Nut Deforms Wall Of Preformed Opening In Substructure During Assembly Patents (Class 411/180)
  • Patent number: 7001125
    Abstract: A self-attaching female fastener such as a pierce nut having an annular pilot, an annular flange surrounding the pilot and an annular groove in the flange bearing surface surrounding the pilot, wherein the bottom wall of the groove includes wedge-shaped recesses dividing the groove bottom wall into segments having parallel sides defined by the adjacent wedge-shaped recesses and the inclined outer wall of the pilot is deformed radially during installation to entrap and compact panel metal in the groove forming a sealed secure installation having improved push-off and anti-rotation strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 6997659
    Abstract: The self-attaching female fastener of this invention includes a re-entrant groove having a V-shaped bottom wall including relatively inclined bottom faces of equal width having an arcuate apex centered beneath the restricted opening to the groove. A die drives a panel portion through the restricted groove opening against the bottom faces, driving the panel portion into the apex and inwardly beneath the inclined inner side wall and outwardly beneath the inclined outer side wall of the groove, resulting in a better installation and accommodating a wider range of panel thicknesses. The V-shaped bottom wall also centers and balances the rolls during the rolling process resulting in a more accurate cross-section of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Vrana, Richard P. Ward, Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 6994500
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Ward, Harold T. Woods, John J. Vrana, John M. Parker, Kerry V. Boggs
  • Patent number: 6986629
    Abstract: A section (10; 110) is provided for the manufacture of hollow body elements, in particular for the manufacture of pierce and rivet nuts having a square or rectangular outline in plan view and a ring-like piercing section (36; 236) at a side confronting a component consisting of a sheet metal material or the like. The section (10; 210) is at least substantially rectangular in cross-section with two bars (14, 16; 214, 216) at the side (12; 212) later confronting the component. The bars are spaced apart and extend parallel to the longitudinal sides (18, 20; 218, 220) of the section, are likewise at least substantially rectangular in cross-section and form, in the finished element (11, 211), a feature providing security against rotation. The bars respectively each have an inclined flank (68, 70; 268, 270) at the inner side which forms an undercut (69, 71; 269, 271).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Michael Vieth, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 6969053
    Abstract: The present invention provides a strut mount comprising an inner member (12) to which an upper extremity of a rod of a buffer is fixed, an outer member (14) attached to a vehicle while surrounding an outer circumference of the inner member, and an elastomer (16) interposed between both members to dampen vibration, wherein an attachment piece (28) of an outer fitting (14) and an attachment plate (2) of the vehicle body are curved in the form of a sphere to raise rigidity and improve vehicle running stability. Besides, a non-fastening surface portion (36) is provided by being lowered via a different level portion (34) around a bolt fastening surface portion (30) of the attachment piece (28), preventing rubber burr from being produced on the fastening surface. Furthermore, by the use of a caulking nut (52) stuck to the underside of the attachment piece (28), the weight of the products can be reduced, and cost reduction is accomplished by laborsaving during operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kawada, Hideo Tadano
  • Patent number: 6955022
    Abstract: A fixing means for fixing a screen panel on a support structure includes an insert member adapted to fit into a bore formed on the underside of a corner of a screen panel. The insert member has a first upper curved surface forming the major part of the insert member and having a uniform curvature of substantially more than a semi-circle, a second intermediate cylindrical grooved portion that is contiguous with the lowermost end of the first curved portion and is considerably smaller in cross-section compared to the upper curved portion, a third lower straight cylindrical surface which is a straight cylindrical portion contiguous with the second groove portion and is smaller in cross-section compared to the major top curved first portion, and a fourth straight substantially horizontal surface. The insert member has an inner vertical bore of suitable dimension to accommodate a holding means such as a bolt, a screw, or other equivalent to fixedly hold the insert onto a panel support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tega Industries Limited
    Inventor: Syed Yavar Imam
  • Patent number: 6929227
    Abstract: A system (1) for connecting mounting rails comprises a base member (2) and an angular attachment member (3). The base member (2) has an opening (6.1, 6.2) in at least one lateral wall (4.1, 4.2 or 4.3) for passage therethrough of a bolt (7). The openings (6.1, 6.2) are each provided with a collar (10.1, 10.2), which can be brought into engagement with the opening (13) in the attachment member (3). The collar (10.1, 10.2) has at least in an axial region a conical section (8.2) shaped as a clamping cone. At the time of tightening the bolt 7, a form- and force-locking connection between the base member (2) and the attachment member (3) is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Armin Hofmann, Armin Herb, Stefan Unverzagt
