Swageable Collar Patents (Class 411/361)
  • Publication number: 20110027043
    Abstract: A high-strength, pre-coated, titanium or titanium-alloy material component is provided that includes a titanium or titanium-alloy material article having ultra-fine, submicron grain size microstructure and an organic coating of phenolic resin applied to the surface of the article. The article is prepared from a coarse grain titanium or titanium-alloy powder material that is cryomilled into an ultra-fine, submicron grain material, degassed, and densified. The densified material is formed or otherwise processed into a article, and pre-coated with an organic coating containing phenolic resin prior to installation or assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Steven G. Keener
  • Patent number: 7743484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a rotor shaft including a rotor and a shaft having a groove formed on a periphery to open radially outwardly, the rotor being fixed to the shaft through a caulking plate disposed on the periphery of the shaft and adjacent the rotor in an axial direction thereof. This method comprises the step of caulking the caulking plate to fix the rotor to the shaft by applying a load to an end portion of the caulking plate from outside in a radial direction, opposite the groove, when the caulking plate is disposed in the predetermined place, causing a part of the caulking plate to be press-fitted into the groove. This caulking and fixing step includes pressing a punch against the caulking plate from outside in a radial direction of the shaft, thereby fixing the rotor to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichiro Fukumaru, Gou Katou
  • Patent number: 7695226
    Abstract: A fastener adapted to pass through aligned holes through workpieces is disclosed. The fastener includes a pin member having a transition portion wherein the diameter of the transition portion decreases radially as it extends from the smooth cylindrical shank portion to the threaded portion. The fastener may also comprise a sleeve member and a clamping means. The clamping means includes a collar, a nut, or any other possible clamping means. In exemplary embodiments, the workpieces can be formed with a plurality of materials, the materials including composite, metallic, or composite/metallic structures, any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the fastener has interference capability of 0.0005 to 0.0100 inches in composite structures without risk of composite delamination or damage. As a result of the fastener interference, gaps between the fastener and the structure are eliminated thereby providing good electrical conductivity between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Alcoa Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael U. March, Oviedo Arciniega
  • Patent number: 7682188
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening structure of signal connector, comprises: a connector main body, which is a round-column shaped member, an insert orifice is provided on a top end of the connector main body and a signal terminal is provided in the connector main body, a middle portion of the connector main body has a combining ring-shaped surface, a positioning slot is provided on the combining ring-shaped surface, a bottom portion of the connector main body is provided with a positioning section; the connector main body is passed through a through hole preset on a base seat of an electronic equipment and the positioning section thereof is connected to a jointing section provided at a bottom end of the through hole; and a latching ring, an arched connecting sheet is provided between a top ring member and a bottom ring member for connection, and the latching ring is sleeved on the combining ring-shaped surface via the top end of the connector main body, so the bottom end of the bottom ring member i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lantek Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Shan-Jui Lu
  • Patent number: 7677852
    Abstract: A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may also include a frangible pintail, wherein the multi-lobular threaded portion is disposed between the head portion of the bolt and the frangible pintail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7677853
    Abstract: A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may or may not include a frangible pintail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7654909
    Abstract: A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3Al-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven G. Keener, Cesare Peralta
  • Publication number: 20090320259
    Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: HI-SHEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward E. Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley, John E. Inman
  • Publication number: 20090317207
    Abstract: A fastener assembly (1) includes a screw (2) and a bush (3). The screw (2) includes a head (4), a shank portion (6) and a threaded portion (7) including a thread (8). The shank portion (6) is arranged to face the head (4) and the threaded portion (7) is arranged to face away from the head (4). The shank portion (6) has a diameter and the thread (8) has an outer diameter, the diameter of the shank portion (6) being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a first narrowing location (10) having a diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) is captively connected to the screw (2) by the first narrowing location (10). The bush (3) includes at least one resilient element (15) having an actuation portion (28) and an engagement portion (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: KAMAX-WERKE RUDOLF KELLERMANN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Gunther HARTMANN
