Abstract: A system and method for a fastener. The fastener, in one example, includes a clutch mechanism configured to transition to a disengaged configuration responsive to a clamping force of the fastener exceeding a threshold value. The clutch mechanism includes a drive nut that is configured to mate with a head of a screw in an engaged configuration and a spring configured to interact with the screw head and where in the disengaged configuration of the clutch mechanism, rotation of the drive nut in a first direction does not induce rotation of the screw and rotation of the drive nut in a second direction induces rotation of the screw in an unclamping direction.

Abstract: Expandable collet bodies with sectional finger-based anti-rotation features are disclosed. The collet body comprises not only a plurality of gripping finger as a first part of a two-part anti-rotation means (ARM), but also a first part of a two part translation arresting means (TAM), which may or may not be sectional in nature and the TAM prevents over translation of a collet body within the work piece(s), and cooperates with a second part of the TAM associated with a work piece or an auxiliary structure. In this manner, a collet body inserted into a work piece or auxiliary structure will not accidentally be pushed beyond the blind side of the work piece(s) during insertion or initial clamp-up.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided. The fastener assembly comprises, in one example, a sleeve in an enclosure, the sleeve including an interior threaded section and a sleeve opening with a periphery forming a closed shape. The fastener additionally includes a collet body at least partially enclosed within the sleeve, the collet body comprises at least one flexible leg including a foot mating with the sleeve opening, where the sleeve opening extends around the foot and a stud including a threaded section engaging the interior threaded section.

Abstract: Fastener embodiments of the invention comprise a freely translatable collet body, which at least partially translates within an auxiliary structure, and further comprise a captive threaded screw for rotationally engaging with the collet body to transform rotational movement into translational movement through substantial arresting of collet body rotation by way of an anti-rotation means. The screw comprises a free-spin feature that functionally, but not physically, decouples a drive tool from the collet body.

Abstract: A fastener system shifting shear stresses away from a collet body and provides clamping action to targeted structures. The fastener system includes feet in the collet body that mate with openings in a sleeve at least partially surrounding the collet body. The sleeve or the collet body includes interior threads that engage with a stud that is configured to extend through the collet body and bend the feet such that they project outward from the sleeve openings in an engaged configuration.

Abstract: A fastener is provided herein. The fastener includes, in one example, a block fixedly coupled to an interior spindle and mated with a slot in a threaded retaining spindle as well as a drive nut is threadingly engaged with the threaded retaining spindle and an unthreaded collet is coupled to the threaded retaining spindle. The fastener further includes a body that circumferentially surrounds the block and the threaded retaining spindle and the block, body, and threaded retaining spindle of the fastener are configured to axially translate in relation to one another and are substantially prevented from rotation in relation to one another, during different stages of fastener operation.

Abstract: A fastener is provided. The fastener includes a housing with a housing opening and a collet body at least partially enclosed within the housing, the collet body includes a crown having a crown opening with a threaded section and a leg that extends from the crown and including a foot. The fastener further includes a screw with a head positioned in the housing opening, an upper threaded section, and a lower unthreaded section, where the housing opening and the crown include a set of splined protrusions and a set of splined recesses mated with one another, where the sets of splined protrusions and recesses include ramps and are designed to permit the collet body and the screw to transition into a free-spin configuration, and where a spring is designed to exert a return force on the collet body or the screw when the fastener is in the free-spin configuration.