Detachable Fastener

Abstract

A fastener for securing a first object to a second object includes a push member, a rigid shaft, an engaging member, a biasing member, and an anchor. The push member and the anchor are fixed to opposite ends of the rigid shaft. The engaging member is slideably coupled to the rigid shaft between the push member and the anchor. The biasing member is disposed between the push member and the engaging member to urge the engaging member toward the anchor. In a particular embodiment, the anchor is deployable.

1 . A fastener for securing a feeder container to an animal enclosure, said fastener comprising:
 a push member having a first side and an opposite second side, said first side including a surface configured to disperse force exerted thereon by a user;   a rigid shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end of said rigid shaft being coupled to said second side of said push member;   an engaging member coupled to slide along said shaft, said engaging member defining an aperture and including a first side and an opposite second side, said rigid shaft extending through said aperture, and said second side of said engaging member configured to abut a surface of said animal enclosure;   a biasing member disposed between said push member and said engaging member, said biasing member urging said engaging member along said rigid shaft in a direction away from said push member; and   an anchor coupled to said second end of said rigid shaft, said anchor configured to pass through an opening in said animal enclosure and an opening in said feeder container when said anchor is in a first state and to prevent passage of said anchor through said opening in said animal enclosure and said opening in said feeder container when said anchor is in a second state, said anchor being transitionable between said second state and said first state by said user to facilitate the withdrawal of said anchor through said opening in said animal enclosure and said opening in said feeder container.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said second side of said push member further includes a first biasing member seat configured to position said biasing member with respect to said push member. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said biasing member is a compression spring having a first end and a second end;   said first biasing member seat is configured to seat said first end of said compression spring; and   said first side of said engaging member further includes a second biasing member seat configured to seat said second end of said compression spring to said engaging member.   
     
     
         5 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of claim  6 , wherein said pull mechanism is coupled to said first side of said engaging member and defines a surface configured to be engaged by at least one of said user's fingers. 
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said anchor is deployable from a loaded state to a deployed state, said anchor being in said first state when said anchor is in said loaded state and said anchor being in said second state when said anchor is in said deployed state; and   said engaging member includes a securing feature configured to secure said anchor in said loaded state.   
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 14 , wherein said securing feature includes a recess in said second side of said engaging member. 
     
     
         16 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor includes a biasing member configured to automatically deploy said anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener of  claim 19 , wherein said anchor includes a pair of hinged wings biased toward a spread position by said biasing member of said anchor. 
     
     
         21 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor includes a bend formed in said second end of said rigid shaft. 
     
     
         22 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing member includes a coil spring disposed around said rigid shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor includes a rigid cross-member rigidly attached to said second end of said rigid shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The fastener of  claim 23 , wherein said anchor is a T-member. 
     
     
         25 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A detachable container system comprising:
 a container defining an opening passing therethrough;   a fastener for securing said container to an object, said fastener including a rigid shaft having a first end and a second end,
 an engaging member coupled to slide along said shaft, said engaging member defining an aperture and including a first side and an opposite second side, said rigid shaft extending through said aperture, and said second side of said engaging member configured to abut a surface of said object, 
 a biasing member disposed between said first end of said rigid shaft and said engaging member, said biasing member urging said engaging member along said rigid shaft in a direction away from said first end of said rigid shaft, and 
 an anchor coupled to said second end of said rigid shaft, said anchor configured to pass through an opening in said object and said opening in said container when said anchor is in a first state and to prevent passage of said anchor through said opening in said container and said opening in said object when said anchor is in a second state, said anchor being transitionable between said second state and said first state by said user to facilitate the withdrawal of said anchor through said opening in said container and said opening in said object. 
   
     
     
         38 . The detachable container system of  claim 37 , wherein
 said fastener further includes a push member having a first side and an opposite second side;   said first side of said push member includes a surface configured to disperse force exerted thereon by a user; and   said rigid shaft extends between said second side of said push member and said engaging member.   
     
     
         39 . The detachable container system of  claim 37 , wherein:
 said object includes a plurality of bars;   said opening in said object is a space between said bars of said object; and   said second side of said engaging member is configured to engage said bars of said object.   
     
     
         40 . The detachable container system of  claim 39 , wherein said second side of said engaging member defines a plurality of protrusions configured to engage said bars of said object. 
     
     
         41 . The detachable container system of  claim 39 , wherein said second side of said engaging member defines a plurality of parallel ridges configured to engage said bars of said object. 
     
     
         42 . The detachable container system of  claim 37 , wherein:
 said anchor includes a cross member coupled to said second end of said rigid shaft;   said opening in said container is an elongated aperture;   said cross member is aligned with said elongated aperture of said container when said anchor is in said first state;   said cross member is misaligned with said elongated aperture of said container when said anchor is in said second state; and   said anchor is transitioned from said first state to said second state by rotating said rigid shaft while said rigid shaft is disposed through said opening in said object and said elongated aperture.   
     
     
         43 . The detachable container system of  claim 42 , wherein said container includes a feature for securing said anchor in said second state when said engaging member abuts said object. 
     
     
         44 . The detachable container of system of  claim 37 , wherein said container is a feeder. 
     
     
         45 - 48 . (canceled)