Abstract: A provisional engagement feature for selectively connecting a fastener such as a screw to a driving tool, the fastener incorporating a head with a recess extending therein and a projection contained within the recess for engagement with a corresponding engagement feature and/or selective locking feature of the driving tool.

Abstract: A tool for insertion and extraction of temporary fasteners that enables by a plurality of retractable elements, an automatic engagement of the tool on the head of the temporary fastener, without the need for any rotation of the tool with regard to the head, and by lockable grasping units, operated internally locking elements, a high retention and extraction force is achieved, favouring the elimination of the risk of the clamp detaching itself from the tool, enabling control of the entire insertion and extraction process of temporary fasteners. Rapid, effective automation of the use and procedure of the temporary fasteners can be achieved, improving economic profitability and the reliability of their use.

Abstract: A tamper resistant fastener system includes a threaded fastener having a head provided with uniquely formed and arranged engagement teeth for engaging with complimentarily formed teeth on a socket style torque transmitting drive tool. Engagement of the respective sets of teeth on application of torque from the drive tool in one direction advances the fastener, but application of torque from the drive tool is not effective in an opposed direction to remove the fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus to allow a one-handed operation of mounting a vibration sensor to a mounting pad adhered to a machine. An attachment screw includes a recessed socket with a detent to releasably retain a ball-end hex driver such that the driver can remain coupled to the attachment screw without force being applied by the user. Also, a handheld device includes a driver having a handle portion and a driver shaft extending therefrom, the driver shaft having a driver portion at a distal end, and a vibration sensor support configured to support the vibration sensor such that the driver portion has access to an attachment screw threaded through the vibration sensor, and coupled to the driver such that the vibration sensor support is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the driver shaft and slidable along a longitudinal portion of the driver shaft.

Abstract: A clamping system with a clamping nut and a wrench for tightening the clamping nut, wherein the clamping nut includes at least one recess on either the outside edge or the inside edge of the end face of the clamping nut to receive projections of the wrench. The edge opposite the edge with at least one recess is closed. The at least one recess is provided with at least one undercut, which the projections of the wrench can grip from underneath.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for parts of a plasma chamber. The fastener assembly includes a bolt with a tool engaging socket and a spring-loaded pin which fits in a through hole of the bolt. When installed, the spring-loaded pin substantially fills the space in the socket and thus prevents parasitic plasma from forming in spaces between opposed surfaces of the pin and bolt. When a tool such as a hex key is inserted into the socket, the spring-loaded pin retracts and the tool rotates the bolt to attach an upper part to a lower part by engaging threads of the bolt with a threaded hole in the lower part.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fastener includes a shank defined about a central axis and a head coupled to the shank. The head includes a continuous receptacle circumscribing the central axis. The continuous receptacle includes a radially inner surface that is angled radially inwardly toward the central axis in a head-to-shank direction.

Abstract: According to example configurations, a modified screw head includes one or more slots or grooved channels. A screwdriver device includes a tip that can be inserted into a cavity in the head of the screw to torque the modified screw into an object. The screwdriver device includes a sleeve. The sleeve slides along a shaft of the screwdriver. The sleeve includes inward protruding posts (e.g., pins, fingers, etc.). Sliding of the sleeve over the screw's head requires that inward protruding posts in the sleeve be aligned with the grooves on the sidewall of the screw's head. Subsequent to aligning and sliding the sleeve into the grooved channels of the screw's head, the user twists the sleeve to secure the screw head to the screwdriver's tip. The sleeve can be spring-loaded to pull the head of the screw toward a handle end of the screwdriver after a user releases the sleeve.

Abstract: Screw driver-holder apparatuses, systems and methods are provided and can include a screw and a screwdriver. The screw can include a threaded screw body and a screw head, and the screw head can include a socket and a screw head surface surrounding the socket. The screwdriver can include a hollow sleeve with a longitudinal bore and a first end defining a screw engagement surface and a driving shaft positioned within the longitudinal bore of the hollow sleeve and rotatable relative to the hollow sleeve. The driving shaft can further include a first end extending beyond the first end of the hollow sleeve, a second end opposite the first end, and a stop restricting axial movement of the sleeve towards the second end of the driving shaft. The first end can include a protruding tip adapted for engaging the socket of the screw head.

