Quick-connect stored energy torsional fastener

Abstract

A stored energy torsional rotary fastener device providing ready releasable attachment of first and second components. A fastener housing, attached to the first component, includes a cylindrical socket having an upper open end and a lower end configured by a pair of base segments defining a cross-slot the parallel edges of which are formed with concentrically disposed arcuate cutouts. The segments have interior helical pitched ramp portions establishing an interrupted thread support. A rotor, including an axial stem terminating in a radial disc axially positioned in the socket, is rotatably biased by a coiled spring interconnecting the rotor and housing. The rotor disc is formed with a depending axial hub having its lower portion journalled in the slot cutouts. The hub upper end includes oppositely extending radial lugs, with each lug underface formed with a helical pitch adapted to mate with an associated ramp portion, enabling axial threaded rotor travel. The hub terminates in an annular shoulder, encircling a lower axial stem, which stem ends in a cross-head adapted to extend through the cross-slot, with the cross-head providing an upwardly facing engaging surface. Threading the rotor in one direction advances it to a 'cocked and armed' mode with the lugs having diametrically opposite corner junctures rotatably biased against an associated cross-slot edge. Upon the cross-head being inserted through a second component mating slot the shoulder is displaced upwardly releasing the lugs, whereby the spring threads the rotor in the opposite direction such that the cross-head urges the components into engagement.