Fastener Having A Deformable Portion Or Deforms Substructure (e.g., Prong) Patents (Class 411/176)
  • Patent number: 11969840
    Abstract: A clinch-in fastener with a cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, sides and an axial internal bore. The fastener has a single shank at the bottom end of the body having a top surface orthogonal to the bore and a chamfer tapering to the bottom of the body. The top surface of the shank is adapted for receiving the cold flow of material surrounding a receiving hole of a workpiece. The shank may have a plurality of notches in its outermost edge that extend through both the top surface of the shank and the chamfer. The bore of the fastener extends completely through the fastener body from top to bottom and may be threaded. A fastener installation system having a tool with means for affixation to a rotary and vertically reciprocal element of an industrial machine. The tip of the tool has a distal end face with at least one arcuate displacer adapted for deforming a workpiece as the tool rotates and is pressed against the workpiece. A bore within the tip holds a fastener installed by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Michael J Maloney, Brian G. Bentrim
  • Patent number: 11894642
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for configuring and/or reconfiguring welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs are disclosed. In some examples, welding-type power sockets and/or welding-type plugs may be configurable (and/or reconfigurable) through custom socket inserts, socket connectors, plug adapters, and plug receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Altekruse, Brian L. Ott
  • Patent number: 11428197
    Abstract: A fuel pump for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine includes a pump housing and a fastening section which is present on the pump housing for fastening the fuel pump to a base, in particular an engine block. The fastening section has a through opening for receiving a holding element for a fastening means, in particular a screw. At least one radially inwardly directed projection is present at least in an end region of the through opening, the end region facing the base in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John Seifert, Jens Leistert, Stefan Brueckl, Christian Dingfelder
  • Patent number: 10731695
    Abstract: A plurality of stacked fastener caps, each having a cap body. The cap body has first and second faces joined by a perimeter of the cap body, and adjacent faces of adjacent caps are joined by at least one connecting stem. The adjacent caps and connecting stems are integrally molded as a unit as by injection molding. One or both of the first and second faces may be planar. One of the first or second faces may be concave and the other may be convex. One or both of the first and second faces may have first and second thicker portions with a transverse groove interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PneuTools, Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick W. Lamb
  • Patent number: 10426082
    Abstract: A cutter assembly has a crossbar, at least one cutter blade, and at least one blade pin. The crossbar defines at least one pin protector recess, at least one bar opening, and at least one bar key surface. The at least one cutter blade defines at least one blade ring, at least one blade edge, a blade bolt opening, and at least one blade recess. The at least one blade pin defines a head portion and at least one bolt key surface. The at least one pin protector recess receives the at least one blade ring. The at least one blade pin is inserted through the blade bolt opening and the at least one bar opening such that the head portion is within the at least one blade recess and the bolt key surface engages the at least one bar key surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Jimmie J Dallman
  • Patent number: 10400806
    Abstract: The connecting element for gluing onto a component surface B comprises a retaining pin having a pin section, to which a structural component can be attached. An anchor of the retaining pin is attached in a disk made of a material which can be penetrated by light such that due to the rotation-inhibiting and removal-inhibiting shape of the anchor, a reliable connection is established between the retaining pin and the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Drüke
  • Patent number: 10385904
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to embedding a threaded insert into a thin-walled housing. A recess can be formed with a machining tool that forms a recess in a thickened portion of the thin-walled housing. In some embodiments, the recess can be formed along one of the walls of the thin-walled housing in a location having highly a constrained amount of space available. Once the recess is formed a threaded insert can be pressed into the recess. An interference fit can be utilized to lodge the press-nut securely within the recess. Alternatively, a retaining member can be positioned across a front portion of the recess to trap the threaded insert between the retaining member and a rear surface of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan C. Mag, Miguel C. Christophy, Daniel W. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 10197086