  • Patent number: 6901896
    Abstract: For an arm type valve gear in which a lash adjuster is mounted between an arm pivoted by the rotation of a cam and a valve stem, it is a goal to reduce the axial length of the lash adjuster and to suppress wear at the contact portion with the valve stem. An engaging hole is formed in an arm pivoted by the rotation of a cam at a position corresponding to the top end face of a valve stem. A lash adjuster received in the engaging hole includes a nut member, an adjuster screw in threaded engagement with the nut member, an elastic body biasing the adjuster screw toward the valve stem, and a ball joint to reduce the axial length of the lash adjuster. Further, by bringing the bottom end face of the ball joint into surface contact with the top end face of the valve stem, wear at the contact portion is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Yamamoto, Eiji Maeno
  • Patent number: 6851904
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut having an annular pilot, an annular flange surrounding the pilot and an annular groove in the bearing surface surrounding the pilot, wherein the bottom wall of the groove has inclined rectangular protuberances and the outer wall of the groove has radial channel-shaped grooves spaced between the radial protuberances. During installation, panel metal is driven against the inclined radial protuberances, driving panel metal under the inclined outer wall of the groove and into the radial grooves in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: FabriSteel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Parker, Kerry V. Boggs
  • Publication number: 20040240961
    Abstract: A two-piece fastening system utilizes separate parts, a nut and a retainer, which are securely united from opposite sides of the captivating element such as a sheet or panel. The nut body which has an axial threaded bore includes an integral collar located on one side of the nut having an outside diameter less than the outside diameter of the nut body. A tubular shank unitary with the nut body extends coaxially from the collar, the outside diameter of the shank being less than the outside diameter of the collar. The shank includes an expandable portion near its end which is deformable to provide attachment to the second part, a retainer, which has a bore that receives the expandable portion of the shank. The retainer bore includes an inside wall against which the expandable portion of the shank is forced to achieve attachment of the parts. The width of the retainer is preferably greater than the length of the shank so that once attached, the end of the shank is below the endface of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Brian G. Bentrim
  • Patent number: 6817815
    Abstract: A fastener (10) being pressable into a metal sheet in a way safe against rotation and pressing out having a head (12), the side of which after insertion facing the metal sheet is having radially positioned ridges (22), which, when setting the fastener (10), are pressed into the metal sheet, wherein a cylindrical thread-carrier (14) is positioned in the centre of said ridges (22) projecting through the metal sheet beyond the other side of the metal sheet and which in the vicinity of the side of the head (12) facing the metal sheet in the set state is having a surrounding annular recess (20) into which the material of the metal sheet displaced during the setting can be pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerold Ross
  • Patent number: 6799929
    Abstract: A method of securely attaching a plate to a malleable metal rod includes forming an integral, generally annular projection on one end of the rod. An opening through the plate is configured to receive the annual projection on the rod. The annual projection is inserted through the opening in the plate and is permanently deformed radially outwardly to overlie and contact the plate at a plurality of spaced locations. The deformations in the annular projection securely attach the plate to the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Stamping Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Oates, Lester B. Lodrick
  • Patent number: 6784597
    Abstract: Stacked wheels of the rotor of a rotary machine are axially coupled to one another by tie bolt assemblies. Each tie bolt assembly includes a stud having forward and aft ends. The aft end of the stud includes a self-locking nut to thereby lock the stud/nut assembly against rotation relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Raymond Hess, Roger Clayton Walker, Gabriel E. Robledo, Paul Jeffrey Meyer
  • Patent number: 6769852
    Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040115026
    Abstract: A press fit fastener (1) includes a shank (2), a head (3) and a press fit portion (4) being located at the shank (2). The head (3) is located at the first end of the shank (2). The press fit portion (4) includes a multiple helical profile (5). The helical profile (5) has a beginning portion (6) and an inclination portion (8). The outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is designed to increase in a direction towards the head (3) to reach a maximum outer diameter. The maximum outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is spaced apart from the head (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040115025
