Abstract: A system and apparatus are provided for use in determining a spacing of a gap between a first flange and a second flange connected by at least one bolt using an integrated sensor. The sensor may include a plurality of electric coils for generating an AC magnetic field for causing a magnetic material to produce a dynamic mechanical response as a result of a change in the spacing of the first and second flanges. A holder for the sensor may be provided, and may be adapted for positioning between the joined parts or the associated flanges, and further may be adapted to attach to a bolt connecting the parts. Related methods include estimating a retained load on a gasket or seal associated with the first and second flanges.

Abstract: An assembly for rigid bone fixation includes a plate and a screw. The screw can be rotated freely within the plate in a non-locking configuration to secure the plate against the bone. A locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the screw from moving relative the plate. In one embodiment, the plate includes a threaded portion and a non-threaded portion. The screw head rotates within the non-threaded portion to tighten the screw and pull the plate against the bone. The locking mechanism can include a moveable nut that rotates within the threaded portion of the plate to lock the screw and plate in a locking mode. The assembly can be used for rigid fixation of bones that experience cyclic loads, such as the sternum and mandible. Methods of rigid bone fixation are also described.

Abstract: A polymeric fastener includes a body having multiple sides adapted to accept a tool for applying torque to the body to axially rotate the body with respect to a body longitudinal axis. A flange integrally connected to the body extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A wave-shaped washer integrally connected to the flange has multiple valleys interposed between multiple oppositely directed peaks. Multiple triangular shaped frangible connectors integrally join the flange to the wave-shaped washer. Each frangible connector is integrally connected at a first end to the flange, and is integrally connected at an opposite connecting tip to an individual one of the peaks. The connecting tip has a reduced thickness compared to the first end to induce fracture of each frangible connector at the connecting tip.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a module to a rail. The clamp has a bolt having a head and a thread. The clamp includes an insert thread having a threaded aperture for receiving the thread of the bolt. The clamp having a body including an aperture to receive the bolt and wherein a first side of the body abuts the head of the bolt. The body includes a saw-toothed edge on a second side of the body opposing the first side of the body. The clamp includes a nut having a nut aperture for receiving the insert thread and the insert thread facilitating an electrical connection between the bolt and the nut. The nut having a first nut flange and a second nut flange extending toward the head of the bolt and wherein tightening of the bolt causes the nut and the body to approach one another causing the saw-toothed edge to pierce the module and the first nut flange and the second nut flange to engage and pierce notches of the rail.

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: An integrally formed screw, such as a wood screw has a threaded cylindric stem and a head (9). At least a part (25) of the head (9) is shallowly convexly curved (25) and is provided with a screwdriver recess (26). The head (9) has an annular, shallowly concave underside (22) adapted to accommodate a relatively soft, polymeric washer (27).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent weld nut wherein the weld nut and an iron plate are closely fixed together by inserting extra metal materials upon welding into a groove around a weld projection. The present invention relates to weld nuts each having such a groove in the vicinity of such a weld projection.

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.

Abstract: A nut includes an extended flange and a center hole. A shoulder is formed onto the edge of the center hole to achieve an easier and faster assembly. The shoulder has an essentially tubular shape and is provided with a thread on its inside wall.

Abstract: A threaded nut which resists loosening under vibration and shock forces which comprises a nut body which transmits load to the mating threads of the nut and bolt through two distinct load paths from two separate load seating faces on the nut for transmitting forces to the workpiece with one seating face being disposed radially outwardly of the other with the load path transmitting load to different regions of the threads.

Abstract: An enhanced fatigue nut for mating with a threaded mating component includes an exterior surface, a flanged mating end for insertion of a threaded mating component and an end opposing the flanged mating end. Disposed on the interior of the fastener may be a plurality of threads running from the flanged mating end toward the opposing end. The flanged mating end may have a load distributing profile that reduces a limiting stress on the threads of the mating component when the mating component is mated with the enhanced fatigue nut. The flanged mating end may have an end surface, a portion of which is disposed at an angular relationship with a line that is disposed perpendicular with a line that is disposed through the center of the interior of the enhanced fatigue nut.

