Abstract: An androgynous fastener for autonomous robotic assembly of high performance structures is disclosed herein. The androgynous fastener is lightweight and facilitates assembly through simple actuation with large driver-positioning tolerance requirements. The androgynous fastener provides a high-strength, reversible mechanical connection and may be used in high strength-to-weight ratio structural systems, such as lattice structure systems. The androgynous fastener resists tensile and shear forces upon loading of the lattice structure system thereby ensuring that the struts of the lattice structure system govern the mechanical behavior of the system. The androgynous fastener eliminates building-block orientation requirements and allows assembly in all orthogonal build directions. The androgynous fastener may be captive in building-block structural elements thereby minimizing the logistical complexity of transporting additional fasteners.

Abstract: A retention clip includes a first clip arm that defines a fastener bore and includes at least one retention finger that extends into the fastener bore. The retention clip also includes a second clip arm spaced apart from the first clip arm. The second clip arm includes a nut having a bore coaxially aligned with the fastener bore and configured to receive a fastener.

Abstract: A connector having a head that holds a first component and a body connected to the head. The body has a central channel extending along a central axis of the connector, and the central channel receives a fastener. The body has at least two resilient legs. The resilient legs extend obliquely toward the central axis in a direction from the body to the head. The resilient legs engage with the fastener, to attach the connector to the fastener.

Abstract: A thumb screw includes a main body and a rotating member. The main body has a shank and a threaded portion which are connected together along an axis of the main body. The shank has a groove and two guiding holes respectively located on two opposite sides of the groove and communicating with the groove. The rotating member has a head, a rod connected to an end surface of the head, and two pin portions connected to the rod. The head has two receiving grooves adapted to receive two partial end portions of the shank. When the two partial end portions leave the two receiving grooves and the two pin portions are respectively located in the two guiding holes, the rotating member could pivot around the two pin portions relative to the main body, thereby allowing the thumb screw to be received.

Abstract: A quarter-turn fastening device for fastening a part to a support comprising comprises: a head carrying the part and intended to rest on a first face of the support; and a holding foot connected to the head and extending along a main axis, the holding foot configured to penetrate axially into an opening of the support, thereby placing the fastening device in an insertion position. The holding foot comprises at least one flexible retaining tab for resting on a second face of the support when the fastening device is moved angularly from the insertion position to a locking position. The flexible tab carries a lug to fill the space between the holding foot and an edge of the opening and thus refocus the fastening device in the opening when the fastening device is moved angularly from the insertion position to the locking position.

Abstract: A lock nut includes: a first nut having a tapered cavity; and a second nut including a base portion and a tapered lug boss arranged the base portion. The tapered lug boss can be coupled inside the tapered cavity. The first and second nuts are used in pair by self-locking. A straight slot is formed in the lug boss. Under the locking action of the first nut, the straight slot is deformed to further lock a bolt, or is discontinuously engaged with teeth of the bolt to increase an effective stress surface and locking performance of the second nut for locking the bolt. A convex reinforcing rib extends on a first surface of the first nut. An annular groove is formed in a second surface of the second nut. The convex reinforcing rib is coupled with the annular groove to enhance the strength and reliability of locking.

Abstract: A rivet connection has a hollow rivet composed of plastics material and connects a first component to a second component. The first component has a first surface and the second component has a second and third surface. The first surface and the second surface bear on one another. The second component has a first opening between the second and the third surface. The hollow rivet has a tubular component having a lateral wall, a cavity, a first end and a second end. Part of the tubular component is disposed in the first opening of the second component. The second end of the tubular component protrudes beyond the second component. The lateral wall of the tubular component adjacent the first opening of the second component is heated and compressed and configures an outwardly bulging region. Part of the outwardly bulging region contacts the third surface of the second component.

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 including a pin member having a shank portion, a threaded portion having a thread, a lock portion having at least one lock groove, and a pull portion located having at least one pull groove. The threaded portion is adapted to be engaged threadedly with a threaded hole of a workpiece to install the pin member therein. The fastener includes a swage collar adapted to be installed into the at least one lock groove of the lock portion to secure a plurality of workpieces. The pull portion is adapted to break off when the fastener is installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener (10) for the temporary assembly of structures (12, 13), comprising: a tubular body, extending between a first end and a second end comprising at least two longitudinal tabs (46); a hooking element, rotationally prevented and capable of sliding axially in the body, said fastening element comprising a tubular base and a plurality of elastic clips (62) connected to one end of said base, each clip comprising a hooking spur (74); a driving device for the fastening element; and a spreader (26) fixed relative to the body, the plurality of elastic clips being positioned around said spreader. The tubular base (60) comprises two longitudinal grooves in an outer surface; and the fastener is configured so that each tab (46) of the body is capable of sliding axially in one of said grooves.

