Having Axially Directed Projection Or Recess Patents (Class 411/187)
  • Patent number: 10527081
    Abstract: A tapered internal thread and threaded column connecting structure comprises an external thread and an internal thread in threaded connection with each other. The external thread is arranged on a column-shaped body, and the internal thread is arranged in a connecting hole. The internal thread comprises an inside helical surface and a helical end surface. A shape of the inside helical surface is the same as a shape of a lateral surface of a solid of revolution formed by using a right trapezoid as a generatrix, rotating uniformly around a cathetus of the right trapezoid which is coincident with a center axis of the connection hole, and synchronously, axially and uniformly moving the right trapezoid along the center axis of the connection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Yihua You
  • Patent number: 10527082
    Abstract: A connection structure for tapered male screw and threaded hole comprises a male screw and a female screw, and the male screw comprises an external helical surface and an end helical surface. The shape of the external helical surface is the same shape as a helical external surface of a rotating body formed by taking a right angle side of a right trapezoid coincident with a central axis of a cylindrical body as an axis of rotation and rotating the rotating body circumferentially at a constant speed, and at the same time moving the right trapezoid at a constant speed along the central axis of the cylindrical body. The shape of the end helical surface is the same as the helical end surface at the end in the movement direction of the axial movement of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Yihua You
  • Patent number: 10514055
    Abstract: A tapered threaded bolt and nut are provided. The bolt comprises a main body; an outside helical surface and a first end helical surface are defined on the main body; a shape of the outside helical surface is the same as a shape of a lateral surface of a solid of revolution formed by using a right trapezoid as a generatrix, rotating uniformly around a cathetus of the right trapezoid which is coincident with a center axis of the main body, and synchronously, axially and uniformly moving the right trapezoid along the center axis of the main body; a shape of the first end helical surface is the same as a shape of helical end surface with a same direction as an axial moving direction of the solid of revolution. An inside helical surface and a second end helical surface are defined in a screw hole of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Yihua You
  • Patent number: 10508677
    Abstract: A tapered thread connection pair comprises an external thread and an internal thread. The external thread comprises an outside helical surface and a first end helical surface, the shape of the outside helical surface is the same as that of a spiral outside surface of a solid of revolution, and the shape of the first end helical surface is the same as that of a spiral end surface of the end having a moving direction that is the same as an axial movement direction of the solid of revolution. The internal thread comprises an inside helical surface and a second end helical surface. The shape of the inside helical surface is the same as that of the spiral outside surface of the solid of revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Yihua You
  • Patent number: 10447197
    Abstract: A system for flashing a mount of a photovoltaic assembly on a surface includes a flashing including a lower surface and an upper surface. The flashing defines an opening to receive a fastener for securing the mount to the surface. The system also includes a first pad positioned along and attached to the lower surface and a second pad positioned along and attached to the upper surface. The first pad and the second pad extend across the opening. The first pad and the second pad include an adhesive and form a water resistant seal for the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TECSI Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel Marcus-Flack Truthseeker
  • Patent number: 9574601
    Abstract: A bolt for securing timber to any other material, comprises: a bolt head with a series of spiked teeth on its underside; a cylindrical bolt rod extending from the bolt head is threaded and split into two rods at its free end, so as to define a slot therebetween. In use a user drills a hole through pieces of timber to be secured together, and hammers the bolt through the hole. The spiked teeth on the bolt head lock into the timber, securing the bolt at one end. At the free, split end of the bolt rod, a washer and nut are tightened onto the bolt. A cold chisel is hammered into the slot between the split ends of the rod, bending the ends outwards and thus preventing the nut from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Doye, Daniel Hardingham
  • Patent number: 8858142
    Abstract: An earth bolt is capable of achieving electrical connection and watertight sealing and of holding fragment of a coating so that the fragments of coating may not be scattered. The earth bolt can be electrically connected to a member coated with an insulating film. The earth bolt has a head and a threaded body. The head is provided on its bearing surface with an annular ridge protruding from the bearing surface of the head so as to coaxially surround the threaded body and capable of scraping off the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Iwata Bolt Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhide Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Mitsunari Ono
  • Patent number: 8784023
    Abstract: A screw has a head whose underside has impressions or embossings and faces towards the tip. The underside is divided into at least five sectors of the same size. Three-fifths of the sectors exhibit an identical pattern of impressions or embossings and at least one sector is provided with a different pattern of impressions or embossings or else with no impressions or embossings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochen Kuntner, Peer Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8646166
