Nut Assembled To Substructure Utilizing Cooperating Regions On Both Patents (Class 411/177)
  • Patent number: 11639731
    Abstract: An improved fastener clip for a side curtain airbag is provided. The fastener clip includes a head portion and a body portion having first and second expansion legs. During installation, the fastener clip is manually inserted through aligned openings in an airbag attachment member and a body panel. When a bolt is threaded into the fastener clip, the head portion engages an upper surface of the airbag attachment member and the expansion legs flex laterally outward and engage an underside of the body panel. Spring tabs extend from the head portion and absorb vibrations to provide a secure attachment over the life of the fastener clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventors: Christopher Murphy, Mark Beyer, James Mell
  • Patent number: 10639085
    Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for blood flow are provided. In general, an implant can be configured to be implanted in bone and to delay clotting of blood flowing from the bone. The implant can include an anti-coagulation agent to delay the clotting of the blood. The anti-coagulation agent can be a coating on the implant, can be natural to a material forming the implant, or can be impregnated into a material forming the implant. In an exemplary embodiment, the implant is implanted in a bone in a surgical procedure for securing a soft tissue to bone, such as a rotator cuff repair procedure or an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SARL
    Inventors: Gregory R. Whittaker, Benjamin Cleveland, Julia Hwang, David B. Spenciner, William R. Parrish, Mehmet Z. Sengun, Reagan A. Theis
  • Patent number: 10087642
    Abstract: A concrete form panel system and method includes a screen grid insulated concrete form panel for use in a wall system. The screen grid insulated concrete form panel includes a filled concrete thermal mass of the wall system located on an interior face of the wall system with expanded polystyrene insulation on an exterior side of the wall system, which results an enhanced thermal stability and isolation of an interior climate of a structure constructed utilizing the wall system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Montoya
  • Patent number: 8579570
    Abstract: A fastener includes an insert mounted in an oversized elongated aperture of a metal panel. The insert has a tubular body of lesser outside dimension than the aperture, and a hollow interior receiving a threaded stud projecting from the component. The tubular body has a flexible lip engaging the panel and first and second retaining fingers having first shoulders engaging the bottom surface of the panel and second shoulders engaging with opposed parallel extending sidewalls of the aperture to prevent rotation of the tubular body. First and second biasing fingers project from the tubular body to engage opposed curved end walls of the aperture to a bias the tubular body within the aperture as allowed by sliding of the second shoulders along the opposed parallel extending sidewalls. A plurality of ratchet fingers extends into the hollow interior to engage the stud when the stud is installed into the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Fellows, Michelle Weisgerber
  • Patent number: 8485910
    Abstract: A fastener includes a t-nut having a barrel and a flange. The flange includes an opening which leads to a threaded barrel. The threaded barrel extends from the opening in the flange to a distal end portion thereof. An end cap has an annular recess on a first side thereof and has a raised annular ridge on a second side thereof. The raised annular ridge of the end cap is affixed to the flange of the t-nut by welding the end cap to the flange. Dirt, water and moisture cannot enter the barrel because the end cap is sealed to the flange. Additionally, the barrel may be relatively short as it is fully threaded prior to the affixation of the end cap to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Stafast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Selle
  • Publication number: 20120308329
    Abstract: A functional element (10), for fixing to a piece of sheet metal (40), such as for example, a nut element or a bolt element with a body section or head section, comprising an annular flange (14) which transforms into a cylindrical rivet section, is characterized in that the transformation from annular flange into the rivet section is formed by an at least essentially conical surface, forming a contact surface for a corresponding conical region of a piece of sheet metal, which, on fixing the functional element to a piece of sheet metal, is clamped between the side of the annular flange facing the rivet section and an annular bead (50) formed from the rivet section. An assembled component and a method for the fixing of a functional element are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri BABEJ, Wolfgang HOESSRICH
  • Patent number: 8123446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8006361
    Abstract: An installation tool for use with a liner sleeve attachment, such as a nutplate assembly for mounting onto a substrate blind side as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,747. The installation tool includes retractable grip jaws for gripping and pulling a fixture pin protruding from the attachment, for initially advancing a tapered tool nose piece into deforming engagement with an attachment liner sleeve leading end to flare and/or expand the liner sleeve to lock the liner sleeve onto the substrate. Continued pulling action exerts a sufficient force to collapse a fixture pin head and thereby permit pull-removal of the fixture pin from the attachment. The nose piece is carried by a retractable inner housing normally retained in an advanced position for deforming the liner sleeve, and thereafter movable to a retracted position spaced from the liner sleeve to accommodate substantially unobstructed fixture pin separation from the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Hutter, III, Barry L. Madson