Abstract: An annularly configured device for use on each earthquake restrainer cable of a bridge, which device, will deform due to its internal configuration upon the occurrence of an earthquake, if the earthquake stresses the bridge cable with which the device is associated excessively. The result of the stress is a visual indication of the cable's elongation as manifested by a "crowning" of the annular indicator and a shortening of its length. The specific configuration required of the annular member is one of a reduced thickness section of the interior wall, with tapered edges leading to the main cross section of the annular member.

Abstract: An improved mounting bolt for attaching brake actuators to the frame of a vehicle includes a head having outermost portions which contact the service chamber housing, and inner portions which are spaced from the housing. The bolt spreads the force from carrying the brake actuator over a greater area on the service chamber housing and away from the bolt hole. The bolt preferably has a generally rectangular head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening system comprising a nut and a counterpart, wherein for protection against torsion of the nut at least two fastening elements are provided which interengage as a projection and a depression. In order on the one hand to secure the nut against inadvertent loosening and on the other hand to facilitate simple manual operation in tightening and loosening, the nut is made from resilient material and is constructed integrally with one of the two fastening elements.

Abstract: A nut for use on roadways, runways, in reinforced concrete construction, and the like, possesses a generally circular shape, with spherical top and bottom surfaces connected by a cylindrical side wall. A central aperture formed through the nut is threaded for engagement with an anchor bolt secured in a roadway surface by a conventional epoxy. Four smaller diameter threaded apertures are disposed on a common circle adjacent a peripheral edge of the nut, evenly spaced at ninety degree angular increments. The smaller diameter apertures are utilized in conjunction with a spanner wrench to tighten the nut on an anchor bolt. After the nut is tightened securely into position, an externally threaded drill guide bushing is engaged within each of the four smaller diameter apertures and utilized to drill a coaxial cylindrical bore in the roadway surface.

Abstract: A symmetric self locking nut with a deflecting annular flange that allows the nut to be installed from opposite ends. The nut has a shank with a threaded hole through the longitudinal axis of the shank. Extending from the shank perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is at least one annular flange. At the end of the flange are a pair of annular rims that extend in opposite directions from the flange. The rims define the outmost end portions of the nut and have outer surfaces that engage the working surface of a workpiece. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt and one of the rims engages the workpiece, the flange deflects causing the nut thread nearest the workpiece to press against the adjacent thread of the bolt. The deflection of the flange increases the frictional force between the threads of the nut and bolt, insuring that the nut is in constant contact with the bolt even when the fasteners are subjected to vibrational loading.

Abstract: A process for mutually locking two elements screwed on one another, wherein it is provided that a portion of one of the elements covers a housing provided in the other element and overlaps an edge limiting said housing; said portion or a part thereof is then sheared level with said edge so that it penetrates in the housing, the shearing front then cooperating with the wall of the housing comprising the edge to form a stop opposing unscrewing. The process is more particularly applicable to the connecting of tubes used in offshore oil drilling and prospection.

Abstract: A self-locking demountable pin consisting of a central stay bolt with an internal hexagonal through bore for its tightening by a key and comprising at its two ends two opposite-handed external threads, right handed and left handed respectively, which cooperate with the corresponding threads of two elastic end nuts each provided with an annular flange having a frusto-conical surface and decreasing in thickness in an outward direction, its taper being greater than that of two frusto-conical flares into which the nuts are to be inserted.

Abstract: A device for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in a nuclear fuel assembly during reactor heatup is disclosed herein. The device generally comprises a stress relieving fastener capable of connecting a fuel assembly top nozzle, which may be stainless steel, to a threaded stud, which may be Zircaloy. The stud is attached to a fuel assembly channel. The fastener includes a threaded nut having a deformable portion for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in the stud by the differential thermal expansion of the top nozzle and stud. In a first embodiment of the nut, the deformable portion comprises a circumferential, deformable ridge which is substantially recessed from the marginal edge of the nut and which is disposed on the bottom most surface of the nut. The ridge contacts the top nozzle when the nut threadedly engages the stud. A second embodiment of the nut is similar to the first embodiment except that the deformable ridge is disposed flush with the marginal edge of the nut.

