Fastening system for use with a structural member

Abstract

A fastening system provides for connecting structural members with blind fasteners. The fasteners are movably positionable along an elongated opening of a chamber, such as a channel, anchored with the structural members. A structural member may have multiple chambers. The fasteners are constructed with a holding portion of elongated members. The elongated members are movable for insertion into the chamber and for engaging the opposed margins of the channel.

1 . A fastening system adapted for use with a structural member, the fastening system comprising: 
 a plurality of opposed margins attached with the structural member forming an elongated opening of a chamber; and    a fastener comprising a holding portion, wherein the holding portion comprises: 
 a plurality of elongated members, wherein the plurality of elongated members are moveable between an insertion position for insertion through the elongated opening and an extended position for positioning with the plurality of opposed margins;  
 wherein the holding portion is positionable in the chamber, and wherein the fastener is movable along the elongated opening to a plurality of locations relative to the structural member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins is anchored with the structural member.  
   
   
       3 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins comprises parts of a channel fixed relative to the structural member.  
   
   
       4 . The fastening system of  claim 3 , wherein the channel defines the chamber.  
   
   
       5 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins and the structural member are fabricated from different materials.  
   
   
       6 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins is fabricated from metal.  
   
   
       7 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural member is fabricated from concrete.  
   
   
       8 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins and the structural member are fabricated from the same material.  
   
   
       9 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins is formed with the structural member.  
   
   
       10 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener further comprises a rod received with the holding portion, the rod extending out of the elongated opening.  
   
   
       11 . The fastening system of  claim 10 , wherein the rod is threadably received within the holding portion.  
   
   
       12 . The fastening system of  claim 10 , further comprising a compression member on the fastener, wherein the compression member moves the plurality of elongated members to the extended position.  
   
   
       13 . The fastening system of  claim 10 , wherein the holding portion further comprises a lip on each of the elongated members.  
   
   
       14 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated members comprises a lip; and wherein when the plurality of elongated members are in the extended position, the lips of at least two of the plurality of elongated members position the fastener with the elongated opening.  
   
   
       15 . The fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of elongated members further comprises a knob and a profile formed in the elongated member.  
   
   
       16 . The fastening system of  claim 15 , wherein the profile of a first elongated member of the plurality of elongated members is configured to receive the knob of a second elongated member of the plurality of elongated members for alignment of the first elongated member with the second elongated member.  
   
   
       17 . A structural member, comprising: 
 a structural mass;    a chamber positioned with the structural mass, the chamber comprising an elongated opening; and    a plurality of opposed margins defining the elongated opening to the chamber;    wherein the elongated opening is sized to receive a fastener into the chamber, wherein the fastener comprises a holding portion comprising a plurality of elongated members, wherein the plurality of elongated members are moveable between an insertion position for insertion through the elongated opening and an extended position for positioning with the plurality of opposed margins; and    wherein the plurality of opposed margins is configured to allow the fastener to slide along the elongated opening to a plurality of locations relative to the structural member.    
   
   
       18 . The structural member of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins is anchored with the structural mass.  
   
   
       19 . The structural member of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of opposed margins is substantially flush with a surface of the structural mass.  
   
   
       20 . A holding portion of a fastener, the holding portion comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated members, each elongated member comprising: 
 a recess configured to receive a portion of a nut;  
 a knob and a profile formed on a surface;  
 a bearing surface; and  
 a lip adjacent the bearing surface;  
   wherein the plurality of elongated members is moveable between an insertion position and an extended position; and    wherein the recess restricts a rotation of the nut when the elongated members are in the extended position; and    wherein when the plurality of elongated members is in the extended position, the lips of at least two of the plurality of elongated members position the holding portion for engagement of the rectangular bearing surfaces with a structural member.    
   
   
       21 . The holding portion of  claim 20 , wherein the bearing surface comprises a rectangular bearing surface.  
   
   
       22 . The holding portion of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 a compression member positioned with the plurality of elongated members, wherein the compression member resists movement from the extended position to the insertion position.    
   
   
       23 . The holding portion of  claim 22 , wherein the knob of a first elongated member of the plurality of elongated members engages the profile of a second elongated member of the plurality of elongated members to resist translational motion of the first elongated member relative to the second elongated member.  
   
   
       24 . A method for making a structural member, the method comprising: 
 providing a form for shaping a structural material;    positioning a plurality of opposed margins in the form to define an elongated opening;    blocking the elongated opening; and    providing the structural material into the form.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the structural material is concrete.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 positioning a plurality of reinforcing members in the form;    wherein the step of positioning the plurality of opposed margins comprises anchoring the plurality of opposed margins to the reinforcing members.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the step of positioning the plurality of opposed margins comprises providing a channel; and wherein the step of blocking the elongated opening comprises covering the elongated opening of the channel with a cover.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising covering an end of the channel with a cap.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein blocking the elongated opening comprises positioning a spacer between the plurality of opposed margins.  
   
   
       30 . A method for fastening an element to a structural member, the method comprising: 
 positioning a plurality of opposed margins with the structural member, defining an elongated opening;    positioning a holding portion of a fastener and a portion of a rod of the fastener in a chamber of the structural member, wherein the holding portion comprises a plurality of elongated members in an extended position;    engaging at least one of the plurality of elongated members of the holding portion with each of the plurality of opposed margins; and    supporting the element with the rod.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 reducing an engagement force of the plurality of elongated members of the holding portion with the opposed margins;    sliding the fastener along the elongated opening; and    increasing the engagement force of the plurality of elongated members of the holding portion with the opposed margin.    
   
   
       32 . A structure, comprising: 
 a first structural member, comprising: 
 a first chamber, comprising: 
 a first pair of opposed margins, forming a first elongated opening;  
 
   a second structural member, comprising: 
 a second chamber, comprising: 
 a second pair of opposed margins, forming a second elongated opening;  
 
   a second fastener, the second elongated opening sized to receive the second fastener; and    an element fastened by the first fastener to the first structural member and fastened by the second fastener to the second structural member;    wherein the first fastener is positionable to a plurality of locations relative to the first elongated opening; and    wherein the second fastener is positionable to a plurality of locations relative to the second elongated opening.    
   
   
       33 . The structure of  claim 32 , wherein the first structural member is a ceiling member and the second structural member is a wall member.  
   
   
       34 . The structure of  claim 32 , wherein the first structural member is a first wall member and the second structural member is a second wall member.