Abstract: A cable termination system and method of assembly is provided that clamps strength members of the cable after they have been wrapped around a winding member. The clamping force required is therefore reduced by the capstan effect of the winding member. The winding member is preferably a torus that encircles the cable, and the system may comprise a number of progressively larger tori arranged in sequence along the cable to provide sufficient room for wrapping all of the strength members around them.

Abstract: A shackle is provided that is fixedly mounted to a surface. The shackle can have a body, a hasp, and a locking pin. The body can define at least one mounting bore that is configured for mounting the shackle to the surface. The proximal end of the hasp is configured to rotate relative to the body and the distal end of the hasp is configured to selectively engage the locking pin, such that an enclosed area is defined. A tethering device can be attached to the shackle via cooperative engagement with the selectively enclosed area.

Abstract: A retainer for a drop-in anchor includes a durable, moisture resistant member insertable into a sleeve of a drop-in anchor and configured to be retained in the sleeve by one or more threads disposed in the sleeve to prevent inadvertent removal of a plug from the sleeve. A drop-in anchor assembly includes a tubular sleeve having a first end including one or more internal threads, and an expandable second end. A plug is insertable in the sleeve such that when the plug is driven into an installed position in the sleeve the second end expands. A retainer formed of a durable moisture-resistant material is insertable in the sleeve behind the plug, and is configured to be retained in the sleeve by the one or more threads and prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the sleeve.

Abstract: An exemplary securing structure includes a base, a fastener, and a spring mounted around the fastener. The base defines a through hole, and two slots located adjacent to and communicating with the securing hole. Two barriers are formed at a bottom of the base corresponding to the slots. A gap is defined between the bottom surface and each of the barriers. The fastener includes a head, a bolt, and two blocks extending outwardly from a periphery of the bolt corresponding to the slots, respectively. When the bolt is extended through the securing hole with the blocks extending through the slots until the blocks are received in the gaps, the fastener is then rotatable to cause the block to escape from the gap and abut on the bottom surface of the base, with the spring resiliently compressed between the head of the fastener and a top side of the base.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an FRP member with insert which enables to reduce a machining time to improve productivity. First, a threaded hole 11 is formed in an insert 3. An FRP member 2 where at least the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is covered with a coating 4 made of FRP is molded. A counter-bored hole 31 that penetrates the coating 4 of the FRP member 2 to communicate with the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is formed, to thereby obtain an FRP component 1 with insert. Accordingly, a machining step after molding the FRP member 2 in which dry machining is required includes only the boring step of forming the counter-bored hole 31 in the FRP member 2. Thus, the machining time can be reduced, and the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: A fastener including a chisel point that pre-bores a hole in a work piece to prevent damage to the work piece as the fastener advances. The fastener can include a head, a shaft and a chisel brake point formed at an end of the shaft. The chisel brake point can include first and second opposing inclined surfaces disposed at an angle of about 80° to about 150° relative to one another. A thread can begin adjacent the chisel brake point and form an extension of an inclined surface and/or a chisel edge. The chisel brake point can scrape material from a work piece while pre-boring a hole. The material can be transferred to the thread, and subsequently fed up the thread, out of the pre-bored hole. The chisel brake point can also selectively retard advancement of the fastener into the work piece. Methods of installing the fastener also are provided.

Abstract: A locking screw for connecting two or more articles together is provided. The screw includes an externally threaded shaft, a head, and an elastic member. The head defines a chamber in which a spiral groove is defined. The shaft extends from the bottom of the chamber; and the elastic member is arranged around the shaft and one end of the elastic member is received in the spiral groove of the chamber and another end abuts against an article. The elastic member can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, to change the length of the elastic member, so that enough tension is created to ensure locking the screw in place and prevent any rotation, thus maintain a tight engagement among the articles.

Abstract: An adjustable belt and buckle mechanism typically used with clothing, but not exclusive to this use. In one embodiment, the belt assembly has a unique design using hook-and-loop fasteners, as well as metal hook and eye fasteners, in combination with a double-loop buckle that joins the two ends of the belting via the buckle for an adjustable and easily closable belting, cinching, or tie down product.

Abstract: A pneumatically drivable fastener secures drywall or other construction material to a metal stud. Each fastener comprises a driving head; and a one piece shank component, secured at one end to the driving head. Each shank component has an axial length extending perpendicularly and longitudinally from the driving head and is divided into two or three sections: (a) an optional, solid section closest to the driving head; (b) an intermediate section with grooves that define stud cutting edges; and (c) two or more forked ends opposite the driving head. A method for fastening drywall to a plurality of metal studs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A integrally molded fastener for use in connection with a substrate, the substrate includes foam backing and a slot therein and the substrate includes a front side and a back side. An upper plate has first and second longitudinal tabs and first and second transverse tabs. A longitudinal head is interconnected with an upper plate by a shank. A shaft extends from the upper plate and branches extend from the shaft. The longitudinal head includes cutting edges, the fastener and the longitudinal head are rotatable and, cutting edges of the longitudinal head cut the foam backing of the substrate as the fastener and the longitudinal head are rotated. A method for using the integrally molded fastener which includes engaging, slidingly, the side wall portions proximate the wider portion of the longitudinal tabs with the walls of the slot first. Riding the side wall portions of the longitudinal tabs on the front side of said substrate and as rotation of the fastener and the longitudinal tabs continues.

