Both Cooperating Regions Deformed Patents (Class 411/181)
  • Patent number: 11986893
    Abstract: A hardware fastener with a movable threaded element suspended within a cavity formed in a body. The movable threaded element has an internal surface with threads for cooperating with a threaded fastener. The movable threaded element is suspended in the cavity by the one or more spring-like members such that an area, A, of reduced stiffness is created in the cavity proximate the movable threaded element, thereby allowing the movable threaded element to move a predetermined distance within the cavity when torque is applied to the threaded fastener. The one or more spring-like members store elastic potential energy to prevent the loss of pretension of the threaded fastener that can be caused by heat or vibration. The invention also eliminates the need for a torque wrench when tightening the threaded fastener to a specified torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventors: Alan J. Bookheimer, Ruy Frota de Souza Filho, Jason Won Goldsmith, Jeremy P. Canonge
  • Patent number: 11913488
    Abstract: A self-clinching and self-piercing construction element for attachment to a plastically deformable metal panel. The construction element includes a body portion with a central axis and a punch portion being coaxial with the central axis and extending from the body portion. A pilot embossment is coaxial with the central axis and extends from the body portion such that the pilot embossment is concentrically disposed between an annular-shaped surface of the body portion and the punch portion. The pilot embossment being configured to engage and plastically deform the metal substrate such that the metal substrate flows into a recessed pocket defined in an outer peripheral surface of the punch portion. A plurality of spaced apart lugs axially project outwards from the annular-shaped surface and extend radially outwards from the pilot embossment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: RB&W MANUFACTURING LLC
    Inventors: Marc Andrew O'Donnell, Michael Dacosta
  • Patent number: 11879492
    Abstract: To reduce the load required to press-fit a nut into a plate material, the nut includes a base part 2 provided with a female screw 18, a cylindrical protrusion part 3 protruding from one surface of the base part and a plurality of foot parts 4 protruding from an outer peripheral surface side of the protrusion part. An end of the respective foot parts closer to the protrusion part is formed so that a width gradually expands from a tip end side toward a protrusion part side, and that both outer sides of the end are arc-shaped in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Matsunami, Kazuhiro Koga, Tsuyoshi Kojima, Naoki Hoshino, Takuya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11833648
    Abstract: The invention relates to a functional unit for attachment to a workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part, said functional unit comprising a fastening element having a fastening section for the rotationally fixed fastening of the functional unit to the workpiece and having a head part that adjoins the fastening section in an axial direction and that has a functional section and a head part support surface remote from the fastening section; and a fixing element that can be fixed to the functional section of the head part of the fastening element by means of a rotational movement and that has a fixing element support surface that, in a state of the fixing element installed at the fastening element, faces the head part support surface such that an attachment part can be clamped between the head part support surface and the fixing element support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 11739780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a functional element, in particular to a bolt element, for attachment to a workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part. The functional element comprises a fastening section that has a reshaping section that can be reshaped to fasten the functional element to the workpiece, in particular wherein the reshaping section is a rivet section, and a functional section having a functional region, wherein the functional section is connected, in particular is rotationally fixedly connected, to the fastening section. The fastening section and the functional section are produced from different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Diehl
  • Patent number: 11486437
    Abstract: A buoyant fastener structure includes a body portion and a fastening element. The body portion has a rotation-preventing portion and a position-limiting portion. The fastening element has a position-corresponding rotation-preventing portion, a position-corresponding position-limiting portion and a fastening portion. The rotation-preventing portion and the position-corresponding rotation-preventing portion prevent each other from rotating. A rotation-preventing buoyancy level exists between the rotation-preventing portion and the position-corresponding rotation-preventing portion. The position-limiting portion corresponds in position to and limits the position of the position-corresponding position-limiting portion. Therefore, the body portion is coupled to a first object, whereas the fastening portion is coupled to or removed from a second object, so as for the first and second objects to be coupled together and separated, repeatedly and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FIVETECH TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Ting-Jui Wang
  • Patent number: 10900827