    Abstract: A method for the application of a function element (10, 101) to a mouldable metal piece (12) using a high pressure moulding process, whereby the metal piece (12) is put under load by means of a fluid pressure on the side away from the supported function element (10, 101) and moulded in a moulding process around at least one section of the function element in the region of a radially inward running surface of the function element, facing away from the front face (18) of the function element (10, 101) in contact with the metal piece, to give an annular rabbet running radially inwards with an annular form, the function element being supported throughout said process. Said method is characterised in that during a second phase of the moulding process the annular rabbet is pressed flat between a moulding surface of a die and the surface of the function element running radially inwards. The invention further relates to an assembled component produced by means of said method and a die used to carry out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 6745529
    Abstract: A pole anchor installation having an anchor base with a central threaded open-ended hole mounted in a receptacle formed in a planking or concrete of a deck. An elongated sleeve having external threads is threadably fitted into the threaded opening of the anchor base so that the sleeve upwardly projects to insertably receive a substantial portion of a pole intended to be supported. A threaded blockage plug is received in the threaded opening of the anchor base when the sleeve and pole are not employed preventing clogging of the threaded opening. In a wood foundation, angular threaded bores are provided into which mounting screws are placed to secure the anchor base. In a concrete block or cement slab, reinforcing rods are carried on the underside of the anchor base and are embedded within the material of the block or slab. In either type of installation, the top surface of the support anchor base is flush with the surrounding surface of either the wood planking or the cement block or cement slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Juan J. Beltran
  • Patent number: 6712370
    Abstract: The present invention provides a strut mount bolted to a curved outer cylinder attachment plate (6) without enlarging abolt hole, by inserting a cylindrical portion (13) of a caulking nut (5) into a nut attachment hole (11) of an attachment piece (10) of an outer cylinder (2) and pressurizing and diminishing in diameter the circumference of the nut attachment hole (11) to caulk and stick the nut attachment hole (11) and the caulking nut (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kawada, Hideo Tadano
  • Patent number: 6711801
    Abstract: The present invention in accordance with one embodiment provides a method for securing a threaded fastener to an object having a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining in the object with an inner wall a threaded hole, a bore contiguous with the threaded hole, and a slot contiguous with the bore, the bore being disposed between the threaded hole and the surface; (b) inserting into the bore a fastener assembly including the threaded fastener, an internally-threaded retainer disposed about the threaded fastener having a lug such that the internally-threaded retainer is received by the bore and the lug is received by the slot to rotatably lock the collar to the inner wall, the internally-threaded collar having a substantially elliptical shape that is distorted to provide rotational resistance between the threaded fastener and the internally-threaded collar; and (c) rotating the threaded fastener relative to the internally-threaded collar and the surface to engage a portion of the inner wall def
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hal W. Pulfer
  • Patent number: 6702535
    Abstract: A friction stir rivet is rotated and driven through a first fusible workpiece into an engaged second fusible workpiece, causing local portions of the first and second workpieces to plasticize. A slideable cap contacts the exposed surface of the first workpiece shortly after the process begins. The cap acts as a retaining element limiting plasticized material from escaping during the process. As the rivet is further driven into the members the cap slides up the rivet and actuates an angled stirring member to increase the stir radius around the body of the rivet. Once the rivet is driven into the first and second workpieces, rotation is stopped and the plasticized material cools and hardens around the rivet, creating a weld joining the workpieces and encompassing the rivet, which provides additional mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robin Stevenson, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20040037666
    Abstract: The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section and being driven. This alignment can avoid cross threading of the screw and the internal threads as often happens with power driven screws. The present invention generally includes a device with an unthreaded section and a threaded section. A screw or male member passes through the unthreaded section prior to entering the threaded section and causes the screw or male member to be aligned before being driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Richard E. Kelch
  • Patent number: 6692207
    Abstract: A threaded insert including a main body being generally cylindrical with a central bore extending therethrough having outer ring members with knurling in opposed directions for preventing rotation after implanting of the insert into a carrier substrate. The main body includes upper pilot ribs positioned on the outer surface of the main body adjacent the upper end to facilitate entry of that end into the carrier substrate during implanting thereof. The rib includes an upper leading surface which is arcuate to facilitate this insertion by facilitating movement of the substrate material during insertion. A lower pilot rib configuration is also included to allow insertion of the one-piece metallic threaded insert with either the upper or lower end entering the carrier substrate first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Yardley Products Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20040001744
