Abstract: A driving device includes a first driving element and a first flexible structure. The first driving element includes a first wire extending in a first direction and includes a shape memory alloy. The first flexible structure has a certain width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and when the first wire contracts in the first direction, the first flexible structure has a height increasing in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. The driving device further includes a second driving element including a second wire and a second flexible structure, the second wire extending in the first direction and including a shape memory alloy. The second flexible structure has a certain width in the second direction, and when the second wire contracts in the first direction, the second flexible structure has a height increasing in the third direction.

Abstract: A structural assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member has at least one fastener receptacle and at least one shear pocket formed in the member side. The Shear pocket has a pocket cross-section. The second member has at least one shear boss protruding outwardly from the second member, the shear boss has a boss cross-section shaped complementary to the pocket cross-section. The shear boss is configured to be received with the shear pocket and transfer only shear load between the first member and the second member. The structural assembly includes a tension fastener configured to engage the fastener receptacle and couple the first member to the second member and transfer only tension load therebetween at least during an initial transfer of the shear load between the first member and the second member by the shear boss.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a plurality of spanner bars. Each spanner bar has a pattern of mounting holes separated by lands. A plurality of nut plates engage the spanner bars. Each nut plate includes a body having a mounting surface against one of the spanner bars; and first and second posts extending from the mounting surface and through respective holes in the corresponding spanner bar. Each post has an undercut portion that abuts against one of the lands. Each nut plate further includes a locking member occupying a space between one of the posts and the lands to prevent the nut plate from disengaging the corresponding spanner bar.

Abstract: A component part mounting structure for mounting a cup holder base (2) on a front surface (1a) of a side lining (1) of a vehicle by using a self-tapping screw (3), wherein the side lining (1) comprises a base portion (15) projecting from a rear surface (1b) of the side lining (1) and defining a space (16) in cooperation with the rear surface (1b), and a boss portion (17) projecting from the base portion and defining a through hole (18) opening out toward the space (16), characterized by that the cup holder base (2) is provided with a fastening seat (6) abutting the front surface (1a) of the side lining (1), and the self-tapping screw (3) is configured to be passed through the fastening seat (6) and side lining (1) from the side of the cup holder base (2), and engaged by the through hole (18) of the boss portion (17) at a free end thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing the insert nut having the rectangular lattice structure, comprises preparing a forged article having a flange and a nut body formed with a serration, which are formed by a forging process; pressing the forged article with a thread rolling die in which a diagonal line inclined at an angle of 15° to 30° with respect to a vertical line to a length direction thereof is formed, and a circular arc is defined by the diagonal line, and a curved die protrusion is provided to have a curvature R so that the vertical line is tangentially contacted with the circular arc, and thus an angle between rectangular lattices is maintained to 50° to 40°; and performing a thread rolling process by pressing-in and rotating the forged article.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a base part that defines a through-hole for receiving a bolt and also defines an aperture for receiving a device having a first end that fits through the aperture in the base part and a second end that does not fit through the aperture in the base part. The first end of the device defines a bolt-hole for engaging with a bolt extending though the through-hole in the base part. The second end of the device comprises opposing outer surfaces that engage the base part and thereby prevent the device from passing completely through the aperture, and also align the bolt-hole in the device with the through-hole in the base part when the first end of the device is inserted into the aperture.

Abstract: A receptacle arrangement for an elongated fastener and a nut is disclosed. The receptacle arrangement includes an assembly of two or more stacked blocks. The assembly defines an elongated receptacle extending through a first block up to a mid portion of a second block. The elongated receptacle is configured to receive the elongated fastener. A receptacle obliquely extends across the elongated receptacle and mutually adjoining surfaces of the second block. The receptacle is configured to slidably receive the nut such that the elongated fastener engages into the nut.

Abstract: An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over the profile and secure a portion of the duct adjacent to the opening against the interior of the access panel.

Abstract: A wrenching mechanism includes a multiple of rectilinear fastener plates each with a nut-shaped opening, each of the multiple of rectilinear fastener plates located within one of the multiple of rectilinear openings. A fastener mounted at least partially through the nut-shaped opening of each of the multiple of rectilinear fastener plates.

Abstract: An external surface for a fastener insert to be embedded in a component includes ridges extending along an outer surface of the portion to be embedded. The ridges include end-to-end projections that vary in width and height from one end of a projection to an opposite end of a projection. Wedges are formed in the surface between adjacent ridges.

