Flexible mount for a fan and like devices

Abstract

A flexible and stretchable mounting device for a fan or the like which has a shaft, a series of enlarged undulations axially arranged at one end of the shaft, and a head at one end of the shaft, the mounting device being adapted when stretched for insertion into aligned apertures on a chassis and a frame and relaxed to permit a selected undulation to hold the frame in spaced relation to the chassis. The device also includes a break away grip secured to the head for guiding the device into the apertures when stretched and which can be severed from the head when the device is arranged mounted on the chassis and frame.

1 . A flexible and stretchable mounting device for a fan or the like adapted when stretched for insertion into aligned apertures on a chassis and a frame and when relaxed to secure said frame and chassis in a selected spaced relation, said device comprising a shaft, and a series of enlarged undulations axially arranged on the shaft. 
   
   
       2 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said undulations are arranged adjacent to one another on said shaft. 
   
   
       3 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said undulations each have a tapered leading edge. 
   
   
       4 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mounting device is fabricated from silicone rubber. 
   
   
       5 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said undulations each have a trailing edge substantially perpendicular to said shaft. 
   
   
       6 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said device has a head at one end having a diameter larger than said enlarged undulations. 
   
   
       7 . In the mounting device recited in  claim 6 , wherein a disc is arranged on said device between said head and one of said undulations. 
   
   
       8 . In the device recited in  claim 7 , wherein said head is adapted to seat adjacent one surface of said chassis and said disc is adapted to seat against a reverse surface of said chassis opposed to said one surface. 
   
   
       9 . In the device recited in  claim 8 , wherein said disc spaces said chassis from said frame when said device is in relaxed position. 
   
   
       10 . In the device recited in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said shaft is free of said undulations. 
   
   
       11 . In the device recited in  claim 10 , wherein said shaft portion is substantially the diameter of said apertures. 
   
   
       12 . In the device recited in  claim 6 , wherein grip extends from said head on a side opposed to said undulations. 
   
   
       13 . In the device recited in  claims 12 , wherein said grip is secured to said head by a web. 
   
   
       14 . In the device recited in  claim 13 , wherein said grip is adapted for severing from said head across said web when said grip is manipulated transversely to said web. 
   
   
       15 . In the device recited in  claim 1 , wherein one end of said shaft opposed to said undulations if rounded for easy insertion into said apertures. 
   
   
       16 . In the device recited in  claim 1 , wherein undulations and said shaft not contained in said chassis and frame is severed from said device after said chassis and frame are secured together. 
   
   
       17 . In a method for securing a fan or like member to a chassis, the steps comprising stretching a flexible mounting device and inserting it into aligned apertures in said member and said chassis until said member and said chassis are arranged in a selected position, and relaxing said device to secure said member and said chassis in said position. 
   
   
       18 . In the method recited in  claim 17 , wherein said mounting device has a head, and said device is inserted into said apertures until said device is arranged against said head. 
   
   
       19 . In the method recited in  claim 18 , wherein a grip is secured to said head, and said grip is not inserted into said apertures. 
   
   
       20 . In the method recited in  claim 19 , wherein said grip is broken away from said head.