Abstract: According to example configurations, a modified screw head includes one or more slots or grooved channels. A screwdriver device includes a tip that can be inserted into a cavity in the head of the screw to torque the modified screw into an object. The screwdriver device includes a sleeve. The sleeve slides along a shaft of the screwdriver. The sleeve includes inward protruding posts (e.g., pins, fingers, etc.). Sliding of the sleeve over the screw's head requires that inward protruding posts in the sleeve be aligned with the grooves on the sidewall of the screw's head. Subsequent to aligning and sliding the sleeve into the grooved channels of the screw's head, the user twists the sleeve to secure the screw head to the screwdriver's tip. The sleeve can be spring-loaded to pull the head of the screw toward a handle end of the screwdriver after a user releases the sleeve.

Abstract: An installation member includes at least two installation portions located on the installation member, each defining an installation hole, at least two resilient members, at least two blocking members, and at least two fasteners. Each fastener comprises a head and a shank. The head defines a receiving groove for preventing a hand tool from disengaging from the head during rotating the fastener. The shank is received the installation hole. Each resilient member is fit on the shank and elastically engaged between the head and the installation portion. Each blocking member is secured on the shank and abuts against a nearest end of the installation portion.

Abstract: A system includes a fastener and a driving tool configured to mate with the fastener. The fastener includes a driving portion having an upper face, a bottom face, and a side wall extending between the upper and bottom faces. Recessed sections extend into the driving portion from the upper face. Each recessed section includes a first wall in spaced relation to a second wall. At least one of the first and second walls is angled to form a wedge-shaped undercut underlying the upper face of the driving portion. The driving tool includes a raised portion extending from a floor of the driving tool. The raised portion has third and forth walls, and at least one of the third and fourth walls is angled relative to the floor to form a wedge-shaped extension section. The extension section engages with the undercut to interlock the driving tool with the fastener during installation and/or removal.

Abstract: A ratchet mounting fastener includes a rigid body having a socket drive receiving cavity formed in a first end for receiving a male socket drive shaft into snug mating engagement and releasable locking means to releasably lock the fastener onto the drive shaft, and having a threaded portion on an opposite second end for threaded mating engagement of the threaded portion with a threaded second fastener, the cavity and the threaded portion are oppositely disposed for mounting of the drive shaft to the cavity and mounting of the second fastener to the threaded portion from opposed facing opposite directions.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a screw head having a slot (2) in the upper surface of the screw head, an upper peripheral wall (9) of hexalobular planform extending down into the screw head, the upper peripheral wall (9) being parallel or near parallel to the axis of the screw, a sloping transition surface (15) extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall (9), and a tapered recess (11) extending downwardly from the lower edge of the sloping transition surface (15), in which the dimensions of the screw head are such that when the screw head is engaged by a tool (6) having upper (16) and lower engagement (17) sections, there is a ‘stick fit’ between the surface of the tapered recess (11) and the external surface of the lower engagement section (17), and there is no engagement with the sloping transition surface (15).

Abstract: A clamping system with a clamping nut and a wrench for tightening the clamping nut, wherein the clamping nut includes at least one recess on either the outside edge or the inside edge of the end face of the clamping nut to receive projections of the wrench. The edge opposite the edge with at least one recess is closed. The at least one recess is provided with at least one undercut, which the projections of the wrench can grip from underneath.