  • Patent number: 7597517
    Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventors: Edward E Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley
  • Publication number: 20090003964
    Abstract: A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3Al-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven G. Keener, Cesare Peralta
  • Publication number: 20080292426
    Abstract: A fastening device such as a rivet collar that includes a retention element is disclosed. The retention element enhances the retention of a fastener within the fastening device by frictionally engaging the fastener. The retention element comprises a heat resistant base polymer, such as a reactive hot melt, an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, or a polyethylene polymer blend, that does not melt or become tacky even at high temperatures, and therefore has high stability even under extreme storage conditions. Also disclosed is a method of forming such retention element on a fastening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald F. SNOW, Charles M. Stempien
  • Publication number: 20080247841
    Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member, having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20080075555
    Abstract: A fastener adapted to pass through aligned holes through workpieces is disclosed. The fastener includes a pin member having a transition portion wherein the diameter of the transition portion decreases radially as it extends from the smooth cylindrical shank portion to the threaded portion. The fastener may also comprise a sleeve member and a clamping means. The clamping means includes a collar, a nut, or any other possible clamping means. In exemplary embodiments, the workpieces can be formed with a plurality of materials, the materials including composite, metallic, or composite/metallic structures, any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the fastener has interference capability of 0.0005 to 0.0100 inches in composite structures without risk of composite delamination or damage. As a result of the fastener interference, gaps between the fastener and the structure are eliminated thereby providing good electrical conductivity between components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael U. March, Oviedo Arciniega
  • Patent number: 7344345
    Abstract: A captive shoulder nut for a electronic module heat sink has a threaded nut portion and a tubular portion extending therefrom. A ramped section in the exterior wall of the tubular portion leads to a retaining groove adjacent the bottom face of the nut portion. A compression spring is slipped over the tubular portion to ride over the ramped section and be retained at one end in the retaining groove. The tubular portion is suitable to be inserted through a straight hole, whereof the inner diameter of the spring is larger than the hole. The free end of the tubular portion is suitable to be flared to a larger diameter than the hole, thereby establishing a captivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Patent number: 7293339
    Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 7195438
    Abstract: A fastening system is provided that includes a fastener having a pin member with a lock groove and crest geometry that is optimized to receive swaged material from collars of materials of different strengths for securing workpieces for different load applications. The lock grooves have the longest width required for collars of lower strength for one application or greater strength for a second application and the crests have the longest width required for collars of greater strength for the second application whereby satisfactory clamp and tensile loads and resistance to failure will result when the lock grooves are filled with collar materials of different strengths. Certain collars of different materials have similar outside diameters for installation by a tool having a swage anvil with a uniform swage cavity that swages the collars into the lock grooves for securing workpieces in shear, shear/tension, shear composite and shear/tension composite applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harbin, Hai-Tao Wang, Michael U. March
  • Patent number: 7156596
    Abstract: A blind rivet (1) includes a rivet body (3) having a rivet body flange (2) integrally formed therewith, and a mandrel (5) passing through the rivet body and protrudes from the rivet body flange. The mandrel (5) has a large diameter head (6) at the end of the rivet body on the opposite side of the rivet body flange. An external thread portion (13) is provided in a region of the mandrel adjacent to the rivet body flange (2). A sleeve (14) is formed separately from the mandrel (5) and the rivet body (3), and is disposed adjacent to the rivet body flange (2). The sleeve (14) includes a sleeve flange (15) for sandwiching a second attachment member (22) between the sleeve flange and a first attachment member (21), and a deformable swageable portion (17) to be deformed radially in a region of the external thread portion, so as to form an internal thread portion (33) in the inner surface thereof. The rivet body (3) and the mandrel (5) are retained as attached to the first attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takanori Makino
