Patents by Inventor Robert J. Corbett

Robert J. Corbett 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: 10710146
    Abstract: A fastening system includes a fastener having a bolt with a pull portion having at least one pull groove, and an outer sleeve having a head with an inner face, the bolt being inserted within the sleeve. The fastening system includes a fastener installation tool having a puller with at least one tooth and a front face. The inner face of the head of the sleeve is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, while the front face of the puller of the fastener installation tool is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the puller. The included angles are chosen to match or be substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Corbett, Joseph Z. Leavelle
  • Patent number: 10260547
    Abstract: A swage collar includes a shank, a flange, and a through bore. The shank includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outside diameter, and an overall length between the first end and the second end. The flange extends from the first end of the shank. The through bore extends longitudinally through the shank from the first end of the shank to the second end of the shank. The through bore defines an inside diameter. The inside diameter and the outside diameter together define a wall thickness of the shank. The wall thickness of the shank is in a range of about 0.1 times the overall length of the shank to about 0.16 times the overall length of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Smith, Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 10087972
    Abstract: A fastening system including a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated shank portion with a threaded portion, a stop shoulder located at an end of the threaded portion, and a pull portion extending from the stop shoulder. The stop shoulder includes an outer rim and an inner annular wall. The inner annular wall and the inner face form an annular recess. The fastener installation tool includes a puller having a front face. The recess of the fastener is adapted to receive the front face of the fastener installation tool when the puller engages the pull portion of the pin member and facilitates alignment of teeth of the installation tool and pull grooves of the pin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20180111184
    Abstract: A fastening system includes a fastener having a bolt with a pull portion having at least one pull groove, and an outer sleeve having a head with an inner face, the bolt being inserted within the sleeve. The fastening system includes a fastener installation tool having a puller with at least one tooth and a front face. The inner face of the head of the sleeve is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, while the front face of the puller of the fastener installation tool is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the puller. The included angles are chosen to match or be substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Corbett, Joseph Z. Leavelle
  • Publication number: 20170284442
    Abstract: A swage collar includes a shank, a flange, and a through bore. The shank includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outside diameter, and an overall length between the first end and the second end. The flange extends from the first end of the shank. The through bore extends longitudinally through the shank from the first end of the shank to the second end of the shank. The through bore defines an inside diameter. The inside diameter and the outside diameter together define a wall thickness of the shank. The wall thickness of the shank is in a range of about 0.1 times the overall length of the shank to about 0.16 times the overall length of the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Smith, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20170016471
    Abstract: A fastening system including a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated shank portion with a threaded portion, a stop shoulder located at an end of the threaded portion, and a pull portion extending from the stop shoulder. The stop shoulder includes an outer rim and an inner annular wall. The inner annular wall and the inner face form an annular recess. The fastener installation tool includes a puller having a front face. The recess of the fastener is adapted to receive the front face of the fastener installation tool when the puller engages the pull portion of the pin member and facilitates alignment of teeth of the installation tool and pull grooves of the pin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 9488213
    Abstract: A fastening system including a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated shank portion with a threaded portion, a stop shoulder located at an end of the threaded portion, and a pull portion extending from the stop shoulder. The stop shoulder includes an inner annular wall extending longitudinally from the end of the threaded portion, and an inner face extending outwardly and obliquely from the shank portion. The inner annular wall and the inner face form an annular receiving area. The fastener installation tool includes a puller having a front face. The receiving area of the fastener is adapted to receive the front face of the fastener installation tool when the puller engages the pull portion of the pin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20150211568
    Abstract: A fastening system including a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated shank portion with a threaded portion, a stop shoulder located at an end of the threaded portion, and a pull portion extending from the stop shoulder. The stop shoulder includes an inner annular wall extending longitudinally from the end of the threaded portion, and an inner face extending outwardly and obliquely from the shank portion. The inner annular wall and the inner face form an annular receiving area. The fastener installation tool includes a puller having a front face. The receiving area of the fastener is adapted to receive the front face of the fastener installation tool when the puller engages the pull portion of the pin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventor: Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 8727685
    Abstract: A swage collar including a shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an outside diameter, a flange extending circumferentially from the first end of the shank and having a outer diameter, and a scalloped shoulder formed at a location where the first end of the shank transitions to the flange. When the swage collar is swaged, the shoulder is deformed from an undeformed state to a deformed state such that the shoulder is blended with the outside diameter of the shank and the outer diameter of the flange. When the shoulder is in its deformed state, it includes multiple curved portions each having a radius of curvature that visually indicates all around the outside diameter of the collar a complete swage of the collar. Knurling located on the outside diameter of the shank and proximate to the second end is deformable and provides a visual indication of the application of an installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 8621734
    Abstract: A collet for a fastener installation tool having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth. The teeth include a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The pull section includes a protrusion extending from the fastener engagement end, thereby extending the length of the pull section. The pull section includes a cross-sectional thickness, wherein the collet is adapted to engage a pin member having a locking portion with a first diameter and a pull portion with a smaller second diameter. An increase in the difference between the first diameter of the locking portion and the second diameter of the pull portion of the pin member allows for a corresponding increase in the cross-sectional thickness of the collet, thereby extending the fatigue life of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 7921530
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an anvil member having a swage cavity, a collet having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth, and an anvil member. The plurality of teeth includes a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The collet has a protrusion extending the length of the pull section to increase the contact area with the anvil member. The anvil member includes a swage cavity with an entrance section, a swage land located adjacent to the entrance section, and an inner bore located adjacent to the swage land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20110057398
    Abstract: A collet for a fastener installation tool having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth. The teeth include a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The pull section includes a protrusion extending from the fastener engagement end, thereby extending the length of the pull section. The pull section includes a cross-sectional thickness, wherein the collet is adapted to engage a pin member having a locking portion with a first diameter and a pull portion with a smaller second diameter. An increase in the difference between the first diameter of the locking portion and the second diameter of the pull portion of the pin member allows for a corresponding increase in the cross-sectional thickness of the collet, thereby extending the fatigue life of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: LARRY D. MERCER, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20110047770
    Abstract: An anvil member for a fastener installation tool having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a swage cavity extending between the first and second ends, an entrance section located at the first end, a swage land located adjacent to the entrance section and having a first inner diameter, and an inner bore located adjacent to the swage land and having a second inner diameter. The swage land is adapted to transmit a radially inward swage load applied by the anvil member. The swage land includes a width that is that is smaller than a length of the anvil member extending between the first and second ends thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 7896598
    Abstract: A swage-type fastener to secure a plurality of workpieces together, which includes a pin member, having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. The collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin member is also provided, a reduced diameter, and a relatively short pull portion pin extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Patent number: 7891924
    Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member, having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Huck International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20100266363
    Abstract: A swage-type fastener to secure a plurality of workpieces together, which includes a pin member, having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. The collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin member is also provided, a reduced diameter, and a relatively short pull portion pin extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • Publication number: 20100257714
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool including an anvil member having a swage cavity, a collet having a pull section with a fastener engagement end and a plurality of teeth, and an anvil member. The plurality of teeth includes a first tooth with a first inner diameter, and each of the remainder of teeth includes a second inner diameter, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. The collet has a protrusion extending the length of the pull section to increase the contact area with the anvil member. The anvil member includes a swage cavity with an entrance section, a swage land located adjacent to the entrance section, and an inner bore located adjacent to the swage land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett
  • 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.
  • Publication number: 20080247841
    Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member, having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Larry D. Mercer, Robert J. Corbett