Interference Fit Type Patents (Class 411/339)
  • Patent number: 5842822
    Abstract: The new fastener has a shank which is resiliently compressible along an axis perpendicular to the shank push-in axis and has teeth protruding from the shank along the axis of resilient compressibility. The teeth are inclined in the push-in direction and in the pull-out direction. When the shank is pushed into an existing screw hole, then inclines of teeth just past the far side of the screw hole are increased to resist motion in the pull-out direction so that the shank is secured in the screw hole and so that the fastener can be pulled out without damage. The shank is configured to increase the compressibility and to increase the elastic force opposing compression. The shank can be a monolithic part of a first structure fastened to a second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Everett Industries Inc
    Inventors: Gerald W. Everett, Ralph R. Trimnell
  • Patent number: 5842382
    Abstract: The control cable self-adjusting device has an extended cylindrically shaped hollow base body (5) open at one of its ends (9) and a regulating stem (6) held inside the interior of the base body (5) by a retaining device. The closed end (10) of the base body (5) and the front end (15) of the regulating stem (6) are connected to respective intermediate ends (13,14) of the sheath (4) of a control cable (2). The retaining device (7) includes a saw-toothed threaded section (25) in the interior of the base body (5) and a retaining coil (26) connected to the stem (6) and engaged with the threaded section (25). The control cable length adjustment is made by pulling apart the intermediate ends (14,15) of the sheath (4) to deform the retaining coil (26) and move it from the inside to the outside of the base body (5) or by screwing the base body (5) on the stem (6) in either direction via the retaining coil (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Fico Cables S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Gabas
  • Patent number: 5827598
    Abstract: A penetration seal (12) is provided including a flexible patch (14) having adhesive (20) applied to one of the patch's first and second face surfaces (16), (18). An opening (22) is formed in the patch (14) of a size predetermined to fit a particular penetration (24). The opening (22) is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the penetration (24). In addition, a method of sealing the space (28) between an aircraft penetration (24) and surrounding insulation material (26) is provided. The method includes providing a seal (12) having a patch (14) with first and second face surfaces (16), (18), an opening (22) in the patch (14), and adhesive (20) applied to the first face surface (16). The method further includes applying the patch (14) to the penetration and insulation material by passing the penetration (24) through the opening (22) at the first face and pressing the first face surface (16) to the insulation material (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John T. Larsen, John E. Huber
  • Patent number: 5797713
    Abstract: A orthopedic support unit fastener composed of a female portion which is molded directly as part of an orthopedic support component such as a sternum brace and has reinforcing ridges extending between an outer ring and a central receptacle which receives a male portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: The Jerome Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Anne Gravell Tweardy, George Emmer Moore
  • Patent number: 5775863
    Abstract: A fastener includes a post and a clip. The post is formed with a head and an elongated shank extending therefrom, longitudinally spaced and radially extending ribs being formed at the free end of the shank. The clip is formed with an opening for receiving the shank, a forward split collar section generally surrounding said opening, a resilient center section, and a pair of wings extending rearwardly, from the center section. When the wings are squeezed together, the shoulder sections separate for slipping over and around the free end portion of the post as the shank is received into the opening in the clip. When the wings are released, the shoulder sections resiliently return toward one another to engage the shank between two adjacent ribs for interlocking engagement between the clip and the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jennifer Elisabeth Anderson
  • Patent number: 5772380
    Abstract: A lightweight, two piece adjustable attachment device provides simple installation into a part, develops robust strength, and enables alignment of a retaining screw or bolt axis with the longitudinal axis of a threaded mounting hole, despite part to mount misalignment caused by tolerance build-up in a complex assembly. The adjustable attachment device is designed to provide sufficient overlap on each side of the part of the edges of the circular receiving aperture that the adjustable attachment device is able to withstand great force without pulling out of the part. The adjustable attachment device includes a fastener receiving slot that extends across the adjustable attachment device. The adjustable attachment device is installed into a circular receiving aperture in a part to be assembled onto a larger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher L. Schwitters
  • Patent number: 5741102