    Abstract: A monitoring system functions both as a device for lifting the object and as a weighing system for monitoring or measuring the weight of an object, such as a feed bin. Various embodiments having a suspended load cell and methods of retrofitting the monitoring system to existing object are provided. Further, the accuracy provided by various embodiments enables one to accurately predict when the feed bin will be empty. Thus, the feed mill can be aware of anticipated needs days in advance, allowing the feed mill to better optimize its scheduling and deliveries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Herdstar, LLC
    Inventor: Mark H. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8939689
    Abstract: A functional element in the form of a press-in element for attachment to a sheet metal part is disclosed which has a head part and a shaft part, the head part has a ring-like sheet metal contact surface within which is a ring-like axial recess which surrounds the shaft part at the transition of the head part into the shaft part. The shaft part has a plurality of peripherally distributed radial recesses extending in the axial direction between which are axially extending and radially projecting noses having raised material portions which form undercuts with the head part in the region of the ring-like recess, the undercuts being present at the positions of the radial recesses at their axial ends adjacent to the head part. Radially extending ribs providing security against rotation, or other anti-rotation security features, are provided in the base region of the ring-like recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 8888429
    Abstract: A clinch nut for attachment to a plastically deformable metal substrate is provided. The clinch nut comprises a body portion with a central axis and a punch portion extending from the body portion and coaxial with the central axis. The body portion includes an annular-shaped surface encircling the central punch portion. The annular-shaped surface includes a plurality of spaced apart lugs encircling the central punch portion. The plurality of lugs each includes a contact surface with a recessed portion where the contact surface engages the metal substrate. A first portion of the contact surface is biased outwards from the central axis upon insertion in the metal substrate to form at least one lug flare during attachment of the nut to the metal substrate. A portion of the metal substrate is entrapped between the at least one lug flare and the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: W. Richard Pamer, Douglas P. Dennis
  • Patent number: 8864429
    Abstract: A functional element (10), for fixing to a piece of sheet metal (40), such as for example, a nut element or a bolt element with a body section or head section, comprising an annular flange (14) which transforms into a cylindrical rivet section, is characterized in that the transformation from annular flange into the rivet section is formed by an at least essentially conical surface, forming a contact surface for a corresponding conical region of a piece of sheet metal, which, on fixing the functional element to a piece of sheet metal, is clamped between the side of the annular flange facing the rivet section and an annular bead (50) formed from the rivet section. An assembled component and a method for the fixing of a functional element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 8672597
    Abstract: A fastener in combination with a substrate wherein the fastener is affixed to the substrate in a manner that does not damage the substrate. The fastener comprises a barrel having an interior, an exterior, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the barrel includes a flange. The exterior of the barrel proximate the flange includes a gripping portion with a spline having at least 12 teeth. The interior of the barrel proximate the second end portion of the barrel includes a counterbore. The interior of the barrel proximate the intermediate portion is threaded. The second end portion of the barrel is flared. The substrate includes a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough. The barrel of the fastener partially resides in the bore of the substrate and the 12-toothed spline on the exterior of the barrel of the fastener engages the bore of the substrate and surrounding material with minimal deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Stafast Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Selle, Jonathan Wayne Dieter
  • Patent number: 8602704
    Abstract: An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, having a shaft part and a head part. The head part has at its side con-fronting the sheet metal part a ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part. The head part is disposed within a contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface. At least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present base surface of the ring recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8556560
    Abstract: A tapped insert to be insert molded comprises a shank provided at its axial ends with flanges delineating two axially opposite heads of the insert. The shank is provided with an internally threaded axial section to form a tapping. Means for blocking the insert in rotation after insert molding and means for blocking the insert axially in translation after insert molding are arranged on the outside of the shank. The shank comprises at least one fusible area of greater axial deformability located between the threaded axial section and one of the heads. The fusible area is configured to deform under a predefined axial compressive force applied to the heads without causing deformation of the threaded axial section. The invention also relates to a method for insert molding such an insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Bollhoff Otalu S.A.
