Abstract: A fastener is provided that includes a housing body including a bore extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the housing body, a housing body anti-rotation part, and a reduced diameter opening at a distal end of the housing body, a collet body partially translating within the housing body bore, having a collet body anti-rotation part positioned at least partially within the housing body, and a plurality of clamping fingers axially extending from a wall portion of the collet body, and a removable bushing positioned at least partially in the housing body bore. Rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by an interaction between the housing body anti-rotation part and the collet body anti-rotation part during fastener clamping and unclamping and the removable bushing and the reduced diameter opening in the bore prevent escapement of the collet body anti-rotation part from the housing body.

Abstract: Hole alignment tools, methods of making such tools, and methods for aligning holes in a plurality of work pieces are disclosed. The hole alignment tools may exert, when fully engaged with similarly sized, stacked holes, a substantially uniform force against the work piece surfaces that define the holes. The hole alignment tool includes a doweling body having a plurality of radially expandable legs, a housing, and a spreader element. The doweling body legs include a decreasing sectional thickness extending from the distal ends thereof towards the proximal end of the doweling body. Depending upon its state, the radial profile of a doweling body's legs may be converging or parallel for tool insertion and removal, or diverging for alignment purposes.

Abstract: A fastener is provided that includes a housing body including a bore extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the housing body, a housing body anti-rotation part, and a reduced diameter opening at a distal end of the housing body, a collet body partially translating within the housing body bore, having a collet body anti-rotation part positioned at least partially within the housing body, and a plurality of clamping fingers axially extending from a wall portion of the collet body, and a removable bushing positioned at least partially in the housing body bore. Rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by an interaction between the housing body anti-rotation part and the collet body anti-rotation part during fastener clamping and unclamping and the removable bushing and the reduced diameter opening in the bore prevent escapement of the collet body anti-rotation part from the housing body.

Abstract: Methods, articles and systems for off-center, non-destructive association between at least two work pieces using a blind fastener component or system having a first part of a first two part anti-rotation arrangement without deformation or loss of compressive association therebetween, and/or fastening system failure. Article and system embodiments include at least one dynamic sleeve insert having a second part of the first anti-rotation arrangement on an inner surface thereof and a first part of a second anti-rotation arrangement on an outer surface thereof, wherein the inner surface accommodates substantial axial translation of the blind fastener, the first part of the second anti-rotation arrangement is functionally complementary to an auxiliary structure having a second part of the second anti-rotation arrangement, and optionally the second anti-rotation arrangement accommodates greater than nominal lateral translation (shear movement) between the dynamic sleeve insert and the auxiliary structure.

Abstract: Biased blind side fasteners and related methods for temporarily securing together at least two work pieces that each define a hole through which at least a portion of the fastener may pass. Fastener embodiments include an elongate, hollow case for substantially housing a generally cylindrical collet body and a bias element for urging the collet body into the case, and at least partially housing a central rod having a proximal end linked to a proximal portion of the case by a web element and a distal end extending from the case. Such embodiments further include a translatable plunger for temporarily overcoming the urging of the bias element and causing extension of the collet body away from the case, thereby permitting insertion of a fastener into the work pieces' holes, wherein the plunger is formed to substantially translatably pass through the web element.

Abstract: Hole alignment tools, methods of making such tools, and methods for aligning holes in a plurality of work pieces are disclosed. The hole alignment tools may exert, when fully engaged with similarly sized, stacked holes, a substantially uniform force against the work piece surfaces that define the holes. The hole alignment tool includes a doweling body having a plurality of radially expandable legs, a housing, and a spreader element. The doweling body legs include a decreasing sectional thickness extending from the distal ends thereof towards the proximal end of the doweling body. Depending upon its state, the radial profile of a doweling body's legs may be converging or parallel for tool insertion and removal, or diverging for alignment purposes.