    Abstract: A component assembly comprises a sheet metal and a fastener element. A flange has a larger diameter and a shaft of smaller diameter extends away from the flange and merges at its end remote from the flange into a cylindrical rivet section. The fastener element is used with sheet metals with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft. The cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a rivet bead contacting the sheet metal underside. Medium thickness sheet metal parts have a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead. For thick sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a conical pierced hole and the cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a conical rivet bead wedged in the conically diverging hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Profil—Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Christian Sowa, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8622672
    Abstract: A self-piercing hollow press-in element, in particular a nut element for attachment to a sheet metal part, wherein the press-in element has a flange part of a larger diameter and a shaft part of a smaller diameter. The shaft part extends away from the flange part and has a circular piercing edge at its end face remote from the flange part. The side of the flange part facing the shaft part forms a sheet metal contact surface in ring shape and features providing security against rotation are provided at the shaft part which extend approximately from the level of the sheet metal contact surface over a part of the length of the shaft part along the latter. A ring-like recess is provided radially within the ring-shaped sheet metal contact surface in the flange part and excess material for the shaft part which arises during manufacture of the ribs providing security against rotation is located within the ring recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Profil-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 8608420
    Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel includes a central pilot portion having a bore therethrough, and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. A flange portion surrounds the outer surface of the pilot portion, and the flange portion includes an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion. The annular groove has a substantially V-shaped axial cross section. The self-attaching nut further includes a plurality of spaced raised buttons formed on a surface of the annular groove. The spaced raised buttons are configured to substantially prevent relative rotation between the nut and the panel, and configured to aid in preventing pull-out of the nut from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Zdravko Kovac, Jeffrey C. Lewis, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 8591159
    Abstract: A self-countersinking, self-tapping screw has a head with a substantially flat underside that acts like a washer for bearing against a surface of a material into which the screw is inserted. On an underside of the head are one or more material-receiving pockets. These pockets receive material when the head of the screw bears against the surface. These pockets thus help lock the screw in place, i.e. help to prevent the screw from loosening over time. These pockets may have a circular or non-circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mirco Walther
  • Patent number: 8591158
    Abstract: A spacer element which is designed at both ends for the attachment to a sheet metal part or to a hollow section for the formation of a component assembly and which optionally has a fastener section with an internal thread or external thread for the attachment of a component to the component assembly by means of a screw or a nut, is characterized in that the spacer element is not deformable or at least substantially not deformable on attachment to the sheet metal part or to the hollow section and in that the spacer element is provided at both end faces with respective undercuts for the form-fitted reception of sheet metal material or of the wall material, whereby the spacer element is secured to the sheet metal part or to the hollow section and preferably also secured against, rotation. Various variants, component assemblies and methods are likewise described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: PROFIL Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8371783
    Abstract: A spacer element which is designed at both ends for the attachment to a sheet metal part or to a hollow section for the formation of a component assembly and which optionally has a fastener section with an internal thread or external thread for the attachment of a component to the component assembly by means of a screw or a nut, is characterized in that the spacer element is not deformable or at least substantially not deformable on attachment to the sheet metal part or to the hollow section and in that the spacer element is provided at both end faces with respective undercuts for the form-fitted reception of sheet metal material or of the wall material, whereby the spacer element is secured to the sheet metal part or to the hollow section and preferably also secured against rotation. Various variants, component assemblies and methods are likewise described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: PROFIL-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8231317
