Abstract: A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, which can be installed into an aperture of a hard metal material workpiece having a hardness of at least 25 Rc, such as Titanium and Steel Alloys. The rivetless nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a retainer, and a sleeve member. Additionally, a stem is used to install the rivetless nut plate assembly. The sleeve member is configured such that the nut plate assembly can be installed in a hard metal material workpiece. The sleeve member may be formed of a high strength, but ductile material, such as Titanium Columbium, Monel, soft Nickel alloys or soft Titanium alloys.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, which can be installed into an aperture of a composite material workpiece, such as a carbon fiber structure, without risking delamination of the workpiece. The rivetless nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a retainer, and a sleeve member. Additionally, a stem is used to install the rivetless nut plate assembly. The sleeve member is configured such that the nut plate assembly can be installed in a composite material workpiece without risking delamination. The sleeve member may be formed of 45Cb-55Ti Titanium Columbium, as Titanium Columbium is a high strength and ductile material that resists corrosion in the presence of, for example, a carbon fiber composite structure. Monel, Titanium alloys, and other soft Nickel alloys are also good material selections for the sleeve, for similar reasons.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, which can be installed into an aperture of a hard metal material workpiece having a hardness of at least 25 Rc, such as Titanium and Steel Alloys. The rivetless nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a retainer, and a sleeve member. Additionally, a stem is used to install the rivetless nut plate assembly. The sleeve member is configured such that the nut plate assembly can be installed in a hard metal material workpiece. The sleeve member may be formed of a high strength, but ductile material, such as Titanium Columbium, Monel, soft Nickel alloys or soft Titanium alloys.

Abstract: A rivetless nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, which can be installed into an aperture of a composite material workpiece, such as a carbon fiber structure, without risking delamination of the workpiece. The rivetless nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a retainer, and a sleeve member. Additionally, a stem is used to install the rivetless nut plate assembly. The sleeve member is configured such that the nut plate assembly can be installed in a composite material workpiece without risking delamination. The sleeve member may be formed of 45Cb-55Ti Titanium Columbium, as Titanium Columbium is a high strength and ductile material that resists corrosion in the presence of, for example, a carbon fiber composite structure. Monel, Titanium alloys, and other soft Nickel alloys are also good material selections for the sleeve, for similar reasons.

Abstract: A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.

Abstract: A sealed rivetless nut plate which includes a retainer, a nut and a gasket, all retained in a shroud. The nut includes a threaded throughbore for threadably receiving a fastener as well as a base portion which includes either holes or slots which receive corresponding protrusions or dimples on the retainer. Alternatively, the base portion of the nut can include protrusions or dimples with the retainer providing corresponding holes or slots. Regardless, this feature is configured to provide a specific amount of x-axis and y-axis floatation. The shroud is folded under the retainer, thereby keeping the assembly intact. The shroud allows only a nominal amount of movement of the nut in the vertical axis. Before installation, a mandrel is engaged in assembly. During installation, the mandrel is pulled out, causing a tubular portion of the retainer to expand, against a workpiece, thereby securing the sealed rivetless nut plate in position.

Abstract: A tool for removing a nut plate after the nut plate has been installed in an aperture in a workpiece. One version of the tool is for removing the nut plate from the nut side using a power tool, while another version of the tool is for manually removing the nut plate from the nut side. Still another version of the tool is for removing the nut plate from the bolt side using a power tool, while another version of the tool is for manually removing the nut plate from the bolt side. Another aspect provides a tool for conditioning a hole, such as for conditioning a hole prior to installing a nut plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a rivet and method of installing the rivet to attach honeycomb material to other materials. The rivet is installed by drilling a hole through the materials. A back side sleeve of the rivet is inserted through one end of the hole while a front side sleeve with a stem member inserted therethrough is inserted through the other end of the hole such that the head of the stem member and the sleeve portion of the front sleeve are positioned within the sleeve portion of the back sleeve. The shank portion of the stem member is then pulled such that the head of the stem member expands the sleeve portions of the front and back sleeves into the materials to attach the rivet to the materials. A locking collar is also provided to lock the stem member to the front sleeve upon continued pulling of the stem member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tacking rivet for fastening work pieces together which have aligned apertures therethrough. The tacking rivet includes a head portion and an elongated sleeve portion extending from the head portion. Both the head portion and the sleeve portion have openings therethrough which are in alignment with one another. The tacking rivet further includes a plurality of rib portions positioned on an outer surface of the sleeve portion which are capable of engaging with walls of the apertures of the work pieces when the sleeve portion is expanded within the apertures of the work pieces. Because the rib portions engage with the walls of the apertures of the work pieces, the tacking rivet will not rotate within the apertures during a drilling operation to remove the tacking rivet from the apertures prior to the installation of a permanent fastener to fasten the work pieces together.

