Resiliently Retained Patents (Class 411/431)
  • Patent number: 10729043
    Abstract: An electromagnetic effect protective cap assembly for enclosing an end portion of a fastener assembly extending through a structure, includes a sidewall configured to define an interior space and having an end portion of the sidewall which defines a first opening aligned with the interior space which allows passage of the end portion of the fastener assembly through the first opening and into the interior space. The protective cap further includes a second opening which is defined by and extends through the sidewall and is spaced apart from the first opening. In addition, the protective cap further includes a valve member positioned in blocking relationship with respect to the second opening with the valve member positioned between the interior space and an exterior of the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Philipp A. Boettcher, Derek R. Tuck
  • Patent number: 10220957
    Abstract: A cap for forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener. The cap has an inner cap terminating at an inner cap rim which surrounds an opening into a central cavity and lies in an inner cap plane around a majority of a circumference of the inner cap. An outer cap is fitted over the inner cap, the outer cap comprising an outer cap body and a skirt extending from the outer cap body to a skirt rim which lies in or slightly below the inner cap plane around a majority of a circumference of the skirt. An annular pocket is provided between the skirt and inner cap, and a flow space is provided between the outer cap body and the inner cap. The flow space is in fluid communication with the annular pocket so that it can receive a flow of sealing material and feed it into the annular pocket. The outer cap body is formed from a first material with a first elastic modulus, and the skirt is formed from a second material with a second elastic modulus which is lower than the first elastic modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Dobbin
  • Patent number: 9650150
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and articles useful in sealing fasteners, including seal caps and in particular translucent or transparent seals or seal caps. In some embodiments, a seal cap which is optically translucent and optionally visibly transparent contains an uncured sealant, which is optionally optically translucent or visibly transparent, and is applied to a fastener. In some embodiments, the sealant is cured by application of actinic radiation to the sealant through the seal cap. In another aspect, a protected fastener construction is provided comprising: q) a fastener; r) a seal cap; and s) a cured sealant; wherein the sealant is optically translucent and optionally visibly transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Zook, Larry S. Hebert, Michael D. Swan, Sheng Ye, Susan E. DeMoss, Robin E. Wright
  • Patent number: 9051956
    Abstract: A retractable panel fastener includes a hold down mechanism that holds the screw in an extended position. A deformable ring around the outside of the retainer engages an inward facing lip at the bottom of a cap which is rigidly attached to the head of the screw. The ring is held in a groove on the retainer adjacent the bottommost travel of the cap. The ring may be composed of silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: PEM Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Bentrim
  • Patent number: 8807902
    Abstract: An improved fastener includes a fastener body and a blocker. The fastener body has an end functioning as a connecting head, and center of the fastener body forms an axial threaded bore. An end of the axial threaded bore corresponding to the connecting head is formed into a recess surrounded by the connecting head. The blocker is removably fitted in the recess of the fastener body. When the connecting head of the fastener body is extended through a fixing hole on a printed circuit board with the blocker fitted in the recess, solder paste applied over the fixing hole is prevented from entering into the axial threaded bore of the fastener body to interfere with a screw being threaded into the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fivetech Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ting-Jui Wang, Ming-De Wu
  • Patent number: 8794892
    Abstract: A torque nut assembly includes a multiple-piece nut body and a cap. The nut body can be positioned to define a threaded axial passage, and can expand radially to open the threaded axial passage. The cap is shaped and sized to substantially engage the nut body when the threaded axial passage is so-defined. The cap is locked to the nut body when the cap is engaged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher J. Doyle, Felipe A. Garcia, Robert C. Woodall
  • Patent number: 8764362
    Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: HCC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Siegal
  • Patent number: 8656562