  • Patent number: 7712515
    Abstract: A municipal casting frame is provided with cast nut retainers that allow the frame to be used with or without a bolt-down cover. The frame defines one or more bolt holes of sufficient dimension to allow free passage of the cover bolts. The undersurface of the frame defines a cast nut retainer adapted to securely receive a nut. In one embodiment, the nut retainer includes protrusions that permit the nut to be snap-fitted into the nut retainer. In another embodiment, the nut retainer is configured to frictionally receive the nut in a wedging interaction. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a frame with integral cast nut retainers. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a core corresponding in shape to the bolt hole and the cast nut retainer, the cast nut retainer being configured to receive and retain a nut, (b) casting a frame in a mold about the core, (c) removing the cast frame from the mold and (d) removing the core from the cast frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: East Jordan Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon P. Sulak, Brian J. Rachwitz, Keith A. Gee, Paul F. Harm, Jeremy I. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100068002
    Abstract: An insert for blind installation in a workpiece, and method of manufacture of an insert, the insert (2) comprising a body (4) and anchor stud (6); wherein the stud is inserted into a through bore (22) in the body, part of the stud extending beyond the end of the through bore, and a part of the stud provided with opposed areas of knurling (14, 16) such as threading, being enveloped by a reduced diameter section (24) of the body, such that crimping the stud onto the body causes material to enter the knurling, thereby firmly attaching body and stud, allowing the insert to withstand high torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: AVDEL UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Derek Crutchley, Philip Wasmuth, Jonathan Brewer
  • Patent number: 7654782
    Abstract: A threaded fastener such as a weld nut or a weld stud has a projection from a surface thereof, with the projection bearing a thread. A weld ring substantially surrounds the threaded projection. In a fastener system using the fastener, a mounting structure has a keyhole including a larger diameter hole and a narrower diameter slot. In the assembly, a portion of the weld ring projects into the slot to resist rotation of the fastener relative to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20090220320
    Abstract: An insert (10) for a sandwich component (30) having a honeycomb core (31) has an inner hollow-cylindrical sleeve (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 7568870
    Abstract: A push nut comprises legs (6, 7), each of which is configured with outer struts (5), inner struts (17) spacedly disposed between the outer struts (5), and a tongue (19) lying between the inner struts (17) and projecting into an inner space (16) and intended to bear against a shank of a bolt that can be screwed into a thread portion (4). A high pull-out strength is thereby obtained with relatively low material expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: A. Raymond Et CIE
    Inventor: Jerome Paquet
  • Publication number: 20080286066
    Abstract: A push nut comprises legs (6, 7), each of which is configured with outer struts (5), inner struts (17) spacedly disposed between the outer struts (5), and a tongue (19) lying between the inner struts (17) and projecting into an inner space (16) and intended to bear against a shank of a bolt that can be screwed into a thread portion (4). A high pull-out strength is thereby obtained with relatively low material expenditure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: Jerome Paquet
  • Publication number: 20080181746
    Abstract: A fixing element is disclosed for anchoring in solid massive bases, such as, for example, concrete, stone, solid brick, wood or similar which includes a tie bolt provided with an anchoring section having a spiral-shaped surrounding profile at least over a partial area of the longitudinal extension. A head section, which expands in the radial direction in relation to the anchoring section, connects to the anchoring section counter to the direction of mounting. The fixing element also includes a helical spring which can be premounted on the partial area of the anchoring section which is provided with the spiral-shaped profile. The spiral-shaped surrounding profile is formed from at least two axial cone sections which adjoin one another and which have a cover surface which extends in a spiral-shaped manner, the surface widening in the direction of mounting. The cone sections include a pitch which is greater than a pitch of the helical spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Pama Reiter Stefan
    Inventor: Stefan Reiter
  • Publication number: 20080159824
    Abstract: A fastening device for fixing a member to be fixed to a fixing member through a screw, the fastening device includes: a top plate portion; and a pair of leg piece portions respectively suspended from the two side edges of the top plate portion, wherein the top plate portion includes two pairs of first elastic securing pieces disposed opposed to each other for defining a first screw hole formed in the screw, and two pairs of regulating pieces respectively interposed between the first elastic securing pieces for defining a first guide hole having a diameter larger than the first screw hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: PIOLAX INC.