    Abstract: A fastening clamp for connecting a carrier part (13) and an add-on part (14) has a plug-through leg (1), with a plug-through sleeve (5), and a threaded leg (2), which is connected to a thread unit (10). The plug-through sleeve (5) extends away from the threaded leg (2) and has an effective overall height which is greater than the thickness of an add-on part (14). Engagement elements (11) are present on that side of the thread leg (2) which is directed towards the plug-through leg (1). In a pre-assembly arrangement, the legs (1, 2) are spaced apart by a distance which is large enough to allow a carrier part (13) to be positioned between the legs (1, 2) such that it is essentially free of engagement with the engagement elements (11), in which case, once a screw has been screwed into an end position, the engagement elements (11) thus engage with the carrier part (13) such that the fastening clamp is connected in a non-displaceable manner to the carrier part (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventor: Vincent De Gelis
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8221040
    Abstract: A component assembly comprising a sheet metal part and a fastener element which has a flange part of larger diameter and a shaft part of smaller diameter which extends away from the flange part and merges at its end remote from the flange part into a cylindrical rivet section is characterized in that the fastener element is designed for use with sheet metal parts with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With relatively thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal part has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening which has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft part, with the cylindrical rivet section being reshaped to a rivet bead which contacts the underside of the sheet metal part. With sheet metal parts of medium thickness the sheet metal part has a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: PROFIL-Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Christian Sowa, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8162580
    Abstract: The anti-theft fastener has a shearing head, a shaft and a fastening element. The shearing head has at least one shearing tab. The shaft is threaded and connected the shearing head. The fastening element is mounted around the shearing head and has an outer surface having a countersink and at least one shearing recess. The countersink is formed in the outer surface around the connecting hole. The at least one shearing recess is formed in countersink, and corresponds to the at least one shearing tab, and each shearing recess has at least one shearing surface, whereby the at least one shearing tab is broken off by the shearing surface of the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Antony Chen
  • Patent number: 8100616
    Abstract: A clinch nut is used to attach a first panel and a second panel with a space therebetween for accepting a liquid primer. The body has a nut face for abutting a first panel and a threaded aperture through the nut body for receiving a threaded bolt. The nut face has grooves into which the first panel is deformed to clinch the nut body to the first panel. An abutment rises from the nut face a distance greater than the thickness of the first panel so that upon the bolting of the second panel to the first panel by the insertion of the threaded bolt into the threaded aperture of the nut body, the second panel will be spaced from the first panel by the abutment thereby assuring that the liquid primer can flow between the first and second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Kevin T. Dempsey, Michael J. Cowan, David C. Vozza
  • 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: 7938608
    Abstract: A wall surface protecting bolt support apparatus includes a bolt receiving member comprising a plate that has a first side, a second side and a peripheral edge. The plate has an aperture extending therethrough which extends into the first side and outwardly of the second side. A sleeve is attached to and extends away from the second side, the sleeve bounding the aperture. The sleeve has a distal end with respect to the plate. The distal end is open to allow a bolt to be extended through the aperture and through the sleeve. The sleeve is extendable through an opening in a wall surface and the second side is abuttable against the wall surface. The bolt is extended through the bolt receiving member and a head of the bolt is abuttable against the first side of the plate to prevent damage to the wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7726925
    Abstract: A fastener with a flange having two pairs of parallel sides and arcuate corners. Extending upwardly from the top surface of the flange is an elongated shaft having one region adjacent the flange having relatively thicker threaded walls and another distal from the flange having thinner unthreaded walls. Two prongs are formed by making cuts in opposing straight sides adjacent to the diagonally opposing arcuate corners, and then bending peripheral portions of the flange including the arcuate corners adjacent to the cuts in a direction upwardly by substantially 90°. The depth of the cuts is such that when bends are made, the perpendicular distance between front surfaces of the two prongs is less than an outer diameter of the shaft. When the fastener is inserted in a piece of material, the prongs dig into the surface of the material to prevent the fastener from rotating when a threaded fastener is screwed into the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Falcon Fasteners Reg'd
    Inventor: Martin Leistner
  • Patent number: 7597516
    Abstract: Fastener device secures two separate structures together and may ground electrical current running through the structures. In one embodiment, fastener includes a plurality of projections for removing paint from an external surface of one structure. Depending on relative hardness measurements, the plurality of projections may also penetrate the structure. In another embodiment, fastener may be utilized to secure and ground rack/patch panel systems that house electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Robert G. Bucciferro, Joseph A. Chopp, Jr., Larry S. Mohr
