Term #1,916
fastener (mechanical)
Claim Term
fastener (mechanical)
Reference Case 1
RMT-1PROV
Date Added
10/11/22
Created
10/11/22, 2:51 PM
Modified
12/21/22, 7:07 PM
Full Desc
"Fastener", "fixation device", or "fastener system" refers to any structure configured, designed, or engineered to join two structures. Fasteners may be made of a variety of materials including metal, plastic, composite materials, metal alloys, plastic composites, and the like. Examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to screws, rivets, bolts, nails, snaps, hook and loop, set screws, bone screws, nuts, posts, pins, zippers, tie downs, buckles that include a male member and a female member, a cam buckle and a strap or tether, thumb screws, and the like. Other examples of fasteners include, but are not limited to wires, anchors, plates, rods or pins, implants, sutures, soft sutures, soft anchors, tethers, interbody cages, fusion cages, and the like. In certain embodiments, the term fastener may refer to a fastener system that includes two or more structures configured to combine to serve as a fastener.
One example of a fastener is a buckle that can releasably connect one strap to another structure such as another strap. In certain embodiments, a fastener can include an anchor strap connected to one member of the fastener and a span strap connected to another member of the fastener. Together, the first and second members may form a buckle. Such example fasteners include backpack or camping straps and buckles, side squeeze buckles and straps, outdoor recreation straps and buckles, one or more straps and cam buckles, and the like. In certain embodiments, the fastener can include a buckle and one or more straps and the buckle can include a pin, bar, or other structure that enables adjustment of a length of the strap that couples to the buckle.
Another example of a fastener system is a rod or shaft having external threads and an opening or bore within another structure having corresponding internal threads configured to engage the external threads of the rod or shaft.
In certain embodiments, the term fastener may be used with an adjective that identifies an object or structure that the fastener may be particularly configured, designed, or engineered to engage, connect to, join, contact, or couple together with one or more other structures of the same or different types. For example, a "metal fastener" may refer to an apparatus for joining or connecting one or more metal structures, or the like. In certain embodiments, a fastener may be a temporary fastener. A temporary fastener is configured to engage and serve a fastening function for a relatively short period of time. Typically, a temporary fastener is configured to be used until another procedure, stage, or operation is completed and/or until a particular event. In certain embodiments, a user may remove or disengage a temporary fastener. Alternatively, or in addition, another structure, event, or machine may cause the temporary fastener to become disengaged.