Abstract: A test stand for testing male threaded fasteners comprises a holder for the fastener which locates a rotating male fastener adjacent to a target bore in a target body holder. The target bore is positioned at an angle to the fastener by rotating the target body holder. If the fastener meets manufacturing specifications, it engages the target bore threading and causes the target bore and fastener to become aligned by the rotation of the target body holder. A test stand for testing female fasteners operating in the same way locates a rotating female fastener adjacent a target stud in a target stud holder.

Abstract: A method of masking the threaded portion of a threaded fastener part to prevent adhesion of coatings comprising the steps of applying a film of a heat activated foaming polymeric material to the threaded portion of a threaded part prior to exposing the threads to a coating and heating the foaming material subsequent to the application of a coating thereto. The foaming material comprises a plastisol, preferably including a vinyl compound, which most preferably is polyvinyl chloride. The foaming material further comprises a blowing agent, preferably azodicarbonamide.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in attaching articles to soft materials such as gypsum based and light weight concrete roofing. The assembly includes an anchoring element which has a high thread and an axial bore in one end. The thread has an included angle of less than 45.degree. and terminates in a sharp edge at the free end of the anchoring element. A headed screw is driven into the bore and becomes fixed to the anchoring element. A flange is integrally molded and frangibly connected to the bored end of the anchoring element, and becomes a washer upon breaking away therefrom.

Abstract: An improved plug for an aperture such as the paint drain hole in an automotive body comprises an integral flat body having two opposed aligning protuberances and two opposed engaging protuberances formed adjacent the edge of the body. At least one engaging protuberance is angled radially outwardly and has sufficient spring qualities to allow a snap mount of the plug into the aperture.

Abstract: A finishing washer 10 is presented. Finishing washer 10 comprises a frustoconical perforated disk 15 having a plurality of tabs 20 extending inward from disk 15. When applied to a screw 50, finishing washer 10 provides a wider bearing area to the screw head 52, to establish a wear point between screw 50 and the material finishing washer 10 will bear on. In this manner, the material is not damaged by friction or pressure when screw 50 is tightened. Further, stripping of screws is lessened due to the use of finishing washer 10 of this invention.

Abstract: A screw having a tapered and offset tip with a partial thread prevents cross-threading of the screw when inserted into a nut. The offset tip is a section of a conical frustum. The axis of the conical frustum section is offset from the axis of the shank of the screw. The conical frustum section is defined by those portions of a conical frustum contained within the outer radius of the screw shank. The partial thread is located on the side of the tip facing the direction of offset of the tip.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount is designed for securing a body part of vehicle to a support. The shock mount comprises a two-part spool that includes: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a support part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube to prevent relative rotation of the thimble and spacer. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental disengagement.

Abstract: An improved locking element for a quick-connect coupling is designed for use in joining together tubular fluid conduits. The locking element comprises an annular segment and a plurality of annularly distributed resilient curled fingers which is sized to fit inside an annular cage mounted on one end of an inner coupling. The locking element of the inner coupling engages the flared end of an outer coupling when the couplings are telescopically fitted together.

Abstract: A fastener clip is adapted to be pushed onto an edge of sheet materials of varying thicknesses. The clip has two legs. The first leg has a U-shaped elongated tongue cut from it and bent towards the second leg to frictionally engage a sheet material disposed between the two legs; the second leg has an integral threaded barrel for receiving a bolt. The U-shaped tongue is formed with offset bends to allow the tongue to yield when the clip is mounted on a thick sheet material.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount is designed for securing a body part of a vehicle to a support. The shock mount comprises a two-part spool that includes: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a mounting part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental disengagement.