  • Patent number: 7462043
    Abstract: An aluminum enclosure of an electronic device is used in a corrosion environment. A long-term low impedance ground connection is needed because of security and EMC reasons. While common surface protection for aluminum in corrosion environments as for example polyurethane paint is not conductive, a stainless steel connector is provided which comprises a head portion and a bolt portion. The bolt portion is inserted into a bore of the enclosure or frame. An annular rib provided on the back side of the head portion defines a cutting edge which cuts into the surface of the aluminum enclosure and provides a gas-tight electrical contact. The front surface of the stainless steel head of the electrical connector element provides a metallic surface for connecting ground wires or other conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Embedded Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Günter Deisenhofer
  • 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: 7318696
    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 characterised 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: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Wolfgang Hoessrich
  • Patent number: 7306418
    Abstract: A fastener is retained within an opening of a workpiece by deforming a portion of an edge of the opening inwardly to prevent removal of the fastener. A deforming member associated with a head of the fastener includes a body having a clamping surface extending radially form a central axis. A wedge-like deforming element has a deforming member and having a deforming face angled axially and radially outward from the clamping surface. The deforming element, when pressed against a malleable edge of the workpiece, deforms at least a portion of the edge into the fastener opening thereby creating a stop which reduces the diameter of the opening and mechanically retains the fastener therein. The deforming member may be formed as a separate washer assembled on the fastener or may be made integral with the fastener head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen R. Kornblum
  • Patent number: 7307204
    Abstract: A drum includes a cylindrical body, a cylindrical head frame, which is fitted to the outer circumference of the body, a hoop located at the outer circumference of a head, lugs located at the outer circumference of the body, lug nuts, and lug bolts. A loosening prevention structure is located between the lower surface of the head of each lug bolt and the upper surface of the hoop. Each loosening prevention structure is formed by a washer with rubber according to a preferred embodiment. The washer with rubber is formed by an annular elastic body and a bowl-shaped cover. The elastic body is made of rubber. The cover includes a cylindrical portion, which covers the outer circumference of the elastic body. The cylindrical portion is formed to be shorter than the elastic body along the axial direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fusamitsu Ito
  • Patent number: 7261506
    Abstract: A washer for a threaded fastener assembly and a threaded fastener assembly incorporating such a washer. The washer includes a body having a central axis including two opposed sides an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a central aperture extending between the two opposed sides. The body incorporates an engaging face for frictionally engaging a component of the threaded fastener assembly or a work-piece. A ramp structure extends angularly between the inner periphery and one side for interacting with a further component of the threaded fastener assembly to provide a mechanical connection therebetween for resisting unthreading of the threaded fastener assembly. The engaging face is associated with the other side and extends circumferentially about the central axis. The relative positions of the engaging face and the ramp structure with respect to the central axis is such that in use torque transferred through the engaging face is greater than torque acting through the ramp structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Hanna Maria Smolarek
  • Patent number: 7160074
    Abstract: In one aspect, a holder mountable to a friable substrate may include a self-drilling anchor, a wall engaging flange having an opening for receiving a fastener, and at least one leg extending from the flange for holding an object. In another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor having a drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a wall engaging flange, and at least one leg for holding an object. In still another aspect, a holder may include a self-drilling anchor having a screw-like drilling portion longer than a drywall thickness followed by a high-threaded portion, a drywall engaging flange having a recess for receiving a rotary driver and a pair of openings each capable of receiving a threaded fastener and engaging threads thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Ernst, George B. Dowse, Joseph J. Dunk, Cheryl L. Panasik
  • Patent number: 7156598
    Abstract: A fastener is configured for use in the manufacture of molded plastic components that will be subsequently attached to other components by the fastener. The low profile head portion of the fastener has a rounded contoured and convoluted top surface to facilitate the flow of plastic material around the head portion during the molding process. The underside of the head portion is formed with a square face surrounded circumferentially by circumferential land surfaces that provides a high pull-out force resistance for the fastener. The square face on the underside and convoluted top surface of the head portion provides a high spin-out torque resistance without sacrificing the pull-out force resistance. The rounded edges of the head portion are compatible with molding processes to allow the flow of plastic material to fully encapsulate the head portion within the molded plastic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Tibbenham, David Dean, Wieslaw Zaydel, Michelle Winowski-Zaydel