Abstract: Connecting member for a sports boot closure and tightening device (4), comprising a base (25, 35) adapted to be fixed on the surface of the sports boot and a connecting element (31, 37) adapted for cooperation with a second connecting member, wherein the connecting element (31, 37) has a geometry such that its tangent (c, d; c?) to the zone where it connects with a second connecting element of the second connecting member is not perpendicular to the closure direction of the connecting member in the configuration in which it closes and tightens the sports boot.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a bushing having a flange configured to be urged toward a work-piece, and an isolation spring configured to be positioned between the flange and the work-piece. The isolation spring includes a metal core integrally formed with a rubber coating.

Abstract: A blind rivet design has an exposed mandrel portion modified from the conventional and standardized mandrel to reduce amount and cost of materials required to produce the mandrel, while also minimizing costs related to production, use, and spent mandrel disposal, all while still making use of conventional riveting tools for rivet setting and maintaining rivet performance. The blind rivet also facilitates feeding of a shortened spent mandrel through conventional riveting tools and into mandrel collection devices.

Abstract: An insert for blind installation in a workpiece, and method of manufacture of an insert, the insert (2) comprising a body (4) and anchor stud (6); wherein the stud is inserted into a through bore (22) in the body, part of the stud extending beyond the end of the through bore, and a part of the stud provided with opposed areas of knurling (14, 16) such as threading, being enveloped by a reduced diameter section (24) of the body, such that crimping the stud onto the body causes material to enter the knurling, thereby firmly attaching body and stud, allowing the insert to withstand high torque.

Abstract: A fastener has a shaft, a head at a first end of the shaft, and a point at the other end of the shaft. A first portion of the shaft adjacent the point is threaded. The first portion typically extends about one-half the total length of the shaft. A second portion of the shaft (adjacent the head) is not threaded, but has a plurality of spaced rings. A knurled portion can be provided between the first and second portions, if desired. Conventional symmetrical or asymmetrical thread can be used in the threaded portion, or a three lobe thread can be used.

Abstract: Self-locking nuts help prevent the nut from backing off of a spindle or other type of threaded shaft. A single piece nut assembly is provided that is self-locking and comprises a nut subassembly and a washer subassembly. Nut and washer subassemblies are secured together, and do not require any special tools for installation or removal. The washer has an edge which is formed/rolled over a lip extending from the bottom edge of the nut when assembled to provide the unitized assembly. The nut and washer are held apart by a spring, such as a wave spring, until the washer contacts the face of the object to which the nut is being secured. At this point the spring is compressed to engage the nut with the washer, and engage holding elements located in the nut with a holding feature located on the washer and prevent movement between the washer and nut.

Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve and a rod received in the sleeve. The sleeve includes a top end including at least one outer flange extending radially outward therefrom and at least one inner flange extending radially inward therefrom and a lower end including at least one spring tab. At least one spring tab comprises an outer flange at its end that extends radially outward. the sleeve is inserted into the receiving holes of the top article and the bottom article until the outer flange of the top end rests on the top plate, the rod is then pressed to move to drive at least one spring tab to deflect outwardly until the outer flange of at least one spring tab is held in contact with the bottom plate.

Abstract: A bolt has a bolt body including a screw part, a head part formed at an upper end of the screw part, and a flange part formed at a lower end of the head part; and an unconductive ring-shaped resinous member covering a peripheral portion of the flange part. The flange part has a disk-shaped flange body portion; and a seat surface-forming portion having a seat surface which is pressed against a portion where the bolt is to be mounted. The ring-shaped member has an edge part which is located at a position nearer to a lower end of the screw part than the seat surface and outward from the flange body portion and an annular skirt part whose diameter gradually increases to the edge part. The annular skirt part is so formed that it deforms when the bolt is mounted on the portion where the bolt is to be mounted and forms an annular liquid-tight sealing portion for the portion where the bolt is to be mounted.

Abstract: An assembly comprises first and second components provided with holes receiving a retaining element in the form of a pin, in order to retain the components together. The pin is made from a shape memory effect material, and is inserted into the holes in a straight configuration, following which a change in temperature causes a retaining portion of the pin to deform into a second configuration, in which withdrawal of the pin is prevented.

Abstract: Described is a ratchet strap with a free end securing system. The ratchet strap has a strap with an attachment end and a free end and a strap winding shaft which is capable of receiving the free end in a wrapped relationship. A ratchet mechanism is included for simultaneously shortening the attachment end and the free end wherein the free end is drawn from the wrapped relationship with the strap winding shaft.