Nut Deforms Wall Of Preformed Opening In Substructure During Assembly Patents (Class 411/180)
  • Publication number: 20010007628
    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: February 20, 1997
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventors: CHIKAKAZU NINOMIYA, TAKEJI SHIOKAWA, KUNINORI IMAI, MITSUO MIYAMOTO, MITSUYA MIKAWA
  • Patent number: 6257814
    Abstract: A fastener, for example a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component with an end face of the fastener having a recess within a raised contact surface and a plurality of projections and undercuts are provided in a sidewall of the recess. The base surface of the recess extends up to the bore of the fastener without the presence of a pilot portion and a plurality of recesses are provided in the contact surface for resisting rotation. The die button which serves for the attachment of the fastener to a plate-like component has a hole-forming punch projection which has a plurality of noses distributed around the periphery in the region of the transition to the planar surface of the die button. On attachment of the hollow element to a plate-like component in a press, the sheet metal part is perforated by a hole punch and is molded in form-locked manner by the die button, in particular by its hole-forming punch projection, into the recess of the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik & Co.
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Müller
  • Patent number: 6244073
    Abstract: A cap for body piercing jewelry has a retention member for resisting passage through a pierced passageway. The retention member is composed of a plastic material. An enlarged end of a shank is anchored into the retention member with a threaded stud extending therefrom. The process to make the cap includes positioning viscous plastic material in a mold to produce the desired retention member shape. The enlarged portion of the shank is inserted and embedded into the plastic material. The enlarged portion of the shank has a pointed tip which enables the enlarged end of the shank to be inserted into the plastic material without producing visible unsightly air bubbles. As the shank is inserted into plastic material, the plastic material flows into anchors on the enlarged portion of the shank to assist in securing and locking the shank to the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis John Kaping, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6233891
    Abstract: A prefabricated building system for constructing a building structure. The prefabricated building system includes a plurality of panels each comprising an outer shell substantially surrounding an inner core. The outer shell comprises a concrete material. The inner core comprises a mixture of a concrete material and particulate foamed polystyrene. A pair of reinforcing meshes are embedded in the outer core so that the inner core is interposed between the reinforcing meshes. Each reinforcing mesh has a plurality of wires arranged in a grid-like fashion forming a plurality of generally square spaces therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Keith A. De Cosse
  • Patent number: 6220804
    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 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: R B & W Corporation
    Inventors: W. Richard Pamer, Stanley H. Umbel
  • Patent number: 6202223
    Abstract: A protective helmet having a rigid outer helmet shell, an inner pad assembly formed from a resilient material and threaded fasteners partially embedded in the inner pad assembly and adapted to secure the inner pad assembly into the outer helmet shell. The embedded fastener has a threaded aperture to receive a securement means such as a threaded screw, and a non-circular portion, which protrudes from the inner pad assembly and is inserted in a corresponding mounting hole on the outer helmet shell. The non-circular portion of the fastener prevents rotation of the fastener when the threaded securement means is fastened into the threaded aperture during installation or removal of the inner padding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bauer Nike Hockey Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Chartrand
  • Patent number: 6193456
    Abstract: A metal insert, in particular a threaded metal insert, adapted to be embedded in a receiving bore of a plastic part. The insert has a sleeve-like body member. At least one row of teeth projects from the peripheral surface of the body member, which teeth are circumferentially spaced with respect to each other. Each tooth is of a shape such that it diverges from a tooth front end in an axial direction and terminates in an end face extending transverse to said axial direction at a tooth terminal end. Between the teeth are gaps which taper in said axial direction while they remain open between said end faces of adjacent teeth. The teeth ensure that insertion forces for urging the insert into the plastic part are minimal, while resistance to withdrawal of the insert is maximal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Bollhoff GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Stumpf, August Borchard, Peter Jankowski
  • 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: 6174117
    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), 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 from both end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kawatani, Yasuhiro Miyata, Nobuyuki Seo, Tomohiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 6171041
