Patents by Inventor Gerhart Hufnagl

Gerhart Hufnagl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10704582
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Howmet Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo, Randy Torrence
  • Publication number: 20180283432
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo, Randy Torrence
  • Patent number: 10006478
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo, Randy Torrence
  • Patent number: 9488206
    Abstract: A rivet includes a pin member having a head and a lock groove, and a lock ring having a flange. The flange of the lock ring is swaged into the lock groove of the pin member and transformed to a bead that engages the lock groove, and a portion of an outer surface of the lock ring deforms and is rotated inwardly. The rivet is installed within a structure such that the head of the pin member is flush with an outer surface of a panel and the portion of the outer surface of the lock ring is flush with an outer surface of another panel. The pin member includes a frangible portion that breaks off when the rivet is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brennetot, Arnoldo Gutierrez, Gilbert Lee, Gerhart Hufnagl, Randy Torrence
  • Publication number: 20160215804
    Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt, and an insert. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first inner diameter, a second portion having a second inner diameter, and a step intermediate the first and second portions. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, a threaded portion having a major diameter, and a thread run-out intermediate the cylindrical and threaded portions. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and is sized and shaped to be retained between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt when the fastener is in a pre-installation position. The fastener compresses the insert between the step of the sleeve and the thread run-out of the core bolt by an installation motion of the core bolt. The insert deforms away from the core bolt to initiate formation of a bulb in response to the compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo, Randy Torrence
  • Publication number: 20150078856
    Abstract: A rivet includes a pin member having a head and a lock groove, and a lock ring having a flange. The flange of the lock ring is swaged into the lock groove of the pin member and transformed to a bead that engages the lock groove, and a portion of an outer surface of the lock ring deforms and is rotated inwardly. The rivet is installed within a structure such that the head of the pin member is flush with an outer surface of a panel and the portion of the outer surface of the lock ring is flush with an outer surface of another panel. The pin member includes a frangible portion that breaks off when the rivet is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Brennetot, Arnoldo Gutierrez, Gilbert Lee, Gerhart Hufnagl, Randy Torrence
  • Patent number: 8979453
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a pull-type core bolt having a shank with a head, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of work pieces, an axial force is applied to the core bolt the head of the core bolt engages the sleeve, and a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the work pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Patent number: 8777533
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a core bolt having a shank with a head and a threaded portion, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, an internal threaded portion, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve such that its threaded portion engages threadedly the internal threaded portion of the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of workpieces, a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Publication number: 20140044498
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a pull-type core bolt having a shank with a head, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of work pieces, an axial force is applied to the core bolt the head of the core bolt engages the sleeve, and a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the work pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Publication number: 20130272815
    Abstract: A blind fastener including a core bolt having a shank with a head and a threaded portion, and a sleeve having an elongated body with a head, an internal threaded portion, and a tapered notch formed within an exterior surface thereof and defined by a tapered portion having a slope and a frictional enhanced surface. The core bolt is installed within the sleeve such that its threaded portion engages threadedly the internal threaded portion of the sleeve. During installation of the fastener within the plurality of workpieces, a bulb is formed on the elongated body of the sleeve, the bulb defining a portion of a bulbed portion. When a selected axial force is reached, the bulbed portion separates from the elongated body and engages axially the tapered portion of the sleeve, increasing the diameter of the bulb which engages a blind side of one of the workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Douglas DeSalvo
  • Patent number: 8266941
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an upper jaw having a head adapted to engage a fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces to one another, a lower jaw, and first and second pairs of links fastened to the upper and lower jaws. The tool includes a hydraulic cylinder having one end attached to the lower jaw and a piston rod attached to the first pair of links. The cylinder actuates the tool between a disengaged position, in which the links are in a retracted position and the upper jaw and the lower jaw are juxtaposed with one another, and an engaged position, in which the links are in an extended position and the upper jaw and the lower jaw are spaced apart from one another. The tool is adapted to install the fastener to the workpieces when the tool is in its engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Randy Torrence, Rodrigo Pinheiro
  • Publication number: 20090053006
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is disclosed. The blind fastener comprises several components, a core bolt, a body sleeve member and a buckle sleeve member. The core bolt includes a tool engaging portion to engage the head of a driver on a installation tool. The buckle sleeve member has a buckle portion designed to create a bulb fastening the workpieces together. In some embodiments, a the buckle portion is locally annealed to promote formation of a blind side bulb. A nose assembly with a matching anti-rotation engagement to the head of the body sleeve member is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ALCOA GLOBAL FASTENERS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Luke Haylock
  • Patent number: 7308842
