Abstract: An improved machine screw for engaging a correspondingly threaded aperture, comprising a threaded shank having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A head adapted to be rotated may be formed on a shank proximal end opposite the shank distal portion, such that the shank extends axially therefrom. The shank is deformable from a first position to a second position, for either (1) minimizing the contacting surface area between the shank and said aperture, and thereby allowing the machine screw to be easily insertable into said aperture, or (2) maximizing the contacting surface area between the shank and said aperture after the shank has been fully inserted into said aperture, and thereby making the hold between the screw and said aperture more secure. Such deformation of the screw occurs during its insertion into said aperture. It has been found that this deformation prevents screws of the present invention from seating improperly within threads of said aperture.

Abstract: A shaft has a head attached at one end and terminates at the other end in a tapered tip. A slot passes through the shaft, extending from the end opposite the head at least partially along the length of the shaft. Helical thread segments extend along the shaft, matching the thread in the threaded hole. The screw is inserted by pushing it into the threaded hole; the shaft halves are compressed together until the outer diameter of the thread segments on the shaft is smaller than the inner diameter of the threads in the threaded hole. The shaft halves spring back to their uncompressed position after insertion. The thread segments on the shaft mesh with the thread in the hole, retaining the shaft in the hole after insertion. The shaft must be removed by unscrewing the shaft.