Abstract: A floating fastener comprises a retainer and a captive nut held within a cavity of the retainer. The nut is star-shaped with four points spaced equally apart and with four valleys on the periphery of the nut between the points creating the overall star-shape of the nut. Likewise, the cavity in the retainer corresponds to the shape and contour of the nut but sized so that there is a substantial gap between them. Permissible lateral float of the nut can be maximized by employing a particular angularity of the sides of the valleys in relation to other dimensions of the fastener.

Abstract: A floating fastener comprises a retainer and a captive nut held within a cavity of the retainer. The nut is star-shaped with four points spaced equally apart and with four valleys on the periphery of the nut between the points creating the overall star-shape of the nut. Likewise, the cavity in the retainer corresponds to the shape and contour of the nut but sized so that there is a substantial gap between them. Permissible lateral float of the nut can be maximized by employing a particular angularity of the sides of the valleys in relation to other dimensions of the fastener.

Abstract: A non-rotational, flare nut attached to a panel with tolerance float formed and applied using special flaring tool, which simultaneously creates a square profile on the shank as the nut is attached. During flaring, the shank is broken into radially extending segments that provide retention to the panel with the ability to “float” on the panel by an amount equal to the clearance between the hole and the shank of the nut. The length of the segments allow for a greater float distance. The anti-rotation capability is provided by interference between the flat sides of the nut shank and the sides of the rectangular receiving hole.

Abstract: A screw-locking element in the form of an H cross-section profile is fitted into a longitudinal slot through a bushing sidewall that captures opposing recesses of the insert. When assembled to the bushing, the locking presents a base on the outside of the bushing and a screw-engaging longitudinal strip on the inside along the threads. The bushing may have more than one locking insert and the inserts are preferably composed on Nylon.

Abstract: A self-actuating tooling die located beneath an industrial press impact zone clamps a the tongue of an end ring side-to-side to hold it dimensionally stable during a pressing operation that clinches a nut to a hole in the tongue. The tooling die comprises a cone-shaped split collet fitted into a corresponding cone-shaped receptacle in the die housing. As the installation force of the press forces the collet into the receptacle, jaws of the collet grip the tongue a corresponding amount. At a pre-determined point of advancement, the collet bottoms out against a stop in the socket to hold the tongue in its pre-installation relaxed shape and size. A spring-loaded stepped pin, which reciprocates within an axial bore of the die, centers the nut and hole in the tongue during installation and later ejects the completed assembly.

Abstract: A non-rotational, flare nut attached to a panel with tolerance float formed and applied using special flaring tool, which simultaneously creates a square profile on the shank as the nut is attached. During flaring, the shank is broken into radially extending segments that provide retention to the panel with the ability to “float” on the panel by an amount equal to the clearance between the hole and the shank of the nut. The length of the segments allow for a greater float distance. The anti-rotation capability is provided by interference between the flat sides of the nut shank and the sides of the rectangular receiving hole.

Abstract: Attachment of a rectangular clinch fastener is achieved with the panel receiving hole side-gaps at least partially closed by features incorporated into the installation tooling. Panel displacement features are added to the face of the installation anvil tool to draw from the panel material and move this material inwardly up against the side face of the fastener thus greatly closing the receiving hole side gaps. The anvil features include two raised displacer protrusions extending above the pressing surface of the anvil aligned with the non-clinching side edges of a rectangular tool well. The anvil features have a trapezoidal shape with a slanted face facing inwardly such that upon installation the panel is deformed to close or greatly reduce the length of the unwanted side edge gaps.

Abstract: A self-actuating tooling die located beneath an industrial press impact zone clamps a the tongue of an end ring side-to-side to hold it dimensionally stable during a pressing operation that clinches a nut to a hole in the tongue. The tooling die comprises a cone-shaped split collet fitted into a corresponding cone-shaped receptacle in the die housing. As the installation force of the press forces the collet into the receptacle, jaws of the collet grip the tongue a corresponding amount. At a pre-determined point of advancement, the collet bottoms out against a stop in the socket to hold the tongue in its pre-installation relaxed shape and size. A spring-loaded stepped pin, which reciprocates within an axial bore of the die, centers the nut and hole in the tongue during installation and later ejects the completed assembly.

Abstract: A locking washer is preferably assembled to the top of an internally threaded bushing and retained on the bushing by force fit into a groove on the bushing or by adhesion. The washer includes a peripheral collar and an integral tang which diametrically extends into a central opening of the collar. When a screw is inserted into the threads of the bushing the tang becomes bent over and thereafter when the screw has been further advanced the tang longitudinally extends between the threads of the screw and the bushing. More than one washer may be used.

Abstract: A screw-locking element in the form of an H cross-section profile is fitted into a longitudinal slot through a bushing sidewall that captures opposing recesses of the insert. When assembled to the bushing, the locking presents a base on the outside of the bushing and a screw-engaging longitudinal strip on the inside along the threads. The bushing may have more than one locking insert and the inserts are preferably composed on Nylon.