Importance

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Abstract

The devices are floating engageable means which may be a floating nut or a floating driver for use in hostile environment, such as space. The device includes a housing with a cross-shaped opening, each arm of the cross receiving a wing of a floating member. A spring between the base of the housing and the back of the floating member urges the wings against the top surface of the arms of the cross-shaped opening in the housing. The cross-shaped openings may have a rectangular configuration with a thread surface forming the top surface of the opening. This permits the floating member to maintain a lateral offset. Alternatively, the arms may have a triangular outline with the vertex forming the top surface of the arms. With this configuration, a force will be provided to center the floating member in the housing. The floating member terminates in a an outwardly facing taper guiding surface which tapers to the engaging means of the floating member. With this arrangement, off axis and off angle mating is possible.

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First Claim