Abstract: A two piece rivet having a deflectable drive pin for retaining the drive pin in a partially inserted position between the expandable prongs of the rivet is disclosed. The deflectable drive pin includes a hole forming two parallel resiliently deflectable segments each having a radial nib resiliently urged against the head of the rivet in a central drive pin hole. Retention of the drive pin in the fully inserted position between the prongs is effected by a pair of spaced apart circumferential interrupted grooves on the pin receiving projections on inner surfaces of the rivet prongs.

Abstract: An integral hold out spring and built-in stop ring is provided on a threaded bolt. The bolt is adapted to be inserted through a hole in a panel. The hold out spring and built-in stop ring is inserted into a bore in the bolt, the hold out spring portion extending out of a slot in the bolt and the built-in stop ring portion entering a groove adjacent the nose of the bolt. In one embodiment of the invention, a washer having inwardly extending tabs is installed on the shank of the bolt prior to insertion of the built-in stop ring portion, the tabs riding in grooves extending along the outer body of the bolt and stopped in their downward movement by engagement with the built-in stop ring portion.

Abstract: A threaded insert 22 is restrained from rotation by deformation into a recess 28. The recess 28 is only located in line with a directional stress pattern 34 in the receiving member 18 whereby stress concentration is avoided at high stress locations.

Abstract: A screw anchor including a four-legged compressible shank whose normal shape is diamond-like, the front legs of the shank being joined together by a front apex hinge, the rear legs being joined to the front legs by side apex hinges. The rear legs terminate in feet whose adjacent soles normally assume the form of an inverted V-inlet. A socket whose bore lies in axial registration with a hole in the front apex of the shank is secured by a pair of normally outstretched resilient webs to the respective rear legs. To install the anchor, its side apex hinges are manually compressed to collapse the shank into a tongue which is then inserted through a hole drilled in the wall until the socket is seated therein and the shank which is now behind the wall resumes its diamond-like shape. Then a screw for holding the fixture against the wall is inserted in the socket bore and turned therein until its tip is intercepted by the inlet which is dilated thereby to admit the screw.

Abstract: This invention relates to a one-piece molded nut made of plastic which is used to secure one member to another in cooperation with a stud. The nut includes a cylindrical portion having an inner space and an engagement piece extending across the open end of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: The invention is an eye bolt structure and method of forming including bending a straight rod to include a straight shank portion, a loop portion and a straight rod end portion, the rod end portion lying adjacent the shank portion; then placing at least one chain link around the shank and rod end portions and welding a portion of the outermost chain link to the rod end portion to maintain the loop.

Abstract: A latch having a base and a latch plate pivoted thereto, the base being adapted for installation on a closure frame and the latch plate being adapted to overlie the closure. The latch plate is pivotally mounted on the base to swing between an unlatched position in which the closure can be opened, and a latched position in which the closure cannot be opened because the latch plate overlies it. A handle pivotally mounted on the base swings the latch plate between the open and closed positions. At least one of the base and latch plate are made of an elastically deformable material. The latch plate is moved to the latching position by the camming action of the handle; and when the latch plate has moved only part way toward the fully latched position, abutment surfaces on the base and latch plate come into contact with each other.

Abstract: A floating caged nut having a cage, a plate mounted within the cage and including foldable tabs, and a nut with a base flange mounted onto the plate and movable in a horizontal plane between the tabs and in a vertical plane due to side lugs projecting from the base flange and engaging openings formed in the opposite side walls of the cage.

Abstract: A plastic resin hole plug to fill a hole in a flat thin panel comprises a one-piece unitary injection-molded plastic member having a top closure wall whose bottom surface has a flat edge which rests on the panel. In one embodiment the plug has a cruciform shank portion which extends from the top closure wall portion, the shank portion having a plurality of ribs which retain the plug in the hole. In another embodiment the shank has an elongated hollow cavity and a flat-sided chisel-like point.

Abstract: A rotary welding member made of resin comprising a post portion, and a disk-shaped flange portion integrally mounted on one end of the post portion and having a plurality of ribs formed thereon in the radial direction.

Abstract: An insert for securing a threaded object in a recipient material. The insert is formed from a cylinder-shaped body. The body has a threaded cavity at its first end for receiving a threaded object. A portion of the cylinder's exterior surface adjacent to the first end is threaded for placing the insert in a hole in the recipient material and then stabilizing the insert therein. Additional stability is provided by the interface of a flange on the cylinder's second end with an adhesive which is placed in the hole with the insert. The flange is formed by a circumferential recess near the cylinder's second end. The adhesive occupies the recess and, when it hardens and bonds to the recipient material adjacent to the recess, serves as an circular barrier abutting the inner boundary of the flange. The barrier prevents the insert from being pulled from the hole.

Abstract: A wing nut retainer and extractor comprises an elongated open box frame having an apertured face plate with a pair of spaced apart guide rails extending from the face plate for insertion into a blind bore for holding and extracting a wing nut with the outer ends of the rails connected together and a tipping finger disposed between the rails for engaging one wing of the wing nut for tipping the nut to a position generally parallel to the rails for extracting the wing nut through a hole in a blind wall or through the aperture in the face plate.