    Inventors: Shigeo Okada, Kouichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20080019084
    Abstract: A display device includes a front case and a rear case that accommodate internal components, a fixing screw for coupling the front case and the rear case or coupling the internal components, and a nut into which the fixing screw is coupled. The nut has a shock-absorbing part at an outer portion thereof. A nut supporting part is disposed at the front case and/or the rear case to support the nut. Accordingly, deformation of the case caused by tightening the fixing screw is substantially prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Gyu Min Lee, Myeong Gil Kim
  • Publication number: 20070166128
    Abstract: A nut assembly includes a nut and a plate. The nut includes a portion disposed in the plate, through a hole in the plate. An outer surface of the nut is expanded outwardly to engage surfaces forming the hole. Axial compression is used in a method of the present invention for securing the nut in the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Patent number: 7160047
    Abstract: A functional element arrangement which includes a functional element which is to be mounted on a component, especially but not exclusively on a brittle or non-rigid component made of a material containing cavities or pores, e.g. plastic, wood, metal foams, plastic or metal filled with hollow bodies, or another relatively soft material, selectively embodied as a sandwich construction or as a composite material e.g. in the form of a single layered or multilayered structure comprising, for example, two layers of sheet metal or plastic and a core made of one of the above-mentioned materials. The invention is characterized in that it is provided with an auxiliary assembly element which enables the functional element to be blocked using forming techniques when it is mounted on the component in a riveting process or a stamping and riveting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Mueller, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 6817079
    Abstract: The method of the present invention is intended to be used in association with a headed fastener such as a tee nut, but not limited to a tee nut. The present method contemplates embodiments of a riveting pin having protuberances that cause the flared end of the shaft to be flared in one or more discontinuous portions of the circumference of the shaft, whereby “push out” and “spin-out” are deterred. Where the length of the fastener shaft is no longer than the thickness of the material through which it is inserted, a first design of flaring pin is provided. Where the length of the shaft of the fastener employed is greater than the thickness of the material through which it extends, a second embodiment of flaring pin is employed. In the former case, at least one discrete portion of the circumference of the shaft is flared into the wall of the passageway through which the shaft extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Falcon Fasteners Reg'D
    Inventors: Walter H. Leistner, Sung Hsiang Liu
  • Patent number: 6637994
    Abstract: A fastener includes a generally square flange having arcuate corners. Eight upstanding ribs are provided, equally spaced about the periphery of the flange. When the fastener is inserted in a piece of material, the ribs dig into the surface of the piece of material to prevent the fastener from rotating when a threaded fastener is advanced into the opening through the shaft from the opposite side. Extending upwardly from the top surface of the flange is an elongated shaft having two adjacent regions, one adjacent the flange having relatively thicker threaded walls and another distal from the flange having thinner unthreaded walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Falcon Fasteners Reg'D
    Inventor: Volkmar Leistner
  • Patent number: 6514005
    Abstract: A member coupling device is provided for use with a treatment apparatus which uses chemicals. The member coupling device is formed with a tapered hole including a tapered hole portion which diverges toward an opening. A tapered implant is inserted into the tapered hole from an enlarged side of the tapered hole portion and fitted therein. The implant includes a tapered portion in contact with the tapered hole portion, and a first thread formed on the tapered portion. With the implant fitted in the tapered hole, a member is placed in contact with the member coupling device. A second thread formed on a fastening member is engaged with the first thread of the implant in a screw coupling configuration to mount the member on the member coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeji Shiokawa, Mitsuya Mikawa, Toshimitsu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6305888
    Abstract: A T-Nut having a generally tubular barrel with an interior female thread and a flange with prongs bent to embed in a work piece, and in which the flange has planar sides to ride in a feed guide, and has end edges on the flange, at the leading and trailing edges of the flange, which end edges can contact respective end edges on leading and trailing T-Nuts within the feed, a generally median U-shaped depression formed in each of the leading and trailing edges and, generally arcuate recesses formed in each of the edge flange, on either side of the U-shaped depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sigma Tool & Machine