    Abstract: An article of manufacture in the form of a screw retaining mechanism for assembling a pair of objects. The mechanism comprises a tubular wall of given thickness defining a plastic boss on one object; a screw having a threaded shank secured in the boss by grooves complementary to the screw threads, the screw having a head clamping the other object to the first object; and a heat shrunk sheath residing on the screw threads and shank to act as a threaded interference fit film between the screw threads and the boss grooves, the sheath having metal wires weavingly embedded into the sheath to extend at least generally parallel to the axis of the tubular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Norman Bazinski, Albert James Dapoz
  • 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: 6125524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rivetable element or fastener which comprises a shaft or barrel portion and an integral head portion which can be permanently affixed in a sheet metal part or panel by riveting, an assembly comprising a sheet metal part or panel and the riveting element, a method for the manufacture of the assembly, and a die specifically designed for forming the fastener and panel assembly. The underside of the head portion adjacent the shaft or barrel portion includes an out annular contact surface and an inner riveting portion which includes a plurality of spaced shallow pocket or closed fields which entrap the panel metal during installation. The shaft or barrel portion includes at least one depression based from the plane of the contact surface which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a spiral thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6113330
    Abstract: A screw connection especially for heald shaft rods in a loom, includes a countersunk flathead female threaded nut and a countersunk flathead male threaded screw that engages the nut. To secure the nut against rotation when it is inserted into a stamped conical recess, an outer circumferential cylindrical section of the nut is provided with serrations that engage the edge of the stamped conical recess with a location-fit or press-fit, or friction-fit, whereby the screw can be conveniently connected to the nut, for example for clamping a roller bearing ring between two fork ends of a heald shaft connecting rod. The serrations on the outer surface of the female threaded nut have a first transition area (T1) that forms a lead-in first ramp (R1) for guiding the nut into a countersunk recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Fritz Rupflin
  • Patent number: 6108893
    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 flange and barrel which define a retention area and barrel cavity. The retention area receives a portion of the panel and the barrel cavity receives a portion of the panel to lock panel material into the retention area and wrap panel material around the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Fabristeel Products Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, Gilbert C. Quick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6081994
    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 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 6079920
    Abstract: A captive fastener assembly for non-releasable securement to a subassembly formed at least in part of a soft, ductile material and for operatively connecting such subassemblies to other members. A retainer cup has a set of projecting undercuts on its sidewall for grasping the ductile material of the subassembly through welding to prevent the captive fastener from being pulled out or away from the subassembly. A fastener member is journalled through an opening in the retainer cup to secure the subassembly to the other member, thereby forming an integral structure that resists loosening or falling apart. The captive fasteners of the present invention are simple and economical to manufacture and greatly increase the structural integrity and safety of structures that utilize them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John Anthony Dispenza
  • Patent number: 6079922
    Abstract: An insert for plastic sections is manufactured from a flat strip of metal by high-speed progressive die-stamping, which forms the strip into a threaded female insert. The metal strip is first cut into a flat blank and then thread regions are impressed on the face of the strip, providing a thread pitch profile. During the stamping operation, the strip is folded to form a triangular hollow tube with sharp-edged protrusions extending radially outward from each corner of the triangle. An interlocking side tab and interlocking cutout secure the abutting longitudinal side edges of the strip and ensures axial alignment of the thread regions. As a result of the folding and stamping process, the thread regions lie along the interior wall of the tubular construction and define a thread pitch diameter, which will accept the screw threaded into the center of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold D. Ross, William P. McDonough, Kenneth Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 6019557
    Abstract: A process for forming a fastener for use in a D-Sub electrical connector to enable the connector to fixedly connect with a mated connector by threadedly engaging a bolt with the fastener, comprising the following steps:stamping a first metallic plate to have a first face with a number of parallel V-cuts therein, a second opposite face with an elongate flange, and a number of keys above the flange;bending the first metallic plate to obtain a sleeve with the V-cuts forming an internal thread in the sleeve, a circular flange at a lower edge of a peripheral perimeter of the sleeve, and a number of keys above the circular flange;stamping a second metallic plate to form a base having a first hole, a circular protrusion projecting into the hole, and a number keyways in the protrusion; andassembling the sleeve to the base by extending the sleeve through the hole to reach a position in which the sleeve has an interferential engagement with the protrusion, the keys are fittingly received in the keyways, and the circula