    Abstract: The new fastener has a shank which is resiliently compressible along an axis perpendicular to the shank push-in axis and has teeth protruding from the shank along the axis of resilient compressibility. The teeth are inclined in the push-in direction and in the pull-out direction. When the shank is pushed into an existing screw hole, then inclines of teeth just past the far side of the screw hole are increased to resist motion in the pull-out direction so that the shank is secured in the screw hole and so that the fastener can be pulled-out without damage. The shank can be integrally part of a first structure being fastened to a second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Everett Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Everett, Ralph R. Trimnell
  • Patent number: 5704749
    Abstract: A fastener assembly having a receptacle attached to the underside of a substructure and extending through a hole within the substructure which are both generally aligned with a panel with a hole adapted to receive a threaded bolt. The hole in the panel has a cylindrical portion. The fastener extends through the panel which is being secured to the substructure and enters the receptacle before engaging a threaded section within the receptacle. The dimensions are sized so that the central section of the fastener engages the central section of the receptacle before the tapered section of the fastener contacts the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel. Continued rotation of the fastener causes the tapered section on the fastener to enter the cylindrical portion of the hole in the panel, exerting a lateral force on the panel to align the hole in the panel with the bore in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Landgrebe
  • Patent number: 5672036
    Abstract: A bolt and nut formed from a plastic material are provided with the bolt having proximate and distal ends and the nut having an interior surface defining a bore. Raised projection members are formed integrally extending from the nut interior surface into the bore and together define a diameter slightly smaller than the shank diameter. In this manner, an interference fit is provided between the shank and projection members. With the bolt shank inserted through aligned holes in parts to be fastened, the nut can be mounted on the distal end of the bolt shank, as by a force fit, and slid thereon by exerting an axial force on the nut until the parts are clamped between the bolt head and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventor: James Medal
  • Patent number: 5662399
    Abstract: A ready-to-assemble cabinet including two upstanding side panels, at least two fixed shelves between the side panels, a folding back panel attached to the side panels, and hardware for holding the components together. The cabinet may optionally include additional fixed and adjustable shelves. The back panel is preattached to the side panels by the manufacturer to create a back panel/side panel sub-assembly. The back panel includes a number of vertically scored fold lines running from top to bottom, which delineate longitudinal sections of the back panel. The scored fold lines permit the sub-assembly to be folded accordion-style for packaging, whereby the back panel sections are sandwiched between the side panels. Serrated plastic dowel pins hold the shelves to the side panels to eliminate the need for tools and/or adhesives and permit assembly of the cabinet in only three to five minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Doxey Furniture Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Henkel, William A. Matzke, James T. Phillips
  • Patent number: 5636955
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting loudspeakers in a panel. A hole is formed in the panel. An outer ring having a flange is secured in the hole with the flange on one side of the panel. An inner resilient ring is collapsed, passed through the outer ring to the other side of the panel, expanded and secured to the outer ring. This locks the rings together. A loudspeaker is secured in the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventors: Dana B. Hathaway, J. Craig Oxford
  • Patent number: 5609434
    Abstract: A rigid assembly of at least two intersecting constituent members which form between them at least one engagement canal made of two opposite holes in two brackets of one constituent member, each with an inwardly converging wall, and a registering transversal bore with divergent end portions in the other constituent member. A tightening device is accommodated within each engagement canal which comprises a first cylindrical member with a centrally bored frusto-conical head portion, a second cylindrical member slidably accommodated therein and having a screw-threaded central bore and a frusto-conical head portion, and a tightening screw connecting both cylindrical members, each of said frusto-conical head portions being of smaller size than the associated bracket hole and having a slant matching that of the side wall of the latter. When the tightening screw is tightened, the first and second cylindrical members of the tightening device are drawn together and the constituent members are fastened to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: State of Israel, Ministry of Defence, The Rafael Armament Development Authority
    Inventors: Oded Yehezkieli, Israel Kehaty
  • Patent number: 5601469
    Abstract: A fastening device for cloth dolls and decorative articles comprises a fastening assembly and a button ring. The fastening assembly has a pin head portion with a relatively large diameter. There is a pin hole formed axially in the pin head portion. A fastening portion is formed behind the pin head portion. There is an annular fastening groove formed on the fastening portion. The fastening assembly runs through a through hole disposed on the cloth doll's skin. A button ring is used to engage with the fastening groove, thus to firmly secure the fastening assembly on the cloth doll. The decorative article has a protrusive pin disposed at the corresponding position of the pin hole on the cloth doll. Thereby, the decorative article can be movably fastened on the cloth doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Chen C. Yang
