Patents by Inventor John D. Pratt

John D. Pratt 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: 9903403
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having deformable first end, a second end, and a passage extending through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a corebolt having first and second ends and a region of reduced diameter disposed between the first and second ends and a sleeve having first and second ends, the second end having a bulbing portion. The corebolt is disposed within the sleeve and the body with the first end of the corebolt in engagement with the first end of the sleeve and the first end of the body disposed adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The bulbing portion is adapted to form an enlarged blind head when the corebolt is rotated in relation to the sleeve. The first end of the body is adapted to deform radially inwardly into the region of reduced diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9464654
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, and a passage extending between the first and second ends and including threads. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and having an enlarged head, a breaking groove, and a stop shoulder that is configured to cause an abrupt increase in resistance to threading the corebolt into the body when the breaking groove is substantially flush with an outer surface of the enlarged head. A grip compensator is disposed on the corebolt in abutment with the enlarged head of the corebolt. A deformable sleeve is movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt and disposed between the grip compensator and the tapered ramp of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20160169260
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having deformable first end, a second end, and a passage extending through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a corebolt having first and second ends and a region of reduced diameter disposed between the first and second ends and a sleeve having first and second ends, the second end having a bulbing portion. The corebolt is disposed within the sleeve and the body with the first end of the corebolt in engagement with the first end of the sleeve and the first end of the body disposed adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The bulbing portion is adapted to form an enlarged blind head when the corebolt is rotated in relation to the sleeve. The first end of the body is adapted to deform radially inwardly into the region of reduced diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9284971
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having deformable first end, a second end, and a passage extending through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a corebolt having first and second ends and a region of reduced diameter disposed between the first and second ends and a sleeve having first and second ends, the second end having a bulbing portion. The corebolt is disposed within the sleeve and the body with the first end of the corebolt in engagement with the first end of the sleeve and the first end of the body disposed adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The bulbing portion is adapted to form an enlarged blind head when the corebolt is rotated in relation to the sleeve. The first end of the body is adapted to deform radially inwardly into the region of reduced diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9212678
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having a cylindrical passage formed through a central portion of the body and a tapered ramp disposed at an end of the body and a corebolt disposed within the passage formed by the body. The fastener further includes a sleeve movably disposed over the corebolt and adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve includes a bore extending between first and second ends of the sleeve and a taper extending inwardly from the second end of the sleeve toward the first end of the sleeve, the second end of the sleeve being adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve further includes a weakened interior region disposed between the taper and the first end of the sleeve, the weakened interior region being adapted to bulb outwardly when the sleeve is compressed against a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8961086
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, internal threads, and a cylindrical passage formed through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt having first and second threaded sections separated by a third non-threaded section, the corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and a sleeve having a generally cylindrical passage therethrough and movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt. A nut is in threaded engagement with the corebolt and is disposed adjacent an end of the sleeve. An interface between the corebolt and the nut is configured to resist relative rotation of the nut with respect to the corebolt until the sleeve is in abutment with a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20150010370
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, and a passage extending between the first and second ends and including threads. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and having an enlarged head, a breaking groove, and a stop shoulder that is configured to cause an abrupt increase in resistance to threading the corebolt into the body when the breaking groove is substantially flush with an outer surface of the enlarged head. A grip compensator is disposed on the corebolt in abutment with the enlarged head of the corebolt. A deformable sleeve is movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt and disposed between the grip compensator and the tapered ramp of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: John D. PRATT
  • Patent number: 8888425
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blind bolt fastener that includes a threaded nut and bolt combination that passes through a deformable sleeve that has a shoulder, a deformable portion and a non-deformable portion. Upon tightening of the threaded bolt and nut combination, the deformable portion is compressed so that it bulbs to form a bulbed head. The shoulder on the sleeve blocks further compression of the deformable portion once the bulbed head is substantially completely formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20140096364
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp that includes a mechanical fastener, an expander including a bulbing portion and a shank wherein the bulbing portion of the expander forms a flange by movement of the mechanical fastener without applying an initial clamping force. After formation, the flange is then drawn into a clamping position by continued movement of the mechanical fastener. Also disclosed is a method of using the disclosed clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20140047699