Abstract: A tapped insert to be insert molded comprises a shank provided at its axial ends with flanges delineating two axially opposite heads of the insert. The shank is provided with an internally threaded axial section to form a tapping. Means for blocking the insert in rotation after insert molding and means for blocking the insert axially in translation after insert molding are arranged on the outside of the shank. The shank comprises at least one fusible area of greater axial deformability located between the threaded axial section and one of the heads. The fusible area is configured to deform under a predefined axial compressive force applied to the heads without causing deformation of the threaded axial section. The invention also relates to a method for insert molding such an insert.

Abstract: A nut for a channel of a strut is disclosed. In one embodiment, the length of the nut is greater than the width of the nut. In one embodiment, the first end surface of the nut meets the first side surface at a first rounded corner, and the second end surface meets the second side surface of the nut at a second rounded corner (opposite the first rounded corner). In one embodiment, the first side surface includes a first protrusion at a third corner adjacent the first rounded corner and the second side surface includes a second protrusion at a fourth corner adjacent the second rounded corner. In one embodiment, the first rounded corner and the second rounded corner allow the nut to be rotated in a channel of a strut. In one embodiment, the third corner and the fourth corner disallow further rotation in the channel of the strut.

Abstract: An attachment device having a nut member, flange member, and tabs connecting the flange member to the nut member. The nut member extends along an axis and has an axial thread-engaging bore. The flange member extends transversely to the axis and has an opening, with the flange member being spaced axially from nut member. The tabs connect the flange member to the nut member, with each tab having a first end connected to the nut member and a second end connected to the flange. The nut member includes blocks having abutment faces defining a polygonal outline with side faces, with each tab extending alongside an abutment face on a side face.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a boss of a display module. The mounting structure is constructed with a reinforcing member installed on a chassis base of the display module, a boss including a threaded length having an outer portion on which a screw surface is formed and being coupled to the reinforcing member, and a connecting portion extending from the threaded length in a direction away from the reinforcing member and having an end portion in which a coupling hole is formed, and a supporting nut screwed into the threaded length to press the boss toward the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A mounting structure is provided which is capable of easily attaching a heat sink irrespective of a thickness of an LSI (Large-Scale Integration circuit) mounted on a printed circuit board. Each female screw metal fitting of each female screw portion is attached on an upper surface of a cylindrical gel in a stacked manner and a lower surface of the cylindrical gel is attached to the printed circuit board. An end portion of each male screw is made to pass through each through-hole of the heat sink so as to be screwed into each of the female screw portions. With a progress of screwing therein, each of the female screw portions is elevated and the cylindrical gel is pulled and elongated. Since a restoring force occurs when the cylindrical gel is elongated, the heat sink is pulled by each of the female screw portions toward the LSI. Thus, variations in height can be accommodated.

Abstract: A fastening device including at least one nut and at least one holding element, in which the at least one nut and the at least one holding element functionally engage each other, and a fastening system including such a fastening device.

Abstract: A speed nut for engaging a member includes a housing including a first wall having a first opening therethrough for receiving the member and a second wall facing the first inner wall, the first and second walls defining a cavity therebetween; and a plurality of engagement elements arranged in the cavity about a longitudinal axis of the housing to form an opening therebetween, at least one of the engagement elements being freely movable in the cavity between a first position wherein an inner surface of the at least one engagement element is spaced from the longitudinal axis by a first distance for engaging the member and a second position wherein the inner surface of the at least one engagement element is spaced from the longitudinal axis by a second distance greater than the first distance for receiving the member through the opening.

Abstract: An assembly includes a main body, a screw, a nut and a restricting tab. The main body has a slot. A first end portion of the slot is narrower than a second end portion of the slot. The screw has a head and a shank. The shank is movable along the slot. The nut is threadedly engaged with the shank, and is wider than the first end portion and narrower than the second end portion. The restricting tab can be detachably sandwiched between the nut and the main body such that the shank can be trapped in the first end portion.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a heat absorbing plate, a heat pipe thermally connecting the heat sink and the absorbing plate, a pressing plate secured to the heat absorbing plate and pressing an end of the heat pipe to the heat absorbing plate, and a plurality of fasteners extending through the pressing plate to secure the end of the heat pipe, the heat absorbing plate and the pressing plate to a printed circuit board. Each of the fasteners includes a connecting portion extending through the pressing plate, a first operating portion extending from the connecting portion, and a second operating portion formed at an end face of the first operating portion. The first and second operating portions are configured to be operated by different tools.

Abstract: A disk-shaped object of synthetic thermoplastic material has contact surfaces on opposite sides that possess a rough texture. In a method for production of the disk-shaped object, synthetic material is injected under pressure in a plasticized state into a cooled molding tool and removed therefrom after a cooling phase, the molding tool having correspondingly rough molding surfaces to form the rough contact surfaces of the object.