  • Patent number: 5586853
    Abstract: A fastener cage for retaining a fastener on a panel comprises a retainer and a collar which sandwich a rigid substrate of the panel and snap-fit together in interconnecting relationship through a hole in the substrate. The retainer retains an anchoring end of the fastener and the collar and the retainer transmit pushing and pulling forces on the panel substrate through extensive areas of the respective inner and outer side of the substrate surrounding the hole. The retainer and collar are formed with a central opening for the insertion of the fastener and a thin inexpensive cover is adhered to the retainer to close the opening therein to prevent the entry of plastic foam that is formed against the inner side of the panel substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Davidson Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Poe
  • Patent number: 5584631
    Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a retainer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the shank. The retainer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a tube or wire of Ni--Ti and cutting the retainer out of the tube/wire. The retainer accommodates wear in moving parts held together by the retainer and pin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: The Beta Group
    Inventors: John F. Krumme, William H. Humphries, Sr., Thomas W. Duerig, Michael D. Perry
  • Patent number: 5580204
    Abstract: A fastener assembly and method for attaching a first member to a second member. The fastener assembly includes a socket member which defines a socket and a stud which includes a head engagable with the socket of the nut. The stud is attached to a first member and the nut is attached to a second member. The assembly is initially attached to the first member by attaching the stud to the first member and then inserting the nut into the second member. When the first member must be removed from the second member, the head of the stud is forcibly disengaged from the socket of the nut. Reattachment of the first member the second member is achieved by forcibly engaging the head with the socket. After the initial insertion, the socket member remains captively retained on the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan E. Hultman
  • Patent number: 5575601
    Abstract: A fastener assembly formed of molded plastic components and comprising helically grooved studs interference fitted into smooth walled cylindrical bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Heelix Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: James Skufca, Matthew R. Skufca, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5560731
    Abstract: A plug connector for making a connection joint between an axially aligned pair of hollow spacer profiles of insulating glass panes is configured as an essentially U-shape cross section with a center web and a pair of side webs extending from the center web to define with the center web a cavity in the plug connector. The plug connector is characterized by a bottom plate extending between the side webs for closing the cavity in and only in the region of the connection joint between the spacer profiles. Preferably the bottom plate consists of one or two lobes bent at an angle from the side webs and pointing towards an inner side of the spacer profiles. The plug connector preferably has siccative disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Helmut Lingemann
    Inventor: Max Kronenberg
  • Patent number: 5553368
    Abstract: A piercing grommet which pierces an insulation blanket. A snap-on retainer slides over a spiked portion of the piercing grommet and snaps in place adjacent the bottom of the spike. The spike can then be removed. A seal is created by contact adhesive between the insulation blanket and the grommet in order to prevent moisture ingress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David M. Barry
  • Patent number: 5551817
    Abstract: A fastener 1 includes a stud 2 and a nut 3. The stud comprises a shank 21 having a breakable portion 22 at a mid portion thereof, a resilient section 24 formed at one end of the shank, a nut engagement portion including a threaded portion 28 extending up to the breakable portion along the shank, and a flange 23 disposed between the end of the shank and the nut engagement portion. The nut comprises an axial hole to allow the shank of the stud to pass therethrough, resilient engagement pawls 35 on the inner wall of the axial hole for resilient-engagement with the nut engagement portion of the stud, and a flange receiving surface 37 to abut upon the flange of the stud. The stud is inserted into holes of panels with the engagement section being inserted first and the nut is fitted over the stud with the flange receiving surface facing the panels. The shank is then drawn to break the breakable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Kanie
  • Patent number: 5549416
