Abstract: A telescopic captive fastener has a knob, a ferrule, a spring, and at least one sleeve. The sleeve extends telescopically between the ferrule and the knob.

Abstract: A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.

Abstract: A molded product includes a receiving member in a body. A coupling component such as a female screw component is embedded in the receiving member. A connecting piece is formed continuous to the body and the receiving member based on integral molding. The connecting piece extends to the receiving member from the body inside a bore formed in the body. The connecting piece may form a single flat plate in the molded product, so that a general cutting device can be utilized to cut through the connecting piece in a facilitated manner. The receiving member can be removed from the body without any difficulty. The receiving member can be separated from the body.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate has a nut, a holding bracket, a member and a nut retainer. The nut is provided with an aperture therethrough and is secured within a bracket portion of the holding bracket by the retainer but also is permitted limited movement within the bracket portion. The holding bracket further includes a tubular portion having inner and outer walls. The inner wall is tapered such that the member is positioned against the inner wall. Upon an axial force being applied to the member through the aperture of the nut, the member is pushed through the tubular portion from the first end to the second end in order to expand the inner wall and force the outer wall into engagement with the wall of the workpiece. A tool is provided to push the member through the tubular member and can be incorporated into either a manual or automatic process.

Abstract: The invention provides a rivetless nut plate including a nut, a holding bracket having tubular and bracket portions, and a stem having an enlarged head. The stem is positioned within an aperture of the tubular portion such that the head is resting on a shoulder within the bracket aperture. The tubular portion is positioned within an aperture of a workpiece, such that the bracket portion rests on top of the workpiece. The nut is retained within the bracket portion. Force is applied to a bottom of the workpiece and another opposite force is applied to the stem such that the head expands the tubular portion radially outwardly such that lobes on the tubular portion become embedded into the wall of the workpiece, thereby securing the nut plate to the workpiece. The holding bracket could also be formed of two separate elements, a sleeve having a tubular portion and a bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (7) and a joint for joining pieces of wood. The connecting element is adapted to be placed between two pieces of wood to be joined and comprises a body (8) with two opposite main surfaces and with engaging means (9) which protrude from each main surface. In addition, the joint comprises a connecting means (10) which is adapted to be passed through the pieces of wood and the connecting element (7) and apply a compressing force on the pieces of wood in such a manner that the engaging means (9) of the intermediate connecting element penetrate into opposite wood surfaces. The connecting element (7) comprises a through hole perpendicular to the main surface for passing through the shank-shaped connecting means (10).

Abstract: The present technique provides a stemmed washer and fastener assembly, which has a fastener retained in assembly with a stemmed washer. The assembly is particularly useful for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion, and a standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the fastener, such as with a plastically deformed skirt portion, to retain the fastener in the assembly. The standoff portion has a toolfree mounting structure, such as a snap-fit member, to mount the stemmed washer and fastener assembly to one or more panels, thereby forming a fastener-panel assembly.

Abstract: A rimless eyeglasses lens-installing apparatus, a connector connects a lens to a lug and a fastening tool fixed the lens and the connector to each other. The fastening tool has a first fastening member and a second fastening member. A metal insertion member having a threaded hole formed thereon is disposed in an internal portion of the first fastening member by insert molding. An outer threaded portion of the first fastening member engages a threaded portion of a lens through-hole. The threaded portion of the second fastening member is screwed into the threaded hole of the insertion member. A portion of the first fastening member projecting from a rear surface of the lens is cut off appropriately.

Abstract: A lug nut assembly is provided for securing a wheel rim defining at least one aperture to a wheel hub including at least one threaded stud extending from the wheel hub. The lug nut assembly comprises an elongated sleeve that includes a central bore that defines a longitudinal axis. The elongated sleeve has a secured end rotatably secured to the wheel rim and an opposed distal end extending outwardly from the rim. The sleeve includes at least one wrench engaging surface. A nut, having a central threaded bore that is adapted to matingly engage the threaded stud, is slidably mounted within the sleeve to move coaxially along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Means are provided for preventing independent rotation of the sleeve relative to the nut.

Abstract: A lug nut assembly is provided for securing a wheel rim defining at least one aperture to a wheel hub including at least one threaded stud extending from the wheel hub. The lug nut assembly comprises an elongated sleeve that includes a central bore that defines a longitudinal axis. The elongated sleeve has a secured end rotatably secured to the wheel rim and an opposed distal end extending outwardly from the rim. The sleeve includes at least one wrench engaging surface. A nut, having a central threaded bore that is adapted to matingly engage the threaded stud, is slidably mounted within the sleeve to move coaxially along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Means are provided for preventing independent rotation of the sleeve relative to the nut.

