Including Means For Retaining Washer To Fastener Patents (Class 411/533)
  • Patent number: 6030161
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener which includes a sleeve having an outwardly extending flange at a first end. A bolt extends in the sleeve and is axially moveable therein. A collar has a retaining portion which is engaged with a second end of the sleeve and the collar provides an outwardly extending flange adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The retaining portion of the collar prevents removal of the bolt from the sleeve when the bolt is at least partially axially withdrawn from the sleeve toward the collar. The retaining portion thereby retains the bolt in an axially displaceable, captive relation to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Udell, Roger K. Rich
  • Patent number: 6003397
    Abstract: A slidable washer (30) has a cylindrical part and a plane part joined thereto. The cylindrical part is placed between an inner circumferential face of a gear wheel (24) and an outer circumferential face of a boss part (23) of a gear housing (22) in order to reduce the frictional force caused during sliding movement therebetween. Further, the plane part joined to the cylindrical part is placed between a side (24b) of the gear wheel (24) and a base (22a) of the gear housing (22) so that the sliding frictional force therebetween is reduced and the cylindrical part of the slidable washer (30) is prevented from inclining toward the axial direction of the boss part (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Yasuhira
  • Patent number: 5992122
    Abstract: A plate-shaped cambered attachment element (1) for attaching a constructional element (9) to a foundation (7) and having a central bore (2) for receiving an anchoring element (11), an abutment shoulder (4) spaced from the base (3) of the attachment element (1) and extending toward the base (3), and an edge region (5) which extends toward the plate edge (6) of the attachment element (1) and extends to a plane, extending perpendicular to the axis of the core (2), at a shallow angle (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Rohrmoser, Markus Sprenger, Franz Rass
  • Patent number: 5975821
    Abstract: A threaded fastener has a nut, a lower neck disposed on a bottom of the nut, a cage recess formed on the lower neck, the cage recess having a flat face and a bevel face, a cushion having a through hole, and the lower neck inserted in the through hole. The cushion encloses the cage recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: J. F. Kue
  • Patent number: 5967724
    Abstract: A locking fastener in which coacting ramp surfaces are provided on a nut and washer assembly to generate wedging forces in response to backing off movement of the nut which urge the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and the workpiece and in which a spring member disposed radially from the ramp surfaces is biased by the final relative tightening movement of the nut and washer so as to bias the ramp surfaces for movement in the direction to augment the locking action of the fastener. A torque control fastener is disclosed in which the gap between the adjacent ramp shoulders on the nut and washer is indicative of the torque and the damping force exerted by the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Sydney L. Terry
  • Patent number: 5957738
    Abstract: An eyelet terminal is secured to the surface of a grounding member by a resilient plastic retainer passing through the eyelet and through a hole in the member. The eyelet has an annular sleeve which fits inside the hole in the member and a plurality of fingers extending radially outward from the sleeve to contact the surface of the member. After the eyelet is so positioned, the retainer is pushed through the sleeve to urge the fingers into planar contact with the surface. The retainer has a resiliently deformable flange at its lower end which is compressed inwardly as it passes through the sleeve and expands outwardly again on the opposite side of the sleeve and member, and a cap at its upper end which fits over the fingers of the eyelet to protect against contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Schryer
  • Patent number: 5938384
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener system which includes a shaft having expander retaining structure and a threaded portion thereon. An expander is configured for disposition and engagement in a receptacle at least partially defined by a surface. The expander has a bore defined by a wall, and has an end for receiving at least the threaded portion of the shaft. At least a portion of the wall of the expander is threaded for receiving the threaded portion of the shaft. The expander retaining structure on the shaft retains the expander thereon when the threaded portion of the shaft is received by the expander. Expander actuating structure is provided on at least one of the shaft and the expander causing the expander to engage with the surface defining the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5931525
    Abstract: A vehicle headliner pull handle assembly is attachable to a vehicle interior sheet metal component which is covered by a head impact foam having openings formed therein. The assembly includes a pull handle body portion forming a grip and having first and second ends, wherein each end forms a peripheral edge. An extended attachment portion protrudes from each end and extends through one of the openings in the head impact foam for attachment to the sheet metal component. A headliner has the attachment portions extending there-through. A stabilizer plug is positioned over each attachment portion against the sheet metal component for providing strength to the assembly and for trapping the headliner against the peripheral edge of the respective end of the pull handle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Rickabus