    Abstract: A device for joining two members together such as concrete segments for a tunnel lining ring includes a first sleeve for fitting in one of the members to open at a surface thereof and a second sleeve for fitting in the other member. A connecting pin with external ribbing fits in both sleeves, which have internal ribbing, the ribbing of the connecting pin and/or the ribbing of at least one of said sleeves being of resilient material and extending in a substantially parallel direction at an inclined angle to a longitudinal axis of the connecting pin when it is, in use, inserted in the sleeves. The bore of one sleeve is of greater cross-sectional area in one dimension than the bore in the other sleeve, in which other bore the connecting pin can engage as a tight fit, while being able to engage in the firstmentioned bore and traverse it in said one dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: C.V. Buchan Limited
    Inventors: Norman S. Thomas, Christopher R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5540530
    Abstract: A uni-directional slack adjuster is incorporated into a hold-down tension rod or strap, such as a hold-down anchor bolt for bolting a shear wall on one floor to a shear wall or foundation wall below, when a wood floor joist assembly is in between. The slack adjuster eliminates bolt slack so that in the event of an earthquake or hurricane, the sill plate is positively anchored with no vertical bolt play, eliminating much of the cosmetic damage that is often done to the wallboard and other finished surfaces due to distortion of the wallboard framing as the sill rises abruptly until it reaches the end of travel on the hold-down bolts. The slack adjuster comprises a link in the tensioner and non-reversibly either expands or contracts axially depending on the particular embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Fazekas
  • Patent number: 5522635
    Abstract: Apparatus for removably attaching a tonneau cover to a pick-up truck bed comprises a rectangular framework formed of four individual, elongated frame members each having a longitudinally extending channel formed therein. An elongated, plastic extrusion having first and second, longitudinally extending, resilient, spaced walls is slidingly inserted within each of the channels in the frame members. A plurality of male fastening elements each having a rigid, rectangular snap portion with a trapezoidal-shaped terminal end are fixed in spaced relation to the peripheral edges of the cover. A lip is formed about each snap portion which engages first and second flanges formed on the first and second walls of the extrusion upon pressing the snap portion of a fastener in the extrusion channel formed between the first and second walls thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Darrin Downey
  • Patent number: 5518215
    Abstract: An insulation support pin extender is disclosed for engaging insulation batts of thickness greater than can be accommodated by known support pins. The extender comprises a tubular oval shank adapted to encompass the tine of a mounted support pin, the extender including a projecting shaft defining an extension of the shank. The shaft includes a rib to render same resistant to bending, except at positions in registry with paired recesses formed at the sides of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Duro Dyne Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5507610
    Abstract: A fastener for releasably securing first and second panels together includes a pin for being secured in an opening of a first panel, and a grommet for being secured in an opening of the second panel and for releasably receiving a shank of the pin to thereby releasably secure the first and second panels together. The pin includes a shank having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential grooves thereon, and a pair of spaced apart flanges connected to an end of the shank for securing the pin in the opening of the first panel. The grommet includes a tubular body defining a passageway for receiving the shank and has at least one longitudinal slot opening outwardly to an end thereof to define a radially pliant portion of the tubular body. A flange may be connected to the tubular body adjacent an end thereof opposite the longitudinal slot and cooperates with a plurality of tabs connected to the tubular body to secure the grommet within the opening of the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Benedetti, Zdravko Kovac
  • Patent number: 5505465
    Abstract: An improved cartridge mounted mechanical seal for providing a seal between a housing and a rotatable shaft is provided, including at least one radial stud which extends from the inside of the rotary sleeve of the seal through the rotary sleeve and into the lock collar of the seal so as to transmit torque from the shaft to the rotating face of the seal. The radial stud is preferably removably insertable into said lock collar and is held axially in place by an elastomeric o-ring positioned in a groove in the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: John Hornsby
  • Patent number: 5477929
    Abstract: A garden tool that has a tool member coupled to a hollow aluminum handle by a nylon spacer and a pair of threaded nylon rivets,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Malco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bert Kenyon, Doug Ebbecke
  • Patent number: 5454676
    Abstract: A safety screw for skates, including a male part, provided with a first head and with a first internally threaded stem, and a female part, provided with a second head and with a second stem that has a complementarily threaded first seat for the first stem. In this screw, the male part has an axial external reeding which is adjacent to the first head and has a slightly larger diameter than the first stem. The reeding interacts with a second seat that has a slightly smaller diameter. The second seat is formed at the free end of the female part, and is contiguous to the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Roces S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gino Conte