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsan-Chung Lo, Tai Lin, Thomas R. L. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6004087
    Abstract: A fastener, for example a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component with an end face of the fastener having a recess within a raised contact surface and a plurality of projections and undercuts are provided in a sidewall of the recess. The base surface of the recess extends up to the bore of the fastener without the presence of a pilot portion and a plurality of recesses are provided in the contact surface for resisting rotation. The die button which serves for the attachment of the fastener to a plate-like component has a hole-forming punch projection which has a plurality of noses distributed around the periphery in the region of the transition to the planar surface of the die button. On attachment of the hollow element to a plate-like component in a press, the sheet metal part is perforated by a hole punch and is molded in form-locked manner by the die button, in particular by its hole-forming punch projection, into the recess of the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Profil-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5931620
    Abstract: In bottoms of three bolt head receiving holes 26 of a stay body 11 made of resin, there are embedded respective collars 30 by insert molding, in such a manner that both end surfaces of each collar are exposed. In an outer peripheral surface of the collar body 31, a knurled portion 32 is formed to leave a non-knurled portion 33 in a lower end portion of the collar body 31. The collar 30 is embedded in the stay body by insert molding in such a state that a slightly chamfered seating surface 34 of the non-knurled portion 33 is slightly projected from a lower end surface of the stay body 11. Since a resin adhered portion is not formed on the seating surface of the non-knurled portion of the collar, the seating surface of the collar and a fastening surface 27 of a bracket 8 is fastened by bolts 29 to be in tight contact with each other, and the stay 10 and the bracket 8 can be maintained in desired parallelism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Chikafumi Sugai, Susumu Aoki
  • Patent number: 5927920
    Abstract: An insert for plastic sections is manufactured from a flat strip of metal by high-speed progressive die-stamping which forms the strip into a threaded female insert. The metal strip is first cut into a flat blank and then thread regions are impressed on the face of the strip, providing a thread pitch profile. During the stamping operation, the strip is folded to form a triangular hollow tube with sharp-edged protrusions extending radially outward from each corner of the triangle. A tab and interlocking cutout secure the abuting longitudinal side edges of the strip and ensures axial alignment of the thread regions. As a result of the folding and stamping process, the thread regions lie along the interior wall of the tubular construction and define a thread pitch diameter which will accept the screw threaded into the center of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Penn Engineering & Manufacturing
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 5904461
    Abstract: A new locking T-nut for securely fastening a threaded element, such as a threaded bolt, to a structure. The inventive device includes a cylindrical nut body with a threaded bore extending therethough. Within the bore, at least one resilient locking ring is mounted within an annular groove provided on the inner surface of the bore. A radial flange radially extends from the one end of the nut body and includes at least one securing tooth extending therefrom towards the other end of the nut body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Gerald G. McKarge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5882159
    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: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik, GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5879115
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for joining a plastic insert or component to a plastic base having a recess therein. The component is provided with integral projections thereon that are in a circular array with the projections being separated circumferentially from one another by spaces. The projections are force-fitted against the plastic base. The plastic of projections is caused to flow circumferentially into the spaces, and the plastic of the base is caused to flow into the spaces where the plastics are melded together. Then the flowed, melded plastics are brought to a solid condition with spaces now filled with solid, melded plastics that interlock the components to the base against rotation relative to one another and to prevent them from being pulled apart. The preferred component is a boss. The boss may be inserted into a recess in the plastic base, and a shoulder on the boss may abut the plastic base and limit the insertion of the boss into the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Medal
  • Patent number: 5802680