  • Patent number: 5908278
    Abstract: A stress plate for use with a threaded fastener for securing relatively soft insulation to a solid base, such as in a roofing environment, includes a generally planar main body with an underside, an aperture on the main body configured for receiving the fastener, and a sleeve circumscribing the aperture and depending from the underside a sufficient distance to receive the fastener and maintain the fastener perpendicular to the plate, especially when the plate is located intermediate the fastener ends. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener is threaded with a defined pitch of the thread, and the sleeve is dimensioned to span at least one pitch of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: S. Riaz Hasan, Sigismund G. Paul
  • Patent number: 5906463
    Abstract: A protective ring for resisting contact corrosion for a connecting element such as a screw which can be fitted to a component and which has a bearing surface for bearing against the component includes a sealing ring of plastic material. The sealing ring is carried on the connecting element in such a position that before the connecting element is tightened the sealing ring provides a bead which projects in the axial direction beyond the bearing surface and which, upon tightening of the connecting element, can be permanently axially braced relative to the component to form an annular sealing surface which extends around the contact surface between the connecting element and the component. The sealing ring has a protective sheathing for the connecting element, which projects in the opposite direction to the bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolk Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Damm, Wolfgang Sommer, Walter J. Mages
  • Patent number: 5904460
    Abstract: A washer based nut has a nut body (11), a frustum disc spring (12) of a countersunk shape and rotatably fitting on the nut body, and a washer (14) for bearing against wooden articles. The washer has a central bore (16) and a round recess (17) formed around the bore and in a top face of the washer, and the round recess (17) formed coaxial with the central bore has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the frustum disc spring (12) such that the latter is fitted in the round recess. Two or more portions of a circular periphery of the round recess (17) are deformed to retain the washer (14) on the frustum disc spring (12), so that the fastening works are rendered more efficient and manufacture cost of the nuts is reduced, under an easier management of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: OPG Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Kawabata
  • Patent number: 5902084
    Abstract: A fastener for securing an object to a threaded spindle comprises a nut portion and a flange portion rotatably connected so as to rotate independently. The fastener includes a bore therethrough having threaded and unthreaded regions, the threaded region for securing the fastener to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Delta International Machinery Corp.
    Inventor: Jaime E. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5867958
    Abstract: A depth-insensitive concrete fastener system is provided for securing roofing insulation materials to concrete roofing or decking. The concrete roofing or decking substructure is provided with a pre-drilled hole or bore having a predetermined diametrical extent. An anchor bolt fastener comprises a head portion, a pointed tip portion, and a shank portion interconnecting the head and tip portions. The shank portion has a first relatively smooth shank portion disposed adjacent to the head portion and extending toward the tip portion, and a second ribbed portion disposed adjacent to the tip portion and having an axial extent which is only a fractional portion of the entire axial extent of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Ditka, Larry Reinhard
  • Patent number: 5865583
    Abstract: A sealing washer assembly includes a threaded fastener, a nut and a resilient member attached to the nut and washer or screw and washer. The resilient member, typically a polymer of propylene, ethylene or other suitable material, is oversized with respect to the nut. The assembly is useful for connecting one member to another via an opening in the first member, and particularly, provides a system for sealing the opening against the passage of fluid, such as air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Krawczak, Paul B. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5845825
    Abstract: A spare tire-fixing device comprises a rod-shaped clamping member (1) having a screw (2) at the lower end thereof and a head (3) at the upper end thereof, respectively; and a substantially disc-shaped tire presser (10) having a shaft tube (11) having first and second circular bearing seats (11a, 11b) as both end faces thereof and a center hole into which the screw of the clamping member can be inserted, at the center thereof, and a collar (12) which is a doughnut-shaped member linked with the shaft tube via a peripheral frame (13) in the outer peripheral direction of the shaft tube and has first and second tire-pressing faces (12a, 12b) as both end faces thereof, respectively, wherein a difference in level corresponding to the difference between the width of a normal tire and that of a temporary tire is provided between the shaft tube and the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Utsuno, Yoshihiro Murase
