Patents by Inventor Timothy H. Johnson

Timothy H. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8568034
    Abstract: A bushing kit and a method of installing the same with a mandrel having a tapered region. The bushing kit includes an inner member and an outer bushing. The inner member may include an inner surface having an engagement portion, such as a coating, plating, and/or lining, such as a self-lubricating coating. The method of installing the bushing kit includes passing the tapered portion of the mandrel through the outer bushing to radially expand the outer bushing into the structural workpiece and possibly induce some amount of residual compressive stress in the structural workpiece. Contemporaneously, the inner member is passed into the radially-expanded outer bushing before the outer bushing is permitted to radially inwardly rebound or spring back. The outer bushing is then permitted to radially contract onto the inner member to form an interference fit therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8353193
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120036913
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8057144
    Abstract: A sealed attachment fastener assembly with a receiving member and a cap that can be inserted into an opening in a work piece and fixed therein from only one side of the work piece. A portion of the fastener assembly on the blind side of the work piece is collapsible into a flange. In addition, another portion of the fastener assembly is contemporaneously radially expandable within the opening of the work piece to at least rotationally secure the fastener assembly with respect to the work piece. The radial expansion will result in a high interference fit of the fastener in the work piece, which may enhance the fatigue of the installation. A cap completes the fastener assembly to substantially prevent fluid from leaking through the fastener assembly opening. The cap can be assembled with the receiving member after the internal threads within the receiving member have been machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy H. Johnson, Leonard F. Reid, Bruce F. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7926319
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100018282
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7641430
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a pre-assembled fastener assembly having a retainer, a nut member, and a cold expansion mandrel that is forcibly removable after the assembly is installed into an opening of a structural workpiece. The mandrel is captured between a portion of a retainer and a portion of a nut member. The forced removal of the mandrel expands the retainer into the opening, securing the fastener assembly therein. The assembly may also include a cap coupled to the retainer to seal the opening in the structural workpiece. The nut member can be fixed or free-floating with respect to the retainer. In addition, the nut member can be threaded to receive a fastener. The mandrel is recyclable or disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy H. Johnson, Leonard F. Reid, Charles M. Copple, June Denise Copple, legal representative, James R. Ross
  • Publication number: 20090304315
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention generally relates to a bushing kit (102) and method of installing the same with a mandrel (300) having a tapered region (304). The bushing kit comprises an inner member (110) and an outer bushing (108). The inner member may include an inner surface (126) having an engagement portion, such as a coating, plating, and/or lining, such as a self-lubricating coating. The method of installing the bushing kit (102) includes passing the tapered portion of the mandrel through the outer bushing (108) to radially expand the outer bushing into the structural workpiece (104) and possibly induce some amount of residual compressive stress in the structural workpiece (104). Contemporaneously, the inner member (110) is passed into the radially-expanded outer bushing (108) before the outer bushing is permitted to radially inwardly rebound or spring back. The outer bushing (108) is then permitted to radially contract onto the inner member to form an interference fit therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7509829
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6990722
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element is inserted into an opening in a wall until a flange at the trailing end of the fastener element is in contact with the wall. Then, an externally threaded end of a rod is inserted into a center opening in the fastener element from the flange side of the wall and is mated with internal threads in the fastener element beyond the second side of the wall. A tubular mandrel that surrounds the rod is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening in the tubular fastener. The outside diameter of the mandrel is larger than the inside diameter of the center opening in the fastener element. The rod is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion of the fastener element to collapse and form a second radial flange on the second side of the wall. The mandrel is forced axially into the center opening in the fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 6792657
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening (44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Publication number: 20020189101
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening(44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman
  • Patent number: 6487767
    Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening(44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard F. Reid, Timothy H. Johnson, David A. Gorton, Mark R. Weiss, Dean C. Madden, Alec K. Hitchman