Abstract: An improved fastener (10) comprises of a threaded shank (11), and a head (12) having a tool engaging recess (13) formed by a plurality of grooves (16) comprising an inner portion located approximately within circumference of shank (11), formed by inclined side walls (28, 31, 32) of part elliptical configurations disposed convexly and symmetrically to central axis and bisector lines; an outer portion formed with pairs of inclined flat drive walls (16a) extending to concentric peripheral arcs (16b) near circumference of head (12) to maximize torque transfer and sharp drive corners (30); sharp interlocking corners (17) separate inner portion from outer portion of the grooves enabling an interlocking action during the turning of the fastener and thus preventing the bit from slipping out even during high resistance to penetration of the fastener; and base walls (19) with an inner portion (22) and an outer portion (21); wherein the grooves extend in radial direction from a central axis (15) and symmetrically spaced

Abstract: A threaded fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The fastener has a head and a threaded shaft. The head has an overhanging periphery in an x-y plane and at least two slots, evenly-spaced apart, that extend completely through the overhanging periphery. Each slot has a sloped surface that undercuts the overhanging periphery in the same tangential direction. The screw is turned by using a bit that has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The bit has a shank fixed to an end portion and at least two legs, evenly-spaced apart, extend from the end portion in a z-axis direction. Each leg has a sloped surface that extends in the same tangential direction.

Abstract: Interference surfaces are constructed on inner transition surfaces between wings of a fastener having a spiral recess. A portion of the transition surface is tapered to provide the interference. A standard driver for a spiral recess will engage the interference surface to create a “stick fit” engagement. The punch is formed using a wire EDM operation to construct tapered surfaces within the die cavity of a hob. The hob is machined down to obtain the desired depth, which is measured up from a gage spot indicative of the sticking point.

Abstract: The fastener of this application is designed to facilitate the insertion of rotating power driven tools into the fastener recess. The recess of this fastener generally uses spirally configured driving surfaces and is formed in a counterbore in the upper surface of the fastener. The driving lobes have upper surfaces that are depressed a distance into the counterbore. A ramp surface is formed on each of the upper surfaces that causes a spinning bit to fall into the recess in an engaged manner. The ramp surfaces are constructed with both removal and installation ramp portions.

Abstract: A spring-biased locking bolt with an operating button and a bolt connected with the operating button is described, wherein the bolt is spring-biased and movable in a sleeve. The sleeve is screwed into a corresponding opening in a machine part or an item of furniture, wherein the bolt can engage in the opening. The locking bolt has an optional catch that fixes the pulled-out bolt in its raised position. A sleeve section oriented in an axial direction is formed on the operating button, wherein the longitudinally movable and spring-biased sleeve engages with its polygonal shoulder with the polygonal opening.

Abstract: A screw and driver system includes a range of screws and a driver. Each screw has a head having a driving recess in its surface for engagement by the driver. The recess of larger screws in the range have a plurality of superimposed recess tiers of decreasing size with increasing depth from said surface. Each tier has substantially parallel driving surfaces and torque applied to the driver is transmitted to the screw through the driving surfaces. At least one tier of at least smaller screws in the range has a rib. Engagement of the driver with the recess causes deformation of rib, and hence creation of an interference fit of the driver in the recess.

Abstract: According to this invention an orthopedic screw having a first portion and a second portion is disclosed, wherein said first portion comprises a head having a substantially smooth exterior surface and further comprising a recessed portion, wherein said recessed portion comprises a polygonal shape and a deflection beam, such that said first portion receives a driver head within said recessed potion, and wherein said second portion comprises an elongated portion adapted for insertion into a substrate.

Abstract: A screw has a head portion and a threaded portion. The head portion has an undercut slot extending across it. The slot has a flat floor and sloping sides and the width of the floor of the slot is greater than the width at the top opening of the slot. A matching bit has a shank portion and a flat portion. The flat portion of the bit is not as wide as the top opening of the slot. The flat portion has a foot extending from each end.