  • Patent number: 5842894
    Abstract: A fixing element has a screwthread for fixing to a main member. The fixing element includes a cable lug and a contact plate defined on the cable lug. The contact plate is completely rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the fixing element but is not removable from the fixing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Nedschroef Plettenberg GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Mehlberg
  • Patent number: 5839868
    Abstract: A tearable and disposable retainer for temporarily holding and positioning an apertured element such as a washer in place along the length of an elongated, generally cylindrical part. The retainer of the present invention includes a singular, generally planar member made from a manually tearable material. The retainer member defines a generally centralized hole or opening with a series of cuts or slits radially extending therefrom. A series of angularly shaped segments are defined between the slits, with each angularly shaped segment having a formed arcuate edge at a distal end thereof for frictionally engaging the outer cylindrical surface of the part over which the washer is loosely fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Harvey V. Kloian
  • Patent number: 5833420
    Abstract: Attachment members (28) are used for securing insulation panels (30) to structural components (31). Each attachment member (28) includes a nail (29) which is driven by a setting tool into the structural component. A connecting region (26a) on guide tube (25) of the setting tool generates a frictional force with a counter-connecting region of a hollow shaft (28b) in the attachment member when the nail (29 is driven. By means of the generated frictional force it is possible to check if the attachment member is properly connected after the setting tool drives the nail. The frictional force between the guide tube (25) and the inside surface of the hollow shaft is greater than the frictional force between the hollow shaft (28b) and the insulation panel (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Schmidle, Dimitrios Stefanoudakis
  • Patent number: 5827025
    Abstract: A self-tensioning, disc spring assembly is provided. The assembly has a circular disc spring with an outer diameter and an inner diameter defining a center hole. The disc spring has a height greater at the inner diameter than at the outer diameter. The disc spring is also resiliently compressible such that it can be flattened. A zinc element, being zinc or a zinc alloy, is provided in the form of a ring or other shape, or a surface deposit on the disc spring or nut, to prevent rusting of the lug bolt. In addition a method of fastening a rim to a hub is also provided. The method has the steps of: positioning the rim on the hub so that the at least one lug bolt passes through the at least one mounting hole of the rim; providing a tensioning disc spring assembly on the at least one lug bolt; screwing a nut onto the at least one lug bolt to a preselected torque so that the disc spring flattens when a preselected torque amount is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Seventy-Five and Associates, Ltd.
    Inventor: Arne Henriksen
  • Patent number: 5827028
    Abstract: An electrical terminal clamping assembly of the character that will simultaneously accommodate and securely grip one or more conductor wires of substantially different diameters. The assembly includes a threaded terminal screw and a uniquely configured generally circular shaped clamping plate or tilt washer which is adapted to freely tilt relative to the undersurface of the head of the terminal screw in a manner to move gripping projections provided on the undersurface of the washer into secure clamping engagement with a wire of large diameter disposed on one side of the axial center line of the terminal screw and into secure clamping engagement with a wire of much smaller diameter disposed on the opposite side of the axial center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: E. Grant Swick
  • Patent number: 5779421
    Abstract: A device for fastening an insulation element to a constructional component and including a large-surface head (1); a hollow shank (2) projecting from the head (1) and having an inner space which is freely accessible from an opening (15) provided in the head (1), for receiving a fastening member (3), and a lid supported on the head and pivotable about an articulation axis (16, 17) located outside of the opening (15), for closing the opening with the lid engaging, in its closed position, a projection extending from a head surface extending parallel to a cross-sectional surface of the hollow shank (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Beck, Remo Kluser
  • Patent number: 5772381
    Abstract: An attachment plate is used to attach insulation panels to building substrates using internal combustion cordless nail setting tools loaded with collating strips for feeding and holding nails in the tool magazine. The attachment plate has a washer and an annular chamber at a first end. A wall of the annular chamber is defined by a band of fingers. The interior of the attachment plate has a recess. The attachment plate second end has flexible tabs. The attachment plate is placed on a pilot and against a flange of a tool adapter. The attachment plate is pushed into the insulation panel such that the tool muzzle bends the fingers and passes through the same. When the tool is fired, a nail and nail collating ring are forced into and captured within the recess. The tabs bend against the substrate if the insulation panel is of less than nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 5761964