Abstract: A body, plastic molded, comprises a plate with an integral, extending hub, having a throughgoing bore in which to nest a coaxial coupler. The hub has an outer periphery which is uniformly fluted, for holding the hub fast to the inner surface of a hub-receiving hole formed in a wall, floor, or ceiling of a structure, while the plate unobtrusively interfaces the planar surface of the structure. Consequently, a coaxial coupler can be emplaced, securely, without need for a supporting junction box, vertical stud, or any such prop, anywhere in a wall, floor or ceiling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for fastening a first structure to a second structure comprising a fastener having a head disposed at a proximal end of a shaft and a pointed tip disposed at a distal end of that shaft, and a plastic sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft in coaxial-relation thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the first structure is a metal floor panel having means for receiving the fastener and the sleeve. The receiving means keeps the sleeve in substantially perpendicular-relation to a support portion of the second structure, with the pointed tip of the shaft disposed adjacent to the support portion. In this arrangement, when a driving force is applied to the head of the fastener, the fastener moves axially relative to the sleeve through the first structure into engagement with the second structure.

Abstract: In a screw securing device for a screw (1) by means of which a first component (2a) and a second component (2b) are clamped together, a bushing (5a, 5b), includes a cylinder (5a) and a base (5b) which contains a bore, the bushing being arranged in a first bore (3a) of the first component (2a). The first bore (3a) opens into a smaller, second bore (3b) of the first component (2a), and said second bore (3b) is provided with a left-handed thread (8) in which there is screwed a tubular extension (5c) which is arranged coaxially with the bore in the base (5b). The screw (1) is screwed, through the bushing (5a, 5b) and the tubular extension (5c), into the second component (2b) by means of its right-handed thread (7). A cap (6a), having an insert (6b) which is connected to the screw head in a positively locking manner, is fastened on the bushing (5a, 5b) by a welding bead (4).

Abstract: A fastener element (2) has first and second body portions (4, 6) that are mechanically interlocked. The first body portion (4) has an integral outer end disk (20) with a flat outer radial surface (26). The second body portion (6) has circumferentially spaced legs (48) that extend along chordal surfaces (28) on the first body portion (4) and terminate axially inwardly of the disk (20). The legs (48) interlock with projections (30) on the surfaces (28). The legs are tapered to direct binding material from a fill opening into flow passageways and then toward a vent opening during a molding-in procedure to install the element (2) in a structure.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for connecting two items comprises a stud 16 secured to one item 14 and a captive fastener 18 located in a fastener body 20 secured to the other item. The captive fastener 18 is made up of a nut 32, a washer 34 and an outer clip 36 for securing the nut to the clip. The nut, washer and clip 36 may all be passed though the access opening 30 in the fastener body when separate, but when assembled, they resist withdrawal.

Abstract: A self-locking nut for eye glasses excellent in assembling efficiency into which a male screw is fitted to secure a material between the head of the male screw and the self-locking nut itself, comprising a first member having a female thread portion formed with a female thread in which the male screw is screwed and a pressing end face for pressing the material when the male screw is screwed in, a second member which is continuously formed on the other end face of the first member away form the material and which has a self-locking hole concentric with and connected to the threaded hole, and a third member continuously formed on the end face of the first member closer to the material and having a bushing portion which can be inserted into a hole in the material and which is formed with a through hole connected to the threaded hole of the first member; a moisture-proof nut comprising a sealing element having one end closed to bring the other end into contact with the material to waterproof the main body of the

Abstract: A fastener element (2) has first and second body portions (10, 34) that are mechanically interlocked. The portions (10, 34) define an axial opening (12, 14) that opens onto a radial end surface (25) of the body (10, 34). One portion (10) has a radial shoulder (32) facing away from the end surface (25) and defining an increased width inner portion (14) of the axial opening. A floating member (56) positioned in the axial opening (12, 14) has an outer end (66) adjacent to the end surface (25) and an opposite inner end with a head (60) that is received in the inner portion (14) and abuts the shoulder (32) to transmit axial loads created by engagement of the member (56) by a fastener. Flow passageways (18) are formed around the element (2), which is molded in a core cavity (88) in a honeycomb panel (80) using potting material (96) .