  • Patent number: 5447399
    Abstract: A bolt, rivet or similar fastener for fastening separate structural parts has a shank, and a tubular cover member covering at least part of the periphery of the shank for preventing a stress from concentrating in part of the shank. The cover member is made of a material having greater deformability or greater elastic strain energy than the material constituting the shank or is made of a material having a relatively small coefficient of friction. When vibration or impact acts on the fastener, the cover member disperses the resulting stress to protect the shank against breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Aupac Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yoshida, Hiroyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5444603
    Abstract: A push-on fixer for screw engagement in which a plurality of radially extending notches are formed in a circumferential edge region of a circular hole formed at a center portion of a thin discoid body, and a plurality of inner plate spring pieces are formed on the circumferential edge region of the circular hole so as to allow insertion of an aiming screw into the circular hole and so as to clamp the inserted aiming screw, is provided. An aiming screw is inserted into an aiming screw insertion hole of a lamp body of an automobile head lamp, and is retained so as to be prevented from coming out of the lamp body. A plurality of outer plate spring pieces which press against a push-on fixer abutment surface of the lamp body and a plurality of clamp release claws for releasing the clamping of the screw by the screw clamp plate spring pieces are formed on the outer circumferential edge of the thin discoid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Otsuka, Masayoshi Unno, Hideki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 5435679
    Abstract: A piercing grommet which pierces an insulation blanket. A snap-on retainer slides over a spiked portion of the piercing grommet and snaps in place adjacent the bottom of the spike. The spike can then be removed. A seal is created by contact adhesive between the insulation blanket and the grommet in order to prevent moisture ingress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David M. Barry
  • Patent number: 5423351
    Abstract: A fastener for fastening together a plurality of members, such as the plurality of members comprising a tube plug, and a method for plugging an opening in a solid member, which may be a tube, for preventing the flow of fluid through the opening in a solid member or through the tube, such as a nuclear steam generator tube, comprises a first member, such as a shell, a second member, such as a bolt, and locking structure. A deformable tab portion of the locking structure may have an undercut positioned so that when the second member is installed within the first member, a first surface of the undercut is bent toward a second surface of the undercut thereby plastically deforming the tab portion into a recess in at least one of the first and the second members for automatically securing together the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Keating
  • Patent number: 5417530
    Abstract: A clip for fastening an insulation having several layers, such as used on spacecraft. A counterhold which snaps onto the end of an elongated pin is made from an elongated strip of foil backed elastically deformable material. Holes in the elongated strip having a diameter such that they can lock in engagement with an annularly grooved portion of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Grossner
  • Patent number: 5395193
    Abstract: A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a belleville washer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the washer. The washer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a sheet of Ni-Ti and cutting or stamping the washer out of the sheet. The washer is also plastically deformed into a conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: The Beta Group
    Inventors: John F. Krumme, William H. Humphries, Sr., Thomas W. Duerig, Michael D. Perry
  • Patent number: 5362172
    Abstract: A press fit assembly boss for aligning and assembling the case walls of a diskette includes a circular cylindrical post formed on the upper case wall and a cylindrical socket formed on the lower case wall. The inner surface of the socket includes two opposing planar sections separated by a distance less than the outer diameter of the post. Insertion of the post in the socket deforms the post to secure the post within the socket without creating any debris during assembly or disassembly. The cylindrical post has thin walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David L. Hubbling
  • Patent number: 5342393
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for sealing a perforation in the wall of, for example, a blood vessel. The device is in the form of a two part closure which seals the hole by clamping the tissue surrounding the hole from both the inside and the outside of the vessel. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, two rivet portions are provided which are bayonet or screw threadedly interlocked to clamp the vessel wall about the perforation. An alternate embodiment applies heat to couple the rivet parts as well as to cauterize the wound site. Heat may also advantageously be used to separate the rivet from its delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Richard S. Stack
  • Patent number: 5339491
