Abstract: A modified anchor device for attaching a structure to a thin-walled work piece allows a structure, such as a luggage or utility rack, to be attached to a work piece, such as an automobile roof, without threaded fasteners connecting the structure to the work piece. The anchor device has an double-sectioned head having an upper head member and a lower head member The upper head member extends above the surface of the work piece a sufficient distance such that the upper head member engages the top surface of the structure, thus retaining the bottom side of the structure in face-to-face contact with the top side of the work piece.

Abstract: A threaded collapsible insert is utilized for insertion into a hole in a workpiece for subsequent installation of a threaded fastener. The insert has a axially-aligned opening extending for most or all of the entire length of the body of the insert. The hollow body has a first section and a second section, where the wall thickness of the first section is less than the wall thickness of the second section, such that the first section preferentially collapses upon application of a linear force to the insert. The second section comprises internal threads for engaging the fastener. The head member has a top side and an underside. The underside of the head member may comprise a plurality of knurls radiating outwardly on the underside of the flange. The outside of the first section may also comprise a plurality of axially aligned rib members extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An insert installation apparatus comprises a housing having a body section and a nose piece. The nosepiece comprises a forward end and a rearward end, where the rearward end of the nose piece is attached to the body section. The apparatus comprises a rotary power source and reciprocating means which are employed to set a threaded insert in a work piece. The rotary power source has an extension member which connects the rotary power source to the first end of a drive shaft which is received by the extension member. The second end of the drive shaft is operationally coupled to a partially threaded mandrel which extends out of the forward end of the nose piece. The apparatus further comprises mandrel shock absorbing means which allow the mandrel to reciprocate with respect to the nose piece from a first position to a second position, where the mandrel shock absorbing means operates independently from the reciprocating means which usually employed to set the threaded insert.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a rivet nut or the like having an intentionally threaded shaft wherein the apparatus includes a hydraulically geared power tool having an inner hydraulic fluid containing a chamber and a screw adapted to engage the threaded shaft of the nut wherein the power tool rotates the screw when actuated. A fluid outlet is coupled to the chamber and is coupled to a gauge controlled power supply, the power supply being fluidly coupled to the power tool whereby the power supply includes torque predetermining device for determining when a predetermined torque is placed on the screw, this stopping rotation thereof and resuming rotation in an opposite direction to withdraw the screw from the nut.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing an insert within an aperture in a workpiece, the workpiece having a first side and a second side. The insert is the type in which a portion of the insert plastically deforms on the second side of the workpiece upon application of a linear force provided by a tool, thereby preventing withdrawal of the insert from the aperture. The insert comprises a sleeve member and an integral flange, where the flange has a larger diameter than the aperture. The disclosed installation system performs two actions. It causes the expansion of the sleeve and it also causes the flange of the insert to be fused or welded to the first side of the workpiece. The welded connection between the insert and the workpiece prevents any rotation or spinning of the insert within the workpiece, and increases the integrity of the insert-fastener connection.

Abstract: A simplified method for producing internally threaded blind fasteners includes cold forming of the thin deformable walls of the fastener into bowed out sections by reverse extrusion to form deep grooves, and subsequent further cold forming to increase the diameter of this thin walled portion of the fastener to form it into bowed out sections. Three or more or even five or more sections may be formed, to increase the “pull-out” resistance by increasing the “footprint” of the deformed sections of the blind fastener.

Abstract: A quick release drive assembly intercouples a reversible hand held motor and a drive screw for mounting blind fasteners in place. A replaceable adaption assembly includes the drive screw, the nosepiece of the unit and a drive adaptor for supplying torque from the motor to the drive screw. An outer housing is coupled to the nosepiece by three ball bearings which extend into a peripheral groove in the nosepiece, and which are held in place by a locking zone of reduced inner diameter in a quick release sleeve. The quick release sleeve has an adjacent release zone of increased inner diameter, into which the ball bearings may shift. A locking spring biases the quick release sleeve to its locked position. An eject spring is operative when the quick release sleeve is shifted to its released position, to eject the adaption assembly.

Abstract: A quick release drive assembly intercouples a reversible hand held motor and a drive screw for mounting blind fasteners in place. A replaceable adaption assembly includes the drive screw, the nosepiece of the unit and a drive adaptor for supplying torque from the motor to the drive screw. An outer housing is coupled to the nosepiece by three ball bearings which extend into a peripheral groove in the nosepiece, and which are held in place by a locking zone of reduced inner diameter in a quick release sleeve. The quick release sleeve has an adjacent release zone of increased inner diameter, into which the ball bearings may shift. A locking spring biases the quick release sleeve to its locked position. An eject spring is operative when the quick release sleeve is shifted to its released position, to eject the adaption assembly.

Abstract: A simplified method for producing internally threaded blind fasteners includes cold forming of the thin deformable walls of the fastener into bowed out sections by reverse extrusion to form deep grooves, and subsequent further cold forming to increase the diameter of this thin walled portion of the fastener to form it into bowed out sections. Three or more or even five or more sections may be formed, to increase the “pull-out” resistance by increasing the “footprint” of the deformed sections of the blind fastener.