Patents by Inventor James L. Wollard

James L. Wollard 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: 11519452
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HOWMET AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Patent number: 10655669
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Publication number: 20190264728
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Publication number: 20190203758
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Publication number: 20150147134
    Abstract: A fastener including a bolt having an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a threaded portion having an external bolt thread, the bolt thread including a bolt pitch. The fastener includes a nut having a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the nut, and an internal nut thread extending between the first and second ends of the nut and adapted to engage threadedly the bolt thread of the bolt. The nut thread includes a nut pitch and a hardness that changes gradationally between the first and second ends of the nut. The bolt pitch of the bolt thread of the bolt is mismatched with the nut pitch of the nut thread of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ALCOA INC.
    Inventors: Donald C. Busby, Richard Franklin, James L. Wollard
  • Patent number: 8465240
    Abstract: A vibration resistant fastening system including a high fatigue strength bolt made from a first material and a nut made from a second material that is softer than the first material of the bolt. The bolt includes bolt threads and the nut includes pre-tapped nut threads that match with the bolt threads. The fastening system utilizes a combination of unique geometry of the nut and bolt threads and a hardness differential between the nut and bolt to provide vibration resistance. When tightened, crests of the bolt threads embed into the soft bearing flanks of the nut threads. Simultaneously with the bolt crest embedment, the softer nut thread crests flow radially inward into the root radius of the bolt threads. This complete contact between the nut and the bolt restricts the nut from moving in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Corbett, James L. Wollard, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100172717
    Abstract: A vibration resistant fastening system including a high fatigue strength bolt made from a first material and a nut made from a second material that is softer than the first material of the bolt. The bolt includes bolt threads and the nut includes pre-tapped nut threads that match with the bolt threads. The fastening system utilizes a combination of unique geometry of the nut and bolt threads and a hardness differential between the nut and bolt to provide vibration resistance. When tightened, crests of the bolt threads embed into the soft bearing flanks of the nut threads. Simultaneously with the bolt crest embedment, the softer nut thread crests flow radially inward into the root radius of the bolt threads. This complete contact between the nut and the bolt restricts the nut from moving in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Robert J. Corbett, James L. Wollard, JR.