    Abstract: A structure of assembling a plastic locking device with a surface material includes a plastic locking device. A surface material forms holes. The plastic locking device is placed to have through-holes defined therein overlapping the holes of the surface material. Rivet fastener elements are respectively put through the through-holes of the plastic locking device and the holes of the surface material to be subjected to a riveting and fixing operation. The rivet fastener element includes a male button that is made of zinc and forms a pillar and a female button that is made of zinc and forms a hollow tube. Pressurizing equipment is used to couple the pillar and the hollow tube through interference fitting between the pillar and an inner wall of the hollow tube. Locking blocks are formed on the inner wall of the hollow tube to provide a tight interference fitting with respect to the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Trim Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8388293
    Abstract: An insulated, sealed cap overlies and protects a fastener component or the like on a substrate in association with a substrate opening. The sealed cap includes an outer cap component filled partially with a selected sealant material and assembled with an inner collet sized and shaped to fit with a slip fit about the fastener component such as a nut or the like at one side of a selected substrate, such as the skin of an aircraft. An inboard edge of the inner collet seats on and substantially seals with the substrate. The outer cap component is then displaced toward the substrate to extrude the sealant material into a thin and substantially uniform layer joined with an extruded outer bead on the substrate, and then permitted to cure. Tapered ribs on the inner collet effectively lock with the outer cap component during sealant material curing and subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Physical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Hutter, III
  • Patent number: 8371784
    Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: HCC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Siegal
  • Publication number: 20120321412
    Abstract: A cover for a stud and nut assembly. The cover includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first inner surface extending from an open end. Further, the first section includes two protruding members configured on the first inner surface. The second section is integral with the first section. The second section includes a second inner surface which extends to a closed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Nelson Lonn, Scott Neece, Larry Keith Moore, Donald Lemont Stamets
  • Publication number: 20120288346
    Abstract: A nut assembly includes a nut and an carrier. The nut defines a number of latching grooves. The carrier includes a planar board and a number of flexible holding elements protruding from the planar board. Each flexible holding element is releasably latched in one of the latching grooves to latch the carrier to the nut. The carrier is capable of moving relative to the nut from a first state to a second state, so the flexible holding elements slide out of the latching grooves to release the carrier from the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cong Liu
  • Patent number: 8287219
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement having a first fastening part which is connected to a metal sheet and has a first threaded section, and having a second fastening part which has a second threaded section which engages with the first threaded section, with the fastening parts fixing an electrical connecting part such that an electrical connection is formed between the connecting part and the metal sheet. A cover part is fixed to the first fastening part in an end position and, in a covering position, has covered at least a part of the first threaded section until the second threaded section has engaged with the first threaded section and, in the process, the cover part has been moved from the covering position to the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Jochen Hain
  • Patent number: 8152426
    Abstract: A rotation indicator device comprises a body having a bore, whereby the body is adapted to be releasably mounted on a polygonal fastener or other multi-angled component in any selected position. At least part of the body which defines the bore is formed of a resilient material of suitable grip and flexibility characteristics, such as silicone rubber material, and the bore has an edge margin which is of a tapered profile in cross-section so that the body can be snugly mounted onto the fastener or other component without any relative rotation occurring between the device and the fastener or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Business Lines Limited
    Inventor: Michael Marczynski
  • Patent number: 8002508
    Abstract: A cover for the protection of large bolts and nuts, such as those used to secure wind turbine towers to foundations, from the weather. The protective cover may be tubular in shape and designed to be forcefully pressed over the bolt while ribs on the interior of the cover form an interference fit with the threading on the bolt. A larger portion located at the bottom of the cover protectively surrounds the nut and washer without touching either. The bottom can then seal against a surface, such as the surface of a mounting flange of a tower, to prevent the entry of corroding moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Griptight Bolt Cover Co.