Abstract: Fasteners and devices and methods for placing fasteners in a workpiece are disclosed. More particularly, non-removable permanently-placeable fasteners for placement in a workpiece to hold elements thereof together, permanently-placeable but removable fasteners for placement in a workpiece to hold elements thereof together, headless removable one-way fastener inserter or heads by which the fasteners are placed, tools for permanently placing such fasteners, tools for removing certain of the fasteners and methods by which such fasteners are placed in, and in some cases removed from a workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in concrete construction is characterized by a body having a first portion configured to be set into concrete during the casting of that concrete, and which can be removed from the concrete after the concrete has set, and thereby may be reused in a similar manner with other concrete castings. The body of the apparatus is preferably generally cylindrical and preferably includes a serrated exterior surface. The body also preferably includes a second portion configured to facilitate removal of the apparatus from the concrete, and further includes an engagement member with which other devices may be engaged. The second portion may also be engageable with an alignment member to facilitate the accuracy of insertion and removal of the apparatus from the concrete. The serrated exterior preferably interferingly engages with at least one reinforcing element formed in the concrete, to assist in positioning of the concrete.

Abstract: A screwdriver has a shaft with a bit on one end for engaging a bit receptacle formed on a head of a screw and a screw engaging device coupled to and in surrounding relation to the shaft. The screw engaging device defines a cylindrical void configured to receive and place the head of the screw onto the bit. The inner wall of the screw engaging device defining the cylindrical void has at least one tab extending toward the center of the center of the cylindrical void for engaging the head of the screw. Preferably, there are four tabs disposed evenly space on the inner wall of the screw engaging device. The screw engaging device has a first sleeve defining the cylindrical void and oppositely disposed slots. A second sleeve is coupled to the first sleeve to form the cylindrical void for receiving the shaft therethrough. The shaft has oppositely facing receptacles formed on the outer circumference of the shaft.

Abstract: A ratcheted nut assembly is provided to enable a nut to be tightened onto a bolt in a limited area. The ratcheted nut assembly includes an internally threaded nut that has radially extending teeth on its outer surface. The nut is held rotatably captive within an elongated housing that has a generally "Y" shaped ratchet member pivoted so that the ratchet member may have pawls that are formed on it engaged with the teeth of the nut to rotate the nut. The operator positions the ratchet member into engagement with the radially extending teeth on the nut depending upon which direction the operator desires to turn the nut. The ratchet mechanism remains with the nut after the nut is tightened.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener and a driver tool in which the fastener includes a cavity for insertion of the driver tool and in which the driver tool and the fastener form an interlocking relationship between the driver tool and the fastener is formed by having a portion of the fastener overlie a portion of the driver tool. This interlocking relationship prevents accidental separation of the driver tool from the fastener and consequent marring of the surfaces of the work pieces being joined together and also prevents stripping of the driver tool and the fastener cavity.

Abstract: A tamper proof threaded fastener construction (10) comprising a conventional elongated threaded fastener body member (20) having an enlarged head member (30) provided with a contoured and tapered frangible member (40) which is used to drive the fastener construction (10) in a rotatable fashion, and when the frangible member (40) is removed leaves an irregular surface (45) which prevents the fastener construction (10) from being rotatably driven in any direction.

Abstract: The method of connecting two workpiece sheets using a rivet, one sheet have a bore, and a counterbore which is frusto-conical and tapers forwardly between a side of the one sheet and the bore, and toward the bore that includes providing a metallic rivet having an axially extending shank defining an axis; providing the rivet with a head having an end face and a forwardly tapered frusto-conical section located forwardly of the end face; installing the shank in the bore and the head in the counterbore so that the periphery of the head end face is substantially flush with the work surface, the end face formed to provide a ring-shaped dome protruding axially in a rearward direction, the dome located to extend about the axis in substantially axial alignment with the outer surface of the shank; the rivet head provided with a peripheral side wall spaced radially from a side wall defined by the workpiece counterbore, and the space between the side walls having a volume A; the dome provided with a metallic volume B; an

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for fastening two members together with a theft resistant screw having a head with a top surface which is free of any engageable indentations or protrusions, with an independent means to drive the screw.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener and a driver tool in which the fastener includes a cavity for insertion of the driver tool and in which the driver tool and the fastener form an interlocking relationship between the driver tool and the fastener is formed by having a portion of the fastener overlie a portion of the driver tool. This interlocking relationship prevents accidental separation of the driver tool from the fastener and consequent marring of the surfaces of the work pieces being joined together and also prevents stripping of the driver tool and the fastener cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a burred fastener for forming a friction fit between the fastener and a driver. The friction fit retains the fastener in contact with the driver during insertion, tightening and loosening of the fastener into a work surface. Burrs are formed in the inner side surfaces of an indentation or slot formed in the fastener head. A method for forming the burred fasteners includes striking the screw head with a deformation object.