Abstract: In a quick-action connection for retaining an insertion part in an orifice of a carrier, for example a holding nipple in a body wall, there is, in a peripheral groove of a tenon-shaped extension piece of the insertion part, a retaining ring resiliently flexible in the radial direction, which has its largest diameter in the inserted state of the insertion part. The retaining ring partially projects beyond the periphery of the extension piece and is supported on the carrier by means of one of its end faces. So that the retaining ring is capable of guaranteeing a reliable mutual connection of the two parts, even when bending moments are exerted on the insertion part inserted into the carrier orifice with a clearance fit, its annular shell is closed in the peripheral direction and extends in the form of a meander. As a result of this ring design, the retaining ring can be compressed radially in order to introduce the insertion part into the carrier orifice, and after insertion it automatically springs open again.

Abstract: The nut apparatus is formed by a body member having two ends with a threaded aperture extending therethrough between the two ends for receiving the threaded shank of a bolt or the like. The body member has a tapered portion at one end for partial insertion into an aperture formed through the structure of the toilet through which the bolt is to extend. An arm extends from the body member at a position between the base of the tapered portion and the other of the two ends of the body member transversely to the axis of the threaded aperture for engaging structure of the toilet to hold the body member stationary while the bolt is screwed into the threaded aperture or unscrewed from the threaded aperture. The body member, the tapered portion, and the arm are integral with each other and are formed of a suitable soft plastic material. A scored line extends across the width of the arm to facilitate breaking of the arm at the scored line to shorten the arm if desired.

Abstract: A threaded element for forming a threaded profile in the wall of a bore formed in a material and for insertion into the bore so as to reinforce the bore. The threaded element includes a cylindrical stem having an external thread having a plurality of separate tapping lobes for cutting the threaded profile in the wall of the bore. The stem has an unthreaded radius smaller than the unthreaded radius of the bore and a threaded radius greater than the unthreaded radius of the bore. A recess is defined between each adjacent pair of tapping lobes. Each tapping lobe is defined by two cutting arcs formed at its opposite ends and a convex escape-gap arc is located intermediate the two cutting arcs. Each cutting arc has a convex configuration relative to the center of the stem, and the apex of each of the cutting arcs defines the maximum thread radius of the threaded profile, as measured from the center of the stem.

Abstract: A plurality of fasteners each having an enlarged head with a slot or a passageway there through to accommodate and cage the shank of another like fastener so that the plurality of fasteners form a self-contained collated strip. Preferably the fastener has at least three spaced vertical cups and edges about a central core with a pair of adjacent edges of one fastener caged in the complimentary slot of the adjacent-like fastener. A notch is provided on such pair of edges to releasably lock the fasteners together in the strip.

Abstract: A metal threaded fastener is disclosed for use in outdoor or other environments where fastener rust or corrosion are to be discouraged. The fastener includes a metal head adapted for engagement with a torque wrench or the like. The head is covered by a polypropylene jacket. Raised metal protuberances below from a bottom clamping surface of the head. In one embodiment, these protuberances extend at least partly through the polypropylene jacket, but the thin covering layer of polypropylene is displaced from the protuberances during bolt installation. These protuberances provide metal-to-metal contact with a workpiece, and consequently encourage maintenance of a correct axial clamping pressure without over-torquing the mating nut.

Abstract: An improved method for fastening a license plate or a cover plate for a license plate to a vehicle and apparatus therefor includes use of a plurality of two-part separable fasteners. A first part of each fastener is secured to, or actually comprises, the head of each of the bolts which are provided to hold the license plate to the vehicle. The second part of each fastener is secured to a back side of the plate to be secured to the vehicle and positioned to mate with its respective first part in a friction-fit relation. When a cover plate for a license plate is so mounted, it is placed in an overlying relation with respect to the license plate.

Abstract: A security seal having a tag attached to a flat strap at the central portion by a pair of flexible members. The seal is adapted for sealing a box structure or container having a strap in one surface thereof and a hasp attached to the container. The tag extends upwardly so as to be visible against the surface of the hasp and container. Formed in the label and the tag surface, such as by stamping or the like, are a plurality of circular scores randomly positioned. The random positioning may be recorded to provide a means for verification. Any attempt to remove the label from the tag will result in destruction of the label.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly for axle bearings and the like is free spinning during tightening and removal and is positively held against rotation after installation. The assembly is engageable with an axially slotted male threaded member and includes a nut with female threads and a flange end. A retainer washer includes spaced fingers formed around the nut flange for rotatably supporting the washer at the flanged end of the nut. The washer includes a tab received in the slot of the male threaded member permitting the nut to move axially but not to rotate on the male threaded member. When the nut is engaged by a wrench, the wrench releases a flexible and resilient locking clip to permit the nut freely to rotate. After the assembly has been threaded onto the male threaded member, removal of the wrench frees the locking clip and a lock finger is received in a space between fingers of the retainer washer positively to prevent further rotation of the nut.