Abstract: Fixing system for a modular leading edge (2) to the structure of an aircraft lift plane (1), in which the leading edge (2) has a covering (4) formed from a first lamina (5) and a second lamina (6) between which there is an interior airtight chamber, and the fixing system comprises a main attachment element (3) whose cross-section has a central element (13), a first arm (14) which is fixed to the first lamina (5) of the covering (4) of the leading edge (2), and a second arm (15) which is fixed to the second lamina (6) of the covering (4), and the central element (13) is in turn fixed to a covering (10) of the torsion box (8) of the structure of the lift plane (1).

Abstract: An anchoring structure for components such as a ball-stud grommet includes a head and a plurality of retention legs defining lips in spaced, confronting relationship with a surface of the head. The legs are arranged in a circle and are provided in sufficient number and in sufficiently close spaced relation that at least one leg on opposite sides engage edges of a slot for any rotational position of the fastener relative to the slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining together two or more superimposed generally planar sheets by setting a fastener in engagement with the sheets at a predetermined location. The sheets are superimposed and placed in a fastener setting and sheet deforming assembly. The assembly is then operated to set a fastener into the sheet and to deform the sheets out of their planes around the predetermined locations. The sheets may be deformed before the fastener is set, after the fastener is set, or simultaneously with setting of the fastener. Sheet deformation may be achieved using appropriate clamping arrangements or by providing recesses into which the sheets are deformed during the course of rivet insertion. The invention also relates to a rivet for use in the method.

Abstract: A platform, such as a deck plate or step, for attachment to a support on an over the highway truck or tractor. The platform includes a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of elongated members extend from the lower surface. A plurality of hooks are defined on end portions of the elongated members. The hooks secure the platform to the support.

Abstract: A platform, such as a deck plate or step, for attachment to a support on an over the highway truck or tractor. The platform includes a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of elongated members extend from the lower surface. A plurality of hooks are defined on end portions of the elongated members. The hooks secure the platform to the support.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet comprises a flange with a large diameter and a shank with a hollow cavity extending from the flange inward. The rivet is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The shank is a straight cylinder with outer diameter D1, and the hollow cavity in the shank has conical section tapered from the shank end and converging towards the flange at angle &agr; and a straight cylinder section with inner diameter D2 extending from the conical section to the end on the flange side. The shank has a substantially flat ring-shaped end with outer diameter D1 and radial length T1. The angle &agr; of the conical section ranges between 70° and 110°.

Abstract: A pin for Z-pinning at least two composite material layers to each other which comprises generally circular first and second ends of first and second diameters, respectively. Extending between the first and second ends is a central portion defining at least two radially extending flange sections which are each of a diameter exceeding the larger of the first and second diameters. In an alternative embodiment, the pin comprises generally circular first and second ends which are of first and second diameters, respectively. Extending between the first and second ends in the second embodiment is a central portion defining a generally hyperboloidal outer surface having a maximum diameter which does not exceed the smaller of the first and second diameters.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for an adjustable component that is to be held against an abutment surface of a housing, especially for the guide bar of a power chain saw, is provided. The mechanism includes at least two bolts that are provided on the housing, are spaced from one another, and project beyond the abutment surface of the housing and into an elongated opening of the component. At least one device is provided that extends into a gap between one of the bolts and at least one of the longitudinal edges of the elongated opening for engaging such at least one longitudinal edge.

Abstract: A carrying device for mounting on a bicycle. The bicycle has a frame constructed of a plurality of frame members that define an open area. The device is comprised of a bag having opposing side walls and having a shape that permits the bag to be positioned within the open area. The device also comprises an elastic connector for connecting the bag to the frame members whereby the bag is suspendable in the open area.

Abstract: A method for transmitting forces between two joined parts. A connection element is introduced into two corresponding openings in the two joined parts. A first undercut on a connection head of the connection element extends obliquely to the direction of force. The first undercut is applied to a first contact surface, which is operatively connected to the first joined part. A connection shank, starting from a connection head with an enlarged portion having a second undercut facing the first undercut, is introduced into the opening in the second joined part. The connection shank, with a longitudinal slot starting from the end surface at the shank end of the connection element, running in the direction of force and extending to the height of the enlarged portion, is compressed in the region of the enlarged portion. After the introduction, a spreading element is introduced into a receiving portion of the connection element.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rivet nail which can include two separate pieces or one single piece. Each rivet nail has a hollow rivet part having a head (1) and a cylindrical stem (2) axially connected to the head. The end located opposite to the end carrying the head (1) has a hollow cylindrical space extending inside the cylindrical stem (2) over at least a part of the cylindrical stem (2) length, and a nail part including a hollow cylindrical stem extending taperwise to form a nib (4).