    Abstract: Disclosed are new thread profiles that provide multi-point contact improving the vibration resistance of the threaded fastener, and thereby greatly reducing the need for fastener coatings, such as nylon patches. In various embodiments, the threaded faster may have a threaded portion configured to engage two or three points of a mating thread, and the threaded portion has a thread defined by a crest portion, a leading flank, at least one root portion, and a trailing flank, all of which may be oriented at angle relative to the normal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Infastech Intellectual Properties Pte. Ltd
    Inventors: Cheng Siong Phua, Senthil Kumaran Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9803668
    Abstract: A panel-insert assembly including a panel and an insert, wherein the panel includes a core and a face sheet positioned over the core, wherein the face sheet defines an opening therein, and wherein the insert is positioned below the face sheet and includes a thread member engaged with the panel, the thread member extending in a first circumferential direction about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad J. Reeves, James S. Bradley, Michael S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9200656
    Abstract: A furniture includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member and a joint structure. The first connecting member has a distal end portion, a proximate end portion and a securing surface formed on the proximate end portion. The second connecting member has a coupling surface and a connecting slot formed on the coupling surface, wherein the connecting slot has a size which is substantially the same as that of the proximate end portion of the first connecting member. The joint structure is provided on the first connecting member and the second connecting member, in such a manner that when the proximate end portion of the first connecting member is inserted into the connecting slot of the second connecting member for substantially withstanding a load applied on the distal end portion of the first connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FURNITURE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 9168948
    Abstract: In an electric power steering system, rotation of a motor is transmitted to a rack shaft via a drive pulley, a belt, a driven pulley and a ball nut. A ball bearing and the driven pulley are fitted to the outer periphery of the ball nut. A flange is formed at a first end portion of the ball nut, and an internal thread portion is formed at a second end portion of the ball nut. An external thread member is connected to the internal thread portion. The external thread member has an external thread portion and a flange. By fastening the external thread portion to the internal thread portion, the ball bearing and the driven pulley are held between the two flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuharu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9157464
    Abstract: A functional element having a head part with a flange and a section projecting away from a first side of the flange which is punching into a sheet metal part without piercing the sheet metal part and also having a shaft part with a longitudinal axis which satisfies a function and which projects away from the side from the flange opposite to the first side. The flange and the section are arranged at least substantially coaxial to the shaft part, with the section, which is formed as a hollow cylinder having ribs extending parallel to the longitudinal direction at its outer jacket surface. At the inner side the section has a diverging truncated cone shape which substantially runs out at the free end, with the truncated cone shape serving for the dilation of the section during punching into the sheet metal part. A component assembly and a method of manufacturing it are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO., KG.
    Inventors: Adrian Ellis, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 9127890
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring means for providing a fireproof and/or wear resistant lining on an object made of metal, wherein the build-up of a polygonal folded base portion is intended to be fixed to the object by means of a to the object welded pin, which is provided with an anchoring thread for receiving a part attached to a polygonal mid section of the anchoring means, comprising an internal thread, wherein lips which extend transversely to said polygonal base portion, join the edges of said base portion, which lips are bended over an angle with respect to said mid section and having mutually enclosing bending lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Wouter Garot
    Inventor: Wouter Garot
  • Patent number: 8898882
    Abstract: Described is a press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface. The neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points. The apex of the ring bead has an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Publication number: 20140259627
    Abstract: The embodiments described in this paper relate generally to a fastener configured to reduce a risk of doing damage to a high cost component. Various embodiments of fasteners configured to be threaded during insertion are described. This is accomplished by selecting a material for an engaging portion of the fastener that is soft enough to yield to a set of threads to which it is driven into. In this way, a complementary threading pattern is formed on an exterior surface of the fastener as it is twisted against threading of the high cost component to which the fastener is configured to be coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Conor P. LENAHAN, Taylor H. GILBERT, Piotr S. TRZASKOS, Alex C. Yeung
  • Publication number: 20130294860