    Inventor: Herbert E. Leistner
  • Patent number: 6183181
    Abstract: A Tee-nut fastener device having a tubular threaded sleeve and a flange around one end of the sleeve and a through bore extending from one end of the sleeve to the other, and a closure sealing the flange end of the sleeve while leaving the opposite end of the sleeve open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sigma Tool & Machine
    Inventors: Herbert E. Leistner, Carlo Stagnoli
  • Patent number: 6146072
    Abstract: A functional element comprising a shaft part and a head part, or a hollow body part, for attachment to a sheet metal part, in particular for liquid-tight and/or gas-tight attachment to the sheet metal part, without penetrating or perforating the sheet metal part, is characterized in that the head or body part has at least one undercut feature either in an open hollow cavity at its end face confronting the sheet metal part and/or at its outer periphery and is formed in the regions which enter into contact with the sheet metal part with exclusively rounded shaping edges which, during the insertion of the element, cooperate with a shaping die button in order to provide a hooked engagement in form-fitted manner of the sheet metal material, with the undercut feature or with the undercut features. A method of attaching a functional element to a sheet metal part, a component assembly and also at least one die button and a setting head are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5964767
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a sealable device for temporary or permanent surgical placement through a bone to provide a passage into a cavity or internal anatomic site in a mammal. The sealable device comprises two preferred embodiments: in the first one the device comprises two members, the first one provides a passage through the bone, and the second one, which is movable, is used as a stopper means for the first member, and in the second embodiment, a third removable member is added, which may be connected with said second end of said first member so that the device is affixed to the bone it runs through. The device can be used, for example, for diagnostic purposes, for topical in situ therapy, of medical treatment or for viewing into the cavity. The cavity may be, for instance, the sinus maxillaris. If so, the temporary or permanent placement of the device is carried out via the canine fossa or the lower meatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventors: Eduardo Armando Tapia, Estela Maria Perez de Tapia, Mario Emilio Zernotti, Luis Antonio de Zavaleta
  • Patent number: 5919019
    Abstract: A nut (10) for mounting into an opening (18) located in the central part of a panel (14) includes a sleeve (16) and resilient locking trips (44,46) and panel edge securing means 948) extending from opposite sides of the nut. When the nut is positioned within the opening (18) the locking strips (44,46) obstruct removal from the opening. On a bolt (62) being fully received within the sleeve (16) both the strips and edge securing means (48) contactingly engage the panel (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: California Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5863164
    Abstract: A Tee-nut with flareable portion comprises a flange head, a plurality of prongs extending from the flange head, and a hollow barrel extending from the flange head. The hollow barrel has an internally threaded portion provided at one end of the barrel connecting to the flange head, and an enlarged flareable portion extending from the internally threaded portion and provided at a free end of the barrel. The end of the enlarged flareable portion is radiussed inwardly so as to form an end opening having a diameter which reduced in relation to the diameter of the flareable portion to facilitate insertion into a hole in a workpiece. The present invention further discloses a workpiece fitted with such a Tee-nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sigma Tool & Machine
    Inventor: Volkmar W. Leistner
  • Patent number: 5348432
    Abstract: In order to prevent a flange of a tee nut which is moved along a feed track from overlapping with that of another tee nut so that the tee nut can be smoothly fed along the feed track, the flange is an octagon having linear sides coupling paired the two pawls of each of two pairs of pawls with each other. To firmly and semi-permanently fix the tee nut in an object, a relatively thin-walled flarable or splayable portion is formed on an end of a shaft away from the flange. A female screw forming portion is provided on a portion of the shaft excluding the flarable or splayable portion. When this tee unit is mounted on the object, the pawls bite into the object and the flarable or splayable portion is flared or splayed to form a flared or splayed rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Nagayama Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nagayama
  • Patent number: 5333824