  • Patent number: 7014404
    Abstract: A nut member has first and second end faces and corners, and is formed with a plurality of protrusions, each of which is disposed at a respective corner and each of which has a lateral inner face that extends from the second end face, and a plurality of recesses, each of which is indented inwardly from a respective corner and each of which is defined by a recess-defining wall. The recess-defining wall has a lateral outer face that extends from the first end face. Each protrusion is received in and meshes with a respective recess, and the lateral outer face is in face-to-face contact with the lateral inner face when two of the nut bodies are stacked and are tensioned on a screw bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Chiang
  • Patent number: 7014406
    Abstract: A fastener includes an axial shank and a clamping face extending radially from the shank. A plurality of serrations are formed on the clamping face and extend radially from a shank periphery to an outer periphery of the clamping face. The shank periphery is axially displaced away from the clamping face relative to the outer periphery of the clamping face to define a ramped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Jerry Wayne Robertson
  • Patent number: 7001125
    Abstract: A self-attaching female fastener such as a pierce nut having an annular pilot, an annular flange surrounding the pilot and an annular groove in the flange bearing surface surrounding the pilot, wherein the bottom wall of the groove includes wedge-shaped recesses dividing the groove bottom wall into segments having parallel sides defined by the adjacent wedge-shaped recesses and the inclined outer wall of the pilot is deformed radially during installation to entrap and compact panel metal in the groove forming a sealed secure installation having improved push-off and anti-rotation strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley E. Wojciechowski, John M. Parker
  • Patent number: 6979158
    Abstract: A cage nut assembly includes a nut and a cage wrapped therearound. The nut has a number of stand-offs or protrusions provided on a lower surface thereof such that the stand-offs are the only part of the nut which are in contact with the cage. The stand-offs reduce the amount of bearing surface interface between the cage and the nut thus reducing the possibility that the two parts will stick to each other after a coating is applied to the mating surface which the cage is welded to. The nut is engaged by a male threaded fastener which is torqued into place and the stand-offs push into the material of the cage causing the cage material to flow out of the way such that the stand-offs embed into the material of the cage without deforming the stand-offs to a flattened condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: James Patrick Clinch, Paul Douglas Purdy, James Ray Berkshire
  • Patent number: 6971830
    Abstract: Device for the fixing of a part to a panel equipped with a drilling, such device comprising a saddle with two facing arms drilled with coaxial holes one, of which has a shank forming a nut. The arms being able to be placed on either side of the panel with their holes facing the aforementioned drilling. One arm is equipped with a lug in which one of the holes is made. The lug may include a protruding ridge able to be lodged in the aforementioned drilling to allow for the saddle to be snapped onto and thus fixed to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: I.T.W. De France
    Inventors: Martial Hulin, Christophe Trepreau
  • Patent number: 6966735
    Abstract: In a screw locking assembly a pair of washers having inclined surfaces are interposed between a screw member on a tightening side and a member to be tightened, with the inclined surfaces being mutually contacted. These inclined surfaces circle around once in spiral form with a lead angle ? smaller than a lead angle ? of the screw, and both ends thereof are connected with a tier face in the axial direction. By conducting an initial-tightening in a state with an interval of a preset angle maintained between the tier faces, and tightening and rotating the screw member on the tightening side until the tier faces come into contact with each other, a tightening force proportional to that angle is generated, and the tightening force is controlled surely with precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Masaki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6925820
    Abstract: A condensing unit which includes a base plate having first and second oppositely disposed major surfaces. The base plate may include flanges disposed along the outer periphery of the base plate. A compressor mechanism and a condensing coil are mounted to the first major surface which faces a first direction. The flanges may also extend in the first direction. The second major surface may be substantially free of projections and define a bearing surface for the condensing unit. The motor of the compressor may have a main shaft which extends substantially parallel to the first major surface. The compressor may be a rotary compressor. There may be a conduit in fluid communication with the compressor and condensing coil and define together therewith a fluid circuit. Valves rotatably mounted on brackets and in fluid communication with the fluid circuit and operably couplable to an evaporator circuit may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Sukru Erisgen
  • Patent number: 6908272
