ABSTRACT

In a World where everything seems to be in an accelerated evolution and continuously changing, if you can fix and liberate a certain technical project in a couple of seconds, you can make the difference and have an advantage over your competitors.

One of the rules of thumb in any project that we are involved in is to make it as simple as possible. Use as few parts as you can, and the result will be lighter and more functional, probably not cheaper in the beginning, but in the end, it will be less costly.

As simple as they are, so many technical projects have parts to be fixed.

In a permanent fix we have so many options to choose from, welding metal parts, bonding or using a mechanical joint.

In a temporary fix we can use a mechanical joint. We can choose a fastener, the simplest solution, but that will take some time, minutes, to properly fix the different parts.

In a repeatedly fixed and released mechanical project, be it operational, for regular and frequent maintenance or for logistics, the fastener solution may not be the most advisable, not only because of the amount of time spent in the operation, but also for the rapid deterioration it will induce on the material of the parts to be fixed.

In research to solve this problem, I developed an original solution to fix and release two or more parts of a certain mechanical project, in a couple of seconds, in a precise, safe and repetitive operation, in which the materials of the parts to fix would be preserved.

My invention has foreseeable practical application in the automotive and other vehicle construction industries, in the aerospace industry, in the naval industry and in any other technical equipment subject to frequent and repetitive packaging or maintenance.

INTRODUCTION

Fastening mechanisms are used to join, temporarily or permanently, two or more structures to each other.

When permanent fixation of structures is desired, we can opt for a mechanical joint or a chemical union, using adhesive substances such as glues, or by welding, if applicable. For temporary connections, the fastening mechanisms to be used must be mechanical to allow repeated fastening and releasing procedures.

In any project, a fastening mechanism must be selected based on:

· the characteristics of the structures or technical project under design;

· the mechanical properties of the materials of the parts to be fixed;

· the physical, chemical and environmental stresses to which the structures and the fixing mechanical device will be subjected during the useful life of the structures or technical project under design.

The most used mechanical fastening devices are screws. The use of screws or sets of screws and nuts, properly selected and suitable for a given technical project, allows for relatively quick, effective and long-lasting fixation.

However, in a temporary, reversible and repetitive fixing and releasing technical situation, this type of fixation is not suitable, due to the rapid deterioration of the support material in each repetition of the fastening and/or removal process, and to the long time it takes to fasten and/or remove these devices.

THE REVERSIBLE FIXING PROBLEM

The use of screws or sets of screws and nuts to fix two or more parts, that need to be fixed and released in a repetitive operational and or maintenance cycle of the lifelong of the mechanical project they belong to, can be not an adequate choice for two main reasons:

· the excessively long time spent on fixing and releasing operations;

· the rapid deterioration of the material of the parts to be fixed and released, with repetitive operational, logistical or maintenance fixing and releasing operations.

My invention innovatively provides a solution for such problems.

MY REVERSIBLE FIXING SOLUTION

My invention relates to a quick and reversible mechanical fastening device, designed to allow for faster fastening and release of structures, as well as their repetition, during the service life of the technical structures to be joined and in which it is inserted. It is specifically designed for each mechanical project and is intended to be applied in any type of project where the speed and reversibility of fastening structures are important.

The quick and reversible mechanical fastening device that I invented not only allows for faster fastening and release of at least two structures, repeatedly, but can also be designed according to:

• the characteristics of the structures to be joined:

· the properties of the material(s) that constitute them;

· their dimensions (height, width and thickness);

• the physical, chemical and environmental stresses to which the structures are subjected, considering:

· their mechanical resistance (to rupture);

· their structural resistance (to deformation and corrosion).

With the use of the quick and reversible fastening device that I invented, we achieve the following objectives:

· greater flexibility in the design, manufacture and maintenance of the structures and technical devices under design;

· greater effectiveness (safety, speed and precision) of the fastening and release processes of these structures;

· greater preservation of the integrity of the material of the structures to be fixed and released on the mechanical projects.

MY REVERSIBLE FIXING SOLUTION DETAILS

My invention relates to a quick and reversible mechanical fastening device, consisting of at least two parts, each installed on one of the structures to be joined, and a key that ensures speed and precision in fastening and releasing the structures to be coupled.

Each fastening device will be designed according to a predefined model, in accordance with its future use. It will therefore be designed based on the dimensional characteristics and materials of the structures to be joined and the physical, chemical, and environmental stresses to which these structures will foreseeably be subjected during their service life. With this methodology, the best adaptation of each fastening mechanism to the respective technical device is ensured.

The quick and reversible mechanical fastening device is indicated for use in projects where the fastest and most precise fastening and release of structures or components is relevant, repeatedly or not, whether in current use processes, for logistics packing or for maintenance and/or repair tasks.