Abstract: The invention provides a rivet and method of installing the rivet to attach honeycomb material to other materials. The rivet is installed by drilling a hole through the materials. A back side sleeve of the rivet is inserted through one end of the hole while a front side sleeve with a stem member inserted therethrough is inserted through the other end of the hole such that the head of the stem member and the sleeve portion of the front sleeve are positioned within the sleeve portion of the back sleeve. The shank portion of the stem member is then pulled such that the head of the stem member expands the sleeve portions of the front and back sleeves into the materials to attach the rivet to the materials. A locking collar is also provided to lock the stem member to the front sleeve upon continued pulling of the stem member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tacking rivet for fastening work pieces together which have aligned apertures therethrough. The tacking rivet includes a head portion and an elongated sleeve portion extending from the head portion. Both the head portion and the sleeve portion have openings therethrough which are in alignment with one another. The tacking rivet further includes a plurality of rib portions positioned on an outer surface of the sleeve portion which are capable of engaging with walls of the apertures of the work pieces when the sleeve portion is expanded within the apertures of the work pieces. Because the rib portions engage with the walls of the apertures of the work pieces, the tacking rivet will not rotate within the apertures during a drilling operation to remove the tacking rivet from the apertures prior to the installation of a permanent fastener to fasten the work pieces together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener for securing workpieces together which has a stem having an enlarged head at one end thereof that has a cavity therethrough, a main sleeve and an expander sleeve. The expander sleeve is adapted to move into a bore of the main sleeve to radially expand the main sleeve to form a first blind head for clamping the workpieces together in response to a first axial force. The enlarged stem head is adapted to move, without any deformation thereto, into a bore of the expander sleeve to radially expand the expander sleeve to form a second blind head to further clamp the workpieces together in response to a second axial force. The fastener further has a breakneck groove on the stem adapted to fracture the stem in response to a third axial force.

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: A fastener including a sleeve, a stem extending through the sleeve, an integral shear ring adjacent a tail end of the sleeve, and an expander ring between the shear ring and the sleeve tail to facilitate bulbing of the sleeve tail.

Abstract: A blind fastener which comprises a fastener body, a stem and a two-piece shear/expander assembly. The assembly includes an anchor section sized to fit within an annular groove in a neck portion of the stem and an expander collar which surrounds the shear ring. When the fastener is installed, a bulbing portion of the expander collar upsets the tail end of the fastener until an inner shoulder of the collar step causes an outer section of the ring to shear from the anchor section. A lock ring groove is formed in the stem midsection of smaller diameter at the intersections of the stem neck and midsection. The shear ring may be formed of shaped wire which is wrapped around the fastener stem, while the expander collar is an annular element next to the shear ring. The shear ring dimensions and material properties can be modified to alter the fastener characteristics.

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: 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: A fastener mandrel has formed on one end a shoulder and a twisted, generally rectangular shaped head adjoining the shoulder. In setting the fastener in a workpiece, the shoulder enlarges the end of a tubular rivet and clamps workpieces together in combination with a preformed head on the other end of the rivet. The mandrel head deforms the rivet tail into a twisted appearing shape with a somewhat elliptical cross-section that partially encloses the mandrel head to provide good stem retention and prevent axial looseness. A plurality of axial ribs on the mandrel stem are drawn into a reduced diameter section of the rivet head end when the rivet is set, thereby providing additional stem retention and torsional interference.

Abstract: A blind fastener comprises a tubular sleeve, a mandrel stem and an integral shear ring and locking collar assembly. The integral shear ring and locking collar assembly has a wedge-shaped bulbing portion for expanding the blind side of the fastener sleeve in response to a pulling force on the stem, and a leading finger which functions as a locking collar. As the mandrel is pulled axially away from the sleeve, the leading finger portion radially expands the body of the fastener sleeve while the wedge-shaped portion axially compresses the tail end of the sleeve to form a blind head. After forming the blind head, the wedge-shaped bulbing portion shears. The leading finger continues travelling through the fastener sleeve, radially expanding the sleeve to fill the hole between the sleeve and the workpiece. When the leading finger meets with an anvil washer it buckles into a recess formed in the sleeve so as to interlock the sleeve and the mandrel stem.