    Inventors: David Billion Laroute, Nicolas Bégel, Frédéric Palluel
  • Patent number: 8534973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8475099
    Abstract: A fastener device includes a self-clinching retainer and a blind fastener. The self-clinching retainer is mounted to a hole in a sheet. The blind fastener is at least partially floating within the self-clinching retainer. The blind fastener has blind thread so that any debris from engaging another fastener is captured within the blind fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Bandis, Russell J. Maxfield
  • Patent number: 8398348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8371785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rivet nut (10) with a base part (12) and a cylindrical rivet section (14), the base part having a central threaded cylinder (16), an annular contact surface (18) that is coaxial to the threaded cylinder in a plane (20) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (22) of the threaded cylinder, and that has an axially aligned annular groove (24), said groove being arranged radially inside the annular contact surface and radially outside the cylindrical rivet section and said groove blending, on the radially inner side, into the outer surface of the cylindrical rivet section, and antirotation ribs (42) being provided in the area of the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8328485
    Abstract: A functional element having a functional portion, a generally tubular rivet portion and a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is characterized in that features of shape are provided at the rivet portion for co-movement of the sheet metal part during the formation of the rivet bead, in particular at the free end of the rivet portion and/or at the radially outer side of the rivet portion, at least in the region adjacent the free end of the rivet portion. A component assembly comprising a functional element and a sheet metal part as well as a method for the attachment of a functional element to the sheet metal part are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Michael Vieth, Richard Humpert
  • Publication number: 20120240380
    Abstract: A functional element having a functional portion, a generally tubular rivet portion and a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is characterised in that features of shape are provided at the rivet portion for co-movement of the sheet metal part during the formation of the rivet bead, in particular at the free end of the rivet portion and/or at the radially outer side of the rivet portion, at least in the region adjacent the free end of the rivet portion. A component assembly comprising a functional element and a sheet metal part as well as a method for the attachment of a functional element to the sheet metal part are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri BABEJ, Michael VIETH, Richard HUMPERT
  • Patent number: 8261422
    Abstract: A functional element (10), for fixing to a piece of sheet metal (40), such as for example, a nut element or a bolt element with a body section or head section, comprising an annular flange (14) which transforms into a cylindrical rivet section, is characterized in that the transformation from annular flange into the rivet section is formed by an at least essentially conical surface, forming a contact surface for a corresponding conical region of a piece of sheet metal, which, on fixing the functional element to a piece of sheet metal, is clamped between the side of the annular flange facing the rivet section and an annular bead (50) formed from the rivet section. An assembled component and a method for the fixing of a functional element are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 8230571
    Abstract: A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free open end of the tubular barrel portion is coined, collapsed axially, flattened and deformed radially inwardly and outwardly and axially against a panel surrounding the panel opening. The method of installation includes driving the free end of the tubular barrel portion against a substantially planar die surface, deforming an end portion radially, then collapsing an intermediate portion over the radially deformed end portion, flattening the end portion, substantially thickening the tubular barrel portion and forming an annular surface engaging and supporting the panel surrounding the opening. The die member includes an annular moat surrounding a central die post and a planar die surface extending generally perpendicular to the axis of the die button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventor: Zdravko Kovac
  • Patent number: 8226339
    Abstract: A threaded collapsible insert is utilized for insertion into a hole in a workpiece for subsequent installation of a threaded fastener. The insert has a axially-aligned opening extending for most or all of the entire length of the body of the insert. The hollow body has a first section and a second section, where the wall thickness of the first section is less than the wall thickness of the second section, such that the first section preferentially collapses upon application of a linear force to the insert. The second section comprises internal threads for engaging the fastener. The head member has a top side and an underside. The underside of the head member may comprise a plurality of knurls radiating outwardly on the underside of the flange. The outside of the first section may also comprise a plurality of axially aligned rib members extending from the proximal end to the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AVK Industrial Products
    Inventor: Frank Neri
  • Publication number: 20120148367