    Abstract: A wire rope clip comprising a two-piece bolt and saddle. The clip comprises first and second bolts, each having a head, a threaded end, and a plurality of splines fashioned proximate the head. The clip further comprises first and second saddles, each having a base, a first orifice and a second orifice. A first nut engages the threaded end of the first bolt and a second nut engages the threaded end of the second bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Crosby Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry L. Postelwait
  • Patent number: 5803644
    Abstract: A reinforced fastening point for a plastics-material casing. In order to provide a reinforcement for a fastening point which is simple to assemble and which is held automatically in the opening in the casing without further fasteners, a cylindrical opening is provided at the fastening point on the casing. The reinforcement part corresponding thereto is constructed as a frustum in that region which in the assembled state comes to rest in the region of the cylindrical opening. The smaller external diameter of this frustum is smaller than or equal to the internal diameter of the cylindrical opening. The larger external diameter of the frustum, on the other hand, has an excess dimension with respect to the internal diameter of the cylindrical opening. In this case, the excess dimension is selected to be such that it can be neutralized by resilient deformation of the reinforcement part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Ernesto Bravo, Peter Hobel
  • Patent number: 5797175
    Abstract: A process for inserting an insert element into a flat sheet metal piece to form a connected element includes the steps of providing the insert element with a head and a shank. A concentric annular groove forms a constriction between the head and the shank. A plurality of separate projections are circumferentially arranged on a seating surface of the head and provide a twisting resistance between the insert element and the sheet metal piece. Each separate projection has a length that extends approximately radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert element. The sheet metal piece is provided with a perforation for receiving the shank. The perforation has an edge that forms a collar that projects out from a plane defined by a surface of the sheet metal piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Richard Bergner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wilhelm Schneider
  • Patent number: 5795117
    Abstract: A resin molding product with a nut receiving portion of the present invention has a recess 22 for receiving nuts 31 and 32 later. The recess 22 includes a pair of right and left side walls 22c and 22d which abut against outer parallel faces 31b and 32b of respective nuts 31 and 32 to prevent nuts 31 and 32 from being loosened, a pair of front and rear walls 22e which abut against front and rear end faces of respective nuts 31 of 32, a bottom walls 22b which butt against part of outer lower ends of respective nuts 31 and 32 to adjust a length of engagement of nuts 31 and 32, and a nut receiving opening 22a opposite to the bottom wall 22b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Onoda
  • Patent number: 5782594
    Abstract: A fastener, for example a nut element, for attachment to a plate-like component with an end face of the fastener having a recess within a raised contact surface and a plurality of projections and undercuts are provided in a sidewall of the recess. The base surface of the recess extends up to the bore of the fastener without the presence of a pilot portion and a plurality of recesses are provided in the contact surface for resisting rotation. The die button which serves for the attachment of the fastener to a plate-like component has a hole-forming punch projection which has a plurality of noses distributed around the periphery in the region of the transition to the planar surface of the die button. On attachment of the hollow element to a plate-like component in a press, the sheet metal part is perforated by a hole punch and is molded in form-locked manner by the die button, in particular by its hole-forming punch projection, into the recess of the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Profil-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Rudolf R. M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5743691
    Abstract: A novel clinch-type fastener member is engaged through first and second workpieces to form a mechanically locked joint which is highly resistant to vibrational loosening. The fastener member has a first portion and a second portion defined by a shank portion which extends therefrom. The first portion has a protuberance, formed from a ring, thereon which extends outwardly therefrom. The shank portion has a projection, formed from a ring, spaced a predetermined distance from the first portion to define a retaining groove. To engage the fastener member with the workpieces, the fastener member is rotated into engagement therewith. The protuberance on the first portion engages a top surface of the first workpiece and rotational and compressive forces are applied to the fastener member thereby causing the protuberance to deform the first workpiece material to cause the material to flow into the retaining groove provided of the fastener member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5697744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for joining a plastic insert or component to a plastic base having a recess therein. The component is provided with integral projections thereon that are separated from one another by spaces. The component is inserted into the recess with the projections force-fitted against the plastic base. The plastic of projections is caused to flow into the spaces, and the plastic of the base is caused to flow into the spaces where the plastics are intermixed. Then, the flowed, intermixed plastics are brought back into a solid condition with spaces now filled with solid, intermixed plastics that interlock the components to the base against rotation relative to one another and to prevent them from being pulled apart. The preferred projections are spaced in rows and have inclined sidewalls extending outwardly to small, cross-sectional, free ends for rapidly melting and flowing into the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Medal