    Abstract: A slidable washer (30) has a cylindrical part and a plane part joined thereto. The cylindrical part is placed between an inner circumferential face of a wheel gear (24) and an outer circumferential face of a boss part (23) of a gear housing (22) in order to reduce the frictional force caused during sliding movement therebetween. Further, the plane part joined to the cylindrical part is placed between a side (24b) of the wheel gear (24) and a base (22a) of the gear housing (22) so that the sliding frictional force therebetween is reduced and the cylindrical part of the slidable washer (30) is prevented from inclining toward the axial direction of the boss part (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamada, Nobuyuki Yasuhira
  • Patent number: 5755545
    Abstract: A means for temporarily securing a tarpaulin or like fabric having a series of grommeted holes about its periphery. The means comprises a double headed nail with an apron or apron frictionally engaging the nail immediately below the second or lower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Henry Banks
  • Patent number: 5730568
    Abstract: A fastener member in the nature of a nut or bolt which bears against an external member which is softer than the fastener member including a body portion having first and second ends, a spin washer mounted on the first end of the body portion, internal and external surfaces on the spin washer, a first surface on the external surface for bearing the external member with a first frictional force, and a second surface on the internal surface of the spin washer for bearing against the first end of the fastener member with a second frictional force which is less than the first frictional force to thereby permit relative rotation between the first end of the fastener member and the internal surface of the spin washer while the spin washer remains in nonrotatable engagement with the external member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Lanham, Jeffery R. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5722807
    Abstract: A method and device for monitoring fastener loads as well as clamp loads imposed on base metal with a special washer usable with bolt heads, nuts, and other fastener elements which washer has at least one integral arm whose position is indicative of fastener load as determined by the phenomenon of dishing of the base metal and washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Structural Integrity Monitoring
    Inventor: Malcolm H. Hodge
  • Patent number: 5707191
    Abstract: A stress plate for use with a threaded fastener for securing relatively soft insulation to a solid base, such as in a roofing environment, includes a generally planar main body, and a hole on the main body configured for receiving the fastener. The plate is configured so that the hole is angled relative to a vertical axis of the plate for accommodating threads of the fastener so that the fastener is maintained in a generally perpendicular orientation to the main body upon the engagement of the threads of the fastener in the hole. In the preferred embodiment, the threads of the fastener have a helix angle, and the hole, which is formed in a conical depression in the plate, is angled at the same angle as the threads of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Dave C. Hempfling, Riaz Hasan
  • Patent number: 5692350
    Abstract: A unique and simple apparatus and method allow one to simultaneously level a closure, such as a door or window, in an opening in a wall while also anchoring that closure to the wall. The apparatus includes a spring shim and an anchor. The spring shim has a pressure foot at each of two ends for engaging either the wall or the closure and an intermediate portion having a central aperture for receiving the anchor. The closure is leveled and plumbed in the opening by attaching a series of spring shims at spaced locations around the closure. The closure and attached spring shims are then positioned in the opening followed by the engaging and penetrating of the anchors into the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph James Murphy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5688092
    Abstract: An attachment plate is used to attach insulation panels to building substrates using internal combustion cordless nail setting tools loaded with collating strips for feeding and holding nails in the tool magazine. The attachment plate has a washer and an annular chamber at a first end. A wall of the annular chamber is defined by a band of fingers. The interior of the attachment plate has a recess. The attachment plate second end has flexible tabs. The attachment plate is placed on a pilot and against a flange of a tool adapter. The attachment plate is pushed into the insulation panel such that the tool muzzle bends the fingers and passes through the same. When the tool is fired, a nail and nail collating ring are forced into and captured within the recess. The tabs bend against the substrate if the insulation panel is of less than nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 5688091