    Inventor: Larry Reed
  • Patent number: 7950886
    Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hercules Chemical Company Incorporated
    Inventor: David M. Siegal
  • Patent number: 7948334
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shell member having an interior width, where the shell includes a closed end and an open end, and a nut that includes a plurality of laterally extending resilient leg. The legs define an outer width of the nut, and when the legs are in a relaxed state the outer width of the nut is greater than the interior width of the shell. The nut is adapted for at least partially entering the open end of the shell member, such that the legs are placed in a tensioned state in which the legs define the outer width to be smaller than or equal to the interior width of the shell. The apparatus also includes a base plate adapted for receiving the shell member and securing the shell member to the base plate with the closed end of the shell facing away from the base plate through cooperation with the nut when the nut is at least partially within the shell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Jones, Samuel Parent
  • Patent number: 7931430
    Abstract: A locking device for a rotational based fastener for fastening an object to a substrate, the device including a washer for placement between the fastener head and the object a locking plate for removable engagement to the fastener head to prevent relative rotation of the locking plate and the fastener head, and a flexible, substantially non-elastic integral folded tab connecting the locking plate and washer, the locking plate has a first aperture to receive the the fastener shank such that the fastener head will upon tightening draw the washer into tight contact with the substrate, the locking plate is larger than the fastener head and has a second aperture of smaller or equal size than the fastener head, and the locking plate includes a swagable portion near the perimeter of the second aperture to bridge the fastener head when the locking plate is swaged over the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Building Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Phil Thrift
  • Patent number: 7775754
    Abstract: A nut having an injection-molded insert or delay stopper is threaded onto an end of an anchor. A capsule containing a resin component and a catalyst component and the other end of the anchor are positioned in a bore hole in a mine roof, mine wall, side of a hill, concrete wall, or concrete floor. The threaded end of the nut contacts the insert and rotation of the nut rotates the anchor, breaking the capsule and mixing the components. After the components set, increased torque is applied to fracture the insert and move the nut up the threaded end of the shaft against roof stabilizing components on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: FCI Holdings Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Anthony Calandra, John G. Oldsen, Walter John Simmons, Walter Neal Simmons
  • Patent number: 7766592
    Abstract: The present application describes to a screw nut for limiting the torque or the clamping force that is produced by screwing a screw onto a component to be screwed into place, as well as to the use of such a screw nut in a retainer module. The screw nut comprises a clamping body which during screwing comes to rest against the component to be screwed into place. Furthermore, the screw nut comprises a screw body, by means of which the screw nut can be screwed onto the screw. The clamping body and the screw body are movably arranged between an unlocked position and a locked position so that when a defined clamping force is exceeded the unlocked position is taken up, with a restoring force continuously acting against this state transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Zeuner, Lueder Kosiankowski, Hans-Peter Guthke
  • Patent number: 7713012
    Abstract: A two-piece, decorative fastener assembly for securing a license plate to a vehicle. The decorative fastener uniquely includes a threaded fastener for securing the license plate to the vehicle and a decorative cover that can be quickly and easily connected directly to the head portion of the threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: John Coonjohn
  • Patent number: 7665941
    Abstract: An anchor rod cap and method for protecting an anchor rod bolt/nut/lower flange assembly are provided. An anchor rod is provided having upper and lower tubular elements connected by a shoulder. The upper element is disposed about the anchor rod threads and has an interior surface defined on a radius smaller than an anchor rod thread outer radius. The lower tubular element has an interior radius larger than an anchor nut outer dimension and is configured to define an air gap between the lower tubular element inner surface and an anchor nut encompassed thereby. A lower tubular element bottom edge is configured to form a physical barrier interface with the anchor rod base flange. At least one of the upper tubular element interior surface and the lower tubular element bottom edge are configured to form a sealing interface with anchor rod thread outer surfaces or an upper flange surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Dyson Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore L. Wolf, Alan R. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090169335
    Abstract: An internal thread hole closing plug for closing an internal thread hole in a weld nut and a hole in a body panel includes a flange, column and elastic latching pieces and that extend from the column toward the flange and away from the column. The tips of the elastic latching pieces engage the thread flanks of the internal thread hole in correspondence with the lead angle of the threads thereof to align the axis of the column with the axis of the internal thread hole. The pair of lower elastic latching pieces extend in one radial direction, centered on the column, and the pair of upper elastic latching pieces extend in a radial direction that crosses the lower elastic latching pieces. This causes the axis of the column to be aligned with the axis of the internal thread hole when the column is passed through the internal thread hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Kiyoteru YUTA, Takashi TAMAOKI, Makoto HANADA
  • Publication number: 20090060677
