CLIAMS:1. A screw retainer comprising a hole at its first end, wherein the hole is configured to receive and retain a screw during its coupling with a counterpart such that when the screw is unscrewed from the counterpart, the retainer also starts rotating along with the screw to prevent falling of the screw from the retainer.

2. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the screw is configured in the hole using a screw driver.

3. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the counterpart is a nut.

4. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the screw is kept in a straight line even after unscrewing.

5. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer, at its second end, has a leg structure that expands when the screw passes therethrough and holds the screw.

6. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the screw is countersunk type.

7. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer is configured in a component.

8. The screw retainer of claim 7, wherein the component has a hole that the retainer is configured in such that while inserting the retainer into the hole, leg structure of the retainer is collapsed.

9. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer has threading provided therein to accommodate threading of the screw.

10. The screw retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer is made of plastic.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of screws. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a screw retainer configuration that retains a screw where it is mounted preventing the falling off of the screw after unscrewing it from counterpart.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] In certain applications such as in doors with screw fixing, it is necessary to retain the screw on the door of the panel even after unscrewing it from the fixing nut. This is because the same screw will be used for closing and opening the door several number of times. In order to implementing such retaining function, the screw is typically retained at the fixing hole with the help of a plastic washer/paper washer, wherein diameter of the plastic washer/ paper washer is such that the washer will hold the screw from the inner side such that the screw will not fall down even after unscrewing it. However, when the plastic washer is used as a screw retainer, cracks develop in the washer, leading to the washer eventually falling down from the screw, thereby defeating the purpose of the washer to retain the screw. Moreover, in situations where middle screw is disengaged keeping upper and lower side screw intact, there is a fair possibility that the washer will fall down while unscrewing the screw.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for an improved screw retainer that ensures that the screw is always retained inside the retainer even after unscrewing the screw.
[0005] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0006] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0007] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0008] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0009] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to ensure that the screw is always retained inside a screw retainer even after unscrewing the screw.
[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to insert the screw inside the retainer, giving no chance of the retaining component being broken.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to keep the screw in straight line even after unscrewing of the screw from the counterpart.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of screws. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a screw retainer that retains a screw where it is mounted and prevents the falling off of the screw of the screw after unscrewing it from counterpart. In an aspect, the screw retainer of the present disclosure can include a hole at its first end, wherein the hole is configured to receive and retain the screw during its coupling with the counterpart (such as a nut) such that when the screw is unscrewed from the counterpart, the retainer also starts rotating along with the screw to prevent falling of the screw from the retainer.
[0014] In an aspect, the screw (such as a countersunk type screw) can be configured in the hole of the proposed screw retainer using a screwdriver, wherein the screw can be kept in a straight line even after unscrewing. In another aspect, the retainer can be configured in the hole of a component such as that of a door, and, at its second end, have a leg structure that expands when the screw passes therethrough and holds the screw such that while inserting the retainer into the hole, the leg structure of the retainer is collapsed. In another aspect, the retainer has threading provided therein to accommodate threading of the screw, and can be of a plastic material.
[0015] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed screw retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary view/representation of the proposed screw retainer being fitted into a component in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary view/representation of the proposed screw retainer having configured therein a screw in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary view/representation of the proposed screw retainer having configured therein a screw and a counterpart/nut in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0022] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0023] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0024] Various embodiments and features shall now be described in detail with reference to drawings.
[0025] With reference to FIGs. 1-4, the present disclosure relates to a screw retainer 100 that retains a screw 102 where it is mounted and prevents the falling off of the screw 102 of the screw after unscrewing it from counterpart 104. In an aspect, the screw retainer 100 of the present disclosure can include a hole 106 at its first end, wherein the hole 106 is configured to receive and retain the screw 102 during its coupling with the counterpart 104 (such as a nut) such that when the screw 102 is unscrewed from the counterpart 104, the retainer 100 also starts rotating along with the screw 102 to prevent falling of the screw 102 from the retainer 100.
