Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02803399 2013-01-22
A chain of T-nuts
Detailed Description of the Invention
Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to a chain of a plurality of T-nuts that are
connected in a
column.
Background of the Invention
[0002]
Conventionally, there has been taped T-nuts that are connected by using
adhesive tape in a
column (see e.g., Patent Document 1). Such taped T-nuts have the T-nuts
aligned on a tape, so
that when driving the T-nuts, it is advantageous that simple driving
equipments can be used that
do not have an alignment device for aligning the T-nuts.
[0003]
However, in producing such taped T-nuts, a process or equipment is required
for aligning the T-
nuts and applying them on an adhesive tape. Also, when packing up and shipping
them, the tape
might have been turned away, or some of the T-nuts might have been detached.
These problems
might increase the costs and been disadvantageous.
[0004]
On the other hand, in the arts of wiring of electric system for automobiles
and home electronics,
a connector with a plurality of terminals is used. In producing such a
connector, there has been
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.. proposed a method for applying to the connector by cutting each of the
terminals connected in a
chain (see, e.g., Patent Document 2).
[0005]
Then, the inventor of the present invention has considered the arts. He has
conceived that in
carrying out sheet metal work to produce T-nuts from a metal plate, to leave a
bridge between
adjacent T-nuts in punching to produce T-nuts can make a plurality of T-nuts
connected in a
chain, which can be replaced with the conventional taped T-nuts.
Prior Art
Patent literature
[0006]
Patent document 1: JP,2004-17250, A
Patent document 2: JP,2008-34325, A
Summary of the Invention
Problem to be solved by the invention
[0007]
However, in such a chain of T-nuts, it is required to work for making the
female screws of the
shank in a state where a plurality of T-nuts are connected. Here, the claws
are obstructive so that
it becomes difficult to hold the shank, which can make it difficult to perform
the female screw
processing precisely.
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[0008]
In light of the objectives as identified above, the present invention is to
provide a chain of T-nuts
in which the female screw processing can be performed precisely.
Means for solving problem
[0009]
In considering the objectives above, there is provided a chain of T-nuts
comprising a plurality of
T-nuts connected with bridges in a column, integrally formed from a strip of
metal plate. Each
of the T-nuts includes a cylindrical shank having openings at both ends, and
an internal surface
forming a female screw. Each of the T-nuts includes flanges provided at a
periphery of one of
the openings at a base side of the shank. Each of the T-nuts includes claws
provided at the
flange to be extended in a direction from the flange to a tip side of the
shank. The claws are cut
and raised from an outside to an inside in a width direction of the strip of
the metal plate. Here,
the width direction corresponds to the direction of a width of the strip-like
of the metal plate.
[0010]
Thus, the chain of T-nuts of the present invention has the claws that are cut
and raised from the
outside toward the inside of the width direction of the strip-like metal
plate. Therefore, there are
no claws formed on the edge periphery of the flange in the width direction.
Therefore, when
forming female screw on the inner surface of the shank, the edge periphery of
the shank without
the claws can be held in the width direction from the outside. As a result,
the flange can be held
for precise working for making the female screw.
[0011]
In the chain of T-nuts of the present invention, the claws can be preferably
provided at a position
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that the claws are not overlapped with the shank in the width direction. In
such a configuration,
the outer periphery surface of the shank can be held from the outside in the
width direction for
female screw working. Therefore, further precise working can be expected for
providing the
female screw.
[0012]
The chain of T-nuts of the present invention can be favorably provided with a
pair of bridges
between the flanges of T-nuts adjoining. In such a configuration, the chain of
T-nuts can be
effectively prevented from being twisted.
[0013]
The chain of T-nuts of the present invention can be favorably provided with a
through hole by
surrounding the flanges of the T-nuts adjoining, and the pair of the bridges.
In addition, the
through hole can be favorably in a shape of an ellipse, a track shape, or a
rounded rectangular. In
such a configuration, the bridge can be prevented from being bent or twisted
at comers of the
through hole. Moreover, the cutting-die can be simplified for piercing the
through hole.
