Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a bolt having a shaft and a head. The shaft has proximal and distal shaft ends and a shaft body, with the head at the proximal shaft end. At least a bondable portion of the shaft body is at least partially made of a bondable material. At least one collar has proximal and distal collar ends longitudinally separated by a collar body which includes a longitudinally oriented collar aperture extending through a thickness thereof between proximal and distal collar surfaces. The collar aperture defines an inner collar wall having a bondable portion which is at least partially made of a bondable material. At least the bondable portion of the shaft body is located inside the collar aperture. The bondable material of both of the inner collar wall and the shaft body is activated to bond the shaft and the collar into an integral fastener assembly structure.

Abstract: A joint assembly for securing flanges of two casings comprising a plurality of bolts, a plurality of collars and a plurality of nuts. Each bolt extends through an aperture in the first flange and an aperture in the second flange, each collar being arranged around a shank of a respective bolt and each nut being secured on a respective one of the bolts. Each collar being arranged between one of the flanges and a nut or a head of a bolt. Each collar comprises a first member and a second member, the second member being arranged at a first end of the first member. The second member being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, the second member having first and second radially inner ends and a radially outer mid portion and an axial space is defined between the first radially inner end and the second radially inner end of the second member.

Abstract: A tapered compression ring for flared tube applications includes a generally ring-shaped body having (a) a gap defining a first end and an opposite second end, (b) a first face, (c) an opposite second face, and (d) a central axis. The first face is tapered at the first end, and the body is twisted so that the first end is offset from the second end along the central axis in a direction away from the first face.

Abstract: A graduated-load spring washer system for screws and threaded fasteners uses a deflection coil spring of slightly less than one coil with special end configurations for anti-marring. A cross-section of the coil spring is substantially trapezoidal, with the outer periphery thickness being the dimension of the trapezoid base and larger than the inner thickness dimension. When placed under the head of a threaded fastener and flattened upon tightening of the fastener, the device maintains a large tailored preload to prevent loosening even during and after stress relaxation and creep, and eliminates the need for a usual flat washer below the coil to prevent marring. The device also eliminates requirement for use of torque application measuring tools because preload can be determined by sight or tactile sensing.