Abstract: Shape memory alloy spring washers passing from a flat shape to a truncated cone shape on exceeding a given critical temperature (Tc) can be stacked in opposition or in the same sense with identical and/or different washers, in order to bring about a development in stages of the pressure (P) applied by the stack of washers when the temperature (T) varies. These washers can advantageously be used for the bonding and polymerization of composite material parts (C), because they make it possible to simultaneously treat several parts in the same ventilated oven and in a less expensive manner.

Abstract: A structure 10 is resiliently clamped and supported on stud 12. A cylindrical core 38 of the spring sleeve is compressed by nut 34 against a stop 32. The supported structure is biased against the stop 32 by a plurality of spring fingers 40 located at the lower end of the core.

Abstract: A stretch frame in combination with a fabric anchoring member is formed from a lower section having a concave upper surface and a transparent flexible plastic upper section. Fabric is grasped between the sections when they are drawn compressably together. The curved surface grasps the fabric ends without damaging the fabric which is particularly advantageous with hemmed ends. The clear upper section allows the artist to visually observe the coloration of the fabric ends. The anchoring members are mounted on light weight side frame members to form a frame easily handled and placed on the artist's easel.

Abstract: A fastening disk for use in attaching sheet material to a substrate, comprising:(a) a disk plate with a substantially discoid concave proximal surface for positioning facing the sheet material to be attached,(b) concentric inner and outer tubular posts extending from the distal surface of the disk plate,(c) radial struts connecting the inner and outer posts, and(d) radial vanes on the distal surface of the disk plate between the outer post and the periphery of the disk plate, the disk being compressible to reduce the concavity of the disk plate.

Abstract: A finishing washer 10 is presented. Finishing washer 10 comprises a frustoconical perforated disk 15 having a plurality of tabs 20 extending inward from disk 15. When applied to a screw 50, finishing washer 10 provides a wider bearing area to the screw head 52, to establish a wear point between screw 50 and the material finishing washer 10 will bear on. In this manner, the material is not damaged by friction or pressure when screw 50 is tightened. Further, stripping of screws is lessened due to the use of finishing washer 10 of this invention.

Abstract: The retainer assembly (10) comprises a longitudinally extending retainer body (12) having an enlarged diameter or head member (14) at one end and an arrow-shaped or flared member (16) at the other end. A V-shaped leaf spring (20) has an opening (24) at the bottom of the V-shaped opening (22) which receives the retainer body (12) so that the spring (20) is disposed between the head member (14) and a surface (31) of a first member (30). The retainer body (12) extends through an opening (32) in the first member (30) and the flared member (16) is resiliently captured within a resilient receiving member (50) disposed within an opening (46) of the second member (40). The opening (46) in the second member (40) is in a second surface (44) disposed apart from a first surface (42) of the second member (40) which engages the first member (30).

Abstract: A fastener assembly for securing roofing on soft insulation material to a solid base is formed of an axially elongated screw and a large surface washer. The screw has an elongated shank with a cutting tip at one end and a screw head at the other. A self-cutting thread is formed on the shank. The shank has a thread-free section extending from the screw head. The thread-free section has a diameter not greater than the diameter of the opening in the washer into which the screw is inserted. The washer has a countersunk area around the screw opening to receive the screw head in a recessed manner. The shank of the screw, at a spaced distance from the screw head and in the axially extending region of the thread-free section has a stop or similar member which forms a support for the washer. With the assembly secured to the solid base, the washer is tiltable relative to the screw. Accordingly, the fastener assembly can be stepped on without any damaging transfer of stress from the washer to the screw.

Abstract: A molded plastic one-piece hollow expansion nut comprises an outwardly expandable shank which is insertable through a panel hole and a head at one end of the shank for engaging the panel surface. A screw-receiving bore extends axially through the nut and receives the threaded shank of a screw whose screw head bears against the nut head. The portion of the bore along which shank wall expansion occurs is cylindrical and of slightly larger diameter than the screw thread. The inmost end of the bore is of oblong cross-section and its minor axis is shorter than the diameter of the screw thread. A single screw-engaging thread in the cylindrical bore initially holds and guides the screw. The shank walls opposite the ends of the minor axis have oblique screw-thread receiving slots therethrough which define very sturdy damage resistant nut threads which engage the screw thread.