    Abstract: A functional element having a functional portion, a generally tubular rivet portion and a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is characterised in that features of shape are provided at the rivet portion for co-movement of the sheet metal part during the formation of the rivet bead, in particular at the free end of the rivet portion and/or at the radially outer side of the rivet portion, at least in the region adjacent the free end of the rivet portion. A component assembly comprising a functional element and a sheet metal part as well as a method for the attachment of a functional element to the sheet metal part are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri BABEJ, Richard HUMPERT
  • Patent number: 8366364
    Abstract: A piercing fastener is attachable to a panel without a hole by penetrating its surface. The fastener further includes means for attachment of a device to it so that the fastener acts as an intermediate component attaching the device to the panel. The fastener has either male or female attachment means and further includes an outside surface extending from a top end to a bottom end. Near the bottom end, a reinforcement collar includes an annular top surface for receiving a downward pressing force to install the fastener into the panel. A displacer and undercut are located immediately below the collar to effect and receive a cold flow of deformed panel material to secure the fastener to the panel. A plurality of axially extending circumferential teeth are located immediately below the undercut and comprise triangular knurls with sharp edges which penetrate the sheet as the fastener is applied. The bottom of the fastener terminates in a sharp circular cutting edge for penetrating the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Maloney
  • Publication number: 20110182692
    Abstract: A nut plate assembly includes a nut retainer and a bushing for expanding a tubular body of the retainer. The retainer assembly is used to cold work an opening of a workpiece in order to fix the nut retainer assembly relative to the workpiece. A nut member can be snapped into the retainer. A method of installation includes passing a mandrel through the bushing to radially expand the bushing into a tubular body of the retainer. The tubular body is compressed between the workpiece and bushing as the bushing is displaced radially causing corresponding radial displacement of the tubular body. The expanded bushing applies pressure to the tubular body for a desired fit between the nut retainer and workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Frederick Reid, Timothy Howard Johnson, James Ryunoshin Ross
  • Patent number: 7802954
    Abstract: A plastic nut has raised regions forming retaining elements for retaining the nut in a socket of a tool. The retaining elements are formed at corners or faces of a polygonal tool engagement region. Tapered rib retaining elements may be formed at alternate corners, or wedge retaining elements may be formed at alternate faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jens Albach, Lothar Schliessner
  • Patent number: 7789606
    Abstract: A self-locking panel nut fastener having a nut for being received within an opening in a panel which self-locks and upon receiving a threaded screw or bolt enhances the locking relationship with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kosidlo, IV, Bradley J. Jacobs, Lawrence W. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100086377
    Abstract: A vibration isolation fastener insert structure adapted to be partially or wholly snugly received in a hole in a panel comprising: a rigid cylindrical hub having an externally extending flange and a through longitudinal opening adapted to receive a fastener element; an elastomeric bushing snugly carried or formed around said hub and having a slot therein receiving said external flange; an upper housing; a lower housing; the upper housing being disposed around the side of said bushing and having a flange over the top of said bushing and the lower housing disposed around the external side of said upper housing and having a flange extending below a lower surface of said bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Manuel Loret de Mola
  • Patent number: 7581300
    Abstract: A method for placing a functional element, especially a fastening element, in an especially liquid-tight and/or gastight manner, on a metal part. In this method a functional element provided with a hollow head segment is pressed against the metal part (212) witch is supported by a die (214). The metal material is deformed into an undercut (324) by deforming the head segment when simultaneous deformation of the hollow head segment occurs and the metal part is shaped in a forming area defined by parts (216) of the die (214). The parts (216) are kept in a stationary position during the forming process but are partially removed from the die to enable the functional element which is placed on the metal part (212) to be extracted. The invention also relates to a die, a functional element, an assembly element and a die arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 7480971
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for mounting a fastening element (12) to a part (13), e.g. a sheet metal part, said fastening element comprising a head piece (14) with a tubular rivet section (16) which is disposed concentric to an axis of symmetry (18) of the fastening element (12) or a fastening section (20) of the fastening element (12) and extends into the head piece via a radially extending contact surface (22). The rivet section (16) is guided through the part (12) so as to form a hole in said part, and the rivet section (12) is flanged such that the part is clamped between the contact surface and the flanged rivet section in the area of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Profile Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Diehl Oliver, Richard Humpert