  • Patent number: 5673927
    Abstract: Embodiments of a composite insert are shown and described, each embodiment being for attachment of bindings or other equipment onto a recreational board, such as a snowboard. Each insert is imbedded into the board in a counter-sunk hole drilled in the board. Each composite insert includes an internally-threaded core for receiving a binding bolt, and a sleeve that is secured to the core and that has a preferably non-circular base edge for anchoring the insert in the resin/cement in the snowboard hole. The core of the composite insert is preferably made of metal to supply a durable and reusable threaded bore for receiving the binding bolt. The sleeve is preferably made of plastic that is injection-molded around at least a flange or other projection from the core surface to secure the sleeve to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: James H. Vermillion
  • Patent number: 5667328
    Abstract: An attachment member is formed of a connecting part (31) and a deformed plate part (31a) in the form of a pipe clamp for securing pipe lines to a structural component. The pipe clamp has a throughbore (33) surrounded by an annular collar (37). A contact surface (35) formed by a mechanically worked attachment section (36) has an annular shaped recess (38) for receiving the collar (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hi Hi Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Hofle
  • Patent number: 5641256
    Abstract: An anchoring device for anchoring a threaded member such as a screw or bolt in a substrate material includes an anchoring sheath for receiving the threaded member. The anchoring sheath includes annular anchoring ribs formed around a body portion of the anchoring sheath and at least one longitudinal rib extending along at least a portion of the body portion of the anchoring sheath and extend outwardly from the anchoring sheath. In a sheath with more than one longitudinal rib, the longitudinal ribs lie in different planes which intersect at the longitudinal axis of the anchoring sheath. The anchoring sheath preferably includes top and bottom regions which have no annular or longitudinal ribs. The bottom region can have an extended length to accommodate threaded members of varying lengths and a hole providing drainage of water, ice, or other debris as the threaded member is tightened into the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: NPC, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Gundy
  • Patent number: 5626450
    Abstract: An expansion plug fastening assembly (15, 115) for fastening a hardware element (13, 113), in particular a runner for drawers, to a hole (11, 111), comprises an expansion plug casing (10, 110) which fits into the hole. The casing (10, 110) comprises an axial housing (16, 17, 116, 117) axially rotatably housing the shank (24, 25, 124, 125) of a pin (22, 122) for fastening the hardware element. At least one first segment of the shank (25, 125) has an axis (23) eccentric with respect to the head (18, 118) to permit adjustment of the position of the hardware element in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pin on rotation of the pin. The shank advantageously also comprises a second segment (24, 124) coaxial to the head and the housing comprising a first (17, 117) and a second portion (16, 116) receiving the first (25, 125) and the second segment (24, 124) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Franco Ferrari
    Inventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 5609351
    Abstract: Embodiments of an insert are shown and described, each insert being for use with recreational boards, such as snow boards, to attach bindings or other equipment onto the board. Each insert is imbedded into the board, by being inserted and cemented into a two-diameter hole drilled in the board from the bottom. Each insert includes a generally cylindrical shaft extending up through the narrow portion of the hole to the top surface of the board, for receiving screws or bolts into the threaded interior space of the insert. Each insert embodiment includes a non-round base having an outer perimeter edge that is not a circle in shape. The preferable hexagonal base and the preferably U-shaped channels on the exterior surface of the shaft prevent the insert from breaking loose from the cement and rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: James H. Vermillion
  • Patent number: 5569007
