Fastener for variable mounting

Abstract

Disclosed is a fastener assembly comprising a first wedge portion having an angled end, a second wedge portion having an angled end, and a fastener extending through the first wedge portion and the second wedge portion, wherein a portion of the fastener protrudes from one of the first and second wedge portions for interfacing with a component to be mounted, wherein the angled end of the first wedge portion and the angled end of the second wedge portion are interfaced when the fastener is extended through the first wedge portion and the second wedge portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fastener assembly for variable mounting comprising: 
 a first wedge portion having an angled end;    a second wedge portion having an angled end; and    a fastener extending through said first wedge portion and said second wedge portion, wherein a portion of said fastener protrudes from one of said first and second wedge portions for interfacing with a component to be mounted, wherein said angled end of said first wedge portion and said angled end of said second wedge portion are interfaced when said fastener is extended through said first wedge portion and said second wedge portion.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said angled ends of said first and second wedge portions are at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to a longitudinal dimension of said fastener assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first wedge portion comprises at least one flat side adapted to cooperate with a receiver thereof to dispose said angled end in a desired orientation.  
     
     
         4 . The fastener assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said second wedge portion comprises at least one flat side corresponding to said at least one flat side of said first wedge portion, wherein at least one flat side of said first and second wedge portions cooperate with a slot configuration of said receiver to provide a plurality of degrees of freedom of movement and adjustability.  
     
     
         5 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said fastener comprises: 
 a screw, wherein said portion of said fastener protruding from one of said first and second wedge portions for interfacing with a component to be mounted comprises a threaded portion.    
     
     
         6 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a collar interfaced with said second wedge portion and engaging said portion of said fastener protruding from one of said first and second wedge portions to discourage extraction of said fastener from said first and second wedge portions.    
     
     
         7 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one pin interfaced with said second wedge portion and engaging said portion of said fastener protruding from one of said first and second wedge portions to discourage extraction of said fastener from said first and second wedge portions.    
     
     
         8 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a clip interfaced with said second wedge portion and engaging said portion of said fastener protruding from one of said first and second wedge portions to discourage extraction of said fastener from said first and second wedge portions.    
     
     
         9 . The fastener assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a spring disposed within said first and second wedge portions axially with respect to said fastener.    
     
     
         10 . A method for providing adjustable mounting with respect to first and second components, said method comprising: 
 inserting a fastener of a fastener assembly through first and second wedges of a fastener assembly;    disposing said first and second fastener assembly wedges in a receiver of said first component;    interfacing a portion of said fastener with a receiver of said second component; and    adjusting said fastener such that said first and second wedges slip relative to one another and engage walls of said receiver of said first part, thereby locking the position of the first component relative to said second component.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 adjusting a position of said first component relative to said second component prior to adjusting said fastener.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an axis of said adjusting said position is parallel to a direction of access for said adjusting said fastener.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said adjusting said position comprises at least two degrees of freedom with respect to adjustable movement of said first component relative to said second component.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said fastener comprises a screw and said interfacing a portion of said fastener comprises threading said portion of said screw into said receiver of said second component.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 capturing said first and second wedges on said fastener.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 maintaining a desired orientation of said first and second wedges with respect to said first component during said adjusting said fastener.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said maintaining a desired orientation comprises: 
 interfacing a flat surface of at least one of said first and second wedges with a corresponding receiver flat surface.    
     
     
         18 . A system for adjustably mounting a first component relative to a second component, said system comprising: 
 a fastener assembly having a first wedge portion having an angled end, a second wedge portion having an angled end, and a fastener extending through said first wedge portion and said second wedge portion, wherein a portion of said fastener protrudes from one of said first and second wedge portions for interfacing with a component to be mounted, wherein said angled end of said first wedge portion and said angled end of said second wedge portion are interfaced when said fastener is extended through said first wedge portion and said second wedge portion;    a receiver disposed in said first component sized and shaped to allow movement of at least a portion of said first and second wedge portions therethrough when said fastener assembly is not engaged; and    a receiver disposed in said second component sized and shaped to interface with said protruding portion of said fastener.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a retainer capturing said first and second wedge portions on said fastener.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said receiver disposed in said first component is slotted, said adjustably mounting allowing adjustment in at least two degrees of freedom.