Abstract: An anvil is provided for use in a blind fastening system. The anvil is made using a process of wrapping a piece of wire stock around a mandrel. This process provides significant cost advantages compared to the process of machining the anvil.

Abstract: A quick-release fastener system for attaching a first structural body to a second structural body. The quick-release fastener system includes a stud assembly that is engaged with the first structural body and a receptacle assembly that is engaged with the second structural body. The stud assembly includes a stud and a nut body engaged with the stud. The receptacle assembly includes a retaining clip, and a biasing member and receptacle which are engaged with the retaining clip. The stud includes a receptacle-engaging portion which engages the receptacle, and the nut body is engaged with the stud such that rotation of the nut body effects rotation of the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud in the receptacle. The biasing member contacts the stud and biasing the receptacle-engaging portion of the stud into engagement with the receptacle. The engagement between the receptacle-engagement portion of the stud and the receptacle effects attachment of the first structural body to the second structural body.

Abstract: An improved method of blind riveting and an improved blind rivet have been described. The blind rivet of the present invention includes an interference fit shank portion which ensures adequate hole-fill and produces work hardening in a work piece. The blind rivet of the present invention also produces a drawing effect, reducing the force necessary to securely seat the rivet in a hole.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel cleat system for efficient and reliable attachment, disengagement and reattachment to a shoe. The cleat system includes a shank and a nut. The shank includes a head on one end with a leading end on the shank opposite the head. The nut has a wall which generally defines a bore having opposed edges which define a slot at least partially extending through the wall. Displacement structure is provided on at least one of the shank and the nut which provide a mechanical advantage in translating rotary and axial forces into generally circumferential and radial forces. Threads are provided on at least one of the shank and the nut for promoting axial displacement to engage and disengage the displacement structure. Threaded engagement and disengagement of the displacement structure deform or release the wall of the nut resulting in expanding and relaxing of the nut.

Abstract: A quick release fastener system which is used as an axle system for efficient and reliable attachment, disengagement and reattachment of a component secured by the fastener system. The axle system of the invention includes a pair of axle assemblies, each having an elongated fastener member having a shank, one end of which having a drive structure, an opposite end of which having a threaded portion. A nut member or expander is engageable with the threaded portion of the corresponding fastener and is adapted for engagement in a bore of a wheel assembly. Nut spreading structures are provided on each nut and each fastener which cause the nut to spread or enlarge when the fastener is engaged therewith and rotated therein. The nut is initially retained on the threaded portion of the fastener with the nut spreading structures disengaged. A spline, key, or equivalent structure is formed in the bore and at least one slot or groove is provided on the nut, which is sized and dimensioned for receiving the spline therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener system which includes a shaft having expander retaining structure and a threaded portion thereon. An expander is configured for disposition and engagement in a receptacle at least partially defined by a surface. The expander has a bore defined by a wall, and has an end for receiving at least the threaded portion of the shaft. At least a portion of the wall of the expander is threaded for receiving the threaded portion of the shaft. The expander retaining structure on the shaft retains the expander thereon when the threaded portion of the shaft is received by the expander. Expander actuating structure is provided on at least one of the shaft and the expander causing the expander to engage with the surface defining the receptacle.

Abstract: A novel quick release fastener system for efficient and reliable attachment, disengagement and reattachment of components secured by the fastener system. The fastener system includes an elongated fastener having a shank, a drive structure on one end, an opposite end of which having a threaded portion. The fastener system also includes an expandable nut body which is engaged with the threaded portion of the fastener, which nut body is adapted to be engaged in a bore. Nut spreading structures are provided on the nut member and the fastener which spread or expand the nut when the fastener is rotated and engaged axially of the nut member. The nut is initially retained on the threaded portion of the fastener with the nut spreading structures disengaged. A work piece is provided with a bore for receiving the expandable nut body. A key is provided in the bore and a slot is provided in the nut body being sized and dimensioned for receiving the key therein.