    Abstract: An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, having a shaft part and a head part. The head part has at its side con-fronting the sheet metal part a ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part. The head part is disposed within a contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface. At least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present base surface of the ring recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Publication number: 20120148366
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Publication number: 20120141224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8186920
    Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker, Robert G. Walker, II
  • Patent number: 8142125
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel including a central pilot portion having a generally cylindrical outer surface, a flange portion surrounding the outer surface of the pilot portion including an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion having a substantially V-shaped bottom wall and a generally planar panel support surface surrounding the annular groove. The panel support surface includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs extending into the annular groove, but spaced from the outer surface of the pilot portion. The grooves may be convex or concave or a combination of convex and concave grooves. In one embodiment, the nuts are rectangular and the back face include two pair of transverse linear grooves for interconnection by frangible wires in side to side relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Vrana, David M. Shuart, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 8123446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8092131
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Shuart, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 8083451
    Abstract: A method for providing an electrically conductive connection between an electric terminal device having a cavity, such as a cable shoe, and a sheet metal part. A hollow fixing element is riveted to the sheet metal part to prevent torsion, thus producing an electrically conductive connection between the fixing element and the sheet metal part. The assembled component is then provided with an electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive protective coating, such as a lacquer coating or powder coating. A receptacle for the electric terminal device is configured in the vicinity of the front face of the fixing element, to which the electrical terminal device is attached. The receptacle prevents the torsion of the terminal device in relation to the fixing element. The sheet metal part and a thread forming or cutting screw is screwed through the cavity of the electric terminal device into the hollow fixing element. The screwing action forms or cuts a thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 7988394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating an electrically conductive connection between an electric terminal device having a cavity, such as a cable shoe, and a sheet metal part. According to said method, a hollow fixing element is riveted to the sheet metal part to prevent torsion, thus producing an electrically conductive connection between the fixing element and the sheet metal part and the assembled component is then provided with an electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive protective coating, such as for example a lacquer coating or powder coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 7866929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a functional element for attaching to a sheet metal part, such as for example a nut element or a bolt element comprising a body section or head section, which has a requisite cylindrical part on one axial end and runs into a cylindrical rivet section on its other axial end. Said element is characterised in that the body section is provided with an essentially cone-shaped region between the first axial end or a cylindrical section that may be provided there and the rivet section, said region forming a bearing surface for a corresponding cone-shaped region of a sheet metal part and that the cylindrical part, if present, has a diameter at the border with the cone-shaped region that is no greater than the maximum diameter of said cone-shaped region. When the functional element is attached to the sheet metal part, the narrow end of the cone-shaped region of said metal part is clamped in an annular protrusion, formed by the rivet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 7823262
    Abstract: A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rahmatollah Fakhri Toosky, Soheil Eshraghi
  • Patent number: 7815406
    Abstract: An element attachable to a sheet metal part by riveting, in particular an element in the form of a centering bolt, having a shaft part and a head part, wherein the head part has at its side confronting the sheet metal part an at least approximately ring-like ring recess which merges at the radially inner side into a cylinder section of the head part which in turn merges into the shaft part and into a tubular rivet section which surrounds the shaft part in the region of the head part, is disposed within a ring-like contact surface arranged radially outside of the ring recess and merges at the radially outer side via an at least approximately conical wall into the ring-like contact surface, is characterized in that at least one local recess and preferably a plurality of in particular uniformly distributed local recesses is or are provided in the conical wall of the ring recess and/or in an optionally present ring-like base surface of the ring recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 7817427