    Abstract: This invention relates to a wedge-locking fastener assembly in which a washer is connected to flanged nut by a series of tabs that extend around the outer edge of the flange on a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hong-Kong Disc Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alistair N. McKinlay
  • Patent number: 5683196
    Abstract: A flange portion of a ball stud includes a seat surface which abuts a junction face of a concurrent rotation prevention plate. By ensuring that the contact face of the concurrent rotation prevention plate has a larger area than an area of the seat surface of the flange portion of the ball stud, the frictional force between an attached item and the contact face of the concurrent rotation prevention plate is greater than a rotational force applied to the ball stud when a nut is affixed to the ball stud. The ball stud is thus prevented from concurrently turning with the nut during a tightening or loosening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Michihito Toyoda, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5673920
    Abstract: A gasket defining a service opening of a bolt hole. The bolt hole has one or more spaced beams which engage and grip a bolt and which resist removal of the bolt. Each beam is spaced inwardly of the outer wall of the bolt hole and will flex along its length without fracturing. The beams may be cantilever beams or may be connected at both ends of the beam to the wall of the bolt hole. The beams are long and narrow and are at least four times as long as they are wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Fel-Pro Incorporated
    Inventor: Martin Mockenhaupt
  • Patent number: 5671576
    Abstract: A device for attaching insulation material (13) of different thicknesses to a base material, such as a structural member, is formed of a receptacle (1) to be fastened to the base material and a pressure component (4) to be secured in a positively locked manner to the receptacle. The pressure component (4) includes a shaft (3) and a head (2) extending laterally outwardly from the shaft. An axially extending slot (9) in the shaft (3) serves for easier compression of the device and permits inward radial deformation of the shaft (3). The pressure component (4) is finally fixed to the receptacle (1) by a stud-shaped expanding element (8) driven in a central throughbore (7) in the shaft for preventing radial deformation of the shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengeschaft
    Inventor: Remo Kluser
  • Patent number: 5664922
    Abstract: A metal guide member (1) for guiding a fastening member (12) into a hard receiving material, as it is driven by an explosive powder charge driven setting tool, has a through opening (2) with a guide arrangement formed of at least three spaced-apart, plastically deformable guidance surfaces with such surfaces having a convex shape extending in the axial direction of the through opening. The guide arrangement assures guidance of the fastening member as it is driven and, at the same time, avoids any interference with the deformation of the guidance surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rupert Janssen, Friedrich Groeschel
  • Patent number: 5661938
    Abstract: A depth-insensitive concrete fastener system is provided for securing roofing insulation materials to concrete roofing or decking. The concrete roofing or decking substructure is provided with a pre-drilled hole or bore having a predetermined diametrical extent. An anchor bolt fastener comprises a head portion, a pointed tip portion, and a shank portion interconnecting the head and tip portions. The shank portion has a first relatively smooth shank portion disposed adjacent to the head portion and extending toward the tip portion, and a second ribbed portion disposed adjacent to the tip portion and having an axial extent which is only a fractional portion of the entire axial extent of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Ditka, Larry Reinhard
  • Patent number: 5662444
    Abstract: A preassembled fastener assembly having a washer axially captivated on a threaded screw. The washer includes an elongated cylindrical sleeve, a radially outwardly directed flange and at least two inwardly extending detents within the sleeve to yieldably engage a shoulder on the threaded screw to hold the parts together. The detents are provided with elongated flattened inwardly extending surfaces with tapered lead-in surfaces or radiussed portions. When assembled, the screw tip extends substantially outward of the washer sleeve and beyond the grommet. Methods of forming the detents are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Crest Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolph Schmidt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5658108
    Abstract: An electrical terminal clamping assembly of the character that will simultaneously accommodate and securely grip one or more conductor wires of substantially different diameters. The assembly includes a threaded terminal screw and a uniquely configured clamping plate or tilt washer which is adapted to freely tilt relative to the undersurface of the head of the terminal screw in a manner to move gripping projections provided on the undersurface of the washer into secure clamping engagement with a wire of large diameter disposed on one side of the axial center line of the terminal screw and into secure clamping engagement with a wire of much smaller diameter disposed on the opposite side of the axial center line. The undersurface of the tilt washer is provided with uniquely configured, generally circularly shaped gripping protuberances that provide multiple contact points for firmly gripping the different diameter conductor wires which are disposed on opposite sides of the terminal screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: E. Grant Swick