[0014]
The chain of T-nuts of the present invention can be favorably provided with a
through hole by
surrounding the flanges of the T-nuts adjoining, and the pair of the bridges.
In addition, slits can
be favorably provided at both ends of the width direction of the through hole.
In such a
configuration, the slits can be opened such that the pitch of the T-nuts can
be adjusted.
[0015]
The strip of the metal plate can be favorably punched to form a shape
including a circle or
approximately ellipse. In addition, a part of a periphery of the shape can be
favorably cut and
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raised to form the claws. In such a configuration, a cutting-die for forming
the flange can be
simplified.
[0016]
The shank can be favorably provided with an enlarged portion at a base side
thereof in which an
outer diameter and an inner diameter of the shank is bigger than those at a
tip side of the shank.
In such a configuration, the enlarged portion can be well engaged with a hole
of a fixation
material when driving the T-nut therein.
[0017]
The shank can be favorably provided with a portion to be caulked at a tip side
of the shank. The
portion to be caulked portion can be caulked with a fixation material. In such
a configuration,
the T-nut can be well fixed with a fixation material.
[0018]
The shank can be favorably provided with a deformed portion by concaving a
part of an outer
surface of the shank. In such a configuration, a bolt screwed inside the shank
can be well
engaged with the deformed portion to prevent the screwed bold from released.
Effects of the Invention
[0019]
As described above, the present invention can provide a good chain of T-nuts
with which the
female screw is precisely processed on the shank.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] 5
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Fig. 1(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 1st embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 1(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 1(e) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.01]
Fig. 2 Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) are cross section views at the X-X line of the
chain of T-nuts of Fig.
1(b). Fig. 2(c) and Fig. 2(d) are fragmentary perspective views of the chain
of T-nuts of Fig.
1(b).
[0020.02]
Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) are cross section view at the X-X line the chain of T-
nuts of Fig. 1 (c).
Fig. 3(c) and Fig. 3(d) are fragmentary perspective views of the chain of T-
nuts of Fig. 1(c).
[0020.03]
Fig. 4(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 2nd embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 4(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 4(c) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.04]
Fig. 5(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 3rd embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 5(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 5(c) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.05]
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Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 4th embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 6(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 6(c) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.06]
Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 5th embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 7(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 7(c) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.07]
Fig. 8(a) is a plan view of a chain of T-nuts concerning the 6th embodiment of
the present
invention. Fig. 8(b) is a cross section view at the Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is
not provided on the tip of the shank. Fig. 8(c) is a cross section view at the
Y-Y line in which a
portion to be caulked is provided on the tip of the shank.
[0020.08]
Fig. 9(a) is a plan view showing the process to provide the female screw on
the internal surface
of the shank in the chain of T-nuts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 9(b) is a cross
sectional side view
thereof. Fig. 9(c) is a cross section view at the Z-Z line of Fig. 9(a).
[0020.09]
Fig. 10 is a view showing an example in which an expanding part is provided on
the shank of the
chain of T-nuts of the present invention.
[0020.10]
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Fig. 11 is a view showing another example in which an expanding part is
provided on the shank
of the chain of T-nuts of the present invention.
[0020.11]
Fig. 12 is a view showing an example in which another flange part is provided
on the chain of T-
nuts of the present invention.
[0020.12]
Fig. 13 is a view showing an example of claws adaptable in the chain of T-nuts
of the present
invention.
[0020.13]
Fig. 14 is a view to explain the situation where the portion to be caulked of
the T-nut is bitten
into a fixing material.
Description of Embodiments
[0021]
Hereinafter, the embodiment of the chain of T-nuts of the present invention is
explained in full
detail, with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the scope of
the chain of T-nuts of
the present invention is not limited to the description of the following
embodiments.
