Patents by Inventor Randy Torrence

Randy Torrence 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: 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