  • Patent number: 7025550
    Abstract: A pull type swage fastener including a pin and a collar adapted to be swaged into a locking portion on the pin shank and with a removable mandrel being threadably securable in a pull cavity at the end of the pin shank and with the mandrel adapted to be gripped by an installation tool for applying a relative axial force between the pin and collar to swage the collar into the locking portion with the mandrel being releasable from the tool and removable from the pull cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Monserratt, Lloyd Parker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6955385
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant utility body comprises a pair of body side storage compartment units adapted to be mounted along rear side portions of a truck chassis. Each storage compartment unit is comprised of a storage compartment assembly that comprises metal walls forming compartments that lead to separate side openings at the outside of the storage compartment assembly. The compartments can include a plurality of vertically spaced adjustable shelves for storing equipment, tools, supplies and the like. An outer one-piece face plate is fastened to outer surfaces of the storage compartment assembly. The one-piece face plate is comprised of metal and includes door openings aligned with each of the side openings of the storage compartment assembly. Door assemblies are connected to the one-piece face plate in alignment with the door openings. A utility vehicle includes a truck chassis, a cab mounted to a front portion of the chassis, and the present utility body mounted to a rear portion of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Stahl/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Boyer
  • Patent number: 6840139
    Abstract: An improved tool for use in association with a deformable nut of a fastener includes a socket having inner surface that forms a cavity on the socket. The inner surface includes one or more engagement surfaces that are tapered inwardly at an angle that approaches a taper of a deformable wall of the deformable nut. In one embodiment the tapering of the engagement surfaces is provided by configuring the engagement surfaces to extend in a tapered fashion generally toward a central axis of the socket. In another embodiment, the tapering is provided by configuring the engagement surfaces to each extend in a spiral fashion about a spiral axis that may, for example, be parallel and spaced-apart from the central axis of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: Luke L. Haylock
  • Patent number: 6786020
    Abstract: The anchor device includes a ring mounted to a first end of a rod or tube for receiving the end of a safety rope, a mounting for securing the anchor device to a building element, and a locking nut for engaging a threaded portion of the rod or tube at a second end of the rod or tube, where the locking nut includes a non-threaded sleeve which extends around a portion of the rod or tube and which deforms when a load applied to the ring exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Arvo Poldmaa
  • Publication number: 20040136810
    Abstract: A lockbolt including a bolt shaft having a locking portion. The locking portion includes a plurality of grooves around a surface of the bolt shaft and a plurality of peaks at least some having a parallelogram shape and being disposed between the plurality of grooves. The lockbolt also includes a bolt head on a first end of the bolt shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Udo Henning Stoewer, Gerhard Turlach
  • Patent number: 6748642
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for installation of a lockbolt to fasten together an assembly of at least two parts having a viscous fluid such as adhesive or sealant in the interface between the two parts, inserts a lockbolt into aligned holes through the two parts and exerts a pulling force of a predetermined intermediate magnitude on the lockbolt while reacting the pulling force against opposite sides of the assembly to exert a compressive force on the assembly to squeeze the fluid out of the interface. The intermediate pulling force is maintained for a precisely timed dwell period based on an optimal period for that fluid and that temperature. After the dwell period, the pulling force is increased in magnitude while simultaneously swaging a collar into threads on the lockbolt to secure the collar on the lockbolt and secure the lockbolt in a state of tension in the hole in the assembly. The pulling force magnitude continues to increase said until the pintail breaks off the lockbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mekonnen Tsegga, Kenneth R. Christie
  • Patent number: 6719510
    Abstract: A fastener having a bolt and a threaded swageable collar. The bolt includes a head portion, a flange portion, and a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels. The shank portion includes a threaded gripping portion and a locking groove adjacent to the gripping portion. The collar is cylindrical having an internally threaded section and a swaging section whereby the collar is fastened to the bolt by threading the threaded section of the collar onto the threaded gripping section of the bolt and swaging the swage portion of the collar into the locking groove of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Huck Patents, Inc.