  • Publication number: 20080260489
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Richard S. Brown, Gerald W. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7419343
    Abstract: The present invention is to avoid the flange portion of a T-nut of from overlapping the portion between the claws of another T-nut, while the T-nut is supplied on a supply track provided on a nut applying machine, and also to engage the projections formed between the claws into a fixing material when the T-nut is knocked into the fixing material. There is provided a T-nut formed of a metal material in an integrated manner, having a shank portion 49 and an octagonal or almost octagonal flange portion 50, and two pairs of claws 55 to 58. The shank portion 49 has a caulking portion 51 and a female screw portion 52. The caulking portion 51 is formed thinner than the female screw portion 52. Projections 64, 65 are provided between each of the pairs of claws, formed by bending convex portions integrally formed with the flange portion 50 toward the second end of the shank portion 49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nagayama Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7287944
    Abstract: A male fastener formed of heat treated carbon steel for high performance applications, including a shank portion, radial flange and tubular barrel, wherein the barrel has an axial length of 60% or less than the outside diameter and a fastener and panel assembly, wherein the distal open end of the barrel is deformed into an L-shape and the panel is deformed by the radial flange into an L-shape having an inwardly projecting portion deformed between the radial flange and the outwardly deformed distal end of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventor: Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 7192232
    Abstract: A self-locking fastening device which includes a screw or nut for fastening at least one first part to a second part and a shim (10) which is provided with a central borehole (11). The two surfaces of the shim (10) include rib profiles (12,14) which are fixed within or to the surfaces of the first part and the screw or nut no later than the time that the fastening device is tightened such that self-actuated unscrewing is prevented. The shim (10) is configured in a resilient manner such that the shim (10) can be compressed counter to the resilience thereof during tightening of the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Josef Esser
  • Patent number: 7189163
    Abstract: The present invention is to avoid the flange portion of a T-nut of from overlapping the portion between the claws of another T-nut, while the T-nut is supplied on a supply track provided on a nut applying machine, and also to engage the projections formed between the claws into a fixing material when the T-nut is knocked into the fixing material. There is provided a T-nut formed of a metal material in an integrated manner, having a shank portion 49 and an octagonal or almost octagonal flange portion 50, and two pairs of claws 55 to 58. The shank portion 49 has a caulking portion 51 and a female screw portion 52. The caulking portion 51 is formed thinner than the female screw portion 52. Projections 64, 65 are provided between each of the pairs of claws, formed by bending convex portions integrally formed with the flange portion 50 toward the second end of the shank portion 49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nagayama Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7156598
    Abstract: A fastener is configured for use in the manufacture of molded plastic components that will be subsequently attached to other components by the fastener. The low profile head portion of the fastener has a rounded contoured and convoluted top surface to facilitate the flow of plastic material around the head portion during the molding process. The underside of the head portion is formed with a square face surrounded circumferentially by circumferential land surfaces that provides a high pull-out force resistance for the fastener. The square face on the underside and convoluted top surface of the head portion provides a high spin-out torque resistance without sacrificing the pull-out force resistance. The rounded edges of the head portion are compatible with molding processes to allow the flow of plastic material to fully encapsulate the head portion within the molded plastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Tibbenham, David Dean, Wieslaw Zaydel, Michelle Winowski-Zaydel
  • Patent number: 6994486
    Abstract: A method for placing a functional element, especially a fastening element, in an especially liquid-tight and/or gastight manner, on a metal part. The inventive method is characterized in that a functional element provided with a hollow head segment is pressed against the metal part (212) which is supported by a die (214) and the metal material is deformed into an undercut (324) by deforming the head segment when simultaneous deformation of the hollow head segment occurs and the metal pant is shaped in a forming area defined by parts (216) of the die (214). Said parts (216) are kept in a stationary position during the forming process but are partially removed from the die to enable the functional element which is placed on the metal part (212) to be extracted therefrom. The invention also relates to a die, a functional element, an assembly element and a die arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 6991256