Abstract: A novel quick release fastener system for efficient and reliable attachment, disengagement and reattachment of one or more work pieces secured by the fastener system. The fastener system includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt includes a shank with a head on one end with a leading end on the shank opposite the head. The nut has a wall which generally defines a bore having opposed edges which define a slot at least partially extending through the wall. Displacement structures are provided on the nut which provide a mechanical advantage in translating rotary and axial forces into circumferential and radial forces. Threads are provided on at least the nut for promoting axial displacement for engaging and disengaging the displacement structures. Threaded engagement and disengagement of the displacement structures deform or release the wall of the nut resulting in displacement of the opposed edges of the wall. In one embodiment the nut includes a constricting gripper which is threadedly engaged with a driving body.

Abstract: A fastener structure for particular use in clamping a panel assembly includes a bolt or pin member having a generally elongate shank for extension through a panel, and a locking-recess in the shank for reception of a locking formation. The pin shank is insertable through a sleeve having a bore which terminates at an anvil portion surrounding the inserted pin shank. A lock collar is insertable into the sleeve bore radially between the shank locking-recess and the sleeve into abutment against the anvil portion of the sleeve. Compression of the locking collar against the abutting anvil portion of the sleeve produces cold flow deformation of a portion of the collar into the locking-recess of the shank to form a locked joint so that the collar then blocks any subsequent relative movement between the pin shank and sleeve to secure the fastener structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable on-line fluid contamination monitor. An inlet and an outlet are provided for connecting the monitor to a fluid control circuit and a measuring device is included for withdrawing fluid from the circuit. An optical sensor assembly is used to view fluid withdrawn from the circuit and to determine the level of contamination by observation of the particles therein, the optical sensor assembly viewing the fluid through a window by means of a light source disposed to project light through the window and the fluid. A light sensor disposed on the opposite side of the window from the light source is arranged to detect particles in the fluid passing across the window by sensing the degree of light obscuration caused by particles in the fluid.

Abstract: A blind fastener designed to secure workpieces having aligned holes therein is provided. The fastener comprises an elongated stem having a head at one end and a serrated tail at the other, and a tubular sleeve having a head through which tail of the stem extends and a tail which is engaged by the head of the stem. The stem further includes a shear ring for bulbing the sleeve tail and a lock ring groove for receiving a lock ring for locking the stem to the sleeve. The stem also has a shoulder which engages shoulder portion in the sleeve to cause the sleeve to expand radially outward so as to fill any clearance or gap between the sleeve and the workpieces. A reservoir located in the stem accepts excess shoulder material displaced during the hole filling process. In one embodiment, a preformed lock ring is positioned in the lock ring groove to lock the stem to the sleeve. In another embodiment, a lock ring is formed from material in the sleeve head.

Abstract: Composite fasteners joining panels together are installed by a tool that grips the end of a fastener stem and exerts a pulling force which causes a rotating forming die to advance toward the fastener. The rotating die is pressed against the fastener to frictionally heat and deform a tail of the fastener to create an upset head. A sensing device stops the movement of the forming die and controls the size of the upset head. A portion of the stem extending from the fastener is then pulled away by a pulling force on the stem. Preferred dimensional relationships of said upset head are disclosed, together with various fastener constructions.

Abstract: A rivet for joining two panels together including a solid member and a member having a tubular portion surrounding part of the solid member. In one form, the rivet has a solid shank and a tail with a tubular forward portion. The shank extends entirely through an aperture in the panels to provide good shear strength. The deformable tail retains the rivet within the aperture but does not damage the edges of the aperture, which may be composite material. The tail forward tubular portion surrounds the shank and is fastened thereto mechanically or by welding. A cavity is created between the head of the tail and the rear face of the shank so that under axial compression the tubular walls of the tail buckle outward. The tail is configured to provide grip range wherein the buckling will occur against the rear wall of the workpieces being joined within a given range of workpiece thickness.

Abstract: The fastener assembly includes a generally solid pin, positioned within a tubular fastener body and a buckle sleeve. The fastener body has a generally cylindrical configuration and includes an enlarged head adjacent one end thereof, an intermediate shank portion, and a nose portion adjacent the other end thereof. The nose portion engage the buckle sleeve, and during installation causes the buckle of the buckle sleeve to form prior to workpiece contact by the interaction between the nose portion of the fastener and the leading edge of the buckle sleeve. The sleeve buckles the intersection between a trailing section and the largest inner diameter at the end of a tapered interior section.