    Abstract: A fastener nut is formed with anti-cross threading features that include a rounded or chamfered edge at the entry end to the nut, followed by an unthreaded cylindrical counterbore that extends axially from the entry end to the threaded section of the bore. The rounded or chamfered entry end prevents cross threading and the unthreaded section is of sufficient length to ensure substantially collinear alignment between the threaded fastener and the correspondingly threaded nut before threaded engagement occurs. An optional radiused portion is formed between the unthreaded and threaded sections of the nut to further prevent cross threading. The nut can be a weld nut formed with weld protrusions which enable the nut to be welded to a large structural member before mating engagement with a threaded fastener occurs. The nut can additionally have convex or concave or other tactile feed back features that induce vibration when a large off-angle is being attempted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Nilsen, Michael E. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040009051
    Abstract: An anti-loosening fastener comprises a head having an upper side and an underside. A shank extends from the middle of the underside of the head. A nut, a concentric counter-bored section and a gripping surface are formed in the upper side of the head. A plurality of protrusions are disposed radially along a perimeter of the underside of the head. A method of use is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Wesley J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6616391
    Abstract: A fastener for use in conjunction with plastic lumber is provided with an undercut head and radially projecting helical flutes on the shank which combine to contain plastic lumber material displaced by the shank and head beneath the head, permitting a single step installation to produce a finished appearance. The helical flutes have an opposed helical orientation to the screw threads. This opposed relationship causes the flutes to push displaced plastic lumber material away from the screw head while the flutes bore a space for plastic lumber material displaced by countersinking the screw head. The undercut head may be provided with a series of teeth around the underside of the head periphery. The teeth aid in penetrating the surface of the plastic lumber. The teeth also resist backing out of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Olympic Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Druschel
  • Patent number: 6484984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bracket-mounting assembly for mounting a bar bracket to a vehicle frame, the bar bracket being adapted to carry vehicle accessories such as a mudflap. The bracket-mounting assembly attaches to a vehicle frame via a single bolt passed through a penetration in the vehicle frame and threadably connected to the bracket-mounting assembly by a central threaded hole in the bracket-mounting assembly. The bracket-mounting assembly further includes a generally vertically-oriented shaft opening for receiving a portion of the bar bracket and supporting the bar bracket with respect to the vehicle frame. The bracket-mounting assembly includes a rotation-resisting connector for inhibiting rotation of the bracket-mounting assembly relative to the vehicle frame about the axis of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers Incorporated
    Inventor: Timothy R. Hawes
  • Patent number: 6435788
    Abstract: An insert for thread repair having an interior thread and a specially formed exterior thread which both precludes upheaval between sides of the cracked material on opposite sides of the crack and draws the crack together, radially inward towards the center of the insert. The insert may include a driving head, either solid or having a central hollow and may include a frangible neck to dissociate the head from the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Jack Reed
  • Patent number: 6382893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and device which allows the replacement of a damaged thread in an object with a thread identical to the damaged thread by enlarging the original threaded hole and inserting a thread-insert in a newly threaded hole in the object which has an internally threaded hole identical to the original threaded hole. The thread-insert is fastened into the enlarged hole using a thread that securely holds it in place. When the thread-insert is threaded into the enlarged threaded hole, a pocket formed below the drive head of the thread-insert causes metal flow into the pocket to create a seal between the thread-insert and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gary J. Reed
  • Patent number: 6367224
    Abstract: A connection is created between a first member and a second member. The connector used to join the first and second members includes the following members: an attachment member, a plurality of fasteners that are received by the attachment member, and an anchor member that is also received by the attachment member. These members can be arranged in the following manner with respect to the first and second members. The fasteners are received by the attachment member and anchored in the second member. The fasteners are driven into the second member through the attachment member, thus the heads of the fasteners are closer to the attachment member than the leading tips of the fasteners. At least one of the fasteners lies at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Leek
  • Patent number: 6302629
    Abstract: The present invention is disclose a metal screw for attaching two thin panels together, such as an anti-loose fastener for joining metal panels. It comprises plurality of relatively small integral tapered angle blocks on underside of the head of the fastener spaced from one another by substantially planar uninterrupted portions of said head and projecting axially therefrom for engaging workpiece. And, the tapered angle block can generate counter stresses which can absorb any ways of torque; namely, be suitable for working in direction instability high frequency vibration environment, and won't loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: National Aerospace Fasteners Corp.