    Abstract: A mounting system and method of attaching an a side impact curtain airbag to a vehicle is provided that is inexpensive, simple to use, and does not require fasteners or other connectors. The mounting system includes one or more airbag mounts comprising a plate that has been positioned within the vehicle. The plate may a separate structure that may be attached to a vehicle as a well as a surface of the vehicle's body to which an airbag may be attached. Preferably, the plate includes one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs which are configured to define a receiving area in the plate. The first and second tabs are also configured such that the second tabs are inverted relative to the first tabs. An airbag with one or more slits and a hemmed portion may also be added to the mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Kurt Petersen, Vince Bennett
  • Patent number: 6961986
    Abstract: An auxiliary joining element is joint to a sheet metal work-piece with a foot deformed to interlock the auxiliary joining element to the sheet metal work-piece. The foot is depressed into the sheet metal work-piece, which is retained over a die having a recess defined by a wall. The wall is interrupted by die parts that are movable radially inwardly of the wall. The foot deforms the sheet metal work-piece into the recess and simultaneously forces the die parts radially inwardly of the wall. Spaced undercuts are formed by the die parts in the foot and the deformed sheet metal work-piece for retaining the auxiliary joining element to the sheet metal work-piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Müller
  • Patent number: 6709211
    Abstract: A girt retainer is described for temporarily securing one end of a girt to a column clip until a second girt has been secured to the first girt and the column clip. The girt retainer comprises a threaded shank having a deformable, disk-shaped head mounted thereon. The head has at least one anti-rotation protrusion extending downwardly therefrom. The method of utilizing the girt retainer to temporarily secure one end of a girt to a column clip is also described. The retainer may also be used as a purlin connector or as a connector for connecting the overlapping ends of two elongated members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Chief Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin P. Knecht, David R. Bergholz
  • Patent number: 6559387
    Abstract: A universal ground clamp having a clamping strap having a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the clamp onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections. A metal stud, through which the clamping strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. A pair of curved plates supported upon the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. One of the curved plates is captivated on the strap with stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Senior Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Franks
  • Patent number: 6533608
    Abstract: An electronic component installation structure according to the present invention includes: a bracket; a female screw with a part thereof built in the bracket; a male screw to be engaged with the female screw; and a prevention element which is provided on the bracket and prevents the female screw from turning when the male screw turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Rikio Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6499924
    Abstract: A process cartridge for use in a printing machine is provided. The process cartridge further includes a plurality of rivets. Each of the plurality of rivets includes a retaining portion thereof. At least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion define an aperture for passage of the retaining portion of at least one of the rivets therethrough. The other of at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion define a cavity for receiving the retaining portion of the at least one rivet. The portion of the housing defining the cavity being interferencely fitted to the retaining portion of the at least one rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie R. Kilian, Michael G. Petranto, Beverly S. Bortnick, James A. Pascucci
  • Patent number: 6257814
    Abstract: A fastener, for example a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component with an end face of the fastener having a recess within a raised contact surface and a plurality of projections and undercuts are provided in a sidewall of the recess. The base surface of the recess extends up to the bore of the fastener without the presence of a pilot portion and a plurality of recesses are provided in the contact surface for resisting rotation. The die button which serves for the attachment of the fastener to a plate-like component has a hole-forming punch projection which has a plurality of noses distributed around the periphery in the region of the transition to the planar surface of the die button. On attachment of the hollow element to a plate-like component in a press, the sheet metal part is perforated by a hole punch and is molded in form-locked manner by the die button, in particular by its hole-forming punch projection, into the recess of the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik & Co.