[0026] In an aspect, the screw 102 (such as a countersunk type screw) can be configured in the hole 106 of the proposed screw retainer 100 using a screwdriver, wherein the screw 102 can be kept in a straight line even after unscrewing. In another aspect, the retainer 100 can be configured in the hole of a component 108 such as that of a door, and, at its second end, have a leg structure 110 that expands when the screw 102 passes therethrough and holds the screw 102 such that while inserting the retainer 100 into the hole 106, the leg structure 110 of the retainer 100 is collapsed. In another aspect, the retainer 100 has threading provided therein to accommodate threading of the screw 102, and can be of a plastic material.
[0027] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the retainer 100 retains the screw 102 where it is mounted preventing the falling off of the screw 102 after unscrewing it from the counterpart such as a nut 104. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a retainer 100 that helps to retain the screw 102 and a screw assembly, wherein the retainer 100 is designed in such a way that when the screw 102 is inserted in the retainer 100, it will hold the screw 102 tightly in it. This assembly can be used to mount any door or partition on the channel of the panel board. The screw 102 can be tightened with the help of a tool e.g. screw driver. Thus, the component, which has to be mounted in the panel board is fixed at its position. When a user wishes to unmount the component, one has to unscrew the screw 102 with the help of the tool. When the screw 102 is disengaged from the counterpart 104 e.g. nut, if one tries to unscrew the screw 102, the retainer 100 will also start rotating with the screw 102. Thus, there is no relative movement between screw 102 and the retainer 100. Thus, the screw 102 will never fall down from the retainer 100.
[0028] In an aspect, one purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an efficient method to retain the screw 102 on the component 108 (partition or door), which has to be mounted in the pane board. The other purpose is to keep the screw 102 in a straight line even after unscrewing it from the nut 104 to ensure that the engagement of the screw 102 next time is proper when one tries to mount the component 108. As shown in FIG. 1, the screw retainer 100 is a single component that has leg like structure 110 at one end. At the other end, the provision for inserting the screw 102 is provided, wherein the screw 102 to be used can be of countersunk type. Component 108 can include a part that is constructed accommodate the thickness of the component on which screw fixing has to be done.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows the retainer 100 inserted in the hole of the component 108, wherein the component 108 can be represented by a plate. It can be a door or a partition that has to be screw fixed. In an aspect, the screw 102 has to be inserted from the side where arrow direction is shown in FIG. 2 such that when one tries to insert the screw 102 inside this retainer 100, the leg-like profile 110 starts to expand. Thus, when screw 102 is inserted till the end, the retainer 100 will hold the screw 102. Thus, the screw 102 cannot fall down from the retainer 100 unless it is unscrewed with a tool like screwdriver by holding the retainer 100 and not allowing it to rotate. As the screw is inserted inside the retainer 100, the legs 110 will expand outside and the retainer 100 cannot come out of the component 108 in any case.
[0030] In an aspect, during assembly, the retainer 100 can be inserted inside the hole provided on the plate 108 as shown in FIG. 2. While inserting the retainer 100, the leg like part 110 is collapsed and then regains its position back again after inserting it. Thus, the retainer 100 is click fitted in the 108. When the screw 102 has to be inserted, a tool (screw driver) is to be used. The threading can already be provided on the retainer 100. Thus, the screw 102 gets engaged with the retainer 100 and cannot fall down. Also, the leg like part 110 of the retainer 100 expands when the screw 102 is inserted inside it. Thus, the retainer 100 can never come out of the plate 110 on which it is fixed. FIG. 3 shows the screw 102 inserted in the retainer 100.
[0031] The counterpart 104 can be used for the fixing of the screw 102 and has a provision to accommodate the retainer 100 and it has nut held inside. The counterpart 104 is shown in FIG. 4. When the screw 102 is rotated with the screw driver, at one point, the screw 102 gets engaged with the nut 104. After this instance, the plate 108 can be fixed just by rotating the screw driver. When one wants to disassemble the component 108, the screw 102 has to be rotated in anticlockwise direction. The screw starts disengaging from the nut 104. At one point, the screw 102 disengages from the nut 104, wherein if the screw 102 is rotated further, the retainer 100 starts rotating with the screw 102, allowing no relative rotation between the screw 102 and the retainer 100. In an aspect, length of the screw 102 can be such that even after disengaging from the nut 104, the screw 102 still remains inside the retainer 100. So, the screw 102 will not come out of the retainer 100. Moreover, the retainer 100 cannot come out of the component 108 on which it is fixed, fulfilling the purpose of retaining the screw 102 on the component 108.
[0032] In an aspect, the screw 102 always remains in the straight line even if it is not engaged with the nut 104. This ensures that issue for the alignment of the screw 102 while fixing will not come. The screw 102 can never fall down from the retainer 100, and thus, the screw 102 is always retained at its position.
[0033] In another aspect, the retainer 100 keeps the screw 102 in straight line even after the unscrewing of the screw 102 from the counterpart 104. The retainer 100 further holds the screw 102 in such a way that the screw 102 will never fall down from the retainer 100. When the screw 102 is totally disengaged from the counterpart 104 (nut), after that if someone tries to rotate the screw 102, the retainer 100 will also start rotating with the screw 102, ensuring that there is no relative rotating movement between screw 102 and retainer 100. Thus, the screw 102 will not come off the retainer 100 in any case. In an aspect, the retainer 100 can be a plastic part. Thus, the surface finish of the component 108 on which the screw 102 has to be mounted is not hampered.
[0034] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present disclosure provides a screw retainer that ensures that the screw is always retained inside the retainer even after unscrewing the screw.
[0036] The present disclosure enables insertion of the screw inside the retainer, giving no chance of the retaining component being broken.
[0037] The present disclosure enables the screw to be in a straight line even after unscrewing of the screw from the counterpart.