    Inventor: Ya-Tsun Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6176665
    Abstract: A threaded fastener having a threaded shaft with a head disposed on a portion thereof and a deflectable flange protruding outwardly from the shaft at or near the head. The deflectable flange has a generally concave surface facing toward a leading end of the fastener shaft. A protuberance is disposed on the shaft and spaced apart axially from the generally concave surface of the deflectable flange to limit compression of a fixture clamped between the fastener head and a work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Bondarowicz, Ryan W. O'Nell, James D. Jones, William G. Stlaske, Amy L. Williams
  • Patent number: 6095738
    Abstract: A Tee nut and method of manufacture is provided which T-nut includes a flange and a hollow barrel extending from the flange. The flange is general circular and has a pair of pawls extending upwardly therefrom, each of which terminates in teeth for engaging a base member. The barrel has an end portion proximal to the flange and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion has internal female threads and the distal end portion has a smooth unthreaded inner surface. The wall thickness of the distal end portion is thinner than the wall thickness of the proximal end portion, and the outer wall diameter is essentially constant for the length of the barrel.The barrel is formed first as an elongate member extending from a strip of material initially having a constant inner diameter and an outer diameter of the proximal portion greater than the outer diameter of the distal portion, with the distal portion having a wall thickness thinner than the wall thickness of the proximal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Stafast Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Selle
  • Patent number: 6065614
    Abstract: A module support structure is proposed for printed circuit boards which can be inserted on guide rails. The four parallel module rails of the module support structure to which the guide rails are mounted are connected to the two parallel side walls via a special mounting technique. Specially shaped mounting bolts are used with a head bolt having a flat seating surface, a substantially cylindrical threaded shaft, as well as a transition piece disposed between the bolt head and the threaded shaft and tapering in a conical manner towards the threaded shaft. The mounting bolts are fed through cylindrical mounting holes in the module rails. During tightening, the transition piece abuts against the outer edge of the mounting holes to force the module rails against the projections disposed above or below the mounting holes. In this manner, an exact positioning of the module rails relative to the side walls is necessarily effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Gunther, Paul Mazura, Volker Haag, Klaus Pfeifer, Klaus-Michael Thalau, Michael Joist, Udo Weiss
  • Patent number: 6048150
    Abstract: A forged, integral bolt (20) has a head, a tapered neck (22), a shank, and a plurality of plastically deformable, raised, contact surface portions (31) uniformly positioned adjacent the neck and extending axially and radially of the bolt for spreading a load applied to the bolt. Each raised portion has a base portion contiguous the neck, and an elongated, V-shaped, ridge portion raised above the base which is constructed to contact and fay with a congruent wall portion of a bolt bore (12) in a support structure. The bolt may have various shapes. (FIGS. 1-3, 10-23). The ridges may extend up onto the sides of the head. (FIG. 9). The ridge portions and base portions may be integrally forged as a pair of symmetrical, self-aligning, inserts (40) separate from, but mating with, opposite sides of the neck when a load is applied to the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald C. Clarke