Abstract: A method of installing an insert in a sandwich panel for mounting a fastener includes making a hole in the panel and inserting a spacer having a height greater than the thickness of the panel. An entrance rim of the spacer extends above an upper surface of the panel and a setting tool exerts a force on the entrance rim to force it into the hole and to position an upper edge of the entrance rim flush with the panel surface. The spacer can include an annular groove on an interior wall of the entrance rim to facilitate the cold working deformation during an installation in the panel and a hole engaging surface to align and maintain the spacer within the hole. An outer exterior surface of the entrance rim can be indented and coated with a first sealing compound to ensure a watertight seal with the panel. A second sealant material can be provided within the entrance rim for sealing with a head of any fastener extending through the spacer. An improved floor panel with spacer is accordingly provided for aircraft.

Abstract: A method of installing an insert in a sandwich panel for mounting a fastener includes making a hole in the panel and inserting a spacer having a height greater than the thickness of the panel. An entrance rim of the spacer extends above an upper surface of the panel and a setting tool exerts a force on the entrance rim to force it into the hole and to position an upper edge of the entrance rim flush with the panel surface. The spacer can include an annular groove on an interior wall of the entrance rim to facilitate the cold working deformation during an installation in the panel and a hole engaging surface to align and maintain the spacer within the hole. An outer exterior surface of the entrance rim can be indented and coated with a first sealing compound to ensure a watertight seal with the panel. A second sealant material can be provided within the entrance rim for sealing with a head of any fastener extending through the spacer. An improved floor panel with spacer is accordingly provided for aircraft.

Abstract: A method of installing an insert in a sandwich panel for mounting a fastener includes making a hole in the panel and inserting a spacer having a height greater than the thickness of the panel. An entrance rim of the spacer extends above an upper surface of the panel and a setting tool exerts a force on the entrance rim to force it into the hole and to position an upper edge of the entrance rim flush with the panel surface. The spacer can include an annular groove on an interior wall of the entrance rim to facilitate the cold working deformation during an installation in the panel. An outer exterior surface of the entrance rim can be indented and coated with a first sealing compound to ensure a water-tight seal with the panel. A second sealant material can be provided within the entrance rim for sealing with a head of any fastener extending through the spacer. An improved floor panel with spacer is accordingly provided for aircraft.

Abstract: A snap fastener assembly includes a cylindrical C-shaped spring retainer member having a hollow open core with an exterior longitudinal slit aperture extending into the core. The spring retainer member is mounted on a stud member having an enlarged head at one end, a retaining head at the other end, and a longitudinal shaft that is dimensioned to be substantially enclosed by the spring retainer member. The stud member can be used for both the insertion and retraction of the cylindrical spring retainer member. The retainer member can be actively fastened to a hole, for example, to hold panels on a wall.

Abstract: A snap fastener assembly includes a cylindrical C-shaped spring retainer member having a hollow open core with an exterior longitudinal slit aperture extending into the core. The spring retainer member is mounted on a stud member having an enlarged head at one end, a retaining head at the other end, and a longitudinal shaft that is dimensioned to be substantially enclosed by the spring retainer member. The stud member can be used for both the insertion and retraction of the cylindrical spring retainer member. The retainer member can be actively fastened to a hole, for example, to hold panels on a wall.

Abstract: A fluid connector and lock combination is described for connecting a tube to a base element. A relatively fixed, threaded base element has a passageway for passing fluid. A threaded mounting connector for surrounding the circumference of a portion of a tube is provided and which also mounts the tube to the relatively fixed, threaded base element through threaded engagement. The connector maintains a seal between the tube and a corresponding surface in the base element when the connector is sufficiently threaded to a sealed position relative to the base element to prevent leakage of fluid across the seal. A linkage is provided between the connector and the base element for preventing unthreading of the connector from the sealed position relative to the base element. The linkage includes a first portion which is linked to the connector and a second portion which engages slidingly in an axial direction the base element for preventing relative rotation between the connector and the base element.

Abstract: A castellated locknut having an annular ring and a set of castellations, wherein the castellations are tapered to provide a locking mechanism. The locknut is provided with a circumferential groove formed between the castellations and the annular body which ensures that the castellations have equal base cross-sectional areas, such that the castellations deflect uniformly upon mounting to a shaft. Further, the provision of the circumferential groove renders the annular ring torsionally flexible as compared to the flexural stiffness of the castellations. Upon mounting to a shaft, the annular ring of the locknut elastically and torsionally deflects, thus allowing the castellations to pivot clear of the shaft without undesirable inelastic deformation. Accordingly, a precise and uniform locknut having an effective locking mechanism is achieved.

Abstract: A fluid connection is formed between a tube for carrying fluid and a parent material having a surface wherein the fluid passes between the tube and the parent material. The connection has a first wall in the parent material defining a flow passage having a first diameter in the parent material for the fluid. A second wall is formed between the first wall and the surface of the parent material. Threads are formed in the parent material between the second wall and the surface of the parent material for engaging an insert. A tube having an end portion placed adjacent the second wall is used in the joint wherein the tube is sealed in the parent material between the first wall and the threads in the parent material. An insert engages the threads for maintaining the tube in a sealed condition.