    Abstract: A sealed retainer grommet apparatus for securing a standard retainer member to a vehicle body panel. The apparatus generally includes a frusto-conical portion, an intermediate portion and a top portion. Both the top portion and a first end portion of the frusto-conical portion are generally circular in shape and have outer diameters which are larger than an outer diameter of the intermediate portion, which is also preferably circular in shape, to thereby form a channel. The apparatus 10 is secured to the body panel by inserting the frusto-conical portion through an opening of the body panel where the channel receives a section of the body panel member lockably therein. A bore extends through the top portion, the intermediate portion and at least a portion of the frusto-conical portion to define an interior sidewall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Sims
  • Patent number: 5340258
    Abstract: A variable-length distancing unit has a tubular male component with external threads in mesh with the internal threads of a sleeve-like female component. Each component has a head which can be engaged by the working end of a wrench or another torque transmitting tool to rotate the male component relative to the female component and/or vice versa in order to select the axial length of the distancing unit. A locknut and/or a radially extending plastic screw is used to fix the two components in selected axial positions relative to each other. An axial passage of the male component can receive the shank of a bolt or screw. The head of the male component is similar to or identical with the head of the female component and/or with the locknut. This ensures that one and the same tool can be used to turn any one of these parts relative to the adjacent part or parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Werner Simon
  • Patent number: 5336028
    Abstract: A captive screw assembly for mounting in flat panels of widely varying thicknesses. The assembly includes an inverted hollow cup with an outwardly extending flange on its lower edge to engage a back surface of the panel and is temporarily held in place by outwardly-projecting spring tabs. A lower portion of the cup extends through the thickness of an aperture in the panel, while center and upper portions of the cup extend above a front surface of the panel. A cylindrical sleeve is seated over the cup, and a threaded screw extends through the sleeve and the cup. When the screw engages a threaded nut, positioned below the back surface of the panel, the head of the screw urges an upper edge of the sleeve downwardly and causes a lower edge of the sleeve to bear against a ring positioned around the exterior of the cup. When the screw is completely tightened, the panel is gripped between the lower cup flange and the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: VSI Corporation
    Inventor: Albert K. Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5316423
    Abstract: A fastener is disclosed for attaching first and second members. The fastener includes a longitudinal shaft portion having first and second segments each having a cross-sectional shape substantially conforming to the peripheral shape of first and second openings formed in the respective members. The longitudinal length of each segment substantially conforms to the depth of said first and second openings. A cap member is formed at a first end of the shaft portion adjacent and outside the first segment. The cap member is larger than the periphery of the first opening. A spacer member is formed on the shaft portion between the first and second segments. This spacer member has an outer periphery larger than the first and second openings to inhibit passage therethrough so as to secure the first member on the first segment of the shaft portion between the cap member and the spacer member. The fastener also includes an abutment member positioned on the second end of the shaft portion outside of the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Daniel C. C. Kin
  • Patent number: 5316422
    Abstract: A fastener which enables the attachment of an article to a panel having front and rear surfaces and an aperture formed therebetween, particularly in cases where access to the panel is limited to one side only. The fastener includes a stud having a head and a shank, a spring mounted upon said stud, and a washer having a through hole. The shank further includes a first retaining portion for securely engaging the washer within said through hole and a second retaining potion for engaging an article for securement thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Ron D. Coffman
  • Patent number: 5304004
    Abstract: A cap nut and arbor subassembly for an instrument, such as a thermometer, barometer or wind speed indicator, allow an indicator hand to be quickly, positively, and inexpensively held in place. The cap nut and arbor are of plastic, such as high impact styrene, and have an interference fit provided by an elongated projection extending from the cap received within an axially elongated opening in the arbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Brendon G. Nunes
  • Patent number: 5271688
    Abstract: A magic square comprised of a central bearing having six joint axles respectively associated with six central surface segments rotatably secured thereon, twenty edge surface segments being fit in the space formed by the central surface segments to form a three-dimensional square block. Each of the central surface segments comprises a through hole having an inside diameter larger than the joint axle to be rotatably fit on the joint axle. Each of the joint axles has an expanded end with a cone-shaped camming surface, the expanded end defining a step with the joint axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Famwealth International Inc.
