.

7. The fastener nut set forth in claim 6 , wherein the wings comprise at least one wire.

8. The fastener nut set forth in claim 1 , wherein the maximum width of the nut body is less than the effective wing span of the first and second wings.

9. A channel framing assembly comprising:
a channel framing having a length and an open interior defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing; and
a fastener nut for securing a part to the channel framing, the fastener nut including
a nut body having a top, a bottom, opposite first and second longitudinal ends, opposite sides extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, a fastener opening extending from the top toward the bottom for receiving a fastener for securing the part to the channel framing, a length extending between the opposite first and second longitudinal ends, and a maximum width extending between the opposite sides, wherein the length is greater than the maximum width, and
first and second wings extending longitudinally outward from the respective first and second longitudinal ends of the body, the first and second wings having respective terminal ends defining an effective wing span therebetween that is greater than the length of the body such that the fastener nut has a generally T-shaped side profile,

wherein the fastener nut is insertable in the generally T-shaped track of the channel framing to allow the fastener nut to slide along the length of the channel framing and to restrict transverse movement of the fastener nut in the interior, relative to length of the framing, for use in positioning the fastener nut along the channel framing,
wherein the channel framing includes a side defining an external dovetail-shaped groove extending lengthwise of the channel framing, wherein the sides of the nut body have lower portions that flare away from one another toward the bottom of the nut body such that a lower portion of the nut body has a generally dovetail shape sized for sliding reception in the dovetail-shaped groove of the channel framing.

10. The channel framing assembly set forth in claim 9 , wherein the channel framing includes a slot side having opposing, inwardly extending lips defining a continuous slot in the slot side leading to the open interior of the channel framing, wherein the top of the nut body has spaced apart grooves extending transverse to the length of the nut body, the grooves configured for receiving, when the nut body is secured to the channel framing in the T-shape track, respective inwardly extending lips of the channel framing.

11. The channel framing assembly set forth in claim 10 , wherein the nut body has a maximum width extending between the sides of the nut body, the maximum width of the nut body being less than a width of the continuous slot in the slot side of the channel framing, the effective wing span of the first and second wings being greater than the width of the continuous slot.

12. The channel framing assembly set forth in claim 9 , wherein the channel framing includes a first side having opposing, inwardly extending lips defining a continuous slot in the slot side leading to the open interior of the channel framing, and second and third sides adjacent the first side and generally opposing one another, the second and third sides having respective internal rails defining shoulders of the internal T-shaped track,
wherein when the nut body is inserted in the T-shape track, the shoulders restrict inward movement of the fastener nut, relative to the channel framing, within the T-shape track, and the inwardly extending lips of the channel framing restrict outward movement of the fastener nut, relative to the channel framing, within the T-shaped track.

13. The channel framing assembly set forth in claim 12 , wherein each of the second and third sides includes an inwardly-extending fitting-securement portion, the fitting securement portions defining the respective internal rails and further defining external dovetail-shaped grooves extending lengthwise of the channel framing, wherein the sides of the nut body have lower portions that flare away from one another toward the bottom of the nut body such that a lower portion of the nut body has a generally dovetail shape sized for sliding reception in the external dovetail-shaped grooves of the channel framing.

14. The channel framing assembly set forth in claim 9 , wherein the fastener nut is received in the T-shaped track, the channel framing assembly further comprising a part secured on an exterior of the channel framing, and a fastener extending into the interior of the channel framing and into the fastener opening of the fastener nut, the fastener and the fastener nut together securing the part to the channel framing.

15. A fastener nut for securing a part to a channel framing having a length and an open interior defining at least one internal, generally T-shaped track extending lengthwise of the channel framing, the fastener nut comprising:
a nut body having a top, a bottom, opposite first and second longitudinal ends, opposite sides extending between the opposite longitudinal ends, a fastener opening extending from the top toward the bottom for receiving a fastener for securing the part to the channel framing, and a length extending between the opposite first and second longitudinal ends; and
first and second w

Assignees

• Cooper Technologies Co

Inventors

• Mccarthy William E
• Knutson James A
• Zhang Zhihui
• Kline Joseph

Classifications

• Y10T29/49948

  Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] · CPC title

• Y10T29/49947

  by applying separate fastener · CPC title

• F16B37/045 Primary

  specially adapted for fastening in channels, e.g. sliding bolts, channel nuts · CPC title