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Müller
  • Patent number: 6164886
    Abstract: A high strength bolt fastens a baffle plate and a former plate of a pressurized water nuclear reactor pressure vessel together. The bolt has a head portion and an integral locking member extending from the head portion for engaging one of the structural members to lock the bolt with the structural member. The integral locking member portion has a lower yield stress than the yield stress of the shank. A lower yield stress may be obtained by selective annealing. The locking member is less susceptible to stress corrosion cracking in high temperature, high pressure water of commercial nuclear power reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: John C. Matarazzo, Ian L. W. Wilson, David E. Boyle, David H. Roarty, George E. Rudd
  • Patent number: 6146072
    Abstract: A functional element comprising a shaft part and a head part, or a hollow body part, for attachment to a sheet metal part, in particular for liquid-tight and/or gas-tight attachment to the sheet metal part, without penetrating or perforating the sheet metal part, is characterized in that the head or body part has at least one undercut feature either in an open hollow cavity at its end face confronting the sheet metal part and/or at its outer periphery and is formed in the regions which enter into contact with the sheet metal part with exclusively rounded shaping edges which, during the insertion of the element, cooperate with a shaping die button in order to provide a hooked engagement in form-fitted manner of the sheet metal material, with the undercut feature or with the undercut features. A method of attaching a functional element to a sheet metal part, a component assembly and also at least one die button and a setting head are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 6139237
    Abstract: A metallic fastening member of a one piece configuration formed of a metal material includes a shaft and a flange extending outwards from a first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a relatively thin-walled portion to be caulked at a second end opposite to the first end. A female threading is formed at an inner peripheral face of the shaft excluding the portion to be caulked. An annular groove is formed at an outer peripheral face of the shaft or at the inner peripheral face of the portion to be caulked, so that the shaft has a partially thin wall. Since the wall of the shaft is thinner at the annular groove, the metallic fastening member can be fractured at that area so as to be separated into upper and lower pieces when detaching the metallic fastening member from a workpiece. Therefore, the metallic fastening member can be readily removed from the workpiece to facilitate the recovery work for recycling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Nagayama Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nagayama
  • Patent number: 6113330
    Abstract: A screw connection especially for heald shaft rods in a loom, includes a countersunk flathead female threaded nut and a countersunk flathead male threaded screw that engages the nut. To secure the nut against rotation when it is inserted into a stamped conical recess, an outer circumferential cylindrical section of the nut is provided with serrations that engage the edge of the stamped conical recess with a location-fit or press-fit, or friction-fit, whereby the screw can be conveniently connected to the nut, for example for clamping a roller bearing ring between two fork ends of a heald shaft connecting rod. The serrations on the outer surface of the female threaded nut have a first transition area (T1) that forms a lead-in first ramp (R1) for guiding the nut into a countersunk recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Fritz Rupflin
  • Patent number: 6109849
    Abstract: A tee nut includes a shaft portion and a flange portion outwardly extending from a first end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a step around the periphery thereof at on an intermediate position of its axial length, a forward end side cylindrical portion having a hollow cylindrical shape located between the second end of the shaft portion and the step, and a base end side enlarged cylindrical portion having inner and outer diameters larger than those of the forward end side cylindrical portion. The forward end side cylindrical portion includes a predeterminate caulked part formed over a prescribed length from the second end and a female screw forming part between the step and the predeterminate caulked part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Nagayama Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nagayama
  • Patent number: 6089056
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus comprises a resin part, an attaching hole formed in the resin part, a metallic pin having an anchor inserted into the attaching hole and an exposure portion. Both sides of the attaching hole are opened to an outside of the resin part. The anchor penetrates the resin part through the attaching hole, and a tip end of the anchor is in the outside of the resin part. The exposure portion has a first supporting portion continued with the anchor, a second supporting portion, a flange located between the first and second supporting portions, and a projection continued with the second supporting portion. First and second levers are rotatably fitted on the first and second supporting portions, respectively. A base seat makes a contact with the tip end of the anchor when the anchor is inserted into the attaching hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yoda, Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 6019557
    Abstract: A process for forming a fastener for use in a D-Sub electrical connector to enable the connector to fixedly connect with a mated connector by threadedly engaging a bolt with the fastener, comprising the following steps:stamping a first metallic plate to have a first face with a number of parallel V-cuts therein, a second opposite face with an elongate flange, and a number of keys above the flange;bending the first metallic plate to obtain a sleeve with the V-cuts forming an internal thread in the sleeve, a circular flange at a lower edge of a peripheral perimeter of the sleeve, and a number of keys above the circular flange;stamping a second metallic plate to form a base having a first hole, a circular protrusion projecting into the hole, and a number keyways in the protrusion; andassembling the sleeve to the base by extending the sleeve through the hole to reach a position in which the sleeve has an interferential engagement with the protrusion, the keys are fittingly received in the keyways, and the circula
