Receptacle for fasteners and an associated installation method

Abstract

A receptacle for a fastener is provided that may be relatively light weight and compact, may reduce the number of parts required for mounting an object to a surface, and may allow for greater flexibility in positioning the fastener. Additionally, a corresponding method for installing a receptacle and mounting an object is provided. The receptacle has an outer housing and a floating insert, and the floating insert is positioned within an internal cavity of the outer housing. A fastener may be inserted into an internal cavity of the floating insert through apertures in the outer housing and the floating insert. The floating insert is configured such that it is movable within the outer housing. As a result, the location of the aperture of the floating insert is adjustable, providing greater tolerances during the installation process.

1 . A receptacle comprising:
 an outer housing having a first rim extending circumferentially thereabout, said outer housing defining:
 an internal cavity configured to receive a plurality of latching members of a fastener; and 
 an aperture defined by the first rim, said aperture opening into the internal cavity. 
   
   
   
       2 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  further comprising a cap configured to mate with the outer housing to at least partially close the internal cavity of the outer housing. 
   
   
       3 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the outer housing further comprises at least one opening for the application of adhesive to engage the receptacle to a mounting surface. 
   
   
       4 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the outer housing further comprises a second rim disposed at an end of the outer housing opposite the first rim, and wherein the second rim extends radially outwardly beyond the first rim. 
   
   
       5 . A receptacle according to  claim 4  wherein the second rim has at least one pin extending therefrom to orient the receptacle and engage the mounting surface. 
   
   
       6 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the aperture has a keyhole shape defined by a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion intersect, and wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion. 
   
   
       7 . A receptacle according to  claim 1  wherein the outer housing defines a notch to facilitate orientation of the receptacle with respect to the mounting surface. 
   
   
       8 . A receptacle comprising:
 an outer housing defining
 an internal cavity; and 
 an aperture that opens into the internal cavity; and 
   a floating insert positioned within the internal cavity of the outer housing, said floating insert defining an internal cavity configured to receive latching members of a fastener and an aperture that opens into the internal cavity of the floating insert, said floating insert sized to be smaller than the internal cavity of the outer housing so as to be movable therewithin.   
   
   
       9 . A receptacle according to  claim 8  further comprising a cap configured to mate with the outer housing to at least partially close the internal cavity of the outer housing. 
   
   
       10 . A receptacle according to  claim 8  wherein the aperture of the floating insert is smaller than the aperture of the outer housing. 
   
   
       11 . A receptacle according to  claim 8  wherein the outer housing defines a longitudinal axis extending through the aperture of the outer housing and a lateral axis extending orthogonally thereto, and wherein the floating insert is sized to move laterally within the internal cavity of the outer housing. 
   
   
       12 . A receptacle according to  claim 11  wherein the floating insert is sized such that in all positions the aperture of the floating insert is within the aperture of the outer housing. 
   
   
       13 . A receptacle according to  claim 8  wherein the outer housing forms a rim extending away from the internal cavity of the outer housing and disposed at an end of the outer housing opposite the aperture, said rim defining at least one opening for application of adhesive to engage the receptacle to a mounting surface. 
   
   
       14 . A receptacle according to  claim 13  wherein the rim defines at least one pin extending therefrom to orient the receptacle and engage the mounting surface. 
   
   
       15 . A method comprising:
 providing a receptacle comprising an outer housing and a floating insert, said outer housing defining an internal cavity and an aperture that opens into the internal cavity of the outer housing; and said floating insert defining an internal cavity and an aperture that opens into the internal cavity of the floating insert;   positioning the floating insert within the internal cavity of the outer housing such that the floating insert is moveable therewithin;   mounting the receptacle to a surface; and   inserting a fastener at least partially into the internal cavity of the floating insert.   
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  further comprising attaching a cap to the outer housing after positioning the floating insert therein. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein mounting the receptacle to the surface comprises forming a hole in the surface, inserting the receptacle therein, and bonding the receptacle within the hole. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the outer housing further defines a rim disposed around the aperture that extends away from the internal cavity of the outer housing, and wherein mounting the receptacle to the surface comprises forming a hole in the surface, inserting the receptacle at least partially therein, bonding the receptacle within the hole, and bonding the rim to the surface, such that the receptacle is not flush with the surface. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein mounting the receptacle to the surface comprises bonding the receptacle to the surface. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein inserting the fastener comprises moving the floating insert relative to the outer housing to receive the fastener. 
   
   
       21 . An aircraft interior assembly comprising:
 an aircraft interior surface;   a receptacle mounted to said aircraft interior surface comprising an outer housing defining an internal cavity and an aperture that opens into the internal cavity;   a fastener sized to partially fit within the receptacle; and   an interior component affixed to the aircraft interior surface by said fastener.   
   
   
       22 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the receptacle further comprises a cap attached to the outer housing to at least partially close the internal cavity of the outer housing. 
   
   
       23 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the outer housing of the receptacle forms a rim extending away from the internal cavity of the outer housing, disposed at an end of the outer housing opposite the aperture, and defining at least one opening for the application of adhesive to engage the receptacle to the aircraft interior surface. 
   
   
       24 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 23  wherein the rim defines at least one pin extending therefrom, and wherein the receptacle is oriented relative to the aircraft interior surface such that the at least one pin engages therein. 
   
   
       25 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the receptacle further comprises a floating insert positioned within the internal cavity of the outer housing, said floating insert defining an internal cavity configured to receive a plurality of latching members of the fastener and an aperture that opens into the internal cavity of the floating insert. 
   
   
       26 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 25  wherein the aperture of the floating insert is smaller than the aperture of the outer housing. 
   
   
       27 . An aircraft interior assembly according to  claim 25  wherein the outer housing defines a longitudinal axis extending through the aperture of the outer housing and a lateral axis extending orthogonally thereto, and wherein the floating insert is sized to move laterally within the internal cavity of the outer housing such that in all positions the aperture of the floating insert is within the aperture of the outer housing.