Abstract: An attaching sleeve for a floating nut assembly is formed from rod or wire stock by successive cold heading or cold forming operations. The steps involve cutting off a longitudinal segment from the stock, forming a flange on the front end of the segment, forming a centrally disposed opening through the segment, and forming longitudinally extending ridges projecting outwardly around the periphery of the segment. The attaching sleeves made by the method of the present invention have accurately positioned ridges or knurls which will consistently mate with a similarly configured opening in panels to which the floating nut assembly is to be secured.

Abstract: A circular opening (48) is formed in a structural wall (12). A tubular shank (28) of a nut mounting grommet (26) is inserted into the opening (48). The grommet (26) is moved endwise to place a shoulder surface (34) on the base of a nut mounting cup (30) against the wall (12). A split sleeve (54) is installed on a small diameter portion (62) of a mandrel (52) and the mandrel and sleeve (52, 54) are inserted into the tubular shank (28) from the side of the wall (12) opposite the nut receiving cup (30). The mandrel (52) is then retracted to successively move increasing and maximum diameter portions (64, 66) of the mandrel (52) through the split sleeve (54). The mandrel portions (64, 66) exert a radially outwardly expanding force on the split sleeve (54). The split sleeve (54) in turn imposes a radially outwardly expanding force on the tubular shank ( 28).

Abstract: A cage nut for minimizing problems of paint welding comprises a body having a threaded bore, and means for encaging that body, and a separating member located between the body and the necaging means. The separating member may take a variety of shapes, forms and orientations, but is preferably a shim having an uneven surface. In one possible embodiment, the shim may be formed with four detents extending from the surface of the shim towards the body.

Abstract: A device for securing furniture panels at right angles to each other includes a holding member including a plug portion which is positioned in a recess in a major surface of the first panel. The plug has a front wall which is exposed at one edge of the panel and positioned substantially flush with the panel edge. A chamber extends perpendicular to the edge of the panel through the full length of the plug from a first opening in the front wall to a second opening opposite the front wall. The chamber retains a screw within the body of the plug. A top wall of the plug is exposed at the major surface of the panel and has an opening extending into the body portion of the plug to enable tighening of a screw to engage a second, substantially perpendicular, second panel and draw the second panel toward the edge of the first panel. The screw can be inserted either through the top opening or through an opening opposite the front wall of the plug prior to insertion of the plug into the panel recess.

Abstract: A threaded fastener and grommet assembly for joining two apertured parts. The fastener is retained in the grommet with axial play between the fastener and grommet. The assembly can also be retained in one of the apertured parts, and when this part is placed over the other apertured part, the axial play allows alignment of the fastener without ejection of the assembly.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in firmly fixing one member (10), to another member (12) in a relatively adjustable position, comprising a retaining part (2) fixable to said one member and a retained part (4) in use retained by, yet movable relative to, said retaining part, the retained part being adapted to be secured to the other member and to become substantially immovable relative to the retaining part when said securement is tightened, characterized in that the retained and retaining parts are formed as one piece but are breakable apart (6) to permit said relative movement.

Abstract: A self-locking nut having an enlarged head and an elongated shank portion insertable into a hole in a panel. The nut has an integral skirt portion adjacent the underside of the head having a predetermined skirt length, which skirt is then deformed against the underside of the panel to hold the nut in firm position with respect to the panel. The nut may be provided with an irregularly shaped head conforming to a like configured countersunk in the panel leading into the hole to prevent rotation of the nut about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for securing furniture panels at right angles to each other includes a holding member including a plug portion which is positioned in a recess in a major surface of a first panel. The plug has a front wall which is exposed at one edge of the panel and positioned substantially flush with the panel edge. A chamber extends perpendicular to the edge of the panel through the full length of the plug from a first opening in the front wall to a second opening opposite the front wall. The chamber retains a screw within the body of the plug. A top wall of the plug is exposed at the major surface of the panel and has an opening extending into the body portion of the plug to enable tightening of a screw to engage a second, substantially perpendicular, second panel and draw the second panel toward the edge of the first panel. The screw can be inserted either through the top opening or through an opening opposite the front wall of the plug prior to insertion of the plug into the panel recess.

Abstract: A flush mounting fastener system for threadably attaching a threaded member to a plate or shell structure is described which comprises in one representative embodiment an internally threaded bushing flanged on a first end for attachment to the housing within a hole of preselected size in the housing, a plurality of circumferentially spaced crenelations of preselected size and spacing on the second end of the bushing, an insert threaded on the outer surface for threadably engaging the bushing and on the inner surface for threadably attaching a threaded member to the housing structure, and a plurality of tangs on one end of the insert corresponding in size and spacing with the spaced crenelations in the bushing and being radially outwardly bendable into spaces between the crenelations to lock the insert within the bushing.