    Abstract: A fastener includes a fastener post, a sleeve, a nut and an elastic element. The fastener post includes a shaft, a tapered portion and a threaded portion. The sleeve includes a smooth portion and a clamp portion having a number of resilient strips. The nut is threaded onto the threaded portion. The elastic element is disposed around the sleeve and compressed between the nut and an ear of a heat sink to generate a resilient force. The resilient force moves the tapered portion of the fastener post into the sleeve such that the strips of the clamp portion of the sleeve are tilted outwardly to tightly abut against a bottom of a printed circuit board on which the heat sink is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Li, Lei Cao
  • Publication number: 20100142152
    Abstract: A fastener includes a fastener post, a sleeve, a nut and an elastic element. The fastener post includes a shaft, a tapered portion and a threaded portion. The sleeve includes a smooth portion and a clamp portion having a number of resilient strips. The nut is threaded onto the threaded portion. The elastic element is disposed around the sleeve and compressed between the nut and an ear of a heat sink to generate a resilient force. The resilient force moves the tapered portion of the fastener post into the sleeve such that the strips of the clamp portion of the sleeve are tilted outwardly to tightly abut against a bottom of a printed circuit board on which the heat sink is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MIN LI, LEI CAO
  • Patent number: 7698799
    Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Parker, David M. Shuart
  • Publication number: 20100041486
    Abstract: A fastener includes a t-nut having a barrel and a flange. The flange includes an opening which leads to a threaded barrel. The threaded barrel extends from the opening in the flange to a distal end portion thereof. An end cap has an annular recess on a first side thereof and has a raised annular ridge on a second side thereof. The raised annular ridge of the end cap is affixed to the flange of the t-nut by welding the end cap to the flange. Dirt, water and moisture cannot enter the barrel because the end cap is sealed to the flange. Additionally, the barrel may be relatively short as it is fully threaded prior to the affixation of the end cap to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: STEPHEN SELLE
  • Patent number: 7657987
    Abstract: A functional element for connection to a sheet metal part, and a method for connecting a functional element to a sheet metal part. The functional element includes a head part, a tubular rivet section extending from the head part and a tubular guide section disposed within the rivet section, with a portion of the guide section extending beyond the open end of the rivet section. When the sheet metal part is pre-holed, the portion of the guide section extending beyond the rivet section serves to dilate the pre-cut hole while centering the rivet section, and the functional element includes security components to provide an enhanced and stable connection as well as to secure against rotation. The guide section can be configured as a self-piercing component for use with a sheet metal part that is not pre-holed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Publication number: 20090245968
    Abstract: A nut for the attachment of an aircraft windshield interposed between two elements kept assembled by at least one connecting element that includes a screw and the nut includes two parts, a first part called a body that has a threaded bore for the threaded stem of the screw, and a second part called a base that can be integrated with one of the windshield holding elements. The body and the base have cooperating shapes to prevent the body from rotating relative to the base along the axis of the bore of the body. The body, at one of its ends, includes a surface that can be in contact with the base, whereby the surface has at least one protuberance that projects relative to the surface in the direction of the axis of the bore that can work with a pattern that is provided at the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventor: Guy Cavailles
  • Patent number: 7591622
    Abstract: A nutmount apparatus includes a sleeve, a bushing insertable into the sleeve and a nut. The nutmount apparatus may further include a nut retainer for holding an internally threaded nut. The nutmount apparatus may be used, in conjunction with a threaded screw or bolt, to secure a first structure, such as an aircraft wall or cover panel, to a second structure, such as an aircraft frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Horacio B. de Jesus, Elio Dalmau
  • Patent number: 7575405
    Abstract: A captive nut is mountable on a vehicle panel and has a blind bore for receiving a fixing, such as a roof rack mounting. The captive nut comprises an outer tubular portion forming a riveting skirt and an inner tubular portion disposed coaxial with the outer tubular portion. A flange extends radially from an end of the outer tubular portion and splines extend radially from the outer tubular portion to the flange. The height of a spline in a direction perpendicular to the axis is substantially the same as the length of the spline in a direction parallel to the nut axis. The thickness of a spline is half the height of the spline in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: BAS Components
    Inventor: Clive W. Goodall
  • Patent number: 7427180
    Abstract: Methods of forming and feeding self-attaching fasteners are disclosed wherein the strip includes a plurality of spaced abutment surfaces, preferably notches, which may be used both during the manufacturing process and feeding of a strip of fasteners to an installation head. Where the fasteners are interconnected in a strip, by frangible wires, the wires are located in the bottom wall of the panel receiving grooves in the flange portions on opposed sides of the projecting pilot portion. A self-attaching fastener having deformable inclined lip portions which extend upwardly and toward the pilot portion from the flange portions which are deformed during installation to provide further securement for the panel when deformed in the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Harold A. Ladoucer, John J. Vrana