[0022]
(The 1st embodiment)
Fig. 1(a) shows a chain of T-nuts 10 of the 1st embodiment of the present
invention. The chain
of T-nuts 10, including T-nut 1, is produced by sheet metal work of the
slitter coil (i.e., a strip-
shaped metal plate, which is not shown in the drawings) formed by slitting the
coil material of
the metal plate. In the production thereof, a bridge part 5 is left between
adjacent T-nuts 1,
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thereby resulting in a structure in which a plurality of T-nuts 1 are
connected in a shape of
column.
[0023]
As shown in Fig. 2, the T-nut 1 has: the cylindrical shank 2 in which both
ends are opened and
its internal surface has the female screw 2a; the flange 3 provided at the
periphery of the opening
at the base side of the shank 2 (i.e., the lower side of Fig. 2); and claws 4
extended from the
flange 3 to the tip side of the shank 2 (i.e., the upper side of Fig. 2).
[0024]
As shown in Fig. 2, a chain of T-nuts 10 include the shank 2 of T-nut 1 of the
shank 2, whose
internal surface has formed the female screw 2a over almost the total length
thereof. By the way,
as shown in Fig. 1(c) and Fig.3, the T-nut 11 of the chain of T-nuts 10A can
be provided with a
tip of the shank 12 which has a portion to be caulked 12b where the female
screw is not formed.
The portion to be caulked 12b can bite with the fixation object D for fixation
when the T-nut 11
is driven into the fixation object D, as shown in Fig. 14.
[0025]
As shown in Fig. 1(a), the flange 3 has been shaped into an approximately
hexagon in its plane
view. Here, the flange 3 does not have the claws 4 on the sides 3b, 3b at both
ends thereof in a
width direction, so that when the internal surface of the shank 2 is processed
for the female screw,
the sides 3b, 3b can be used to be held by a holding means C (see Fig. 9).
[0026]
The claws 4 can be formed such that the slitter coil (i.e., strip-like metal
plate) is cut and raised
from its outer side to its inner side in the width direction (i.e., the upper
and lower direction in
Fig. 1(a). As shown in Fig. 1(a), the claws can be formed at an inner area in
the width direction
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than the sides 3b, 3b of the flange 3. A pair of the claws 4 are provided at
each side of the shank
2 in the column direction of the (i.e., the right and left directions of Fig.
1(a)). A total of two
pairs, that is, four claws, are provided. When the T-nut 1 is seen from the
perpendicular
directions of the center of shank 2 and the column direction of the T-nuts,
the claws 4 are
provided in a position where they are not overlapped with the shank 2.
By providing the claws 4 in such a position that they are not overlapped with
the shank 2 in a
view from the width direction, a portion in the width direction of the outer
peripheral surface of
the shank 2 can be deformed to provide with a concave portion 2e, so that a
deformed part 2e can
be provided on the female screw 2a. The formation of the deformed part 2e can
avoid the bolt
screwed with the shank 2 from being detached.
[0027]
The bridge 5 can be formed as follows. When the flange 3 is punched from a
slitter coil, a center
part between the sides 3a, 3a, opposed to adjacent flanges 3, 3, is left. As
such, by leaving a part
of the slitter coil as the bridge 5 to connect the T-nuts 1, it can become
unnecessary to provide a
process or device to align and connect the T-nuts after producing them.
[0028]
With respect to the chain of T-nuts 10, after completing the spinning of the
shank 2, the cutting
of the claws 4, and the separation of unnecessary parts (not shown in the
drawings) from the
flanges 3, a tapper A is used for processing of the female screw 2a on the
inner surface of the
shank 2, as shown in Fig. 9(b). In processing for the female screw, the shank
2 and the flange 3
are held by a holding means B and C, that are extended in a strip shape from
the both sides of the
width direction thereof )i.e., the upper and lower direction of Fig. 9(a), and
the right and left
direction of Fig. 9(c).10
CA 02803399 2013-01-22
[0029]
In the chain of T-nuts 10, the claws 4 are formed at the position where they
are not overlapped
with the shank 2 in the view from the width direction (see Fig. 9(b)).
