Spring Nut with Release

Abstract

A spring nut for attaching a threaded object to a structure can include first and second arms extending from the base, and a wedge element. The wedge element can be configured to selectively operatively urge the first and second arms apart to release the threaded object from between the first and second arms.

1 . A method of removing a threaded object from a unitary spring nut, the method comprising:
 with the threaded object retained between thread-engaging portions of a first arm and a second arm of the unitary spring nut, urging a wedge element of the unitary spring nut between the first and second arms to apply an outward releasing force to the first and second arms;   the outward releasing force from the wedge element urging the first and second arms apart from each other and away from the threaded object to release the threaded object from between the thread-engaging portions.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm extend resiliently from a base of the unitary spring nut to receive the threaded object therebetween in an axial insertion direction, without rotation of the threaded object, to retain the threaded object therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the wedge element is cantilevered from a first tab of the unitary spring nut at a location that is opposite the first and second arms from the base. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wedge element includes a first portion that extends away from the first tab and the first and second arms, a bend at an opposite end of the first portion from the first tab, and second portion that extends from the bend back toward the first and second arms; and
 wherein urging the wedge element between the first and second arms includes applying force to the wedge element at the bend, the applied force being directed toward the first and second arms.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bend protrudes to an opposite side of the first tab from the first and second arms. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein urging the wedge element between the first and second arms moves a curved profile at a distal end of the wedge element to receive the threaded object as the wedge element urges the first and second arms apart from each other. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outward releasing force includes an upward force applied by the wedge element to the first and second arms in a direction away from a base that supports the first and second arms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are configured to apply an inward force on the threaded object received therebetween and the outward releasing force of the wedge element acts on the first and second arms opposite the inward force. 
     
     
         9 . A method of retaining and releasing a threaded object with a spring nut, the method comprising:
 urging apart a first arm and a second arm of the spring nut by inserting the threaded object between the first and second arms in an insertion direction, the first and second arms extending from a base of the spring nut and being angled toward each other, relative to the base, for inwardly biased engagement of the first and second arms with the threaded object;   loading the threaded object in a loading direction that is opposite the insertion direction, to retain the threaded object between the first and second arms; and   releasing the threaded object from being retained between the first and second arms by urging a third arm of the spring nut between the first and second arms to urge the first and second arms outwardly away from the threaded object.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second arms extend from the base in the insertion direction; and
 wherein the third arm extends toward the base from an anchor point that is opposite the first and second arms from the base relative to the insertion direction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a distal end portion of the third arm is urged between the first and second arms to apply outward force to the first and second arms to release the threaded object; and
 wherein the distal end portion of the third arm is angled to increase the outward force as the third arm is urged farther between the first and second arms.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the outward force applied to the first and second arms includes an upward force component applied to the first and second arms in the insertion direction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 after releasing the threaded object by urging the third arm between the first and second arms, removing the threaded object from the spring nut; and   after removing the threaded object from the spring nut, releasing the third arm so that the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm return to a rest position and the spring nut is thereby configured to receive the threaded object or a different threaded object in the insertion direction.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the spring nut is suspended from a building structure by a tab that extends from the base and past the first and second arms, relative to the insertion direction, so that the threaded object is supported by the tab, relative to the building structure, upon the loading of the threaded object in the loading direction. 
     
     
         15 . A spring nut configured to releasably retain a threaded object therein, the spring nut comprising:
 a base;   a first arm and a second arm extending from the base, the first and second arms angling toward each other, relative to the base, to receive the threaded object in an insertion direction with an inwardly biased engagement of the first and second arms and thereby retain the threaded object against a loading of the threaded object in a loading direction that is opposite the insertion direction; and   a third arm configured to be selectively urged between the first and second arms to urge the first and second arms outwardly away from the threaded object and thereby release the threaded object from being retained between the first and second arms.   
     
     
         16 . The spring nut of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a first tab extending from the base, the first tab having a transverse portion that angles over the first and second arms;   wherein the third arm extends from the transverse portion of the first tab to be resiliently movable relative to the first and second arms.   
     
     
         17 . The spring nut of  claim 16 , wherein the third arm widens between a connection to the transverse portion and a bend of the third arm, the bend orienting a distal end of the third arm to engage the first and second arms. 
     
     
         18 . The spring nut of  claim 15 , wherein the third arm includes a wedge element with a distal end portion that is oriented toward the first and second arms. 
     
     
         19 . The spring nut of  claim 18 , wherein, in an installed configuration, the spring nut retains the threaded object with the first and second arms and the distal end portion of the wedge element is spaced apart from the threaded object. 
     
     
         20 . The spring nut of  claim 19 , wherein the distal end portion of the wedge element includes an indented profile arranged to provide a clearance between the distal end portion and the threaded object during release of the threaded object from the first and second arms.