    Abstract: A fastening structure capable of preventing deterioration in the flatness of a surface of a flange portion (2) when a serration (7) of a bolt (5) is press-fit into the flange portion (2). In this fastening structure, one portion in an axial direction of an outer peripheral surface (6) of the bolt (5) is provided with the serration (7). The bolt (5) is press-fit into a bolthole (3) formed through the flange portion (2) of a mounting member (1). The serration (7) is located apart from respective end surfaces (2A) and (2B) of the flange portion (2) by first and second distances (D, C), and the first and second distances (D, C) each exceed 13% of the thickness (A) of the flange portion (2). With this arrangement, the serration (7) presses a bolthole inner peripheral surface (13) only in the region located far apart from both of the end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kawatani, Yasuhiro Miyata, Nobuyuki Seo, Tomohiro Ishii
  • Publication number: 20030202856
    Abstract: A nut and plate washer assembly formed from a separate nut body and a separate washer body. The washer body is press fit onto a shank of the nut body, with a head of the nut body embedded in a recess of the washer body. The washer body and nut body can be made from dissimilar materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20030198531
    Abstract: A method of securely attaching a plate to a malleable metal rod includes forming an integral, generally annular projection on one end of the rod. An opening through the plate is configured to receive the annual projection on the rod. The annual projection is inserted through the opening in the plate and is permanently deformed radially outwardly to overlie and contact the plate at a plurality of spaced locations. The deformations in the annular projection securely attach the plate to the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: John M. Oates, Lester B. Lodrick
  • Publication number: 20030194289
    Abstract: A taper implant of the invention comprises a taper portion having an outer surface being frustconical in shape, a flange portion formed at an outermost end of the taper portion on the larger-diameter side to project outward with respect to the taper portion and having a flat surface lying perpendicularly to the axial direction of the taper portion, and female threads serving as a fit portion extending in the axial direction of said taper portion. A hole taper portion and a hole step portion are drilled at the same time to bore a hole in one of members to be fastened, and the taper implant is driven into the hole, thereby providing a screw-fastening structure for the fastened members. The taper implant ensuring good working efficiency is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikakazu Ninomiya, Takeji Shiokawa, Kuninori Imai, Mitsuo Miyamoto, Mitsuya Mikawa
  • Publication number: 20030190214
    Abstract: A section (10; 110) is provided for the manufacture of hollow body elements, in particular for the manufacture of pierce and rivet nuts having a square or rectangular outline in plan view and a ring-like piercing section (36; 236) at a side confronting a component consisting of a sheet metal material or the like. The section (10; 210) is at least substantially rectangular in cross-section with two bars (14, 16; 214, 216) at the side (12; 212) later confronting the component. The bars are spaced apart and extend parallel to the longitudinal sides (18, 20; 218, 220) of the section, are likewise at least substantially rectangular in cross-section and form, in the finished element (11, 211), a feature providing security against rotation. The bars respectively each have an inclined flank (68, 70; 268, 270) at the inner side which forms an undercut (69, 71; 269, 271).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Michael Vieth, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 6612794
    Abstract: A fastening structure capable of preventing deterioration in the flatness of a surface of a flange portion (2) when a serration (7) of a bolt (5) is press-fit into the flange portion (2). In this fastening structure, one portion in an axial direction of an outer peripheral surface (6) of the bolt (5) is provided with the serration (7). The bolt (5) is press-fit into a bolthole (3) formed through the flange portion (2) of a mounting member (1). The serration (7) is located apart from respective end surfaces (2A) and (2B) of the flange portion (2) by first and second distances (D, C), and the first and second distances (D, C) each exceed 13% of the thickness (A) of the flange portion (2). With this arrangement, the serration (7) presses a bolthole inner peripheral surface (13) only in the region located far apart from both of the end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kawatani, Yasuhiro Miyata, Nobuyuki Seo, Tomohiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 6592311