Abstract: A bone screw screwdriver and method for securely, positively locking a bone screw to the screwdriver. The screwdriver includes an extending handle through which a drive rod is slidingly disposed. A tongue at one end of the drive rod interlocks within a groove in the bone screw. The drive rod selectively locks within the handle to positively interlock the bone screw with the screwdriver. A tab on the screwdriver engages a corresponding recess on the bone screw to prevent rotation and removal of the bone screw from the screwdriver.

Abstract: A fastening system comprises a driving tool formed with a rectangular-shaped bit at its driving end, and a fastener such as a screw whose head is formed with a recess defining a central slot and four spaced undercuts each having parallel upper and lower walls and a side wall perpendicular thereto. The bit of the driving tool is inserted within the central slot of the recess and then rotated such that the side edges of the rectangular bit contact the side walls of two of the undercuts, and the top wall and bottom surface of the bit frictionally engages the upper and lower walls of such undercuts. Frictional engagement between the undercuts and the driving tool bit provides a positive, temporary interlock therebetween, and contact between the side edges of the driving tool and side walls of the undercuts permits the transfer of torque over a large surface to reduce wear.

Abstract: An interference fit fastener and threaded puller attachment in combination. The fastener has a shank with an external thread and an axial recess with an internal thread, the threads being of opposite hands. The puller attachment is threadly engaged to the internal thread so as to exert an axial pull on the fastener, and to resist torque exerted on a nut or collar being applied to the external thread. After the fastener is set, the puller is removed.

Abstract: A fastener head having a pair of recesses formed therein, a ledge in each recess being located a short distance axially below the head surface and extending a predetermined angular length from the axial portion of the ledge. The dimension of the ledge is adjustable to accommodate the strength of the fastener material in a manner such that the displacement formation of recess material on the surface of the fastener head is prevented during normal installation procedures. The drive angle on the recess is designed to be zero degrees.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for securing a part to the frame of a bicycle. The mechanism includes an axially elongated skewer element adapted to be mounted to the frame. A fastening element is rotatably mounted on the skewer element for securing the part to the frame upon relative rotation of the skewer and fastening elements in a first direction and for releasing the part upon relative rotation of the skewer and fastening elements in a second direction. Ratchet means is attached to one of the elements for turning that element to selectively effect relative rotation of the two elements in the first and second directions. Hardened lock washers are embedded in the confronting faces of the fastening element and a washer mounted on the skewer.

Abstract: A screw head is provided with ribs on some of the driver engageable surfaces. The rib is slanted outwardly from the screw axis by a small angle between 1.degree. and 10.degree..

Abstract: A screw for fixation of a tendon/bone graft during an arthroscopic surgical procedure includes a smooth conical forward end having a rounded tip and a spiral thread running from a position behind the smooth rounded forward end to a rearward end of the screw. The depth of the thread is shallower than a conventional screw and the exterior edge of the thread is rounded to decrease cutting and fragmentation of the tendon and bone. The screw includes an internal bore with left- and right-handed threaded portions for engagement with insertion and extraction instruments. In the method, the bone graft is harvested and sized as desired. A graft socket is drilled in the bone and then serially sized with increasingly larger sizing instruments to compact the bone and size the graft socket to the graft. A smooth bore screw socket is created by serially dilating a space between the graft and graft socket with increasingly larger dilating instruments, thereby also compacting the graft.