Abstract: A self-tapping insert is installed in a pre-existing bore hole in a workpiece by rotating the insert, causing cutting threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert to cut new threads. Engagement threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert engage the new threads to retain the self-tapping insert within the workpiece. The self-tapping insert may comprise internal threads which are used to replace damaged threads in the workpiece. The exterior threads of the self-tapping insert may be configured as left-handed threads, while the internal threads are right-handed threads. The top of the self-tapping insert may comprise a recessed hexagon configuration, and a drive device having substantially the same configuration may be employed to install the self-tapping insert, eliminating the need for a drive-bolt or special tooling, and allowing the counter-clockwise installation of the self-tapping insert.

Abstract: A self-tapping insert is installed in a pre-existing bore hole in a workpiece by rotating the insert, causing cutting threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert to cut new threads. Engagement threads on the exterior of the self-tapping insert engage the new threads to retain the self-tapping insert within the workpiece. The self-tapping insert may comprise internal threads which are used to replace damaged threads in the workpiece. The means of installing the self-tapping insert may include a drive bolt having threads which make up into those of the self-tapping insert's internal threads. The self-tapping insert is aligned within the bore hole by means of a detachable pilot, which is connected to the insert with attachment means. The attachment means include the pilot being attached to the drive bolt. The pilot may be attached to the drive bolt means of left-handed threads in an axially-centered aperture of the pilot and matching left-handed threads on the end of the drive bolt.

Abstract: A screw fastening unit, which fastens a first member and a second member together, is provided. The screw fastening unit includes a screw member which includes a screw head from which a support portion extends in a fastening direction in which the screw member is fastened for supporting the first member, and a screw thread coupled to the screw head and which passes through a first penetrating hole formed through the first member; and a screw receiving member configured to receive the screw thread and which extends in a direction opposite to the fastening direction through a second penetrating hole formed through the second member and passes through the first penetrating hole.

Abstract: A license plate mount arrangement that includes a flexible and compliant license plate mount having an adhesive backing on the back surface thereof and a plurality of couplings accessible at the front surface thereof, the arrangement allowing for the mounting of a license plate to an exterior surface of a vehicle without drilling mounting holes in, or otherwise modifying the exterior surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: A universal suspended anchor system is configured for attaching to a frame having a first vertical wall and a second vertical wall having first and second bearing surfaces, respectively adjacent to and aligned with one another and defining a gap formed between the adjacent bearing surfaces. The universal suspended anchor system includes a bracket and a threaded block affixed to the bracket. The anchor is inserted into the gap and rests on the bearing surfaces. The anchor enables suspension of building service lines including water, HVAC and electrical services.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.

Abstract: This device for holding screw-like means (1) in position in a through-hole (2) in a first part (3) for clamping the first part to a second part is characterized in that it comprises a one-piece tongue (4) comprising a central portion provided with a tapped hole (5) for receiving screw-like means (1) and either side of which extend two resilient wings (6, 7) intended to engage with clearance in apertures (8, 9) in the first part to allow the screw-like means to be held in position with clearance in the hole (2) in this first part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing hollow elements (200), such as nut elements, which are to be mounted on parts generally made of sheet metal, particularly for producing hollow elements having an at least substantially square or rectangular outer contour (202). According to said method, individual elements are cut to size from a profiled member that is provided in the form of a profiled bar or a reel after punching holes into said profiled member, optionally followed by embodying a threaded cylinder (206) using a follow-on composite tool (10) with several workstations (A, B, C, D). The inventive method is characterized in that a penetrating process, a punching process, and a flattening process are carried out in the workstations (A, B, C, D). Also disclosed are hollow elements (200), assembly pieces, and a follow-on composite tool (10).

Abstract: A fastener system for retaining a loose elongate fastener in a counterbore, including an elongate fastener, such as a bolt, having a head for being received and retained in a counterbore in a structure and in generally flush relation to a surface of the structure surrounding the counterbore, and a retaining member for being secured to the structure proximate the counterbore and overlapping the counterbore to trap the loose fastener in the counterbore.

Abstract: A stackable U-nut fastener includes first and second spaced arms and a folded edge portion interconnecting the arms. A plurality of U-nut fasteners can be engaged one with another to form a collated strip of fasteners. A collating tab from one arm of one U-nut fasteners engages an opening in an arm of an adjacent U-nut fastener.