  • Patent number: 5653481
    Abstract: A clamp with a live loading clamp nut assembly is provided for pipe joints and the like. The nut assembly includes a body member movable within a cage. A plurality of springs, such as spring washers, are employed in the cage to provide a stored spring energy to maintain the clamping pressure in a desired range. The clamping arrangement preferably includes a pair of jaws, hinged together at one end so that the other ends of the jaws are moved toward and away from one another. The nut assembly presses the free ends of the jaws together to maintain a desired tightness in the pipe joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: United Dominion Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Darold S. Alderman
  • Patent number: 5649798
    Abstract: A screw insert for deck plates which is configured to both drill the pilot hole and thereafter be screwed into the deck plates in a simple step. The insert also has means to fill the gap between the pilot hole and the insert structure to be completely filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Katsuo Ito
  • Patent number: 5626451
    Abstract: A washer, for use with a fastener for attaching a slab of insulation and a covering mesh to a substrate, has fingers which automatically partially block its entry aperture when the fastener is tightened so that a finish applied over the washer does not fill the cavity of the washer. This reduces the conduction of heat through the insulation by way of the finish material and the fastener. It also provides an undercut surface for improved adhesion of the finish material to the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Wind-Lock Corporation
    Inventor: William B. Seibert
  • Patent number: 5626449
    Abstract: A wedge-type flanged fastener assembly is provided for holding two or more workpieces together without loosening due to vibration or shock forces. The assembly includes a nut and lock washer having mating cam surfaces contoured to achieve a high strength wedge lock resistance to unloosening movement of the nut. The lock washer is captively retained on the nut by an annular flange extending from the nut through the central opening in the washer. Several variations of a flanged wedge type fastener are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Hong Kong Disc Lock Company Limited
    Inventor: Alistair N. McKinlay
  • Patent number: 5620290
    Abstract: A snap-on ground retainer for a fastener of the type having a shank, the shank having a head at one end and a threaded portion along its length. The ground retainer comprises a relatively thin sheet metal and includes a washer-like member having an external annular body portion and an inner tooth portion, the inner tooth portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth extending radially inwardly from an inner margin of the washer-like member. The plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth comprise a plurality of resilient retaining teeth and a plurality of rigid grounding teeth, an inner diameter defined by the rigid grounding teeth is slightly larger than a maximum diameter of the threaded portion on the fastener and an inner diameter defined by the resilient retaining teeth is slightly smaller than a maximum diameter of the threaded portion on the fastener with which the ground retainer is adapted to be telescopically associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Homfeldt, Barth Leatherman, James Langford
  • Patent number: 5618145
    Abstract: A fastener module includes a washer having an upper portion with a first passage defined therein and a lower portion with a second passage defined therein and communicating with the first passage. A head is mounted on the upper portion of the washer and has a shank extending downwardly from a lower portion thereof and mounted in the first passage. An annular groove is defined around a periphery of the shank and communicates with the second passage. A snapping ring is mounted in the annular groove and received in the second passage and is abutted against the upper portion of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Jung-feng Kuo
  • Patent number: 5607272
    Abstract: An attachment plate is used to attach insulation panels to building substrates using internal combustion cordless nail setting tools loaded with collating strips for feeding and holding nails in the tool magazine. The attachment plate has a washer and an annular chamber at a first end. A wall of the annular chamber is defined by a band of fingers. The interior of the attachment plate has a recess. The attachment plate second end has flexible tabs. The attachment plate is placed on a pilot and against a flange of a tool adapter. The attachment plate is pushed into the insulation panel such that the tool muzzle bends the fingers and passes through the same. When the tool is fired, a nail and nail collating ring are forced into and captured within the recess. The tabs bend against the substrate if the insulation panel is of less than nominal thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert Olvera, Michael C. Dill
  • Patent number: 5599131
