Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body orientated about a central axis and having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving portion; a shroud concentrically mounted in the shroud-receiving portion to rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque and having an outwardly extending annular shoulder; the shroud-receiving portion comprising an inwardly deformed stop radially overlapping the outwardly extending annular shoulder of the shroud; and the deformed stop of the shroud-receiving portion and the annular shoulder of the shroud forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving body portion; a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud-receiving body portion and having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the shroud-receiving body portion; the inner surface of the shroud comprising an annular groove and the shroud-receiving body portion comprising a substantially arch-shaped axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion extending outwardly transverse to the central axis and disposed in the annular groove of the shroud; and the annular protrusion and annular groove of the shroud forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis such that the shroud will rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque prior to the fastener body rotating when the fastener is engaged with an external structure at a design installation torque.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving body portion, a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud-receiving body portion, and an intermediate sleeve disposed concentrically between the shroud-receiving body portion and the shroud, the shroud being supported in rotatable relationship with said shroud-receiving body portion such that said shroud will rotate relative to said fastener body under an applied external torque prior to said fastener body rotating when said fastener is engaged with an external structure at a design installation torque.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body orientated about a central axis and having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving portion having an inwardly facing annular groove orientated transverse to the central axis; a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud-receiving portion to rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque and having an axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion extending outwardly transverse to the central axis and disposed in the inwardly facing annular groove of the shroud-receiving portion of the body; the axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion of the shroud and the annular groove of the shroud-receiving portion of the body forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis.

Abstract: A security fastener for installation on a wheel having a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter comprising an end portion concentric with a longitudinal axis of the fastener, the end portion configured to mate with a corresponding element of the recess hole, an intermediate skirt portion having a side wall region with a diameter within about 6 millimeters of the diameter of the recess entrance, a drive portion having a tapered outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in the tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied, the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface to the skirt portion at a taper angle of at least 11 degrees.

Abstract: A method for forming a permanent connection joint to interconnect structures. The method may include inserting a post on a first structure into a socket on a second structure, with one of the post or the socket being configured to form an integral chip retainer on the other of the post or the socket during the inserting that permanently locks the post in the socket. In another aspect, a permanent connection joint is provided. The connection joint may include a post disposed in a socket, a chip retainer integrally formed on one of the post or the socket, and a recess formed on the other of the post or the socket, the chip retainer being lockingly engaged in the recess. In example embodiments, the integral chip retainer is formed by broaching as the post is installed in the socket during connection formation.

Abstract: A fastener having a fastener body and a protected decorative cap arranged on a head end of the fastener body in a manner that protects the decorative cap from fastener torquing forces applied to said head end that might otherwise damage, disfigure or loosen the cap and that facilitates attachment of the decorative cap to the fastener body.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body orientated about a central axis and having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving portion; a shroud concentrically mounted in the shroud-receiving portion to rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque and having an outwardly extending annular shoulder; the shroud-receiving portion comprising an inwardly deformed stop radially overlapping the outwardly extending annular shoulder of the shroud; and the deformed stop of the shroud-receiving portion and the annular shoulder of the shroud forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body orientated about a central axis and having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving portion having an inwardly facing annular groove orientated transverse to the central axis; a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud-receiving portion to rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque and having an axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion extending outwardly transverse to the central axis and disposed in the inwardly facing annular groove of the shroud-receiving portion of the body; the axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion of the shroud and the annular groove of the shroud-receiving portion of the body forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis.

Abstract: An improved fastener comprising a fastener body having a tool-engaging portion, a threaded fastening portion and a shroud-receiving body portion; a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud-receiving body portion and having an inner surface facing an outer surface of the shroud-receiving body portion; the inner surface of the shroud comprising an annular groove and the shroud-receiving body portion comprising a substantially arch-shaped axially-buckled radially-extending annular protrusion extending outwardly transverse to the central axis and disposed in the annular groove of the shroud; and the annular protrusion and annular groove of the shroud forming a shroud-retaining element restraining the shroud from movement in at least a first axial direction along the central axis such that the shroud will rotate relative to the fastener body under an applied external torque prior to the fastener body rotating when the fastener is engaged with an external structure at a design installation torque.