    Inventor: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru
  • Patent number: 6702684
    Abstract: A fastening system is provided that includes a fastener having a pin member with a lock groove and crest geometry that is optimized to receive swaged material from collars of materials of different strengths for securing workpieces for different load applications. The lock grooves have the longest width required for collars of lower strength for one application or greater strength for a second application and the crests have the longest width required for collars of greater strength for the second application whereby satisfactory clamp and tensile loads and resistance to failure will result when the lock grooves are filled with collar materials of different strengths. The lock groove and crest geometry is of a uniform construction for the plurality of applications with pin members of a common diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harbin, Hai-Tao Wang, Michael U. March
  • Publication number: 20040028500
    Abstract: A pull type swage fastener including a pin and a collar adapted to be swaged into a locking portion on the pin shank and with a removable mandrel being threadably securable in a pull cavity at the end of the pin shank and with the mandrel adapted to be gripped by an installation tool for applying a relative axial force between the pin and collar to swage the collar into the locking portion with the mandrel being releasable from the tool and removable from the pull cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ernest Monserratt, Lloyd Parker
  • Patent number: 6685410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sheath 46 for protecting a fastener such as a pin-tail locking bolt 18 as it is passed through a passage 14, the sheath 46 defining a first hollow 52 at a first end for receiving part 28 of the pin-tail locking bolt 18 and a second hollow 54 at a second end suitable for collecting a substance such as a sealant 13 in the passage 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
    Inventors: Terence P Allen, Reginald D Parson
  • Patent number: 6665922
    Abstract: A fastener for installation into a workpiece which may be installed by either a swaging operation or a torquing operation. The fastener includes an enlarged protruding head which is proximal to a substantially cylindrical smooth shank portion. A threaded shank portion positioned distal to the smooth shank portion includes a male thread which is sufficiently strong to have a swage collar swaged onto it. Distal to the threaded shank portion is a pin tail portion having a surface which is configured to engage a tool. Positioned between the threaded shank portion and the pin tail portion is a breakneck groove having a lower tensile strength than any other portion of the fastener. The tensile strength of the breakneck groove is controlled such that the fastener severs within the breakneck groove when a preset range of tension is applied to the pin tail portion by the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Schultz
  • Patent number: 6659699
    Abstract: A lockbolt includes a bolt head, a shank, a locking portion, a predetermined breaking point, and a break-away portion. The locking portion includes a knurled surface having knurling peaks between intersecting knurling grooves that extend in a direction with an axial component, e.g. spiraling helically. A sealant on two workpieces smears onto the knurled surface when the bolt is inserted in a hole therein, but does not need to be removed. A locking collar is swaged onto the locking portion to secure the workpieces between the head and the collar. The sealant is distributed as a thin layer to provide a seal and an adhesive bond between the collar and the knurled surface. Excess sealant is squeezed-out axially, without forming encapsulated pressurized sealant pockets and without hindering the swaged engagement of the locking collar onto the knurling. Then the break-away portion is broken-off at the breaking point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Udo-Henning Stoewer, Gerhard Turlach
  • Publication number: 20030219327
    Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Edward E Beeles, David Hocking, Julie R. Jones, Stuart R. Seley
  • Publication number: 20030210969
    Abstract: A fastener for installation into a workpiece which may be installed by either a swaging operation or a torquing operation. The fastener includes an enlarged protruding head which is proximal to a substantially cylindrical smooth shank portion. A threaded shank portion positioned distal to the smooth shank portion includes a male thread which is sufficiently strong to have a swage collar swaged onto it. Distal to the threaded shank portion is a pin tail portion having a surface which is configured to engage a tool. Positioned between the threaded shank portion and the pin tail portion is a breakneck groove having a lower tensile strength than any other portion of the fastener. The tensile strength of the breakneck groove is controlled such that the fastener severs within the breakneck groove when a preset range of tension is applied to the pin tail portion by the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030190215
    Abstract: A fastening system is provided that includes a fastener having a pin member with a lock groove and crest geometry that is optimized to receive swaged material from collars of materials of different strengths for securing workpieces for different load applications. The lock grooves have the longest width required for collars of lower strength for one application or greater strength for a second application and the crests have the longest width required for collars of greater strength for the second application whereby satisfactory clamp and tensile loads and resistance to failure will result when the lock grooves are filled with collar materials of different strengths. The lock groove and crest geometry is of a uniform construction for the plurality of applications with pin members of a common diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harbin, Hai-Tao Wang, Michael U. March
  • Patent number: 6609865
    Abstract: A color pressure-sensitive fastener capable of providing a visual indication of a pressure threshold applied to the fastener is disclosed. The fastener includes a fastening portion which is actuated to fasten by way of application of a sufficient actuating pressure on an actuating surface of the fastening portion; and a pressure-sensitive substance associated with the actuating surface such that the actuating surface visibly changes color after the sufficient actuating pressure is applied to the actuating surface. This invention at least partially overcomes some of the disadvantages of typical fasteners, such as the lack of visual indication of proper installation of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Ipex Inc.