Abstract: A non-metallic acoustic and thermal isolating fastener mount comprising a housing 20, a threaded locking plate 30, an elastic diaphragm 40, and an unthreaded spacer 50 is disclosed. The housing 20 includes a cavity 24 and a pair of outwardly extending arms 22. Mounted in the cavity 24 is the treaded locking plate 30. The treaded locking plate 30 is positioned such that a pair of posts 34 lie between a pair of outwardly extending arms 29 of an access opening 26 formed in the top of the housing 20. The elastic diaphragm surrounds the access opening and includes apertures through which a threaded hub 32 and the posts 34 extend. The unthreaded spacer 50 includes a hub having outer diameter that allows it to be press-fit around the hub 32 of the threaded locking plate 30. The housing 20, threaded locking plate 30, and spacer 50 are formed of a high-strength, high-temperature plastic, preferably a fiber reinforced polyamide-imide resin, such as Torlon.TM..

Abstract: A water ski vest is provided with a back brace for supporting the back of a skier. The back brace is positioned on the outside of the back portion of the vest, and an adjustable waist strap is attached to the back brace and extends through slots in the vest so that the back brace can be pulled tightly against the back. Additional straps extend around the outside of the back brace and the vest.

Abstract: A barrel nut fastener apparatus that includes a nut loosely retained in a prescribed position by a retainer that is adapted to be slidably received in a cylindrical bore formed in a panel. The nut is carried loosely on a seat formed in the retainer and is positioned to threadedly receive a bolt projecting through aligned transverse holes in both the panel and the retainer. A spring is interposed between the nut and the seat, to bias the nut outwardly to a position where a cylindrical extension of the nut projects outwardly into engagement with the panel's transverse hole. This ensures that the fastener apparatus remains in its desired position within the panel's cylindrical hole for proper engagement by a bolt.

Abstract: An annular fairing forming a bolt guard associated with the heads of screws of an attachment carries, inside thereof and in line with each screw, first cylindrical sockets each of which comprises notch-shaped cut-outs at its inner end which cooperate with a pair of first lugs formed at the end of a respective second socket disposed within the first socket and further comprising a pair of inwardly curved second lugs cooperating with the head of the screw in such a way as to prervent rotation of the screw.

Abstract: A captive fastener for securing two closure members together comprises a crew component adapted to be affixed to one of the closure members and a complimentary nut component adapted to be affixed to the other closure member. The screw component comprises a housing, a drive sleeve disposed within the housing for rotational movement therein, and a screw member in operatinal engagement with the drive sleeve whereby the screw member is axially movable between extended and retracted positions relative to the housing in response to the rotational movement of the drive sleeve. The nut component comprises a shell, a nut member disposed within the shell for limited axial and radial movement therein and fixed against rotation, and biasing means for urging against the axial movement of the nut member. The radial and axial movement of the nut member facilitates the alignment and engagement of the screw member with the nut member to eliminate binding when the closure members are assembled.

Abstract: A barrel nut fastener apparatus that includes a nut loosely retained in a prescribed position by a retainer that is adapted to be slidably received in a cylindrical bore formed in a panel. The nut is carried loosely on a seat formed in the retainer and is positioned to threadedly receive a bolt projecting through aligned transverse holes in both the panel and the retainer. The nut and seat have conforming cross-shaped configurations such that the compressive force of their engagement is distributed over a relatively large area, thereby substantially reducing the possibility of the nut being deformed if the bolt is overtightened.

Abstract: The fastener includes a nut, a basket, and a sleeve, the latter being received in an opening in a workpiece with its outer end flared to form an attaching flange. Spaced rounded lobes on the sleeve extend the full length of the opening and become embedded in the wall of the opening. The sleeve includes a corner surface adjacent its head which compresses and deforms the workpiece at one corner of the opening. A tool having an annular bulge is forced into the sleeve to expand it against the wall of the opening. When the end of the sleeve is flared to form the attacking flange, the other corner of the opening in the workpiece is compressed and cold-worked. The forces exerted by the sleeve on the workpiece greatly increase the fatigue life of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved nuclear reactor wherein the bolted connections between the baffle plates and baffle former and the baffle former and the core barrel are provided with a noval locking device that prevents loosening of the bolted connections. The locking device to prevent loosening of bolted connections where a threaded bolt is used to secure two components together uses a threaded lock nut over the bolt head, cooperative with a threaded wall in a recess in a component. The lock nut and wall of the recess have threads opposite the threads of the bolt. Deformable sections are formed in the base of the lock nut to engage an unsymmetrical cavity in the head of the bolt. Turning of the bolt in a direction that would tend to loosen the connection causes tightening of the lock nut. The wall of the lock nut may be threadedly engaged with the wall of the recess or the lock nut wall may have slits formed thereon which enable deformation of wall portions to engage the threaded wall of the recess.