    Abstract: A multifunction wheel nut cap is used on motor vehicle to indicate loosening and rotation of a lug nut. On large trucks on which the lug nuts have to be frequently torqued to prevent the lug nut from loosening and turning until it drops from the wheel bolt, the indication of rotation and limiting of the rotation prevents the lug nut loss and requires tightening only when there is an indication that the lug has become loose. The Wheel cap nut device gives a visual warning when a nut has become loose. It also prevents water and contaminants from penetrating the lug nut and bolt threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: James C. Adams
  • Publication number: 20090060634
    Abstract: A fastening system including a stud with a shank and an annular flange whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the shank. The system further including a nut with a bore and an internal thread formed in the bore, the internal thread having a helical thread ridge formed in the bore and a thread groove running next to the thread ridge. The annular flange of the stud can be screwed into the internal thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: Frank ROSEMANN
  • Publication number: 20090016847
    Abstract: A special shape inner peripheral surface connected to a base end side of a female thread and set to be rotatable only by a first special purpose tool is formed in a nut main body. A cap is constituted by a shaft portion which is inserted to the special shape inner peripheral surface of the nut main body and having a male thread threaded with a base end portion of the female thread of the nut main body in a leading end side, and a head portion provided in abase end side of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: KYO-EI INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisaku Kishida
  • Publication number: 20080181748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener (1) for application to a threaded stud (31), having a sleeve-like retaining element (2) with a cavity (5) extending in the direction of its longitudinal axis to accommodate the threaded stud (31) and at least one deformable clamping region that tends to assume a clamping position projecting into the cavity (5) and gripping the threaded stud (31), and having a flange (3) arranged at the forward end of the retaining element (2) in the direction of installation that can be pressed onto an item (32) to be fastened, wherein the flange (3) is arranged a distance away from the retaining element (2) and attached to the retaining element (1) by means of spring shackles (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Rosemann, Johann Reindl
  • Patent number: 7384225
    Abstract: A bolt head cover (10) comprises an outer heat resistant portion (12) and an inner gripping portion (14). The bolt head cover (10) is arranged to be placed over the bolt head (16). The bolt head cover (10) is retained in position by means of the inner gripping portion (14) which grips the bolt head, with the gripping portion (14) being retained in the heat resistant portion (12) by means of flanges (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Matrice Material Systems Limited
    Inventor: David Harold Woolstencroft
  • Patent number: 7244085
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a grommet having an enlarged bulbous body and a cylindrical extension projecting therefrom, the projection and body defining axially aligned openings therethrough. The cylindrical projection is configured to retain a washer on the outside thereof and a fastener on the inside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Dobson, Robert K. Dutzi, Jason K. Trotter
  • Patent number: 7127752
    Abstract: An overflow system in the bathtub has an overflow port and has a drain pipe in connection with the overflow port. A threaded flange has a stub shoulder on one end which is fitted into a circular sleeve on the overflow port. The threaded flange has exterior threads on its outer surface and a thin diaphragm secured to the end thereof opposite to the stub shoulder. A large sealing washer embraces the outside of the circular flange on the overflow port and extends partially over the threads of the threaded flange. A large internally threaded nut is threadably mounted on the outer end of the threaded flange and compresses the sealing washer against a vertical flange on the port to seal the connection between the threaded flange and the port. A decorative cap is frictionally snapped into engagement with protrusions on the outer surface of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T Ball
  • Patent number: 7090454
    Abstract: A fastener, such as a housing, for mounting to a structure, such as a panel, that has an aperture formed therethrough. The fastener includes a shank member and an annular nut member that is configured to align coaxially with the shank member. The shank member is inserted through aperture in the structure and the nut member is placed on the shank member. Teeth on the radially outwardly facing surface of the shank member engage a pawl, such as one or more teeth, on the radially inwardly facing surface of the nut member to lock the nut member to the shank member. Removal of the nut member is effected by rotating the nut member to disengage the pawl from the teeth, thereby permitting longitudinal displacement of the nut member off of the shank member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Floyd Bell, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Shain
  • Patent number: 7004700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative cap for enclosing the head of a wheel bolt or wheel nut or the like which fastens a wheel to the hub of a vehicle, comprising an end closure wall, an endless side wall extending from an outer periphery of said end closure wall, a skid extending radially outwardly from a periphery of said side wall, and said skirt having a plurality of locking lips depending therefrom for releasably gripping the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Larry J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6957939