    Inventor: Louis E. Daigneault
  • Patent number: 6585468
    Abstract: A captivated fastener assembly is provided along with a technique for captivating a fastener in a workpiece. The assembly includes a fastener having a head, a shank extending from said head that has an upper unthreaded shank portion and a lower threaded shank portion, wherein the diameter of the outer tips of the threads of the lower threaded shank portion exceed the diameter of the upper unthreaded shank portion. The assembly further includes a workpiece having a sleeve with an internal bore with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the fastener shank so that the sleeve can be received over the shank. The sleeve also includes segments that deform inwardly in response to a predetermined compressive force, thereby forming a plurality of deformed segments that protrude inwardly. Thus, the plurality of deformed segments provide an inner diameter that is less than the diameter of the outer tips of the threads of the lower threaded shank portion, thereby holding the fastener captive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventors: H. Thad Johnson, Michael J. Draper
  • Patent number: 6497024
    Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener with a pin and collar with pin having a shank with relatively wide lock grooves having a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank with a wall thickness of excess volume of material before swage greater than the volume of the lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank and diameter of lock groove crests being a minimum to reduce the compressive force for swaging the collar shank into the lock grooves with the excess volume providing partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage and with pin shank having a pull portion being a bore with helical grooves and an installation tool having a threaded mandrel to engage the pull grooves while moving into the collar shank to facilitate larger gap pull up between workpieces being secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: David J. Fulbright
  • Publication number: 20020176764
    Abstract: A fastener having a bolt and a threaded swageable collar. The bolt includes a head portion, a flange portion, and a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels. The shank portion includes a threaded gripping portion and a locking groove adjacent to the gripping portion. The collar is cylindrical having an internally threaded section and a swaging section whereby the collar is fastened to the bolt by threading the threaded section of the collar onto the threaded gripping section of the bolt and swaging the swage portion of the collar into the locking groove of the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru
  • Publication number: 20020114680
    Abstract: A lockbolt includes a bolt head, a shank, a locking portion, a predetermined breaking point, and a break-away portion. The locking portion includes a knurled surface having knurling peaks between intersecting knurling grooves that extend in a direction with an axial component, e.g. spiraling helically. A sealant on two workpieces smears onto the knurled surface when the bolt is inserted in a hole therein, but does not need to be removed. A locking collar is swaged onto the locking portion to secure the workpieces between the head and the collar. The sealant is distributed as a thin layer to provide a seal and an adhesive bond between the collar and the knurled surface. Excess sealant is squeezed-out axially, without forming encapsulated pressurized sealant pockets and without hindering the swaged engagement of the locking collar onto the knurling. Then the break-away portion is broken-off at the breaking point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Udo-Henning Stoewer, Gerhard Turlach
  • Patent number: 6398450
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement (14) comprises a shank (16) with a head (18) retained in a first component (10). The other end (25) of the shank is tapered or of other non-constant cross section and terminates in a domed portion (26). A second part of the fastening arrangement includes a collar (34) of shape memory metal material, which may be swaged to engage and retain the domed portion (26) by a magnetized pressure ring (36), which is applied by applying a strong magnetic field. To release the fastening, the pressure ring is released by the application of a magnetic field and the collar (34) is then heated so that it reverts to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Paul E Jarvis
  • Patent number: 6325582
    Abstract: A two piece fastener system for including a pin member and a collar having an optimized strength with the materials of the pin member and collar having a predetermined shear strength ratio; the collar has a preselected excess volume to provide a desired ‘overpacking’ condition and is of a size whereby after swage it will define a minimum wall thickness; the collar has an outer surface with a contour which in combination with a preselected excess volume results in a reduction in load required to swage the collar and with a pull type fastener providing a breakneck groove of reduced strength whereby severance of the pintail will occur at a reduced load resulting in a reduction in shock or ghost load applied to workpieces including those of a plastic or composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar M. Sadri, Thomas E. Harbin
  • Patent number: 6233802
    Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener including a pin and a collar in which the pin has relatively wide lock grooves and in which the lock grooves have a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank portion with a wall thickness defining an excess volume of material prior to swage greater than the volume of the confronting lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank portion and the diameter of crests of the lock grooves being a minimum to reduce the compressive force required to swage the collar shank into the lock grooves and with the excess volume of collar shank material providing only a partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Fulbright
  • Patent number: 6077012