Abstract: A metal collar attached in a through-hole of FRP member includes first and second collar members. The first collar member includes outer and inner circumferential surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is in contact with a hole inner circumferential surface of the through-hole. A slit is formed in a part in a circumferential direction of the first collar member. The second collar member applies a pressing force radially outward to at least a part of the inner circumferential surface of the first collar member or a pressing force to inner surfaces of the slit in a direction in which the inner surfaces separate from each other in the circumferential direction. The second collar member is held in the first collar member by reaction of the pressing force, deforms the first collar member for diameter expansion with the pressing force, and presses the outer circumferential surface against the hole inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A locking washer for use with a screw-threaded fastener (71), said locking device comprising a first disc-like body (12) comprising an annular portion (13) with at least one aperture (15) therein and a central through-hole (14) e.g. a washer having notches (15) open to the outer or inner periphery and at least one further body (25) held in said one aperture (15). The further body may be a shim (22) also having a central hole (24) and at least one tab (25) extending through the notch (15) and has an end portion which juts above adjacent surface of the washer to engage a surface on the fastener when, on tightening of the fastener, deflects within the void of its aperture under tightening of the engaging surface such that under any tendency to loosen, the tab jams against the opposing surfaces and resist loosening of the fastener.

Abstract: A system for attaching layers of material together comprised of a self-piercing rivet, a layer having a clearance hole through which the self-piercing rivet passes on assembly, and a layer free of a clearance hole and into which the self-piercing rivet is at least partially inserted. The system may include a third layer free of a clearance hole. The system may also include three layers wherein the clearance hole is formed in the middle layer. If the clearance hole is formed in the middle layer, the width of the hole may be greater than the diameter of the self-piercing rivet to avoid contact between the rivet and the middle layer. The layer having the clearance hole may be a hard material such as steel. One or more of the layers may be material that is difficult to pierce or can be damaged if pierced.

Abstract: A threaded fastener capable of torque detection includes: a head and a shank connected together, wherein the shank has a threaded peripheral surface; a neck formed at the junction between one end of the shank and the head; and at least one sensing element and a sealing element, both provided on the neck, wherein the sensing element is configured to detect deformation of the neck, and the sealing element seals the sensing element. The threaded fastener may further include a covering element that covers the sealing element. The threaded fastener can be deformed consistently, allowing the sensing element to obtain relatively accurate detection values.

Abstract: A speed nut provides a separable housing, when closed, defining an internally threaded cavity for engaging a threaded shaft, and when open, allowing movement of the speed nut along the shaft without engagement of the threads. Interdigitated knuckles on the housing portions provide robust resistance against axial shifting when the nut is used to apply axial force to the threaded shaft. The knuckles may also provide a hinge point allowing the nut to be opened and closed with a simple hinging action and a means for locking the nut portions together through a releasable pin passing through the opposite knuckles.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for coupling a first component to a second component, the coupling assembly includes a pin and a housing. The pin includes a shaft and a pin frangible portion formed in the shaft. The housing includes a hollow body and a housing frangible portion formed in the hollow body. The housing is configured to receive the pin such that the shaft of the pin is received within the hollow body. When the pin is received in the hollow body the pin frangible portion aligns with the housing frangible portion.

Abstract: A fixture includes two mounted portions and an interposing portion. At least the one mounted portion includes a strut portion, a check portion, and an abutment portion. The strut portion is insertable into a mounting hole provided in a mounting target. The check portion is caught on the mounting target on an outlet side of the mounting hole. The abutment portion abuts on the mounting target on an inlet side of the mounting hole. When any one of the mounting target or the fixture vibrates, the check portion and the abutment portion deform to suppress a vibration in a direction parallel to an insertion direction. When any one of the mounting target or the fixture vibrates, the interposing portion deforms to suppress a vibration in a direction parallel to a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction.

Abstract: An anchor for wallboard installation includes an elongated anchor body including a driving end and a wall boring end. The anchor body has a main body portion running from the driving end toward the wall boring end. The wall boring end includes a plurality of axially cutting extending teeth. The anchor body includes an internal bore and diametrically opposed slots to facilitate split of an end portion of the anchor body when the anchor is installed in a wall and a fastener is inserted for mounting an object.

Abstract: A structural screw usable in multiple different substrates/materials includes a head end, a shank and a tapered end, the head end including a tool engaging part, the head end located at a first end of the shank and the tapered end located at a second end of the shank. A thread is formed along the shank, wherein the thread begins on the tapered end, extends onto the shank and terminates at a first axial location along the shank that is spaced from the head end. The thread (i) is a multiple start thread formed by at least a first helical thread and a second helical thread and/or (ii) includes a thread angle of between fifteen degrees and thirty degrees. The screw may also include a reaming section with leading and trailing wedge sections and/or an asymmetric notch pattern along at least part of the thread edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking nut (10), comprising: a body (20) and a bore passing through said body along a main axis, the body comprising: a bearing face (30); a drive surface (32); and at least one through-hole (38), substantially perpendicular to the main axis from the radial drive surface. The body further comprises a locking collar (36) of elliptical shape; and the drive surface comprises an upper region (50) and a lower region (52), adjacent along the main axis, the lower region being situated between the upper region and the bearing surface; a perimeter of the lower region around the main axis being greater than a perimeter of the upper region; the at least one through-hole (38) extending from the upper region (50).