    Abstract: A decorative cap and wheel nut or bolt insert, and a method of assembling them. The insert is coated and/or plated and includes a hex-shaped section and a section having a circular cylindrical outer surface. A cap includes a hex cross-section segment and a circular cylindrical cross-section segment. The hex cross-section segment of the cap slips easily over the hex section of the insert while the circular cylindrical cross-section segment has a smaller ID than the OD of the circular cylindrical insert section whereby an interference fit is formed between them when the insert is press fit into the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial and Automotive Fasteners, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Larry J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6923230
    Abstract: To fasten snow chains to vehicle wheels, an adapter device (100; 200; 300; 400) is used that can be fastened to at least one wheel bolt and comprises a body that is constructed to be connected to connection and installation elements of the snow chains. The adapter device comprises at least one magnet (120; 403) connected to its body which is applied to the head (130) of at least one wheel mounting bolt, so as to retain the body of the adapter device on the wheel by means of magnetic retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Konig SpA
    Inventors: Romolo Airoldi, Marco Arrigoni Neri
  • Patent number: 6896463
    Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is provided for preventing a nut threaded upon a spindle from unthreading and detaching from the spindle. The spindle nut retainer includes an integral base section and peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration. The base section includes an aperture through which the spindle may pass and the peripheral section includes a plurality of fingers which form windows therebetween used to form a locking connection between the spindle nut retainer and the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Dexter Axle Company
    Inventor: James Craig Tuthill
  • Patent number: 6866457
    Abstract: A decorative cap and wheel nut or bolt insert assembly, and a method of assembling them. The insert is coated and/or plated and includes a hex-shaped section and a section having a circular cylindrical outer surface. A cap includes a hex cross-section segment and a circular cylindrical cross-section segment. The hex cross-section segment of the cap slips easily over the hex section of the insert while the circular cylindrical cross-section segment has a smaller ID than the OD of the circular cylindrical insert section. The cap is formed of sheet material which is both plastically and elastically deformable. When pressed onto the insert, the cap deforms both plastically and elastically. An interference fit is formed between them by radial plastic deformation of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial and Automotive Fasteners, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Larry J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6860692
    Abstract: A nut cap and assembly therewith is provided. The capped nut assembly is made up of a nut body and a cap. The nut body has an elongated internally threaded member formed with polygonal side walls extending from a collar member at the inner end toward the outer end, and the cap has a hollow shell with an end wall closing one end and being open at an opposite end. The cap is sleeved over said nut body with its side wall surrounding the polygonal side walls and its closed end overlies the outer end of the nut body, and the open end of the cap has a radially inwardly flared resilient lip portion that attaches to the collar member in a snap fitting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Van Ingen, Michael L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040258503
    Abstract: A spindle nut retainer is provided for preventing a nut threaded upon a spindle from unthreading and detaching from the spindle. The spindle nut retainer includes an integral base section and peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration. The base section includes an aperture through which the spindle may pass and the peripheral section includes a plurality of fingers which form windows therebetween used to form a locking connection between the spindle nut retainer and the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: James Craig Tuthill
  • Patent number: 6808350
    Abstract: An anchor bolt cap for the top ends of anchor bolts that extend upwardly out of a base foundation onto which is mounted the tower base of a wind generator that produces electricity by rotation of the blades of the wind generator. The bottom end of the tower base of the wind generator has an outer annular flange and an inner annular flange each having a plurality of apertures spaced from each around the entire periphery of the respective flanges. The anchor bolts pass upwardly through these respective apertures and have a washer and nut threaded onto each of the respective anchor bolts for locking the tower base to the top of the base foundation. The anchor bolt caps are installed over the top ends of the respective anchor bolts and prevent moisture from attacking the anchor bolts and thereby prevent corrosion of the anchor bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventors: Norman L. Tooman, Anthony Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6802681
    Abstract: A fastening element is adapted to cooperate with a tie member to exert a compressive force on first and second components. The fastening element has an inner portion (50) resiliently joined to an outer portion (52), such that when a tensile reaction force is applied to the tie member as a result of the compressive force, the reaction force causes the outer portion (52) to be displaced relative to the inner portion (50). The fastening element may further include a washer (56) rotatably attached to the outer portion (52) by a cage (54). An indicator element for use with such a fastening element is also provided, together with a method of securing a first component to a second component by means of such a fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: ITW Limited
    Inventor: Jonathan Paul Anthony Cheal
  • Patent number: 6764264
    Abstract: A female screw rod is constructed to include a female screw rod adapted for mounting in a mounting hole of a motherboard to support an object above the motherboard, the female screw rod having an axially extended screw hole for the installation of a screw, and a quick-release cap connectable to the female screw rod to block the screw hole, the quick-release cap having a downwardly extended barrel-like coupling portion for capping on the female screw rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Chiang Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6719511