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having deformable first end, a second end, and a passage extending through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a corebolt having first and second ends and a region of reduced diameter disposed between the first and second ends and a sleeve having first and second ends, the second end having a bulbing portion. The corebolt is disposed within the sleeve and the body with the first end of the corebolt in engagement with the first end of the sleeve and the first end of the body disposed adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The bulbing portion is adapted to form an enlarged blind head when the corebolt is rotated in relation to the sleeve. The first end of the body is adapted to deform radially inwardly into the region of reduced diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8608417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp that includes a mechanical fastener, an expander including a bulbing portion and a shank wherein the bulbing portion of the expander forms a flange by movement of the mechanical fastener without applying an initial clamping force. After formation, the flange is then drawn into a clamping position by continued movement of the mechanical fastener. Also disclosed is a method of using the disclosed clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8517649
    Abstract: Disclosed are several clamps and a method for installing the clamps through at least two work pieces from one side. The clamps include a shank, a spacer, a core bolt and an expander. The shank and expander are keyed to together with the expander engaged on the core bolt such that rotation of the core bolt can bulb the expander to form a clamp surface on the blind side of the work pieces. The shank and spacer are temporarily held apart until the expander is bulbed wherein the shank is allowed to enter the spacer to clamp the work pieces. Subsequent over torque of the core bolts fractures a weakened portion of the core bolt permitting removal of the clamps when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8511952
    Abstract: A clamp and a method for installing the clamp into at least two work pieces is provided. The clamp has a shank keyed to an expander. The expander engages the core bolt such that rotation of the core bolt bulbs the expander to clamp the work pieces. A spacer engages the shank to prevent rotation of the shank during installation. The shank has a flange fracturing at a predetermined compression load. The core bolt optionally has a first and a second break groove fracturing at predetermined compression loads. A nut is optionally provided to engage the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8398345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a clamp that includes a bolt, a spacer, a shank, an expander and a blocking means. The bolt includes a non-threaded undercut that permits the bolt to rotate in an internally threaded portion of the spacer without threaded engagement between the bolt and the spacer. When used as a clamp, the spacer, shank, expander and blocking means cooperate to deform the expander into a blind side flange and to clamp a work piece between the flange and the spacer. To remove the clamp, the bolt is moved away from the spacer while rotating the bolt in the expander to bring the external threads of the expander into threaded engagement with the internal threads of the spacer. This permits the extraction of the bolt from the blind side expander by maintaining rotational restraint of the expander with the spacer. In several embodiments, a compression spring is positioned between the head of the bolt and the spacer to automatically move the bolt when it is rotated in a loosening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20130061451
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, internal threads, and a cylindrical passage formed through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt having first and second threaded sections separated by a third non-threaded section, the corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and a sleeve having a generally cylindrical passage therethrough and movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt. A nut is in threaded engagement with the corebolt and is disposed adjacent an end of the sleeve. An interface between the corebolt and the nut is configured to resist relative rotation of the nut with respect to the corebolt until the sleeve is in abutment with a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: John D. PRATT
  • Publication number: 20130061452
    Abstract: A fastener comprises a body having a head with an exposed surface at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the head and the tapered ramp, and a cylindrical passage formed through the body between the first and second end. The fastener further includes a cylindrical corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and having an enlarged head at a first end and a sleeve having a cylindrical passage therethrough and movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt. A drive nut is disposed on the corebolt and includes a leading edge disposed adjacent the exposed surface of the enlarged head of the body. The leading edge of the drive nut is rotationally coupled to protrusions extending outwardly from the head of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: John D. PRATT
  • Patent number: 8348566
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blind fastener that includes a body, a bolt and a sleeve that has an internal recess that contains an insert. The body includes a tapered ramp that the sleeve is enlarged over. Compression of the sleeve against the work piece causes the sleeve to fold at the internal recess to form an enlarged blind side head that bears against the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8322015
    Abstract: A threaded blind fastener intended for installation in aerodynamically smooth or aesthetically critical panels, further adapted to minimize discontinuities on paintable surfaces of the head resulting from clearances between male and female threads that may adversely affect the quality of paint coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Pratt, Emory K. Tamashiro
  • Publication number: 20120263556
    Abstract: A fastener includes a body having a cylindrical passage formed through a central portion of the body and a tapered ramp disposed at an end of the body and a corebolt disposed within the passage formed by the body. The fastener further includes a sleeve movably disposed over the corebolt and adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve includes a bore extending between first and second ends of the sleeve and a taper extending inwardly from the second end of the sleeve toward the first end of the sleeve, the second end of the sleeve being adjacent the tapered ramp of the body. The sleeve further includes a weakened interior region disposed between the taper and the first end of the sleeve, the weakened interior region being adapted to bulb outwardly when the sleeve is compressed against a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: John D. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20120011702
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blind bolt fastener that includes a threaded nut and bolt combination that passes through a deformable sleeve that has a shoulder, a deformable portion and a non-deformable portion. Upon tightening of the threaded bolt and nut combination, the deformable portion is compressed so that it bulbs to form a bulbed head. The shoulder on the sleeve blocks further compression of the deformable portion once the bulbed head is substantially completely formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: John D. Pratt