    Abstract: A belt fastener having an upper plate and a lower plate with holes which align with holes in a pair of belt ends, and bolts are inserted through the aligned holes of the plates and the belt ends, and nuts screwed onto the bolts, to connect the belt ends. A preassembled lower plate and bolt combination is provided in which bolts are retained in their respective lower plate apertures by washers disposed on the bolt shanks. The washers are disposed on the bolt shanks sufficiently close to the lower plate to maintain anti-rotational engagement of the bolts with the lower plate, and spaced sufficiently far from the lower plate to allow outward swinging of the bolts to an insertion position for insertion of the bolts through the belt holes in an outwardly swung position for subsequent drawing together of the bolt and belt ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Donald L. Julen, Peter M. Ramsey, David F. Drabek, John H. Winkelman
  • Patent number: 5584628
    Abstract: The device for connecting parts having holes with different center-to-center distances consists of a threaded connecting element, such as a bolt or a nut, and a bush whose internal diameter is greater than the diameter of the bolt shank or of a threaded shank associated to the the nut; if used for fitting vehicle wheels, a bolt may be inserted into the holes in the wheel, with the bush snapped onto the base of the bolt head from below, and the bolt then screwed into the corresponding threaded hole in the axle hub, the difference between the center-to-center distance of the holes in the wheel and that of the threaded holes in the vehicle axle hub being compensated by the play created by the difference between the diameter of the bush and that of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Ruote O.Z. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Bernoni
  • Patent number: 5562380
    Abstract: A protective seam plate retains a flexible membrane of a roofing system in place without tearing the flexible membrane during high winds. The protective seam plate comprises a seam plate having a web with a periphery and top and bottom surfaces. A protective ring surrounds the seam plate web periphery and overlies the web top and bottom surfaces around and adjacent the web periphery. The protective ring has a smooth continuous surface that is contacted by the flexible membrane when the flexible membrane lifts off the roof during high winds. The protective seam plate may be manufactured by heat shrinking a tube of heat shrinkable material surrounding the periphery of the seam plate web. Alternately, the protective ring may be an L-shaped ring that is assembled to the seam plate by bending a leg over the web top surface. The protective seam plate may also be fabricated by bending a flange that is integral with the seam plate web such that the flange partially overlies the web top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Dave C. Hempfling, Parimal M. Vadhar, Ronald J. Huffmon
  • Patent number: 5557897
    Abstract: A fastening device for anchoring a sealing strip on a roof includes an elongated fastener which penetrates both a holder and the sealing strip and has a drill tip at a lower end thereof extending into the roof substructure. An opposite upper end of the fastener has an enlarged upper end engaged in an opening in the holder to press the holder against and anchor the sealing strip on the roof. A cover having a recessed underside for receiving the holder and a central hole with a slit-like depression for receiving a catch-shaped projection extending upwardly from the head of the fastener is rotated to drive the fastener and the holder into position on the sealing strip while at the same time covering the opening in the holder to prevent entry of rainwater and the like. As the cover engages the sealing strip, the cover eventually disengages the fastener so that only the cover rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: BRAAS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kranz, Reinhard Schubert
  • Patent number: 5536124
    Abstract: A semi-liquid impervious captive fastener system for electronic components and the like which includes a first rigid member adapted for securement to a second rigid member. The first rigid member has a well opening, a fastener well, and a fastener aperture. An elastic member is co-molded to the first rigid member such that the elastic member extends at least partially over the well opening and into the well so as to surround the fastener aperture. A threaded fastener having a head portion may reside in the well such that a driving instrument may be inserted through the elastic member for driving the threaded fastener so as to secure a first rigid member to a second rigid member and forming at least a semi-liquid impervious seal while acting to secure the threaded fastener within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Norand Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Silva
  • Patent number: 5531554
    Abstract: A fastener for insertion through aligned holes of two components to be secured to one another by the fastener. The fastener includes a shaft portion having an end; a fastener head disposed at said end; and a retaining arrangement for maintaining the fastener captive by the components. The retaining arrangement includes a conical collar situated between the shaft portion and the fastener head. Further, the conical collar surrounds the axis and has a maximum diameter base oriented toward the fastener head. The conical collar is provided with radial recesses. The retaining arrangement also has a neck part surrounding the shaft axis and disposed between the fastener head and the conical collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: JBS S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Jeanson, Jean Huppert