Abstract: A tailgate lock system comprising a security lock for a tailgate hinge assembly, wherein the tailgate hinge assembly comprises a fixed cup portion and a rotating portion arranged to rotate about a hinge axis relative to the fixed cup portion, an adapter configured to extend between the security lock and the tailgate hinge assembly, the adapter having an inside surface having a first portion configured to engage the rotating portion of the hinge assembly and a second portion configured to radially overlap the fixed cup portion of the hinge assembly, whereby selective rotation about the hinge axis causes rotation of the adapter and the security lock about the hinge axis.

Abstract: A security fastener for installation on a wheel having a recess hole extending from a recess entrance of a first diameter comprising an end portion concentric with a longitudinal axis of the fastener, the end portion configured to mate with a corresponding element of the recess hole, an intermediate skirt portion having a side wall region with a diameter within about 6 millimeters of the diameter of the recess entrance, a drive portion having a tapered outer surface and a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending key-receiving grooves in the tapered outer surface arranged in a lock pattern to which a driving torque may be applied, the tapered outer surface sloping downward and outward away from the longitudinal axis of the fastener from a top surface to the skirt portion at a taper angle of at least 11 degrees.

Abstract: A fastener having a fastener body and a protected decorative cap arranged on a head end of the fastener body in a manner that protects the decorative cap from fastener torquing forces applied to said head end that might otherwise damage, disfigure or loosen the cap and that facilitates attachment of the decorative cap to the fastener body.

Abstract: A security lock for a storage tank includes a lock ring configured for engaging an opening that provides access to the storage tank. A suitable mounting assembly is used to mount the lock ring to the opening. One or more obstructions are disposed within an inside (and/or outside) area of the lock ring. The one or more obstructions define one or more openings that are sized to allow storage tank contents to be introduced through the security lock while blocking pipes, tube or other implements that are larger than the openings so that such implements cannot be used for siphoning or otherwise removing the storage tank contents.

Abstract: A threaded fastener comprises a fastener body having a threaded portion, a tool engaging surface, and a head cap receiving bore. The head cap receiving bore has a head cap bearing surface and a head cap retaining surface. A head cap has a rigid base and a central stem extending from the base. The head cap stem is disposed in the head cap receiving bore. The head cap base has a body bearing surface in contacting or near-contacting engagement with the head cap bearing surface. The head cap base further has a head cap outer surface. A head cap retainer interconnects the head cap stem and head cap retaining surface. The head cap retainer comprises a material of sufficient strength and rigidity to retain the head cap on the fastener body in a high-strength, axially non-deformable interconnection that holds the head cap in a substantially fixed and immovable axial position.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant self-locking manhole cover includes a cover plate adapted to rest on a manhole cover support surface of a manhole frame. An anchor on the cover plate is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a first location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. A locking member on the cover plate is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a second location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. In the unlocked position, the locking member is disengaged from the manhole frame. A quick-latch mechanism is operable without using a key or other tool to release the locking member from its unlocked position to allow the locking member to return to its locked position.

Abstract: A manhole security cover includes a manhole cover body comprising a non-metallic RF signal transmissive material. The manhole cover body is seatable on a manhole frame to cover a manhole opening. In the seated position, the first side is accessible from outside the manhole, the second side is disposed within the manhole, and the peripheral edge portion engages a manhole cover support surface on the manhole frame. A manhole cover tamper sensor is responsive to a predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. A transmitter is operatively connected to the manhole cover tamper sensor and configured to generate a radio frequency manhole cover tamper signal when the manhole cover tamper sensor detects the predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. An antenna is operatively coupled to the transmitter to radiate radio frequency energy through the manhole cover body to a receiver located outside of said manhole.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant self-locking manhole cover includes a cover plate adapted to rest on a manhole cover support surface of a manhole frame so as to be substantially flush with a top portion of the frame and a surrounding surface. An anchor on the cover plate, which may comprise nonmetallic corrosion-resistant material, is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a first location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. A locking member on the cover plate, which may also comprise nonmetallic corrosion-resistant material, is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking member is adapted to engage the manhole frame at a second location in a manner that resists lifting of the cover plate proximate to such location. In the unlocked position, the locking member is disengaged from the manhole frame.