    Inventor: Hank Chang
  • Patent number: 5254016
    Abstract: A pair of surface mountable electrical component interconnect devices are mounted in a back-to-back relationship on opposite side surfaces of a printed circuit board using specially designed elongated fastening structures that longitudinally extend through mounting holes in the circuit board and corresponding openings in the support board portions of the interconnect devices. Each of the fastening structures is of a plastic material and comprises male and female telescopingly engageable longitudinal sections, provided with enlarged head portions, that may be simply snapped together in an axial direction to create a firm locking engagement between annular exterior and interior barb portions respectively formed on the male and female sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Ganthier
  • Patent number: 5247549
    Abstract: A spacer pad for a nuclear control rod includes first and second halves each including a head and a shank. The shanks are configured for joining together the pad first and second halves, and the shanks are independently locked together for preventing the disassembly thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second shanks are threadingly joined together, and then independently locked together using a complementary hook and ledge respectively supported by the pad halves which allows assembly together of the pad halves but prevents disassembly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James E. Cearley, Yuen H. Kong
  • Patent number: 5244326
    Abstract: A fastener assembly including a first fastener member adapted to be inserted into a first structural component. The first fastener member includes a head portion and a generally cylindrical shank portion extending from the head portion. The fastener assembly also includes a second fastener member having a head portion and a shank portion extending therefrom. The first and second fastener members include respective internally and externally threaded portions that interengage to secure the fastener members together. One of the fastener members is provided with anti-rotation structure that prevents rotational movement of the fastener members with respect to the structural components, while permitting non-destructive axial removal of the fastener members from the structural components. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-rotational structure is provided as a plurality of longitudinal ridges disposed on an outer surface of the shank portion of one of the fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Arne Henriksen
  • Patent number: 5242058
    Abstract: A screen tie-down for a vibratory separator has a pedestal with a base plate and a post. The post has internal right hand threads for engaging the screen center support stud, and external left hand threads. A jam nut is threaded onto the support stud against the top end of the post. A cap having internal threads is turned onto the external threads of the post. All adjustments to the pedestal height can be made from above the screen and the tie-down cannot be overtightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Sweco, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley N. Jones
  • Patent number: 5226769
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the assembly and disassembly of a first pair (12) and of a second part (10), the first part (12) being securely attached to a first member (14) co-operating with a second member (22) retaining the second part (10) on the first (12). According to the invention, the first member (14) is a stud formed of a shank (16) and of a head (18) and the second member (22) is composed of a sleeve (24) in which slides a piston (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Bendix Europe Services Techniques
    Inventors: Gilles Negre, Jean Fourcade
  • Patent number: 5222988
    Abstract: Device for attaching a fastener to a tarpaulin or tent material which reinforces the area of attachment. The device is comprised of two body pieces with generally circular surfaces. A first body piece has an annular groove and concentrically disposed post adapted to fit into a socket and protrusion of the other body piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: A. Joseph Riley
  • Patent number: 5190424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stud bolt having nonsymmetrical screw threads projecting from the shank thereof, wherein each screw thread of the stud bolt has an inwardly concave curved flank and an outwardly convex curved flank. With this arrangement, the load required to fit a resin clip over the stud bolt can be lowered below that needed for a conventional stud bolt while maintaining the load required to remove the clip equal to or more than that for the conventional bolt. Thus, this stud bolt allows a resin clip to be easily fitted over the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: K.K. Aoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kazino, Muneyuki Onogi