Abstract: Methods, articles and systems for off-center, non-destructive association between at least two work pieces using a blind fastener component or system having a first part of a first two part anti-rotation arrangement such as disclosed in WO 03/069971, without deformation or loss of compressive association there between, and/or fastening system failure.

Abstract: Methods for fastening at least a first object and a second object together from only one side using a collet body having a first end, a second end and an anti-rotation feature include inserting the first end through aligned first and second object holes, which define a common axis, axially translating the anti-rotation feature through at least a portion of the first object hole, engaging the anti-rotation feature with a mechanical ground, which may be one or both objects or a sleeve insert, whereby free rotation of the collet body is substantially counteracted by the rotational, but not axial, interference between the anti-rotation feature and the mechanical ground, and axially retracting the collet body before, during or after radially outwardly displacing at least two displaceable fingers at the first end of the collet body.

Abstract: Fastener embodiments include a housing body, a collet body and a central body. The housing body receives a first portion of the collet body, which has internal threads and an external anti-rotation feature, as well as a first portion of the central body. A second portion of the collet body and an exterior portion of the housing body provide work piece contacting surfaces. The central body, which occupies an inner portion of the housing body, is threadably coupled to the collet body and displaces and/or converges radially displaceable portions of the collet body at the second portion thereof. Interaction between the collet body anti-rotation feature and the housing body, which may be a pair of extending pins engaging a pair of slots, prevents rotation of the collet body within the housing body during rotation of the central body, while axial movement thereof remains unaffected within intended operation parameters.

Abstract: Fasteners and related systems according to the invention include a collet body having a first part of a two part anti-rotation arrangement and a cylinder body having a second part of the two part anti-rotation arrangement wherein the collet body and the cylinder body are matably axially translatable with respect to each other, and have the same or similar outer diameter in some embodiments or not in others. A threaded member rotationally engages the collet body and compressively contacts the cylinder body during operation of the fastener to creating a clamping effect. Rotational interference between the first and second parts of the anti-rotation arrangement preferably occurs at sectional face portions of at least the collet body. Resistance to induced rotation of the cylinder body relative to a work piece rotation of the threaded member is preferably provided by a tool engaging a tool interface present on the cylinder body.

Abstract: An expandable collet body and anchor system incorporating a collet body anti-rotation feature and preferably collet body translation arresting means are disclosed. The collet body includes a first end, a first wall portion having at least two fingers, a second end including a head, a second wall portion, an annular protrusion and anti-rotation means where the anti-rotation means engages with an auxiliary structure defining a hole having an internal surface adapted to translationally accept the collet body and operatively function with the collet body anti-rotation means. The auxiliary may include a work piece to be optionally joined to another structure or a sleeve insert locatable in a hole defined by a work piece. Because the collet body is relatively free to translate within the auxiliary structure, a wide spectrum of work piece depths can be engaged with a single length collet body with the use of a stud to radially expand the fingers, thereby engaging a distal structure.

Abstract: An expandable collet body and anchor system incorporating a collet body anti-rotation feature and preferably collet body translation arresting means are disclosed. The collet body includes a first end, a first wall portion having at least two fingers, a second end including a head, a second wall portion, an annular protrusion and anti-rotation means where the anti-rotation means engages with an auxiliary structure defining a hole having an internal surface adapted to translationally accept the collet body and operatively function with the collet body anti-rotation means. The auxiliary may include a work piece to be optionally joined to another structure or a sleeve insert locatable in a hole defined by a work piece. Because the collet body is relatively free to translate within the auxiliary structure, a wide spectrum of work piece depths can be engaged with a single length collet body with the use of a stud to radially expand the fingers, thereby engaging a distal structure.

Abstract: A temporary fastener tool (20) for establishing and maintaining compressive alignment between at least two parts, each having an aperture through which the fastener tool is inserted. The tool includes a spindle (120) having a first and second end wherein a bulbous element (126) extends from the first end. The spindle engages collet (100) that includes a plurality of finger elements (106).