Abstract: A fastener for use in fatigue resistant structures such as aircraft wings. The fastener is installed into interference fit by tool engagement in a tapped hole coaxial with the threaded end of the pin, at the threaded end of the fastener pin. The tapped hole is engaged by a hardened mandrel which is detachably threaded into the threaded hole in the pin. The mandrel has an extending tail end which may be gripped by a pulling tool after the threaded end of the pin is partially inserted into the workpiece with the mandrel extending through the workpiece. The tail end of the mandrel is engaged by a pulling tool that can be manually or power actuated to pull the interference fit shank into the structure workpiece to produce a fatigue resistant interference between the pin shank diameter and the workpiece hole diameter.

Abstract: A lock operable by a key between a locked condition and an open condition, the lock having a fastener for releasably securing the lock to an object, the fastener being movable between a retracted position wherein the lock is in the open condition and an extended position, a spring for biasing the fastener to the retracted position and an enclosure having an opening adapted to allow the insertion and removal of the key from the lock when the lock is in the locked condition and to prevent the removal of the key from the lock when the lock is in an unlocked condition.

Abstract: A sleeve bolt for coupling together workpieces including a cylindrical sleeve having a cylindrical outer surface and an axial bore with a radially interior surface of polygonal configuration at one end and internal threads at the other end. An inner slide member with a polygonally shaped cross-sectional configuration positioned within the bore at the polygonally configured end for movement between a retracted orientation totally within the cylindrical sleeve and a protruding orientation partially withdrawn from the cylindrical sleeve. A coupling connects the inner slide member for sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve between the retracted and protruding orientation and includes stop means connected to the sleeve for defining the limits of movement of the slide member between retracted and protruding orientations.

Abstract: A threaded fastener organization is set forth wherein an axially threaded shank includes an enlarged overlying head wherein the head is provided with a square prismatic recess formed through an upper surface of the head and wherein the recess is formed with planar walls, each aligned parallel to the axis of the threaded shank. Each wall includes a semi-spherical recess for reception and engagement with a detent sphere associated in a conventional ratchet driver.

Abstract: A combination of a screw with a hook includes a screw fixed on a wall having a pair of longitudinal grooves formed in a cylindrical hole in the screw, and a hook having a cylindrical shank with a pair of longitudinal extensions engageable with the two longitudinal grooves in the screw, so that a hook inserted in the screw may be replaced with another new hook or different shaped hook.

Abstract: A rotatable fastener has a head portion with an axially facing ring gear engageable with a complementary gear of a drive tool. In a preferred embodiment, the ring gear is a rearwardly facing beveled gear for use with a beveled drive gear and the head portion defines a forwardly directed thrust surface engageable by a bearing surface of the drive tool to urge the drive gear against the ring gear. In another embodiment, the fastener has a telescoping structure in which an internally threaded torque element is slidably received within a central passage of the head portion.

Abstract: A screw-in fastener for an anchor embedded in a precast concrete element includes a coupling member, to which a transport anchor is applied, a threaded pin insertable into the anchor positioned within the concrete element, and a supporting plate, from which the pin outwardly extends. The supporting plate has a circular end face supported against the upper surface of the concrete element.

Abstract: An interlocking lock screw and screwdriver which prevents the specially designed screwdriver blade with guide dimples from slipping out of a specially designed screw head with a screwdriver guide channel and guide dimple entry apertures. The screwdriver may be used in any position including sideways and directly overhead. A rotational locking system is provided which allows a user to drive a staple or brad through the screw head locking it in place or a decorative locking cap may be used. A decorative non-locking cap is also provided which is easy to install yet easily stays in place.

Abstract: A tool driver and fastener that prevents the driver from lifting up off the fastener. The fastener has at least one undercut slot that matches with a blade on the driver to prevent uplift. The driving tool and fastener mate with one another and have respective cross-sectional configurations that can interlock temporarily for allowing a screw or a bolt with a slot or head with a plurality of sides to be driven into or removed from a work place without movement of the driver up off of the fastener. The driver may be a screw driver or wrench with a blade in a plane transversed to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the driver. The fastener may include a main slot in one plane containing the center line of the fastener and a second slot transverse to the first slot and perpendicular to the first slot.