Abstract: A self-coining fastener which may be used to join at least two sheets of metal together without leaving a coining mark on one side thereof. The present self-coining fastener therefore produces an entirely flush surface on one side of the joined layers. The fastener comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a larger diameter than the bottom surface. A groove is formed around a perimeter of the fastener in order to transition between the two diameter surfaces. Because the top surface of the fastener has a larger diameter, no coining ring is required in the upper die which installs the fastener. The larger diameter head acts as a self-coining manner to push the metal in the joined layers into the central groove. The result is an installed fastener in which the larger diameter top surface is entirely flush with the top surface of the joined metals, without the presence of a coining mark.

Abstract: Compositions and designs useful for fabricating safety cushion and mat assemblies which have effective protection against injuries to persons falling from a height of up to twelve feet are disclosed. The rubber anchor composition has a shore hardness of about 73 and comprises a natural rubber, a processing aid agent, a plasticizer, a filler, an antioxidant, an antiozonant, an activator, an accelerator, a vulcanizer, an inhibitor and optionally a colorant or a whitener. Moreover, the rubber anchor comprises a rounded head portion with a diameter of about 1.5-2.2 inches and a thickness of about 0.15-0.5 inches; a bolt portion of about 3-6 inches in length, and a diameter of about 0.4-0.8 inches, preferably the bolt portion further has indentations. In addition, preferably a metal washer is embedded in the bottom of the rounded head portion to provide further anchoring support to prevent the impact attenuation safety cushion and system from being pulled up from the ground.

Abstract: A mechanical coupler for connection to the eyepiece of an optical device. The coupler includes a body with an axially extending cylindrical wall that forms a socket with a spanning portion of the body. The cylindrical wall and body center and axially align the coupler and the eyepiece. A C-shaped clamping member has a central portion that is affixed to the wall and essentially tangentially extending free end portions that produce a side opening structure. When an eyepiece is inserted from the side, it wedges the free ends of the clamping member axially thereby producing internal restoring forces in the clamping member. When the eyepiece is seated in the socket, the free ends return toward a relaxed position and produce a clamping force that affixes the coupler axially to the eyepiece while permitting relative rotation between them.

Abstract: A simple joint is disclosed for detachably connecting structural members. The connection is made with a resilient T-shaped tongue on a first member which can be engaged in a T-shaped slot on a second member. The tongue is engaged in the slot by rotating it about its axis. Rotation of the tongue causes the end of the tongue to be drawn into the slot by wedging action between the tongue and sloped inner surfaces of the slot. The first and second members are held tightly together by tension which is developed in the tongue as the tongue is drawn into the slot. The invention is well adapted for use in many fields which require parts to be detachably connected to one another such as constructing panel display systems, building modular cabinets or shelving units and building modular furniture.

Abstract: A rivet is formed from a friction-actuated extrustion. The extrusion is produced by a process that utilizes a comminuted rapidly solidified aluminum alloy ribbon as the in-feed for a continuous friction-actuated extruder. Gumming and flow problems are eliminated. The extruded product is devoid of surface blistering. The extrusion is converted into a rivet that has improved ambient and elevated temperature mechanical properties.

Abstract: A saw chain having center links and side link pairs that are pivotally joined by a headless fastener. The side link pairs are formed into an integral unit, by a bridge portion to receive a center link therebetween. The center link and the side link pair have aligned bores for receiving a fastener. The fastener has a center section that is rotatably received in the bore of the center link and has larger end sections on each side of the center section that are received in the bores of the side link pair. The diameter of the center section of the fastener is smaller than the diameter of the end sections. The bore of the center link is of a smaller diameter than the bores in the side link pair. The fastener is forcibly inserted into the aligned bores of the side link pair and the center link. The forced insertion of the fastener forces the bore of the center link to enlarge permitting an end section of fastener to pass through with the center section of the fastener residing in the bore of the center link.