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsan-Chung Lo, Tai Lin, Thomas R. L. Tsai
  • Patent number: 5840078
    Abstract: Presented is a metallic cannulated rivet adapted for implantation in a bone mass through use of arthroscopic or open surgery for attachment of soft tissue thereto. The rivet in a first configuration is implanted, following which, a portion of the implanted rivet projecting from the bone site and penetrating the soft tissue is reformed in situ to clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. In a second aspect, the invention comprises the method and instrumentalities for effecting implantation of the rivet and reformation thereof in situ to mechanically clamp the soft tissue to the bone site. The method includes forming a small portal or incision to expose and prepare the bone site, torn or severed soft tissue is mobilized to intimately contact the bone site, the soft tissue is retained in proper position and a K-wire is advanced through the portal to penetrate the soft tissue and the bone mass to a predetermined depth and mark the point of implantation of the cannulated rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Paul Yerys
  • Patent number: 5802954
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston type compressor for compressing refrigerant gas is provided with a main housing which includes a plurality of parallel cylinder bores arranged around the longitudinal axis of the cylinder block. The main housing has first and second cylinder blocks connected to each other by a plurality of bolts, the cylinder blocks including inner clamping faces and abutting faces. A plurality of pistons are slidably provided within the cylinder bores. An axially extending drive shaft is supported by the main housing for rotation through a pair of bearings. A swash plate is mounted on the drive shaft for rotation with the drive shaft. A pair of thrust bearings are provided between the swash plate and the inner clamping faces of the cylinder blocks to clamp and hold the swash plate therebetween. The clamping force on the thrust bearings from the inner clamping faces is controlled so that the clamping force does not exceed a predetermined allowable upper limit when the compressor is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Nagoya Screw Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hayato Ikeda, Hiromi Michiyuki, Masanobu Yokoi, Yasunori Ueda, Masato Nakagawa, Manabu Naoi
  • Patent number: 5782594
    Abstract: A fastener, for example a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component with an end face of the fastener having a recess within a raised contact surface and a plurality of projections and undercuts are provided in a sidewall of the recess. The base surface of the recess extends up to the bore of the fastener without the presence of a pilot portion and a plurality of recesses are provided in the contact surface for resisting rotation. The die button which serves for the attachment of the fastener to a plate-like component has a hole-forming punch projection which has a plurality of noses distributed around the periphery in the region of the transition to the planar surface of the die button. On attachment of the hollow element to a plate-like component in a press, the sheet metal part is perforated by a hole punch and is molded in form-locked manner by the die button, in particular by its hole-forming punch projection, into the recess of the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Profil-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5618144
    Abstract: A tee-nut comprises a flange head, a plurality of prongs extending from the flange head, and a hollow barrel extending from the flange head. The hollow barrel has an internally threaded portion provided at one end of the barrel connecting to the flange head, and an enlarged flarable portion extending from the internally threaded portion and provided at a free end of the barrel. The present invention further discloses a method of forming a tee-nut with an enlarged barrel end, by first swaging out and expanding the free end of the barrel and thereafter threading the unexpanded portion of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sigma Tool & Machine
    Inventor: Volkmar W. Leistner
  • Patent number: 5501558
    Abstract: An anti-friction Tee-nut for use in Tee-nut setting machines having a feed mechanism, and the Tee-nut having a threaded sleeve portion, a flange portion substantially normal to the threaded sleeve portion around one end thereof, the flange portion defining upper and lower surface planes, and the flange portion being adapted to be received in the feed mechanism of a setting machine, and, deflected portions deflected out of the upper surface plane of the flange portion along the leading and trailing end edges of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Sigma Tool & Machine
    Inventors: Siegfried Figge, Martin K. Leistner
  • Patent number: 5456158
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor of the type in which a cylinder block and front and rear housings made of an aluminum alloy are fastened together by means of a plurality of bolts made of a ferrous metal and extending through part of the refrigerant gas passage in the compressor and respective bores formed in the front housing, is disclosed. Each of the bolts has a head supported on a bearing surface formed on said housing means, the bearing surface being formed by an annular projection concentric with the bore in the housing. The annular projection is plastically deformed by the bolt when the compressor is assembled, and the bolt head is carried by such deformed annular projection so that an increase in the tightening force is taken up by the elasticity of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hayato Ikeda, Tomoji Tarutani, Masaaki Nishimoto