The quick and reversible mechanical fastening device that I invented, therefore comprises:

• an Internal Part (1), incorporated into the innermost structure, which is composed of 3 levels:

o one, more internal, housing a Central Spring (9) which, by acting on a Central Semi-Sphere (8), stabilizes and maintains the Key (3) in the closed position;

o an intermediate level, where the Internal Lock (4) of the Key (3) slides and which incorporates two Internal Lock Stops (7) that limit the rotation of the Key (3) and stabilize it in the closed position;

o and an outermost level that serves as support for the Internal Lock (4) of the Key (3);

• an External Part (2), incorporated into the outermost and most accessible structure of the exterior, which is also composed of three levels:

o an inner level where the External Lock (5) of the Key (3) slides;

o an intermediate level that serves as support for this External Lock (5);

o and an external level where the External Part of the Key (6) is housed;

• a Key (3), which is composed of at least three levels:

o an internal level, comprising a cylindrical shaft and supporting the Internal Lock (4);

o an external intermediate level, comprising a cylindrical shaft of larger diameter than the internal cylindrical shaft and supporting the External Lock (5);

o and an external level, the External Part of the Key (6), ergonomically designed and allowing manual operation of the Key (3).

To ensure the most precise adjustment of the two or more parts that constitute the quick and reversible mechanical fastening device, there are two Positioning Fittings (12) on the inner face of the External Part (2) of each two juxtaposed structures and two Lateral Semi-Spheres (10), held under pressure by Lateral Springs (11), on the outer face of the Internal Part (1) of each two juxtaposed structures. By fitting the Lateral Semi-Spheres (10) into the Positioning Fittings (12), the greatest precision in coupling the two parts is guaranteed, as well as the greatest safety and speed in inserting and closing the Key (3), and in opening and removing it, without any material damage. The Positioning Fittings (12) and their respective Lateral Semi-Spheres (10) are positioned so as not to interfere with the relative movement of the structures to be fastened, whether in the approach movement for fastening or in the separation movement for releasing the structures.

The operation of the quick and reversible mechanical fastening device then occurs as follows:

• For fastening, the, at least, two structures and their respective Internal Part (1) and External Part (2) are brought together, and their perfect fit is ensured by fitting the Side Semi-Spheres (10) of the Internal Part (1) into the respective Positioning Fittings (12) of the External Part (2). With the structures properly positioned, the Key (3) is inserted all the way in and, by applying pressure to overcome the resistance of the Central Spring (9), which presses the Central Semi-Sphere (8) into the Internal Part (1), the Key (3) is rotated by a maximum of ¼ turn, counterclockwise, until the Internal Lock (4) of the Key (3) comes into contact with the respective Stops of the Internal Lock (7) in the intermediate section of the Internal Part (1).

• For release, the Key (3) is pressed to overcome the resistance of the Central Spring (9) and rotated a maximum of ¼ turn clockwise. The Internal Lock (4) and the External Lock (5) are thus released simultaneously, and the Key (3) can be completely removed. The, at least, two structures can then be separated, either by sliding between them, or by perpendicular separation, with the immediate release of the Lateral Semi-Spheres (10) from their respective Positioning Fittings (12).

BUSINESS BENEFITS

The main advantages for the industry that uses this innovative reversible fastening mechanism for quick and reversible fixing are:

· greater flexibility in the design, manufacture and maintenance of the structures and technical devices under design;

· greater effectiveness (safety, speed and precision) of the fastening and release processes of these structures;

· greater preservation of the integrity of the material of the structures to be fixed and released on the mechanical projects with an additional economic advantage.

There can be several prestigious marketing and image advantages to a company that consider using this innovative solution:

· greater carbon footprint reduction with planet friendly image.

SUMMARY

My invention refers to the field of the mechanisms for fastening two or more structures, in a temporary or permanent manner.

The object of the invention is a reversible fastening mechanism comprising, at least, an Internal Part (1), an External Part (2) and a Key (3), in which the Internal Part (1) and External Part (2) are each installed in one of the structures to be joined, being secured by the Key (3), which ensures the rapid and precise fixation and release of these structures.

The reversible mechanical fixing mechanism which is indicated for use in projects for which speed and precision in the fixation and release of structures or components is relevant.

My invention has foreseeable practical application in the automotive and other vehicle construction industries, in the aerospace industry, in the naval industry and in any other technical equipment subject to frequent maintenance.

CALL ME!

If you want your company to be in the first line of more sustainable development, and your projects to be considered state-of-the-art in modern and more sustainable technology, contact us.

And do it fast…

Our beloved planet needs all our efforts to make it, not only fast but more important than anything else, healthier!