    Abstract: A series of high security fastener constructions feature rotatable anti-theft shrouds mounted on locking wheel nuts and wheel bolts designed for vehicular wheels. Each construction features (1) a fastener body having a first body end adapted to accommodate a key receiving pattern or member, a second body end having thread pattern extending therefrom, and a shroud receiving portion located between the first and second body ends, (2) a shroud concentrically mounted on the shroud receiving, and (3) a shroud retaining system for retaining the shroud for rotation relative to the fastener body such that the shroud will rotate under an applied torque prior to the fastener rotating when it is installed at a design installation torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Notaro, Adam W. Schreckengost
  • Patent number: 6672547
    Abstract: A holder is disclosed for mounting objects to a fastener. The holder includes a holding section for mounting object and an anchoring section for mounting the holder onto the fastener, the anchoring section including a cylindrical recessed portion having a circular opening, a bottom and a first inward circumferential surface adapted to engage an outward circumferential surface of the fastener, and an opening in the bottom surface comprising a second inward circumferential surface adapted to engage a second outward circumferential surface on the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Peder Westerberg, Mats Söderlund, Ulf Granäng
  • Patent number: 6641343
    Abstract: A fastener having an enlarged head and a threaded portion with an interior cavity. A plug mounted in the cavity configured similarly thereto having an enlarged head generally the same outer diameter as the enlarged end of the fastener and abutting against the same closing off the opening leading into the cavity. The plug is releasably locked in the cavity and released by magnetic action when the releasable lock is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Avibank Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Duran
  • Patent number: 6629810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protecting cap for the head of a screw that is screwed into a constructional part. A body (2:7) is arranged between the protecting cap (1) and the screw head (3) and produces a positive and a non-positive fit therebetween. The protecting cap protects the screw head from mechanical damage, soiling or corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventors: Sebastian Heintges, Lothar Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6604889
    Abstract: A sluice-gate wall thimble has a support stem (1, 12) which covers an embedment side of a sluice-gate nut (2) and is fixable to a wall anchor (5, 11). The sluice-gate nut is inside threaded and fixable to an embedment side (16) of a predetermined sluice-gate wall (7) with an axis of the sluice-gate nut being in line concentrically with an axis of a wall-bolt aperture (8) on the predetermined sluice-gate wall. A plurality of the support stems on a plurality of the sluice-gate nuts in line with a plurality of the wall-bolt apertures and fixed to at least one wall anchor are employed first to prevent encroachment of fluid concrete (3) or other foundation material onto inside-diameter threading (4) of the plurality of sluice-gate nuts during construction of a predetermined sluice gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wood, Colin W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6575536
    Abstract: A bolt structure is designed to fasten together a hub, an inner wheel rim, and an outer wheel rim of a motor vehicle wheel. The bolt structure includes a bolt body, an inner nut, an outer nut, and a protective cap. The bolt body has a large diametrical segment, a small diametrical segment, and a midsegment located between the large diametrical segment and the small diametrical. The inner nut is engaged with the small diametrical segment, whereas the outer nut is engaged with the large diametrical segment and the protective cap. The midsegment of the bolt body retains the hub of the motor vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Show Than Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Chun Chen
  • Publication number: 20030099525
    Abstract: A shear resistant fastener assembly for supporting structures from a wall behind which there are no supporting framework, the wall defining therethrough an opening having a predetermined size and configuration and bordered by an interior peripheral surface having the thickness of the wall, the fastener assembly comprising an anchor plate having a predetermined length and a predetermined width and adapted to be inserted through the opening in the wall and to be positioned flatly against the rear surface of the wall, and an insert having a predetermined size and having a configuration the same as that of the wall opening and adapted to fit closely within the opening and against the interior peripheral surface of the opening, and including an arrangement for connecting together the anchor plate and the insert. The shear resistant fastener assembly also is adapted to secure together overlapping panels behind which there are no structural supporting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Larry Michels
  • Publication number: 20020192052
    Abstract: A cover for a threaded connecting member, having a cup-shaped body defining an inner cavity coaxial with an axis and for housing at least an end portion of the threaded connecting member; and a number of elongated elastic appendixes integral with the cup-shaped body, extending in directions substantially parallel to the axis, and for exerting radial pressure on the aforementioned portion to establish firm connection of the cup-shaped body to the threaded connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Renzo Ruspa
  • Patent number: 6494658
    Abstract: A device for protecting threaded shafts and nuts against corrosion. The device covers and protects a nut and the exposed portion of a threaded shaft from corrosion found in harsh environments by holding grease in place over the nut and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Guy L. Roy