  • Patent number: 7425111
    Abstract: A torque resistant self-attaching fastener having a tubular barrel portion and a radial flange portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections each having opposed planar generally radial side faces with the outer surface of the radial flange between the radial projections having a greater circumferential width than a circumferential width of the radial projections and a radial length less than the circumferential width. The side faces may be aligned with a radius, the side faces may be parallel or the side faces of adjacent radial projections may be parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventor: Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Publication number: 20080213064
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating an electrically conductive connection between an electric terminal device having a cavity, such as a cable shoe, and a sheet metal part. According to said method, a hollow fixing element is riveted to the sheet metal part to prevent torsion, thus producing an electrically conductive connection between the fixing element and the sheet metal part and the assembled component is then provided with an electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive protective coating, such as for example a lacquer coating or powder coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Profil Verbindungstechnik GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Publication number: 20080187408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow body elements (200), for example, nut elements which are applied to components which are normally made of steel (280), in particular, for producing hollow body elements having an essentially quadratic or rectangular external profile (202). Said method consists of cutting individual elements of a profile in the form of a profile rod (1) or a winding after holes (204) have previously been stamped in the profile, a threaded cylinder (206) is subsequently, optionally, formed using a follow-on composite tool (10) which consists of several working stations. The invention is characterized in that a penetrating process and a punching process are carried out in the working station. The invention also relates to hollow body elements (200), components, follow-on composite tools (10) and rolling mills (600, 602).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Profil Verbindungstechnik GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 7367767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a function element (10) comprising a head part (14) with an annular bearing surface (12) and tubular rivet segment (16) that is provided on the side of the bearing surface of the head part and that extends away from said head part. The invention is characterized in that a tubular guide segment (18) is concentrically disposed relative to the tubular rivet segment and radially inside said rivet segment, wherein an annular gap is provided between the guide segment and the rivet segment and the guide segment projects beyond the free end of the rivet segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 7357614
    Abstract: The invention relates to a functional element for attaching to a sheet metal part, such as for example a nut element or a bolt element comprising a body section or head section, which has a requisite cylindrical part on one axial end and runs into a cylindrical rivet section on its other axial end. Said element is characterised in that the body section is provided with an essentially cone-shaped region between the first axial end or a cylindrical section that may be provided there and the rivet section, said region forming a bearing surface for a corresponding cone-shaped region of a sheet metal part and that the cylindrical part, if present, has a diameter at the border with the cone-shaped region that is no greater than the maximum diameter of said cone-shaped region. When the functional element is attached to the sheet metal part, the narrow end of the cone-shaped region of said metal part is clamped in an annular protrusion, formed by the rivet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 7338245
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for installation in a panel by a plunger driven against the bottom face of the nut, the bottom face of the nut including parallel rails on opposed sides of a channel-shaped recess and a threaded bore through the recess, eliminating the requirement for a countersink in the bore at the bottom face and preventing tapping burrs from being driven back into the bore during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corp.
    Inventor: Harold A. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 7334958
    Abstract: A first and second component joint includes using a fastener having a first end, and a flange having a diameter greater than a tubular barrel portion. A second end having a second tubular barrel portion merges into a shoulder of a flange part having a greater diameter than the barrel portion. The first tubular barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly sandwiching the first component between the flange and the first barrel portion. The second end of the fastener is introduced through a hole in the second component by applying the second component to the first component so the shoulder of the flanged part abuts the second component spacing the second component from the first component. The fastener device is fastened to the second component by deforming the second tubular barrel portion radially outwardly sandwiching the second component between the shoulder and the tubular barrel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rudolf Müller, Michael Vieth, Hans Broich, Jiri Babej