Therefore, the shank 2 can
be held from the width direction of the flange 3 (i.e., the upper and lower
direction in Fig. (a)) by
using a holding means B. Also, since the claws 4 are formed at an inner area
than the sides 3b,
3b in the width direction of the flange, the flange 3 can be held by using a
holding means C from
the width direction. Therefore, a female screw processing can be performed
precisely.
[0030]
(The 2nd Embodiment)
Fig. 4 is a chain of T-nuts 20 of the 2nd embodiment of the present invention.
The chain of T-
nuts 20 has the structure in which the adjoining T-nuts 1 are connected by a
single bridge 25, in
the same manner as the T-nut 10 of the 1st embodiment. As shown in Fig.4(a),
the bridge 25 is
formed at the edge of the side 3a (i.e., the upper edge in Fig. 4(a) for
providing a pair of the
claws 4 in the width direction of the flange 3 (i.e., the upper and lower
direction of Fig. 4(a)).
It is noted that when connecting the flanges 3, 3 by a single bridge as shown
in the first and the
second embodiments, the bridge can be provided at any part of the side 3a.
It is also noted that in the embodiments such as the 2nd to the sixth
embodiments or other
embodiments, the same numerical reference numbers are used for the components
which are
common to the 1st embodiment, and a detailed description is omitted.
[0031]
(The 3rd Embodiment)
Fig.5 is a chain of T-nuts 30 of the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.
In the chain of T-
nuts 30, as shown in Fig.5(a), a pair of bridges 35, 35 are provided at the
both edges of the side
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3a in the width direction (i.e., the vertical direction in Fig. 5(a)) of the
flange 3. By connecting
the adjacent T-nuts 1, 1 by a pair of bridges 35, 35, a twist of the chain of
T-nuts 30 can be
effectively prevented. A rectangular through hole 36 is formed in the area
surrounded by the
pair of bridges 35, 35 and the adjoining flanges 3, 3.
[0032]
(The 4th Embodiment)
Fig. 6 is a chain of T-nuts 40 of the 4th embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig.
6(a), the chain of T-nuts 40 is provided with a pair of bridges 45, 45 between
the adjoining
flanges 3 in the same manner as the chain of T-nuts 30 according to the 3rd
embodiment.
[0033]
In the chain of T-nuts 40, a through hole 46 is formed in a shape of
approximate ellipse
surrounded by a pair of the bridges 45, 45 and the flanges 3, 3. Thus, by
making the through
hole 46 into such an elliptic form, it can omit a corner formed on the through
hole 46, and
therefore, the bridges 45, 45 are prevented from being bent or twisted at
corners. Also by
making the through hole 46 into such an elliptic form, the composition of a
die-cutting mold for
forming the through hole 46 can be simplified.
The through hole 46 can be formed into another shape such as a track form or
rounded
rectangular shape, instead of an ellipse.
[0034]
(The 5th Embodiment)
Fig. 7 is a chain of T-nuts 50 of the 5th embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig.
7(a), the chain of T-nuts 50 is also provided with a pair of bridges 55, 55
between the adjoining
flanges 3, 3. The bridges 55 are formed into a curved shape in which its
central portion is
12
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projected to the outside direction in the width direction.
[0035]
The through hole 56 surrounded by the flanges 3, 3 and a pair of the bridges
55, 55 is formed in
an approximately track shape. By shaping the through hole 56 into a track
form, it can omit a
corner formed on the through hole 56, and therefore, the bridges 55, 55 can be
prevented from
being bent or twisted at corners concerned. Also by shaping the through hole
56 into a track
form, the composition of a die-cutting mold for forming the through hole 56
can be simplified.
The through hole 56 can be formed into another shape such as ellipse or
rounded rectangular
instead of such a track form. It is noted that the track shape does not have
to have a perfect
semicircles at both ends thereof.
[0036]
A pair of slits 56a, 56a are provided at the both ends of the through hole 56
in the width direction.
In other words, the bridges 5 are fol Hied in such a curved shape, as well as
the slits 56a are
formed by the through hole 56. Therefore, when producing the chain of T-nuts
50 or when
driving them, the chain of T-nuts 50 is pulled in the direction of the column
of the T-nut 1 such
that the slits 56a can be opened. Thus, the pitch between the T-nuts 1 can be
adjusted.