Abstract: A fastener, for connecting a first component having a first hole to a second component having a second hole, includes a cage which is fitted at its end with a radial flange and further a cross-sectionally rectangular or square shank segment. This shank segment is insertable into the second hole of the second component, for resting against the associated side of the second component. A nut is at least partly axially received in the cage and is rotatable from a first rotational position in the cage into a second rotational position. The nut has an axial borehole to receive an affixation screw and also comprises at its outside the diametrically opposite wing elements, where, upon rotation of the nut from the first into the second rotational position, the wing elements will be pulled on account of the affixation screw's rotation in the nut against the other side of the second component, with a head of the affixation screw resting against the first component and compressing latter against the cage flange.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing two components to one another. The fastener assembly includes a barrel or pin that has a radially extending hole in the barrel. The pin also has a reduced diametrical portion on at least one end to form a shoulder and possibly on both ends. The pin is inserted into a hole formed into a hollow or sandwich component. The shoulder engages against a wall on the component to orient and secure the pin in the hole. A threaded fastener is then inserted transversely through the two components to engage in the radially extending hole. The threaded fastener is then rotated to secure the two components to one another.

Abstract: A system for securing a floor mat with respect to a carpet within a vehicle that may include a carpet grommet configured to secure to the carpet, a mat grommet configured to secure to the floor mat, and a locking ring secured to or within one of the carpet grommet or the mat grommet. The locking ring includes first ramped shelves configured to securely abut reciprocal ramped surfaces formed on the other of the carpet grommet or the mat grommet. The first ramped shelves are angled in a non-perpendicular and non-parallel manner with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the system, wherein the locking ring secures the carpet grommet to the mat grommet. The carpet grommet may also include an auger configured to pierce and secure into the carpet.

Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A fastener-fitting (1) for a bolt (10) is anchored to a mineral slab (2) by cutting a cavity (5) into the slab (2) and trapping an elongate flanged-base (4) of the fastener (1) in the cavity (5) under a plug-element (8) of the slab-mineral. The flanged-base (4) fits within a conformal recess (15) in the underside (14) of the plug-element (8) to hold the fastener (1) against turning, with an internally-threaded tubular portion (3) of the fastener (1) extending through a bore (9) of the plug-element (8) for receiving the bolt (10) clamping an item (11) to the slab (2). The plug-element (8) is retained in the cavity (5) by adhesive, and has channels (20,21) for dispersal of surplus adhesive from the cavity (5).

Abstract: A nut plate assembly and a method for securing a nut plate assembly may include a support for a fastener element wherein the support has a base to be supported and/or fixed on a support surface and the base has another surface against which the fastener element bears. The base also supports a structure for supporting the fastener element where the structure is at least partly non-symmetrical about a plane other than a horizontal plane parallel to the base. One side of the base may be secured to the support surface and the other side of the base may have the fastener element bearing against it when a complementary fastener element is secured to the first fastener element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening element comprising a clip part (4), which has a top plate (10), a base plate (3) and a joining section (9). A cutout (11) is made in the top plate (10), and a cutout (5) is made in the base plate (3), these cutouts facing one another. The fastening element also comprises an elongated shaft part (1), which is formed on the base plate (3), has a smooth-wall shaft cutout (2) that leads into the cutout (5) in the base plate and which provided for receiving a connection part. This connection part is provided with an external thread having a nominal diameter and can be guided through the cutout (11) in the top plate and through the cutout (5) in the base plate (3). The cutout (11) in the top plate has, at least in sections, a diameter that is less than the nominal diameter of the external thread but greater than the inside diameter of the shaft cutout (2).

Abstract: A countertop connecting fastener securing device, comprising: a first portion, wherein the first portion abuts a countertop section, wherein the first portion engages the countertop section to apply a force in a first direction; a second portion, wherein the second portion abuts the countertop section, wherein the second portion engages the countertop section to apply a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is a direction that is different from the first direction; and a fastener connection, wherein the fastener connection couples the countertop connecting fastener securing device to a countertop connecting fastener.

Abstract: Fasteners such as clip nut fasteners can include a clip having a nut cage and a nut supported by the nut cage. The nut cage can have a wall supporting a portion of the nut wherein the wall can flex toward and away from the nut. The nut can have projections or other discontinuities for engaging bearing surfaces in the nut cage, for limiting rotation of the nut when under torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert comprising a tubular plastic body having a hollow, axially extending threaded interior, and a plurality substantially parallel ribs extending radially outward from the plastic body and along the majority of the length of the insert. The insert is capable of threadable engagement with a threaded fastener, such as a crew, to attach a base to a component.

Abstract: A strip has a plurality of slots therein each which has a captured nut freely rotatable in the slot to be assembled to a work piece.