Abstract: A method for making blind fastener which comprises a fastener body, a stem and a shaped shear ring wire. The shear ring in one embodiment is disposed in an annular groove disposed intermediate the ends of a neck of the stem. When the fastener is installed, a bulbing portion of the shear ring upsets the tail end of the fastener and then shears at a predetermined load. An anchor portion of the shear ring travels through the fastener body, with the stem neck radially expanding the fastener to fill the hole within the workpieces being secured together. A lock ring groove is formed in the stem midsection of smaller diameter at the intersections of the stem neck and midsection. In another embodiment, the shear ring is positioned at the intersection so that the shear ring anchor portion engages the rear of a lock ring positioned in said lock ring groove.

Abstract: A blind fastener for securing workpieces is provided having as principle components a stem member, a drive-nut, and a deformable annular means. The stem member has an externally-threaded-portion on the accessible-side thereof, and may have a stem-head on the nonaccessible side thereof. The drive-nut to be screwed onto the externally-threaded-portion of the stem member. The deformable annular means has as principle parts a head which is larger in diameter than the diameter of the boreholes of the workpieces, and an intermediate-part adjacent the head and having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the boreholes, and a deformable tail-part adjacent the intermediate-part and abutting and stem-head for securing the workpieces when the fastener is set. The outer-portion of the stem member contains a turning means for rotating the stem member relative to the drive-nut.

Abstract: A blind fastener comprises a fastener body, a stem and a shaped shear ring wire. The shear ring is disposed in an annular groove disposed intermediate the ends of a neck portion of the stem. When the fastener is installed, a bulbing portion of the shear ring upsets the tail end of the fastener and then shears at a predetermined load. An anchored portion of the shear ring travels through the fastener body, with an enlarged neck portion of the stem radially expanding the fastener to fill the hole within the workpieces being secured together. A lock ring groove is formed in the stem midsection of smaller diameter at the intersections of the stem neck and midsection.

Abstract: A blind fastener comprises a fastener body, a stem and a shaped shear ring wire. The shear ring in one embodiment is disposed in an annular groove disposed intermediate the ends of a neck of the stem. When the fastener is installed, a bulbing portion of the shear ring upsets the tail end of the fastener and then shears at a predetermined load. An anchor portion of the shear ring travels through the fastener body, with the stem neck radially expanding the fastener to fill the hole within the workpieces being secured together. A lock ring groove is formed in the stem midsection of smaller diameter at the intersections of the stem neck and midsection. In another embodiment, the shear ring is positioned at the intersection so that the shear ring anchor portion engages the rear of a lock ring positioned in said lock ring groove.

Abstract: The fastener assembly includes a generally solid pin, positioned within a tubular fastener body and a buckle sleeve. The fastener body has a generally cylindrical configuration and includes an enlarged head adjacent one end thereof, an intermediate shank portion, and a nose portion adjacent the other end thereof. The nose portion engage the buckle sleeve, and during installation causes the buckle of the buckle sleeve to form prior to workpiece contact by the interaction between the nose portion of the fastener and the leading edge of the buckle sleeve. The sleeve buckles the intersection between a trailing section and the largest inner diameter at the end of a tapered interior section.

Abstract: A blind fastener for securing workpieces is provided having as principle components a stem member, a drive-nut, and a deformable annular means. The stem member has an externally-threaded-portion on the accessible-side thereof, and may have a stem-head on the nonaccesssible side thereof. The drive-nut to be screwed onto the externally-threaded-portion of the stem member. The deformable annular means has as principle parts a head which is larger in diameter than the diameter of the boreholes of the workpieces, and an intermediate-part adjacent the head and having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the boreholes, and a deformable tail-part adjacent the intermediate-part and abutting the stem-head for securing the workpieces when the fastener is set. The outer-portion of the stem member contains a turning means for rotating the stem member relative to the drive-nut.