[0037]
(The 6th Embodiment)
Fig. 8 is a chain of T-nuts 60 of the 6th embodiment of the present invention.
In the chain of T-
nuts 60, a pair of bridges 65, 65 are provided such that the both ends of the
flange 3 in the width
direction (i.e., the vertical direction of Fig. 8(a)) are connected, as is
shown in Fig.(a). Since the
bridges 65, 65 are provided at the outermost edges of the flange 3 in the
width direction, the
chain of T-nuts 60 can be significantly effectively prevented from being
twisted by the bridges
13
,
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65,65.
[0038]
(Other Embodiments)
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show other embodiments of T-nuts 21 and 31, that can be
arranged for the
chain of T-nuts of the present invention. The T-nut 21 of Fig. 10 has a
portion to be caulked 22b
at the tip side of the shank 22, and a step barrel portion (i.e., an enlarged
portion) at the base side
in which the inner diameter and the outer diameter are bigger than those of
the tip portion. As
shown in Fig. 11, the T-nut 31 has a shank 32 in which a step barrel portion
32d is provided at
the base side, and there is no provided a portion to be caulked at the tip
side.
[0039]
In all of the T-nuts described above, the flange 3 can be formed into a shape
as the flange 23
shown in Fig. 12, having a part of the outer edge thereof shaped circularly.
In case of the flange
23, in order to form the flange 23 and the claws 4, an outer peripheral part
27 of a circle or
approximate circular form (e.g., an ellipse is included) is formed by cutting
and raising a slitter
coil (i.e., strip-like metal). Then, among peripheral edges, the claws 4 are
raised to leave a
portion 23c. The portions 23a, 23b other than the portion 23c are formed
circularly. By forming
the flange 23 in such a shape, the mold for forming the flange 23 can be
simplified.
It is noted that the form of the flange is not restricted to the form such as
a hexagon or circular
arc as mentioned above. Without deviating from the spirits of the present
invention, a shape
surrounded in various kinds of polygon, various kinds of curves, and/or
straight lines can be used
for it.
[0040]
As shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 10(b)(d), Fig. 11(b)(d), in the T-nuts 11, 21, and
31, it is possible to14
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provide a concave portion 12c, 22c, and 32c on the shanks 12, 22 and 32. Thus,
a deformed
portion 12e, 22e, and 32e of the female screw can be formed. It is also noted
that the shank of all
of the T-nuts of the present invention can be provided with such a deformed
portion.
[0041]
Also, in the chain of T-nuts of the present invention, the claws 4 as
described above can be
varied as followed. As shown in Fig. 13(a), an outside end rim can be curved
without having
notches or hooks. As shown in Fig. 13(b), an outside end rim can be notched.
As shown in Fig.
13(c), an outside end rim can be provided with a hook. Four claws are provided
in the
description above, there is no restriction regarding the number of the claws.
The number of the
claws can be three or less, or instead, five or more.
[0042]
The chain of T-nuts of the present invention is not restricted to the
description above. It can
contain any combination of the shanks, the flanges, the claws and the bridges.
Also, any known
arts regarding the shanks, the flanges, the claws and the bridges can be
combined.
Industrial applicability
[0043]
Since the female screw portion is processed precisely, the chain of T-nuts of
the present
invention can be adapted in various T-nuts.
[0044]
The followings are brief description for the numerical references:
10, 10A, 20A, 30, 30A, 40, 40A, 50, 50A,60, 60A, 70, and 70A: the chain T-nut
1, 11, 21, 31: T-nut
2, 12, 22, and 32: Shank15
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2a, 12a, 22a, 32a female screw
12b, and 22b: a portion to be caulked
2c, 12c, 22c, and 32c: concave portion
2e, 12e, 22e, and 32e: deformed portion
22d and 32d: step bane! portion (i.e., enlarged portion)
3, and 23: flange
4: claws
5, 25, 35, 45, 55, and 65: bridge
27: a circle or an approximate circular form
36, 46, and 56: through hole
[0045]
As one embodiment, a chain oft-nuts are made from a metal plate. The chain oft-
nuts is aligned
in one line. See Fig. 1. The metal plate consists of three directions: the
length direction, the
width direction, and the thickness direction.