Abstract: An improved impact plug assembly is provided which will not become entangled with neighboring such assemblies when a plurality thereof is shipped or stored in containers prior to use to close apertures in a workpiece. The plug is of the type having a cooperating crossbar for locking the plug in place in the aperture to be closed, the crossbar being retained in diametrically opposed slots formed in the peripheral walls of said plug. The improvement comprises the provision of raised means such as dimples on the surface of the plug on each side of the crossbars to prevent projecting edges of crossbars of neighboring plugs in a storage bin from becoming inextricably entangled.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for measuring the pull-out resistance of fasteners. The apparatus includes a disc rotatably supported by a base. The disc has a bearing surface with a uniform radius. A flexible strap is fixed to the disc so that the strap is carried by the bearing surface as the disc rotates. A torque wrench is used to rotate the disc. The length of the constant radius and the flexible nature of the strap create a constant moment arm, making the torque measured by the wrench directly convertible to pull-out load.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener assembly for use in attaching articles to printed circuit boards, and include a fastener, which has a generally tubular body, flanged at one end, is adapted to receive a screw. The fastener has a polygonal cross-section over a portion of its length. The flange which is located at one end of the tubular body, has an integral spring washer and includes indentations which allow solder to flow from one side of the printed circuit board to the other. The fastener with its integral spring washer provides improved clamping characteristics and avoids problems associated with large coefficients of thermal expansion of printed circuit board material in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in attaching articles to soft materials such as gypsum based and light weight concrete roofing. The assembly includes an anchoring element which has a high thread and an axial bore in one end. The thread has an included angle of less than 45.degree. and terminates in a sharp edge at the free end of the anchoring element. A headed screw is driven into the bore and becomes fixed to the anchoring element. A flange is integrally molded and frangibly connected to the bored end of the anchoring element, and becomes a washer upon breaking away therefrom.

Abstract: A threaded insert for drywall having an externally threaded portion and an unthreaded drilling portion of generally equal lengths. The insert is adapted to be installed in a single step with the use of a hand powered screwdriver. A low profile flange at the upper end spaced a distance from the threads allows the insert to be installed flush with the surface of the drywall. Two embodiments are disclosed, one of molded zinc and the other of plastic material. Both embodiments include a drilling portion which can be deflected laterally upon the insertion of a screw therethrough, allowing the use of a single moderate length screw for attaching articles of various thicknesses. The insert eliminates the need to pre-drill a hole with a separate tool.

Abstract: A fastener and a nosepiece for use in attaching lath to a support. The fastener includes a screw and a spacing element, in which the spacing element is adapted to threadingly penetrate the lath and abut the support. The lath is retained between the spacing element and the head of the screw and is thereby held away from the support in order to allow plaster to properly extrude through openings in the lath. The nosepiece is attachable to a driving tool and has rigid prongs which reach through openings in the lath. Travel of a bit on the driving tool is limited so that automatic disengagement occurs to prevent over-driving of the screw. The prongs ensure that the lath is held a predetermined distance from the support.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly useful for securing a deformable nut having a hole to carrier material, such as a sheet-metal panel, is disclosed. Securement of the nut to the panel is made employing essentially a one-step procedure to form a hole in the panel and to secure the nut to the panel at the panel hole. The securement procedure generates essentially no panel-material waste. Various elements of the apparatus cooperate to secure the nut to the panel. On the apparatus, a ram initially causes a nut guide to secure the panel to the apparatus, and eventually causes a piercing punch to be advanced along a path toward a receiving punch. The latter action causes the panel to be pierced. Further advancement of the ram toward a base of the apparatus causes portions of the panel adjacent the pierced portion to be urged or otherwise drawn into the nut hole, and eventually causes the nut to deform. The latter action causes the nut to be secured to the panel.

Abstract: A sheet metal clinch nut receives an extruded portion of the workpiece in an aperture in the nut. Part of the extruded portion is swaged radially outwardly of the aperture and locks or clinches the nut onto the workpiece. A screw threads into the nut below the extruded portion of the workpiece. In some forms of the invention the nut is tubular. In other forms the nut comprises a pair of generally parallel arms. The extruded portion of the workpiece extends through an aperture in the first arm and rotation preventing teeth or serrations lock the nut against rotational movement. A self-tapping fastener is inserted creating threads in the workpiece extrusion and then in a second arm of the clinch nut. Tightening of the fastener causes the second arm to deflect toward the first locking the fastener against rotrograde movement. Also disclosed is a simple tool for advancing an interconnected strip of clinch nuts, severing the leading nut and staking the workpiece to it.