    Abstract: A fixture (structural element) is readily mounted to a surface of a substrate (such as concrete) by embedding and adhering an internally-threaded anchoring element (sleeve) in a hole in the substrate. Preferably, the anchoring element is recessed below the surface of the substrate ("embedded"). To aid in inserting the anchoring element into the hole, an insertion tool may be employed. The system is re-usable, in the sense that the fixture can be removed and replaced, or the fixture can be removed and the hole in the substrate covered. In the latter case, a gauge element may be inserted into the anchoring element prior to sealing over the hole. A template is provided to ascertain the depth that the anchoring element is embedded within the substrate, as determined by the cross-sectional dimension of the gauge element at the surface of the substrate. A wedge-element is also described for fitting to the end of a threaded rod, for forming an anchor stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Frederic C. Abraham
  • Patent number: 5564873
    Abstract: A self-attaching fastening element, such as a nut fastener, having a body portion and an integral annular riveting barrel portion. The body portion includes axial grooves and, in the preferred embodiment of the nut-type fastener, the body portion includes a radial flange and the grooves extend radially from the body portion into the flange portion. In the most preferred embodiment, the body portion is polygonal and the axial grooves are located in the juncture of adjacent flat surfaces. The method of attaching the self-attaching fastening element of this invention to a panel includes forming an opening in the panel coaxially aligned with the barrel portion having a diameter less than the barrel portion, driving the barrel portion into the panel, thereby drawing a cone-shaped portion in the panel receiving the body portion, driving the body portion into the cone-shaped panel portion, deforming the panel portion into the body portion and the axial grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventors: Harold A. Ladouceur, Rudolf R. M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5556220
    Abstract: Fastening plug (10) made of plastic for fastening in a corresponding bore, especially for fastening furniture hardware on furniture, with an elongate stem portion (14) which can be releasably fastened on the associated hardware piece, from whose outer circumferential surface a number of annular projections (16) offset lengthwise on the stem having a triangular cross section tapering outwardly, each forming a knife-edge-like holding burr (18). The outside diameter of the holding burr is greater than the diameter of the corresponding bore, while the stem portion (14) has between the first annular projection (16) on the hardware end and the end facing the hardware a neck (20) whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the corresponding bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: MEPLA-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Lautenschlager, Gerhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 5549430
    Abstract: A self-clinching nut fastener, which may be used as a pierce nut, having a central cylindrical pilot portion, an annular flange portion surrounding the pilot portion, having a generally flat annular panel-supporting end face and an annular groove defined in the flange end face surrounding the pilot. The bottom wall of the groove includes a projecting convex annular protuberance which extends circumferentially around the pilot and radially from the pilot to a midportion of the groove bottom wall spaced from the groove outer wall and the groove outer wall is inclined inwardly toward the pilot to define a restricted opening to the annular groove. The installation apparatus includes a die button having a projecting annular clinching lip configured to be received within the nut groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Takahashi, Niroshi Takehara
  • Patent number: 5531552
    Abstract: A method of making a self-attaching nut or pierce nut, such as a round nut having cylindrical pilot, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and a panel supporting flange portion surrounding the groove, wherein the groove bottom wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced anti-rotation protuberances separated by radial channels and wherein the flange portion is preferably tapered toward the pilot portion to provide a re-entrant groove which provides a secure installation to a panel. The method includes first forming a nut blank having the general configuration of the nut with a continuous annular protuberance and an annular flange portion which extends perpendicular to the groove bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Multifastener Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Takahashi, Hiroshi Takehara
  • Patent number: 5513933
    Abstract: A self-clinching fastener is provided, of the type for connection to a section of sheet material having an aperture formed therein for receiving the fastener. The self-clinching fastener comprises a head portion and a shank portion having a smaller outer diameter than the head portion and extending axially from one side of the head portion. A displacement portion extends axially from the one side of the head portion extending radially outwardly of the shank portion. An undercut annular groove is formed inwardly of the displacement portion, extending axially in the direction of the head portion and radially surrounding the shank portion. A generally annular sizing ring is formed about the shank portion axially spaced from the one side of the head portion by an amount somewhat greater than the axial extent of the displacement portion. The outer diameter of the sizing ring is greater than the outer diameter of the shank portion and also greater than the inner diameter of the undercut annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Rom
  • Patent number: 5507528