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, and a pin member. In an alternate embodiment, the blind fastener has a sleeve, a pin member and a nut. The sleeves have a head with a plurality of rearwardly sloping recesses disposed therein. The recesses are adapted to be engaged with a plurality of rearwardly sloping nibs disposed on one end of a nose secured to an installation tool. The pin members have a splined head adapted to be engaged with a splined driver secured to an installation tool. Use of the splined head on the pin member, the splined driver, rearwardly sloping recesses on the sleeve, and rearwardly sloping nibs on the nose eliminates camming out of the nibs from the recesses during installation of the blind fastener. A nose assembly for installation of the blind fastener is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Gilbert M. Lee, Randall G. Torrence
  • Patent number: 7033120
    Abstract: A blind type fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, a pin member and a drive nut. The sleeve has a body that is internally threaded along a portion of the sleeve, a head positioned at one end of the sleeve and an internally unthreaded deformable tail portion positioned at the other end of the sleeve that is integrally connected to the sleeve. The head of the sleeve has a plurality of recesses disposed threreon. The pin member is adapted to be disposed within the sleeve and has a breakneck groove that is adapted to fracture at a position that is flush with an outer surface of the sleeve head. The drive nut has a plurality of projections positioned on one end of the drive nut that are adapted to be disposed in the plurality of recesses disposed in the head of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, James W. Kendall
  • Publication number: 20050123373
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, and a pin member. In an alternate embodiment, the blind fastener has a sleeve, a pin member and a nut. The sleeves have a head with a plurality of rearwardly sloping recesses disposed therein. The recesses are adapted to be engaged with a plurality of rearwardly sloping nibs disposed on one end of a nose secured to an installation tool. The pin members have a splined head adapted to be engaged with a splined driver secured to an installation tool. Use of the splined head on the pin member, the splined driver, rearwardly sloping recesses on the sleeve, and rearwardly sloping nibs on the nose eliminates camming out of the nibs from the recesses during installation of the blind fastener. A nose assembly for installation of the blind fastener is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Gilbert Lee, Randall Torrence
  • Patent number: 6868757
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, and a pin member. In an alternate embodiment, the blind fastener has a sleeve, a pin member and a nut. The sleeves have a head with a plurality of rearwardly sloping recesses disposed therein. The recesses are adapted to be engaged with a plurality of rearwardly sloping nibs disposed on one end of a nose secured to an installation tool. The pin members have a splined head adapted to be engaged with a splined driver secured to an installation tool. Use of the splined head on the pin member, the splined driver, rearwardly sloping recesses on the sleeve, and rearwardly sloping nibs on the nose eliminates camming out of the nibs from the recesses during installation of the blind fastener. A nose assembly for installation of the blind fastener is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Gilbert M. Lee, Randall G. Torrence
  • Publication number: 20040231467
    Abstract: A blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, and a pin member. In an alternate embodiment, the blind fastener has a sleeve, a pin member and a nut. The sleeves have a head with a plurality of rearwardly sloping recesses disposed therein. The recesses are adapted to be engaged with a plurality of rearwardly sloping nibs disposed on one end of a nose secured to an installation tool. The pin members have a splined head adapted to be engaged with a splined driver secured to an installation tool. Use of the splined head on the pin member, the splined driver, rearwardly sloping recesses on the sleeve, and rearwardly sloping nibs on the nose eliminates camming out of the nibs from the recesses during installation of the blind fastener. A nose assembly for installation of the blind fastener is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, Gilbert M. Lee, Randall G. Torrence
  • Publication number: 20040033119
    Abstract: A blind type fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces is provided that has a sleeve, a pin member and a drive nut. The sleeve has a body that is internally threaded along a portion of the sleeve, a head positioned at one end of the sleeve and an internally unthreaded deformable tail portion positioned at the other end of the sleeve that is integrally connected to the sleeve. The head of the sleeve has a plurality of recesses disposed threreon. The pin member is adapted to be disposed within the sleeve and has a breakneck groove that is adapted to fracture at a position that is flush with an outer surface of the sleeve head. The drive nut has a plurality of projections positioned on one end of the drive nut that are adapted to be disposed in the plurality of recesses disposed in the head of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Gerhart Hufnagl, James W. Kendall
  • Patent number: 6213699
    Abstract: A two piece blind fastener for securing a plurality of workpieces including a hollow sleeve having a straight shank with an enlarged sleeve head at one end and a pin having an enlarged pin head; the pin has a pin stop shoulder and a lock groove located near the pin stop shoulder; the pin head is adapted to engage the sleeve to form a bulb type blind head in response to a relative axial force applied between the pin and sleeve; the pin stop shoulder is adapted to engage a sleeve stop shoulder to direct the material of the sleeve stop shoulder substantially radially inwardly into the lock groove to lock the pin and sleeve together and to finally form a stop surface on the sleeve for stopping axial movement of the pin through the sleeve; in addition the pin has an expander portion adapted to expand the sleeve shank radially outwardly to fill the openings of the workpieces and with the expander portion having a grooved section with alternate relief grooves and expander segments with the relief grooves receiving e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar M. Sadri, Lloyd Parker, Jr., Gerhart Hufnagl
  • Patent number: 4815907
    Abstract: A fastener and a joint including the fastener, wherein the material in which the fastener is set is a composite. The fastener has a shank with an external helical rib that makes a slightly tighter than net to a moderate interference fit in a cylindrical wall of the hole. The rib has a form whose maximum radial protrusion is flat or convex, and which extends away from its maximum protrusion as a convex curve, devoid of sharp cutting edges. Voids between the convolutions of the rib are adequate to receive displaced material of the hole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventors: Herman L. Williamson, Edwin E. Hatter, Gerhart Hufnagl