    Abstract: A stud for installation in a host panel and for fastening a component to the host panel includes at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis. An annular flange extends radially from the shaft at a substantially right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A shoulder for engagement with the host panel has a top adjacent to the shaft and a base adjacent to the flange. The shoulder extends radially from the shaft wherein the shoulder and the flange define an undercut therebetween at the base of the shoulder such that a diameter of the shoulder is smaller at the base than at the top. At least one anti-rotation tab is located intermediate between the shoulder top and the flange, and is aligned for engagement with the host panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: FabriSteel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, Michael J. McShane
  • Publication number: 20030108400
    Abstract: A fastener (10) being pressable into a metal sheet in a way safe against rotation and pressing out having a head (12), the side of which after insertion facing the metal sheet is having radially positioned ridges (22), which, when setting the fastener (10), are pressed into the metal sheet, wherein a cylindrical thread-carrier (14) is positioned in the centre of said ridges (22) projecting through the metal sheet beyond the other side of the metal sheet and which in the vicinity of the side of the head (12) facing the metal sheet in the set state is having a surrounding annular recess (20) into which the material of the metal sheet displaced during the setting can be pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Textron Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gerold Ross
  • Patent number: 6558096
    Abstract: The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section and being driven. This alignment can avoid cross threading of the screw and the internal threads as often happens with power driven screws. The present invention generally includes a device with an unthreaded section and a threaded section. A screw or male member passes through the unthreaded section prior to entering the threaded section and causes the screw or male member to be aligned before being driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ashton Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Kelch
  • Patent number: 6543979
    Abstract: A clinch nut assembly is disclosed. The clinch nut assembly includes: a sheet metal PL having a bolt insertion hole BH; and a clinch nut 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 11 to be fixed to the sheet metal. The clinch nut is provided with a recess portion 1C, 2C, 4C, 6C, 8C and 11C at one end 1B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B and 11B facing to the sheet metal so as to receive a tubular projection C formed around the bolt insertion hole. Further, an engaging part 1D, 4D, 6D and 11D is provided around a peripheral wall of the recess portion for interlocking with the tubular projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuichiro Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 6543855
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching a seat back to a seat bottom forming a part of a recliner mechanism. The seat back includes a plurality of apertures defined therethrough. The seat bottom includes a pivotally engaged and extending arm having a first side and a second side and to which the seat back is engaged. The fastener assembly includes a substantially cup shaped spacer having an inner annular rim defining an open interior. A multi-sided nut is provided having an enlarged and substantially annular shaped end portion integrally formed therewith. A polygonal recess is defined through the lower seatback arm and matches an exterior configuration of the nut to permit insertion of the nut through the recess and so that the enlarged annular portion abuts against the first side of the arm and the nut extending beyond the second side and through the inner annular rim defined in the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Bae Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 6537007
    Abstract: A fastening structure capable of preventing deterioration in the flatness of a surface of a flange portion (2) when a serration (7) of a bolt (5) is press-fit into the flange portion (2). In this fastening structure, one portion in an axial direction of an outer peripheral surface (6) of the bolt (5) is provided with the serration (7). The bolt (5) is press-fit into a bolthole (3) formed through the flange portion (2) of a mounting member (1). The serration (7) is located apart from respective end surfaces (2A) and (2B) of the flange portion (2) by first and second distances (D, C), and the first and second distances (D, C) each exceed 13% of the thickness (A) of the flange portion (2). With this arrangement, the serration (7) presses a bolthole inner peripheral surface (13) only in the region located far apart from both of the end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kawatani, Yasuhiro Miyata, Nobuyuki Seo, Tomohiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 6527489
    Abstract: A stress-free method and apparatus are provided for forming assemblies having thin substrates whereby a permanent non-interference fit low stress stud is positioned and secured evenly into a shallow hole of a thin substrate or host material without introducing uneven stress forces to maintain a flat surface on both sides of the thin substrate. The forces of inserting the stud are applied inward, towards a head portion of the tapered stud by a crimping tool adapted to move the substrate material inward and form a flange over the angled edges of the tapered head portion of the stud to secure the stud to the thin substrate. In doing so, the forces are absorbed by the strong tapered head portion of the stud which is able to withstand the crimping forces and will not be distorted by the inward crimping forces, thus maintaining flat surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Laszlo Kando