Abstract: A fastener having a body defining an axis of rotation extending downwardly from the body and formed integrally therewith is provided with a flange extending radially and downwardly from the body. The flange is slotted to define a plurality of deformable tabs joined at their respective bases to the body. At least a portion of each tab is twisted relative to its base about an axis extending along the flange radially from the axis of rotation in a direction so that the leading edge of each tab as defined by the slots, the edge being on the side of the tab facing in the direction of rotation of the fastener for tightening, projects downwardly.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and a fastener for use in attaching articles to printed circuit boards. The fastener, which has a generally tubular body, flanged at one end, is adapted to receive a screw. The fastener has a polygonal cross-section over a portion of its length. The flange which is located at one end of the tubular body, has an integral spring washer and includes indentations which allow solder to flow from one side of the printed circuit board to the other. The fastener with its integral spring washer provides improved clamping characteristics and avoids problems associated with large coefficients of thermal expansion of printed circuit board material in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: A rotary fastener for use in attaching sheet metal or attaching articles to sheet metal. The fastener has a serrated helical ramp forged in the undersurface of the head during the heading operation. The serrations have generally radially oriented surfaces which engage workpiece material to increase strip torque, removal torque or both. The ramp advances helically in an axial direction and the ramp is spiral in cross-section.

Abstract: A load indicating flange is provided either separately or on a nut or a bolt head. This load indicating flange has an axially directed face which has a wavy surface on which a plurality of crests are disposed for initial engagement with a work surface. A plurality of troughs are provided on the wavy surface one each between two of the crests. A gauge groove is provided at each trough and when the bolt and nut combination is properly tightened on a workpiece, the troughs are flattened toward the work surface to such an extent that a relatively thick gauge cannot enter the gauge groove. If the bolt and nut are improperly tightened, then the gauge will enter the gauge groove. A narrow band peripheral bearing surface is provided on the outer periphery of the face to prevent defacing the work surface.

Abstract: A screw having a head and a body defining an axis of rotation extending downwardly from the head and formed integrally therewith is provided with a flange extending radially and downwardly from the head about the upper end of the body. The flange is slotted to define a plurality of deformable tabs joined at their respective bases to the head. At least a portion of each tab is twisted relative to its base about an axis extending along the flange radially from the axis of rotation in a direction so that an edge of each tab defined by the slots, the edge being on the side of the tab facing in the direction of rotation of the screw for removal, projects downwardly. The respective ends of the edge lie in essentially a single plane extending normally to the axis or rotation, the bottom surface of the tabs defining an essentially straight line in radial cross-section except in the region of twist.

Abstract: An improved fastener indicates when a predetermined preload has been applied to the fastener. The fastener includes a body section which is connected with a thread convolution. A load transmitting and indicating section is connected with the body section. The load transmitting and indicating section includes a bearing section having a flat annular bottom surface and an undulating annular spring section which circumscribes the bearing section. The spring section has a bottom surface with crest and trough portions. The crest portions extend tangentially to the plane of the bottom surface of the bearing section. The trough portions are resiliently deflectable toward the body section to flatten the undulations in the spring section upon application of the predetermined preload to the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener such as a threaded nut, bolt or screw includes a body portion with a bearing surface at the workpiece engaging end defined at least in part by a flange. Segments of the bearing surface defined by the flange are flexible and resilient so that upon tightening of the fastener against a workpiece or other element, deflection of the resilient segments provides a spring action to compensate for developed looseness or loss of tension. Other segments of the bearing surface adjacent the flexible segments are rendered rigid by the body portion of the fastener and by brace structure associated with the body portion to the end that substantial spring forces are achieved.