    Abstract: A joint for brazing includes a male member having an external surface and a female receptacle having an internal surface. The external surface is positionable in face-to-face relationship with the internal surface when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle. A self-fixturing surface is provided on at least one of the male member and the female receptacle for centering the male member with respect to the female receptacle when the male member is inserted within the female receptacle and to provide substantially equal clearance between and around the male member and the female receptacle for proper capillary attraction of the metallic intermediate bonding material or filler alloy during brazing. The filler alloy is drawn by capillary attraction into the space between the meeting faces defined by the external surface of the male element and the internal surface of the female receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Dino M. Mastrosimone
  • Patent number: 5493883
    Abstract: A lock shell comprising a tubular outer shell for receiving lock components, illustratively a spindle, the shell having an annular key way at the front face; the shell has an enlarged head portion at the front and a reduced diameter cylindrical portion extending from the head portion to the rear of the shell; at least one longitudinally extending lug member is disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion; the at least one lug starts at the enlarged head and extends rearwardly a minor portion of the length of the shell; the lug has portions successively from the enlarged head consisting of straight top and side walls, inwardly tapering top and side walls, and diminishingly angled walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 5489175
    Abstract: A self-clinching fastener used to join two sheet materials together at a right angle. The self-clinching fastener is of the flush-mounting type and thus provides for a smooth cosmetic appearance when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: George R. Winton, III
  • Patent number: 5468109
    Abstract: A removable fastener (10, 110) for a part (25, 28, 122) such as a furniture accessory with a hole in a surface (24, 120) comprises a dowel anchor (11, 11', 111) with ribbing thereon (23, 112) for lateral engagement in the surface hole. The dowel anchor comprises a seat (13, 113) in which is received the end of an element (12, 12', 114) in turn constrained to the part and there being between the element and the seat a form of separable mutual constraint. The element is provided in the form of a dowel or pin (12, 12', 114) constrained to the part to be axially insertable in the seat (13, 113) in the dowel anchor and the constraint comprises elastically yielding elements (14, 15, 40, 41, 117) projecting toward the axis of the seat (13, 113) to engage the side wall of the dowel (12, 12', 114) upon its insertion in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Franco Ferrari
    Inventors: Franco Ferrari, Carlo Migli
  • Patent number: 5452978
    Abstract: A self-clinching fastener to be embedded into a first sheet material. The self-clinching fastener is used to secure the first sheet material 40 to a second sheet material wherein the first sheet material is oriented at a right angle to the second sheet material 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: George R. Winton, III
  • Patent number: 5446957
    Abstract: A preplugged nut is attachable to a vehicle panel for fastening a component to the vehicle panel. The nut has a body with an opening for receiving a bolt to fasten the component to the panel and a plug in the body opening sealing the opening to prevent ingress of moisture, dust, fumes and other contaminants to the panel through the body opening. A method for forming a vehicle panel with the preplugged fastener includes forming the vehicle panel, forming a nut having a body opening for receiving a bolt to fasten the bracket to the panel, forming a plug, inserting the plug into the body opening of the nut and plugging the body opening to thereby prevent ingress of contaminants through the panel to the body opening after the nut is installed, and fastening the nut to the vehicle panel with the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Yitah R. Wu
  • Patent number: 5407311
    Abstract: A system for inserting and retaining a fastener between two generally parallel spaced apart webs formed on a first workpiece. The fastener is inserted using ultrasonic energy to deform the material of the webs to engage an axial force resisting portion and a torsional force resisting portion of the fastener with the material of the webs. The present invention includes the fastener which is constructed for use in the system, as well as an article employing the fastener for attaching the first workpiece, to which the fastener is attached, to a second workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Goss
  • Patent number: RE34928
    Abstract: A screw threaded insert to be installed in for example thermoplastic material by ultrasonic vibrations applied to the insert is double-ended and comprises a main helically ribbed portion separated from a minor portion formed with teeth or projections aligned with helical ribs, and a pilot portion. The pilot portion is to locate the insert in a performed bore in the required orientation of insertion, the toothed portion displaces material in complementary grooves, so as to facilitate travel of the insert into the material and ensure good filling of the inter-rib spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: P.S.M. International PLC
    Inventor: Anthony M. Highfield