  • Patent number: 6499924
    Abstract: A process cartridge for use in a printing machine is provided. The process cartridge further includes a plurality of rivets. Each of the plurality of rivets includes a retaining portion thereof. At least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion define an aperture for passage of the retaining portion of at least one of the rivets therethrough. The other of at least one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion define a cavity for receiving the retaining portion of the at least one rivet. The portion of the housing defining the cavity being interferencely fitted to the retaining portion of the at least one rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie R. Kilian, Michael G. Petranto, Beverly S. Bortnick, James A. Pascucci
  • Publication number: 20020197129
    Abstract: The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section and being driven. This alignment can avoid cross threading of the screw and the internal threads as often happens with power driven screws. The present invention generally includes a device with an unthreaded section and a threaded section. A screw or male member passes through the unthreaded section prior to entering the threaded section and causes the screw or male member to be aligned before being driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Richard E. Kelch
  • Publication number: 20020182028
    Abstract: A rivet has an inner threaded shank, an annular head connected to the inner threaded shank, and a plurality of embossed pyramids disposed on the inner threaded shank approaching the annular head. Each of the embossed pyramids has a cusp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Chern Hinn-Shing
  • Patent number: 6488458
    Abstract: A taper implant includes a taper portion having an outer surface frust-conical in shape. A flange portion is formed at an outermost end of the taper portion on the larger-diameter side to project outwardly with respect to the taper portion and having a flat surface situated perpendicularly to the axial direction of the taper portion, and female threads serving as a fit portion extending in the axial direction of the taper portion. A hole taper portion and a hole step portion are drilled at the same time to bore a hole in one of the members to be fastened, and the taper implant is driven into the hole, thereby providing a screw fastening structure for the fastened members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikakazu Ninomiya, Takeji Shiokawa, Kuninori Imai, Mitsuo Miyamoto, Mitsuya Mikawa
  • Patent number: 6474918
    Abstract: The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section and being driven. This alignment can avoid cross threading of the screw and the internal threads as often happens with power driven screws. The present invention generally includes a device with an unthreaded section and a threaded section. A screw or male member passes through the unthreaded section prior to entering the threaded section and causes the screw or male member to be aligned before being driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ashton Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Kelch
  • Patent number: 6418609
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-piercing, non-shearing fastener, die button, fastener and panel assembly and method for installing the fastener. The fastener has a head with a barrel, the barrel defines a cavity or pocket. The barrel cavity receives a portion of the panel and panel is forced around the outer barrel wall to wrap panel material around the barrel to lock the fastener into the panel. The barrel also includes anti-rotation formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: FabriSteel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, Gilbert C. Quick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6415563
    Abstract: Various skylight connectors are disclosed. A sheet is integrally formed with tabs along opposed axial edges of the sheet, and the sheet can be bent into a tubular configuration with the tabs along one edge engaging tab holes along the other edge and vice-versa to hold the sheet in the tubular configuration. Also, a skylight dome fastener adaptor includes a hollow body, and ribs are formed on the outer surface to engage a hole in a skylight dome to impede rotation of the body in the hole when a fastener is disposed in the adaptor and threadably engaged with a dome flashing. Additionally, various quick connect zip ties and clips are disclosed for quickly and easily engaging components of a skylight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Rillie, Joseph W. Prenn, Philip Edward Warren, Christian P. Stevens, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Patent number: 6409444
    Abstract: A self-clinching fastener for attachment to a plastically deformable metal panel includes a body portion with a central axis and a central pilot portion extending from the body portion and coaxial with the central axis. The body portion forms a generally annular-shaped end face adjacent the central pilot portion and a groove defined in the end face encircling the central pilot portion. The groove has an inclined inner wall forming an undercut and an inwardly inclined bottom wall such that the groove has an increasing depth in a direction toward the undercut. The inclined bottom wall is formed by a plurality of generally flat faces and the inclined inner wall is formed by a plurality of generally flat faces which are aligned with the faces of the bottom wall. The fastener further includes a plurality of spaced apart lugs encircling the central. pilot portion and axially extending from at least one of the end face and the groove. The lugs form abutments to improve torsional resistance of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: R B & W Corporation