    Abstract: A pole extension system for rigidly and tightly connecting an extension pole to a main pole. The main pole has a cylindrical end portion into which a T-nut is securely mounted coaxial with the pole axis. The extension pole has a cylindrical end portion forming an alignment shaft having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the main portion of the extension pole, such that an abutment shoulder is formed where the pole end portion meets with the extension pole. A bolt is mounted at the end of the alignment shaft and adapted for being screwed into the T-nut as the main pole and the extension pole are rotated relative to each other. A stabilizer means is mounted at the end portion of the main pole and includes a long tubular alignment sleeve having a length which extends past the end portion of the main pole and receives therein the alignment shaft in a close fitting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Emanuel Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 5322624
    Abstract: A drain/fill/sensor port for use in fuel filters and a method for making the same. The port comprises a ferrule attached to a sheet metal shell which is formed with a domed end portion having a central aperture. The ferrule includes four angularly spaced slots adapted to receive and interlock with tabs spaced angularly around the aperture in order to fasten the ferrule securely to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. D. Rogers, Russell D. Ridgway, Wilhelm A. A. Perleberg
  • Patent number: 5094580
    Abstract: Two plates are connected to each other through brackets and fixing pins. The bracket includes a base disc portion, a semi-cylindrical wall portion and a pair of projections. The wall portion is perpendicular to the base disc portion. The projections radially outwardly extend from diametrically opposed portions of the wall portion. One of the two plates has an opening. The opening has concentrically connected smaller and larger circular portions and a pair of notches. The notches are positioned at diametrically opposed portions of the smaller circular portion and have the same thickness as that of the smaller circular portion. The smaller and larger circular portions and the notches are so sized as to receive the semi-cylindrical wall portion, the base disc portion and the projections, respectively. The thickness of the smaller circular portion is the same as the distance between the projection and the base disc portion. The thickness of the larger circular portion is the same as that of the base disc portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Abe
  • Patent number: 5085549
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting components to panels includes a fastener assembly variable positioned in three axes and capable of being locked in position frictionally or mechanically in a final desired position by tightening a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Kelly J. Londry
  • Patent number: 5037259
    Abstract: A nut having an enlarged head, one end disposed in a countersunk opening in one side of the panel, which head may be configured for anti-rotation, and either an integral threaded portion or internal floating threaded insert at the other end extending through the panel. A sleeve is locked to the body of the nut retaining the same to the underside of the panel and allowing for variation in panel thickness. The nut threadably engages a threaded member that may be mounted in a panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Avibank Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Duran, Gordon Bussard, Peter Chang
  • Patent number: 5026233
    Abstract: A screw-nut arrangement for securing two or more members together is provided with a unique design for a locking nut insert. The locking nut insert has a straight knurled cylindrical portion with an end surface which abuts a shoulder in a counterbore of a through hole and a gripper retainer ring mounted adjacent to the knurled portion. The retainer ring is fabricated from strip material with grippers punched outwardly and is formed into an annular sleeve which fits around the locking nut insert. The retainer ring is held onto the locking nut by a collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Arthur D. Carothers
  • Patent number: 5006025
    Abstract: A self-locking nut having an enlarged head and an elongated shank portion insertable into a hole in a panel. The nut has an integral skirt portion adjacent the underside of the head having a predetermined skirt length, which skirt is then deformed against the underside of the panel to hold the nut in firm position with respect to the panel. The nut may be provided with an irregularly shaped head conforming to a like configured countersunk in the panel leading into the hole to prevent rotation of the nut about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Avibank Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Duran
  • Patent number: 4981735
    Abstract: A two-piece mount is provided that is adapted to have the two pieces scre together and has a central bore through one of the two pieces for mounting an insert therein. Each of the two pieces of the mount has means for containing adhesive to allow the two mount pieces to be bonded to a composite structure when the two pieces have been mounted relative to the composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald D. Rickson
  • Patent number: 4941069