Abstract: The one-piece cage for fixing device to an object by screwing blind to a plate or the like perforated by a square mounting hole, of the kind including that cage and, therein, a threaded part adapted to cooperate screw-fashion with a complementary threaded part to assure the required fixing, and comprising four identical radial lugs extending in two orthogonal diametral directions and whose profile is such that the resulting cross-shape can be inserted with a small clearance into the square hole, which cage is adapted to be inserted with a small clearance into the mounting hole and to bear on the edges of that hole at the end of the introduction of the cage therein, and is characterized in that it takes the general form of an elastically deformable U-shape having four lugs angularly offset at 90° to each other and adapted to receive contiguously between them the four lugs of the threaded part, the lugs being connected in pairs by two symmetrical bridges adapted to bear on the edges of the hole.

Abstract: A receptacle for a fastener which is inserted into a receptacle receiving member. The receptacle is insertable and rotatable in a hole in the receptacle receiving member and includes at least one arm extending from a fastener receiving member. The arm is arranged to engage with a first side of the receptacle receiving member on insertion of the fastener receiving member into the receptacle receiving member.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener production system 10 in which pre-fasteners 22 are created and coupled together by wires 87, 88 before, in one non-limiting embodiment, they are respectively communicated to a tapping portion 50 in order to form self-attaching fasteners.

Abstract: A display device includes a front case and a rear case that accommodate internal components, a fixing screw for coupling the front case and the rear case or coupling the internal components, and a nut into which the fixing screw is coupled. The nut has a shock-absorbing part at an outer portion thereof. A nut supporting part is disposed at the front case and/or the rear case to support the nut. Accordingly, deformation of the case caused by tightening the fixing screw is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A sealant cutting tool including a handle defining a blade slot. Also included is a clamping bolt having a clamp axis transverse the blade slot, which clamping bolt is threadably engaged with the handle. In addition, a “T” pull is operatively associated with the clamping bolt so that rotation of the “T” pull around the clamp axis causes a distal end of the clamping bolt to move relative to the blade slot. The sealant cutting tool may include a blade received in the blade slot in operative association with the clamping bolt. In addition, the “T” pull may include an engagement head operatively associated with a proximal end of the clamping bolt. The clamping bolt may include a noncylindrical shoulder received through a mating, noncircular opening formed in the engagement head. Thus, the noncircular opening may be selectively engaged with the noncylindrical shoulder, allowing the “T” pull to be selectively engaged or disengaged from the clamping bolt.

Abstract: A body comprising a nut retaining apparatus mounted thereon for fastening a bolt to the body. The bolt is inserted into a bolt insertion hole at an end surface of the body from a direction inclined with respect to a direction tangent to the body. The nut retaining apparatus comprises a nut retainer and a nut holder, the nut retainer positioned at an insertion end of the bolt insertion hole in the body and against which a nut member having a threaded hole abuts, and the nut holder mounted on the body for supporting the nut member in the inclined direction. The nut member is retained and supported in the inclined direction at a position between the nut retainer and nut holder and continuous with the bolt insertion hole.

Abstract: A fastener system for mounting to a panel includes a twist-in fastener that rotatably engages an opening in the panel. The fastener includes a fastener body defining an opening extending through the fastener body for receiving a mating fastener, a plurality of facets positioned around the fastener body opening for facilitating the mounting of the fastener onto the panel, and a fastener base. Panel-engaging members extend outwardly from the fastener base to rotatably mount the fastener through the panel opening and onto the panel. At least one anti-rotation member also extends outwardly from the fastener base to prevent the mounted fastener from backing out of the panel opening upon the removal of the mating fastener.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming cast members. Steps are provided in the cast member by sliding mounting flanges of hollow plastic step inserts into slots provided in the inner mold shell. The cast material is then poured into the mold. Once the cast material has set, the cast member is withdrawn from the mold assembly. The step insert mounting flanges are broken away, leaving hollow step inserts into which manhole steps are force-fittingly mounted. The inserts are provided with integral cover tabs which cover larger slots provided to facilitate insertion of the step inserts, preventing leakage of the cast material into the mold assembly. Integral cover tabs are similarly provided on enforcement ring support members mounted in a similar fashion to insertion slots provided on one of the mold members to cover larger width slot portions to prevent seepage of cast material. Similar seals are provided by cylindrical-shaped inserts for use in wetcast and drycast fabrication methods.

Abstract: A brake booster assembly is temporarily mounted on a vehicle dash panel by use of a clip. The brake booster assembly includes a housing and at least one mounting bolt extending outwardly from an outer wall of the housing. The mounting bolt extends through an aperture of the vehicle panel to mount the brake booster to the vehicle panel. The clip is fastened to the mounting bolt. The clip has a securing structure for engaging with a wall of the vehicle panel to at least temporarily mount the brake booster to the vehicle panel.