    Inventors: W. Richard Pamer, Stanley H. Umbel
  • Publication number: 20020054806
    Abstract: A grooved nut including a cylindrical shaft portion having a screw hole at the center, a head portion whose outer periphery is polygonal and which is provided at one end portion of the shaft portion, and a peripheral groove provided at a boundary part between the head portion and the shaft portion, in which the peripheral groove is formed by a plasticizing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sakamura, Fumio Kamiyama
  • Publication number: 20020051693
    Abstract: A taper implant of the invention comprises a taper portion having an outer surface being frustconical in shape, a flange portion formed at an outermost end of the taper portion on the larger-diameter side to project outward with respect to the taper portion and having a flat surface lying perpendicularly to the axial direction of the taper portion, and female threads serving as a fit portion extending in the axial direction of said taper portion. A hole taper portion and a hole step portion are drilled at the same time to bore a hole in one of members to be fastened, and the taper implant is driven into the hole, thereby providing a screw-fastening structure for the fastened members. The taper implant ensuring good working efficiency is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Chikakazu Ninomiya, Takeji Shiokawa, Kuninori Imai, Mitsuo Miyamoto, Mitsuya Mikawa
  • Publication number: 20020025239
    Abstract: A taper implant of the invention comprises a taper portion having an outer surface being frustconical in shape, a flange portion formed at an outermost end of the taper portion on the larger-diameter side to project outward with respect to the taper portion and having a flat surface lying perpendicularly to the axial direction of the taper portion, and female threads serving as a fit portion extending in the axial direction of said taper portion. A hole taper portion and a hole step portion are drilled at the same time to bore a hole in one of members to be fastened, and the taper implant is driven into the hole, thereby providing a screw-fastening structure for the fastened members. The taper implant ensuring good working efficiency is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Chikakazu Ninomiya, Takeji Shiokawa, Kuninori Imai, Mitsuo Miyamoto, Mitsuya Mikawa
  • Publication number: 20020021948
    Abstract: A metallic insert to be embedded into an opening of a structural member of a material of relatively low strength. The metallic insert has a main body comprising a plurality of coaxially superimposed truncated cones and a recessed portion adjacent to the truncated cones. The recessed portion is provided with at least two radially extending ribs to increase the insert's resistance to relative rotational movements. As a result thereof the metallic insert which requires only relatively small forces to be embedded into the structural member is of high resistance both to extraction and rotational movements of said metallic insert with respect to the structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Stumpf, August Borchard
  • Publication number: 20010031188
    Abstract: A clinch nut assembly is disclosed. The clinch nut assembly comprises: a sheet metal PL having a bolt insertion hole BH; and a clinch nut 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 11 to be fixed to the sheet metal. The clinch nut is provided with a recess portion 1C, 2C, 4C, 6C, 8C and 11C at one end 1B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B and 11B facing to the sheet metal so as to receive a tubular projection C formed around the bolt insertion hole. Further, an engaging part 1D, 4D, 6D and 11D is provided around a peripheral wall of the recess portion for interlocking with the tubular projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuichiro Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 6276040
    Abstract: An element, for example an element with a hollow body or a bolt element, in particular a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component, has a ring-shaped recess or annular groove present at an end face of the element facing the component within a raised ring-shaped contact surface. At least one undercut is preferably provided in a side wall of the recess, and also features radial recesses and noses which extend into the ring recess providing security against rotation. A cylindrical punch section or pilot concentric to the central longitudinal axis of the element projects at the said end face within the ring-shaped recess and the outer boundary wall of the cylindrical punch section preferably has ring-shaped undercut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik, GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Müller
  • Patent number: 6273657
    Abstract: An anchoring device for anchoring a threaded member in a substrate material. More particularly, an anchoring system for anchoring a threaded member in a substrate material, which anchoring system is designed to alleviate the stresses caused during use when water trapped within the anchoring system between an anchoring sheath and a threaded member expands upon freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Penn Rail Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir A. Vorona