    Abstract: A spacer/mounting assembly preferably comprised of molded plastic is adapted for mounting a four lead power dissipating electronic component, e.g., a rectifier, on a printed circuit (PC) board. The spacer/mounting assembly includes a center aperture and four peripheral apertures. Each of the four peripheral apertures includes a funnel-shaped upper end to facilitate insertion of a respective component lead therethrough to allow the lower end of each of the leads to be attached to and coupled in circuit on the PC board. The center aperture is keyed to receive and engage either a nut or screw head and includes a pair of resilient looking tabs adapted to engage and maintain the nut (or screw) in position within the spacer/mounting assembly. A power dissipating electronic component as well as an optional heat sink may then be easily mounted on an upper portion of the assembly in a secure manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard Danenberg, Luigi Flori
  • Patent number: 4938624
    Abstract: A connector body having a body portion insertable through a hole in a base sheet of material and an enlarged head portion so that the head portion will not pass through the hole. The body portion comprises spaced-apart, inflexible arms that project outwardly from the surface of the base sheet and define a slit therebetween. The sheet to be edgewise connected is received between the spaced-apart arms and a fastener is inserted in the slit, causing the edgewise connected sheet to be forced against one of the two opposing arms while the fastener is forced against the other opposing arm. Access for the fastener can be from the opposite side of the base sheet to which the edge connected sheet is attached through an aperture extending through the head portion and communicating with the slit or, in another embodiment, can be from the same side of the base sheet to which the edgewise connected sheet is attached. The fastener can be a screw, a resilient or rigid wedge, or a chemically expansive compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Radiant Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Roger N. Johnson, Douglas L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4919580
    Abstract: A two-part front mounted receptacle for a quick-release fastener is disclosed. The receptacle has a body part (10) having a first, substantially planar, front element (11) with an aperture (13) therethrough, and a pair of leg elements (14,18) depending from the ends of the front element (11). A first one (14) of the leg elements has a sprung barb or barbs (15) in use engaging the rear face of the support (30) in which the receptacle is mounted. The receptacle also has a substantially U-shaped spring retainer (20), one side (21) of which is arranged to be engaged and held to each of the legs of the body part and which projects beyond the end of the body part remote from the first leg (14), and the second side (22) of which has a retention mechanism (27,28) for engaging and retaining in use a stud (2) connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Andrew C. W. Wright
  • Patent number: 4912826
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the attachment of plastic outer body panels to automotive vehicle subframes including positioning a cup within apertures in the subframe, applying a thixotropic heat curable plastic/adhesive to the cup, heat curing the plastic/adhesive in situ while forming a blind aperture in the plastic/adhesive, and securing the body panel to the subframe through threaded insertion of a fastener into the blind aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James R. Dixon, Derek F. Gentle, Adam M. Janotik, Lawrence P. Kazyak, Tahir M. Mansour, Emmanuel P. Papadakis, Gordon G. Strosberg
  • Patent number: 4911396
    Abstract: A support bracket to be secured to a horizontal or vertical supporting surface for supporting various weighted items formed of a base having a thickness and a plurality of sides disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base. The sides are structured to position a plurality of nails or other similar fasteners with respect to the supporting surface and at an angle with respect to the base. The bracket includes a cover having interior side walls with the same angular relationship as the walls of the base, so with the cover in place, the interior side walls engage the nails between these walls and the angular sides of the base to maintain them in position. A suitable connector such as a hook is provided on the cover to support the article to be hung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Eli Polonsky
  • Patent number: 4911591
    Abstract: An improved fastener and method of attachment to sheet material providing attachment of a tubular fastener to sheet material by extruding, without severing, portions of the sheet material completely through openings on the base portion of the fastener. The extruded material is clinched on the top surface of the base portion by clinch members integrally formed with the base portion. The fastener is internally threaded, lightweight and preferably heat-treated prior to attachment to the sheet material to provide fastener strength equivalent to or greater than that of much heavier nuts. Two types of such fasteners may be attached by a method which opens up a hole in the sheet material of a larger diameter than the major diameter of the threads in the fasteners while simultaneously clinching the fastener in place. This eliminates the need to use thread-cutting bolts. The fasteners may be connected together to form a strip to be fed into an automated assembly unit from a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel V. Oaks
  • Patent number: 4884933