[0047]
The length direction is defined as corresponding to the line of the chain of
the t-nuts. The length
direction is the horizontal direction of Fig. 1(a).
[0048]
The width direction is defined as corresponding to the direction perpendicular
to the length
direction, when viewed from the above of the shank 2. In other words, the
width direction
corresponds to the direction perpendicular to the length direction on an upper
surface of the
metal plate. The width direction is the vertical direction of Fig. 1(a).
[0049] 16
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The thickness direction is defined as corresponding to the thickness of the
metal plate. The
thickness direction is the vertical direction of Fig. 1(b).
[0050]
The metal plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is
defined as the
surface having formed the shank. The lower surface is an opposite surface of
the upper surface.
Fig. 1(a) shows the upper surface of the metal plate.
[0051]
The flanges 3 are extended into the width direction of the chain. As described
in Fig. 1(a) when
viewed from an upper location of the shank 2, the claws 4 are formed closer to
the shank 2 than
the flange 4, in the width direction. In other words, the flanges 4 are formed
outside of the claws
4 in the width direction. In the width direction, where the flanges 4 are
formed, no claws are
formed. In this configuration, the holding means C as shown in Fig. 9 can
stably hold both of the
flanges of each t-nut to form the female screw.
[0052]
As shown in Fig. 1(a), the claws 4 are made by cutting and folding the metal
plate such that the
upper surfaces of the claws are substantially facing to each other. The corner
formed at the
upper surface of the metal plate by the clams is a line substantially running
along the length
direction, as shown in e.g., Figs. 1(a) and 2(c).
[0053]
The following invention is described: A chain of T-nuts aligned in one line,
the T-nuts being
made of a metal plate, the chain of T-nuts comprising: (i) a first T-nut; (ii)
a second T-nut; and
(iii) a bridge between the first T-nut and the second T-nut, wherein each of
the first T-nut and the
second T-nut comprises: (a) a shank with a female screw on the shank; (b) two
flanges extending
17
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in a width direction of the metal plate, and (c) at least two claws provided
between the shank and
the bridge in a length direction of the metal plate, wherein the length
direction corresponds to the
direction of said one line, wherein the width direction corresponds to the
direction perpendicular
to the length direction on an upper surface of the metal plate, wherein in the
width direction,
where the flanges are formed, no claws are formed.
[0054]
As one embodiment, the following invention is described. A chain of T-nuts
aligned in one line,
the T-nuts being made of a metal plate, the chain of T-nuts comprising: (i) a
first T-nut; (ii) a
second T-nut; and (iii) a bridge between the first T-nut and the second T-nut,
wherein each of the
first T-nut and the second T-nut comprises: (a) a shank with a female screw on
the shank; (b) two
flanges extending in a width direction of the metal plate, and (c) at least
two claws provided
between the shank and the bridge in a length direction of the metal plate,
wherein in the width
direction, where the flanges are formed, no claws are formed.
[0055]
The following invention is described. A chain of T-nuts aligned in one line,
the T-nuts being
made of a metal plate, the chain of T-nuts comprising: (i) a first T-nut; (ii)
a second T-nut; and
(iii) a bridge between the first T-nut and the second T-nut, wherein each of
the first T-nut and the
second T-nut comprises: (a) a shank with a female screw on the shank; (b) two
flanges extending
in a width direction of the metal plate, and (c) at least two claws provided
between the shank and
the bridge in a length direction of the metal plate, wherein the length
direction corresponds to the
direction of said one line, wherein the width direction corresponds to the
direction perpendicular
to the length direction on an upper surface of the metal plate, wherein a
corner formed at the
claw on the upper surface of the metal plate is a line substantially running
along the length
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direction.CA 02803399 2013-01-22
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