Abstract: A secure connection (10) of a component to a sheet material including, an extent of thin sheet metal (20) having an attaching surface (36), a component (30) having a mating surface (37) abutting the attaching surface, an aperture (35) in the mating surface, and a tapping screw (40) threaded in the aperture and penetrating the attaching surface, the aperture sized relative to the size of the screw as a function of the thickness of the component, whereby the tapping screw has portions of the sheet metal clamped between the tapping screw and the component for establishing retentive forces between the component and the sheet-metal material.

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.

Abstract: A compression clip of the present invention comprises a bolt and a self-tightening member having two side sections and a grooved intermediate section therebetween. The intermediate section has a hole for receiving the bolt. Preferably, the intermediate section has grooves on both an interior and exterior surface thereof. After tightening of the clip, the intermediate section flattens to become somewhat planar and the side sections are compressed inward to securely engage a guide rail or wear strip within the clip.

Abstract: A stud (24) and shell (10) arrangement wherein the shell (10) has openings (16 and 18) with a reinforcing ring (22) that is offset from a planar surface (20) and the stud (24) has a head (36) with a groove (38) located between the shank (30) and an arcuate section (40) adjacent its periphery (42). The ring (22) is located in the groove (38) and a cylindrical section (34) adjacent the head (36) is sheared to define a flange (35) that engages the ring (22) causing a portion thereof to flow around ribs (44), in the groove (38) and seal openings (16 and 18). Each of the ribs (44) has a first surface (52) which extends in a plane perpendicular to groove (38) and a second surface (56) which slope from an apex (54) toward the groove (38). The material from flange (35) engages the first surface (52) to resist torque that may be applied to both attach and remove a nut therefrom.

Abstract: A knob and shaft assembly for operating, for example, a vehicle air brake control valve includes a knob member having a front face and a barrel projecting the face, and a shaft member which is threadedly engaged with the threads carried on the circumferentially extending wall defining cavity within the barrel. The assembly is provided with locking detents comprising protrusions on the shaft which are received within apertures on the barrel to releasably lock the knob member to the shaft member, thereby preventing the members from being accidentally becoming disengaged, and also assuring the proper orientation of the knob with respect to the shaft to permit indicia embossed on the knob member to be easily read by the operator.

Abstract: A device for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in a nuclear fuel assembly during reactor heatup is disclosed herein. The device generally comprises a stress relieving fastener capable of connecting a fuel assembly top nozzle, which may be stainless steel, to a threaded stud, which may be Zircaloy. The stud is attached to a fuel assembly channel. The fastener includes a threaded nut having a deformable portion for relieving thermally induced stresses developed in the stud by the differential thermal expansion of the top nozzle and stud. In a first embodiment of the nut, the deformable portion comprises a circumferential, deformable ridge which is substantially recessed from the marginal edge of the nut and which is disposed on the bottom most surface of the nut. The ridge contacts the top nozzle when the nut threadedly engages the stud. A second embodiment of the nut is similar to the first embodiment except that the deformable ridge is disposed flush with the marginal edge of the nut.

Abstract: A locknut having a single-turn thread for securing electrical fittings, threaded conduit and the like to electrical junction boxes and the like is disclosed. The locknut comprises a generally cylindrical portion, a flange portion attached to the cylindrical portion, a plurality of teeth attached to and projecting radially outwardly of the flange portion and axially beyond the end of the flange portion, and a standard thread attached to and extending for substantially only a single turn interiorly of the cylindrical portion. The thread has an included angle corresponding to that of a standard thread, for example, 60.degree.. The teeth seat against a work surface when the locknut is threaded onto the fitting and act as springs which can compensate for a small degree of element loosening by spring recovery. In addition, the thread of the locknut is flexible so that both the teeth and thread act as springs working in conjunction with each other.

Abstract: A nut having a threaded opening in which the sides of the threads are substantially uniformly coated from root to crest thereof with a thermoplastic material; also the method of producing the article in which an excess of powdered thermoplastic material is provided to fill the threaded opening with an excess of material extending beyond an end of the opening. Thereafter, the material is compacted by pressure or vibration to insure that the powdered material substantially fills the thread grooves. The nut is then heated, softening or melting those particles in contact with the thread surfaces, adhering them thereto, after which the remaining material in the threaded opening is eliminated.