    Abstract: In order to be able to use an anti-skid device, particularly for vehicle wheels with pneumatic tires when driven on ice and snow, having a fixing disk, which can be attached to the wheel rim and which remains thereon even when the anti-skid device is not in use, and a supporting disk attachable to the fixing disk by a retaining ring and having a plurality of anti-skid arms engaging over the tire tread without great technical expenditure on a large number of vehicles, whose rims have different hole circles and pitches for the rim screws, the fixing disk with a shaped-on hub carries on its side remote from the supporting disk an adaptor disk, which is connected to the fixing disk by screw connections and which has a plurality of radially directed elongated holes in identical and/or several spacings or pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Confon AG
    Inventors: Rosel Preusker, Werner Preusker
  • Patent number: 4873763
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an electrical earth connection device wherein a metal plate having a threaded seat is provided with a screw having a flanged head which is tightened against the plate, whereupon the assembly so formed is affixed to a vehicle body and the vehicle body together with the connection device is painted in a painting bath, whereupon the screw is loosened to receive a cable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventors: Piero Volonta, Matteo Picciriello
  • Patent number: 4868968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the attachment of plastic outer body panels to automotive vehicle subframes including positioning a cup within apertures in the subframe, applying a thixotropic heat curable plastic/adhesive to the cup, heat curing the plastic/adhesive in situ while forming a blind aperture in the plastic/adhesive, and securing the body panel to the subframe through threaded insertion of a fastener into the blind aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James R. Dixon, Derek F. Gentle, Adam M. Janotik, Lawrence P. Kazyak, Tahir M. Mansour, Emmanuel P. Papadakis, Gordon G. Strosberg
  • Patent number: 4828441
    Abstract: A threaded insert 22 is restrained from rotation by deformation into a recess 28. The recess 28 is only located in line with a directional stress pattern 34 in the receiving member 18 whereby stress concentration is avoided at high stress locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Frasca
  • Patent number: 4801230
    Abstract: A retainer includes a cylindrical sleeve projecting downwardly into a hole in a plate with a flange at the lower end of the sleeve engaging the underside of the plate. Resilient fingers struck out from the sleeve engage the top of the plate to cooperate with the flange in holding the sleeve in place. A fastener initially is threaded along dimples in the sleeve to hold the fastener while permitting the latter to be threaded down into a member beneath the plate. As the fastener is threaded down, its head engages the sleeve which is crushed between the head and the plate so as to be out of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Elco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Wilburn
  • Patent number: 4790701
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for floatingly retaining or captivating at least one fastener is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a flexible channel member with discrete projections extending from opposed flange portions towards each other and at least one fastener having a base which is captivated between the discrete projections and a web portion of the channel member. The projections extending from at least one flange portion are configured to present a camming surface to a fastener base as it is being inserted into the channel member through the opening between opposed projections to cause the channel member to elastically flex and to move at least one flange portion outwardly to permit the fastener base to be seated in the channel member through the opening. The projections are further configured to present removal of the fastener base from the channel member through the opening as long as the channel member remains unflexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Jacobson Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Baubles
  • Patent number: 4780019
    Abstract: A connector body having a body portion insertable through a hole in a base sheet of material and an enlarged head portion so that the head portion will not pass through the hole. The body portion comprises spaced-apart, inflexible arms that project outwardly from the surface of the base sheet and define a slit therebetween. The sheet to be edgewise connected is received between the spaced-apart arms and a fastener is inserted int the slit, causing the edgewise connected sheet to be forced against one of the two opposing arms while the fastener is forced against the other opposing arm. Access for the fastener can be from the opposite side of the base sheet to which the edge connected sheet is attached through an aperture extending through the head portion and communicating with the slit or, in another embodiment, can be from the same side of the base sheet to which the edgewise connected sheet is attached. The fastener can be a screw, a resilient or rigid wedge, or a chemically expansive compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Radiant Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Roger N. Johnson, Douglas L. Johnson