    Abstract: A pin for a two piece type fastener includes a flexible member attached to a free end of the pin. The flexible member has a diameter slightly larger than a bore in a workpiece through which it is inserted so that the pin is retained in the bore after insertion. The flexible member also cleans debris from the bore as the pin is installed in the bore, thereby reducing the possibility of the debris from fouling the grooves in the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Huck International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Granese, John P. van den Berg
  • Patent number: 6019559
    Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a head portion, a flange portion, a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels and a collar swaged on the shank portion. The shank portion includes a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping surfaces formed between a plurality of cone shaped grooves, the configuration of the gripping portion being spiral shaped. The collar is installed by first positioning it over the fastener shank portion, an installation tool then swaging the collar thereto, the collar being tightly held by the multiple gripping surfaces to prevent movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fastener. A mating spiral shaped configuration is formed along the interior surface of the collar during the swaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fairchild Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Alan R. Myers, Albert K. Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5984639
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade retention apparatus for a bladed rotor in a turbine section of a gas turbine engine which comprises a rivet grip which has serration at one end and an upset head at the other end, and a sleeve made of a soft metal which is compressed to the serration actually against the surfaces of the disk and the blade. The retention apparatus of the present invention provides a reliable attachment and only requires a simple hand-held pneumatic riveting tool to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Valerio Valentini
  • Patent number: 5918505
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a driven spindle (10) of metal having a nut (12) of polymeric material which further is connected to the expelling rod (14) of the actuator. The nut and expelling rod are joined to each other by intermeshing embossing mate for contemporary transfer of axial forces and torques. With a polymeric nut a number of advantages are obtained such as low friction, lifetime lubrication, low noise level, low production and maintenance costs. Furthermore, a possibility is provided for in a simple manner to provide the actuator with a safety nut connected to the main nut (12) with breakable entrainment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Bent Jensen
  • Patent number: 5908277
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lockbolt and a method for installing a lockbolt that removes a coating, such as a sealant that has inadvertently flowed into a hole into which the lockbolt is to be installed. The lockbolt and method prevent a coupling surface of the lockbolt from being contaminated by the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John F. Richards
  • Patent number: 5692863
    Abstract: A self-locking internally threaded nut has a deltoid shaped locking section having circumferentially spaced protrusions. The protrusions form a surface adapted to be engaged by a deltoid driver which tightens the nut onto a bolt to a predetermined axial load. At the predetermined load the protrusions are plastically deformed inwardly on the nut so that the driver rotates freely on the nut. When the protrusions are inwardly deformed, the deformed material impinges on the bolt, thereby rotationally locking the nut on the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Fairchild Fasteners-U.S.
    Inventor: John A. Louw
  • Patent number: 5685663
    Abstract: A fastening system for securing structural members such as C-channels for buildings, bridges and the like and including a fastener construction for securing the structural members through spaced flanges or plates at locations where there is limited support between such flanges or plates with the fastener as installed having a member providing substantially direct, columnar support between the spaced flanges or plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventor: Shahriar M. Sadri
  • Patent number: 5669746
    Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a head portion, a flange portion, a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels and a collar swaged on the shank portion. The shank portion includes a gripping portion having a plurality of gripping surfaces formed between a plurality of cone shaped grooves, the configuration of the gripping portion being spiral shaped. The collar is installed by first positioning it over the fastener shank portion, an installation tool then swaging the collar thereto, the collar being tightly held by the multiple gripping surfaces to prevent movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fastener. A mating spiral shaped configuration is formed along the interior surface of the collar during the swaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fairchild Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Alan R. Myers, Albert K. Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5655431
    Abstract: A nut and bolt assembler comprises a threaded bolt (78a) having a proximal end (140) with a knurled outer surface (142). A nut (144) is press fit onto the bolt knurled proximal end (190) to prevent rotation of the nut (144) with respect to the bolt (78a). Preferably, the knurled outer surface preferably comprises axial splines (142). The connection is most useful on the proximal end of a caging bolt (78a) in a spring brake actuator (10) having a hollow actuator rod (60) into which a head (86) at a distal end of the caging bolt (78a) is positioned with the proximal end (140) of the caging bolt (78a) extending out of the brake actuator through a threaded aperture (77) in an end portion of a brake actuator housing (52). A washer (148) can be provided between the nut (144) and the brake actuator housing (52) to prevent foreign material from entering the break actuator housing (52) through the threaded aperture (77).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Nai Anchorlok, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Pierce, Raymond D. Subdon, Steven M. Stojic