Abstract: This invention provides a captive fastener in which a nut is held to a workpiece by a retainer ring held in a two-piece grommet attached to the workpiece, the retainer ring being flat and split, with its grain perpendicular to a diameter bisecting the split, and its inner and outer edges having alternate elongated recesses to increase the effective ring width without increasing spring force. The stud assembly includes a cage secured to the other workpiece, with side flanges removably and floatingly retaining a housing in which is a stud and spring biased ratchet washer. The notched outer end of the housing is bent over the head of the stud to secure the stud. The ratchet washer has tabs fitting in the housing wall, and ratchet teeth to engage teeth on the end of the nut. A cover fits over the housing.

Abstract: This invention provides improved fatigue life for a fastener having a sleeve associated with a basket and extending through an opening in a workpiece. The sleeve has curved lobes that penetrate the workpiece to prevent rotation, the lobes having inclined leading edges, and inclined abutment surfaces at the inner ends of their roots that compress the displaced material of the workpiece around the entrance to the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a means for fixing an object to a blind metal sheet (1) by fitting into a square hole (2) provided in this metal sheet, a cage (3) containing a threaded part (7), then by causing a complementary threaded part to coact with this part. The hole is square, the cage has the shape of an octagonal prism provided laterally with four longitudinal windows (8) and the threaded part comprises four radial tabs (9) adapted to slide jointingly in said windows (8), means being provided, such as thinned-down portions (12), for making possible a rotation through 45.degree. of said part (7) after its axial introduction with the cage into said hole (2).

Abstract: A device for fastening a temporary replacement heat shield tile to the strain isolation pad of a space vehicle is disclosed. An internally threaded, flanged cylinder 20 is rotatably connected to a threaded brass plug 18 through a flanged aluminum sleeve 16 to form the device. The device is adhesively attached to the replacement tile 12 before using. In using the device, the tile containing the device is placed against the strain isolation pad 14 of the space vehicle such that the flanged portion of the flanged cylinder rests against the strain isolation pad. This flanged portion, which consists of a plurality of `L` shaped blades 41-44, is then rotated into the strain isolation pad. The brass plug is then rotated with respect to the flanged stainless steel cylinder to draw the tile snuggly against isolation pad and thus complete the fastening process.

Abstract: This invention provides a captive screw and a nut, the captive screw including a collar having an opening receiving the shank of a screw, the opening having a portion of wide diameter and a portion of narrow diameter. The screw has a full-depth thread at its outer end, and a truncated thread inwardly thereof, the truncated thread being dimensioned to pass through the narrow part of the opening in the collar while the full-depth thread cannot so that the screw is retained by the collar yet the end of the screw can be entirely retracted within the collar. The nut assembly includes a sleeve with an external shoulder, a straight knurl, and a flarable end, internally having a hexagonal portion in its bore. The nut has a hexagonal portion which extends into the sleeve and is smaller in lateral dimension than that of the opening to permit lateral floating movement, and longer axially than the hexagonal portion of the bore, to permit relative axial movement of the nut relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A cage for fixing an object by screwing it to a rectangular hole of width a having parallel edges and provided in a metal plate accessible from only one side, comprises a cylindrical socket extended by a collar, the dimension of the socket in a first transverse direction being at most equal to a and two tongues extending from this socket in the transverse direction perpendicular to the preceding one so as to form with the collar two slides adapted to overlap the edges after axial insertion of the cage into the slit, then rotation of this cage by a quarter of a turn in the screwing direction, this rotation bringing into play over-riding of a hard point.

Abstract: The invention concerns metal cages for set screw--cage systems intended to be mounted on a metal sheet accessible from only one of its faces. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls 4 of the cage 3 of such a system are provided with an annular rib 16 projecting radially outwards, the external diameter of cage 3 at the rib 16 being slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 12 in which the cage is engaged, owing to which the cage is axially locked on the metal sheet. Dies are provided for the shaping of cage members. The invention finds application particularly in the fitting out of the bodies of vehicles.