Abstract: A low conductivity mounting stud for attaching an electronic component to a base structure such as a heat sink eliminates the need for several insulating washers and other insulators around the shaft of the mounting stud. The mounting stud may be composed of ceramic material such as partially stabilized zirconia. The mounting stud is secured with a press-on fastener such as a "Tinnerman nut".

Abstract: A hollow insert for a sandwich structure having at least one fixed head on a substantially hollow cylindrical shank with a bore through the shank, the head being eccentric relative to the shank, with a corresponding eccentricity of the opening of the bore of the shank in the head, the eccentricity securing the insert against rotation in the structure.

Abstract: A riveted brake assembly comprising a friction pad attached to a metal support plate with rivets. Each rivet comprises a rivet head disposed in a counter bored friction pad hole, a shoulder portion disposed in and filling a small diameter portion of the friction pad hole, a shank portion of lesser diameter than the shoulder portion disposed in the support plate hole, and a tubular tip portion extending beyond said support plate and adapted to be rolled over to secure the friction pad to the support plate. In its preferred form, the rivet is an eyelet of substantially uniform wall thickness, wherein the length and diameter of the rivet shoulder are substantially the same as the length and diameter of the small diameter portion of the friction pad hole.

Abstract: Splices between conductors in of an aerial telephone cable are covered by a closure located within a terminal. The closure has a large central section connected via tapered joints to two end sections. A settable liquid encapsulant is received in the central section. The closure has two halves joined by a flexible hinge that runs lengthwise along a first longitudinal edge. Two rigid tabs of nonuniform thickness running lengthwise along a second longitudinal edge are secured by snaps through apertures in the tabs. The snaps have tapered sections that clamp the varying thickness rigid tabs along their lengths to prevent leakage of liquid encapsulant. The end sections have open cell foam strips fitting snugly between the cable and the end section walls which are fixed with the liquid encapsulant. The encapsulant sets within the open cell foam to form a barrier to passage of contaminants into the central section.

Abstract: A fatigue resistant rivet in which the head has a distal frusto-conical portion and a proximate frusto-conical portion relative to the shank thereof. The proximate portion has a conical surface with a smaller angle relative to the rivet axis than the conical surface of the distal portion.

Abstract: A pivotal-shaft receiving hole formed in a thin-walled one-piece molded product for receiving a pivotal-shaft of another molded product is formed by a boss formed in one piece with the thin wall of said molded product and the pivotal-shaft receiving hole having a length greater than that of said pivotal-shaft which is formed through said thin wall and said boss.

Abstract: A fastener for retaining two adjacent edges of a pair of panels against the surface of a structure includes a head with an eccentrically disposed stem extending therefrom. A flange section around the stem is spaced from the head. Projecting sections extend from the stem below the flange. The projecting sections extend through an opening in the surface of the structure and retains the fastener therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pin construction for use in hitch assemblies such as those used to connect various types of trailers to a vehicle.

Abstract: A screw lock rivet for use in adjustably securing a riveted member to a companion member, such as a supporting bracket, has a rivet shank portion for pre-riveting to the member to be attached, and an integrally formed head terminating in a nut portion, the underside of which head is formed with diametrically-opposed, axially outwardly-projecting arcuate elevating ramp portions and a central shank base portion ovoid in transverse cross-sectional shape and coaxial with the rivet schank portion.

Abstract: A locking connector that includes a shaft snugly fitting within circular nings in at least one of the two members to be connected together. The shaft carries a threaded pin that is eccentric to the shaft axis; a nut is threaded onto the pin to complete the locking connection between the two members.

Abstract: A two-piece rivet assembly comprising a shank member and a collar. The shank member includes a head, a cylindrical shank, and a helical thread with a substantially constant pitch, but with a crest diameter which decreases as it extends away from a maximum adjacent to its end farthest from the shank. The ring-like collar has an inner wall, an outer wall, and a first and a second end. The inner wall defines a passage between the ends to receive at least a portion of the thread. With the shank placed in an aperture in a workpiece with at least a portion of the thread projecting beyond a surface of the workpiece, the collar is placed over the thread and a swaging setting force is applied. This force applies both axial and radial components to the collar. This forces the collar against a surface of the workpiece and swages the wall into the thread at its maximum diameter and then continuously along the thread, exerting a tensile force on the shank member.

Abstract: A threaded fastener incorporates a conical head and has a shank section closest the head that is tapered to interfere with the workbore and displace work material creating an annular bulge at the work surface bounding the head.