Abstract: An ingot mold provided with means affording stress relief thereto for the ingot pouring operation, while maintaining the mold in condition to aid in preventing metal leakage therefrom during the ingot pouring operation and subsequent cooling of the ingot, and providing mold wall support for the ingot until its skin has sufficient structural integrity to support the molten interior of the ingot, and a mold which can be recycled for use in a faster manner as compared to heretofore utilized solid or one-piece type ingot molds. In certain embodiments, the mold is formed of a plurality of completely separate and individual side wall sections defining at least the side periphery of a mold cavity, together with coupling means connecting the wall sections together. The coupling means provide for expansion and contraction of the mold sections relative to one another during the pouring of molten metal into the mold, and the resultant heating and subsequent cooling thereof.

Abstract: In order to mount a body on a base by way of a synthetic resin member, a structure is useful in tightening and fixing the synthetic resin member on the body by means of a screw which can be tightened only to a limited degree, so as to avoid its tightening to the screw head thereof. A planar portion with a screw insertion hole formed therethrough is provided at the screwed part of the synthetic resin member. At least one first land to be brought into contact with the screw head and at least one second land to be brought into contact with the body are provided respectively on both surfaces of the planar portion at different locations as seen in a plan view of the planar portion. An interference which is to occur upon tightening the screw is absorbed through an elastic deformation of the planar portion.

Abstract: A ceiling or wall for a partition structure that contains framing members has the usual sheets of wallboard applied side-by-side to the framing members so that seams exist between the edges of adjacent sheets. Improved fire resistance is derived from runners which extend between the framing members directly behind the seams so as to serve as fire stops and as additional support for the wallboard sheets. Each runner is at its ends attached to the framing members between which it extends and further consists of several components which slip relative to each other, so that the length of the runner remains constant even though its components experience thermal expansion. This prevents the runners from bowing and pushing the wallboard sheets away from the framing members in the event of a fire. The runners further receive and anchor edge fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-retracting, captive fastener assembly which allows the application of a controlled preload not requiring separate measurement during or after application. The assembly includes the use of a hold-out spring (31) which is isolated and fully retracts the assembly when the installed assembly is not engaged with a substructure. A housing (32) is provided for the hold-out spring (31) and contains the spring (31) when it is fully compressed. For the controlled preload, disc springs (40) are used. The shoulder (60) of the bolt shank portion (24) is staked so as to form protrusions (61,62,63,64) for captivating these mentioned elements upon the bolt. A removable, retaining element or stop-nut (50) is also provided for securement of the fastener to a first structure 65. The stop-nut (50) is constructed so that it must be seated against substructure (70) in order to achieve the controlled deflection of the disc springs (40) and thereby achieve the desired preload application.

Abstract: A holddown to be used in conjunction with a headed fastener, a roofing system and a method utilizing the same. The holddown comprises a disc-shaped spring and a body encasing the spring. The fastener is interpositionable within a hole in the body of the holddown and displacement of the fastener applies a compressive force to the holddown. The spring is deformable from an unbiased position to a biased postion by the compressive force. The body is deformable from an unconstrained shape to a constrained shape by the deformation of the spring. The holddown is usable in conjunction with both the fastener and pliant filler to affix roofing material in a watertight relationship to a roof structure and to maintain the same in position against the forces applied by the wind.

Abstract: Compressible metal spring washers are mounted around the shank portions of terminal rivets and are clamped against thin conductor laminae of a flexible printed circuit having a resilient resinous plastic base lamina, clamped by the rivets against a relatively rigid plastic terminal supporting member. Each washer has a central dished portion, a reversely dished peripheral portion, and a smoothly rounded annular bulging portion therebetween for engaging one of the thin conductor laminae, without cutting into the laminae. The spring washers obviate any looseness of the terminal rivets due to dimensional variations, shrinkage with age, and temperature variations.

Abstract: The locking screw for the adjustable connection of a hinge strap to a base plate of a hinge has an external thread, with which the locking screw is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole in the hinge flap. The end face of the bolt portion of the locking screw abuts on the corresponding face of the base plate. In order to ensure a secure seating of the locking screw even under changing loads, a plate spring is attached to the end face of the locking screw and is spring-loaded axially, which abuts the base plate with its spring front face.

Abstract: A nut retainer for use with a structural member having a nut entrance channel defined between a pair of opposed shoulders or flanges of some predetermined thickness and a nut receiving channel disposed beneath the shoulders. The nut retainer has a generally frusto-conical body constructed from a resiliently deformable polymeric material with the body smaller diameter end fixedly secured to a rectangular nut upper face in a surrounding relationship with a threaded fastener receiving opening. The body larger diameter end is spaced from the nut upper face by some predetermined distance and has a diameter greater than the width of the structural member entrance channel. The retainer body is conformed such that the body exterior side wall will engage the structural member shoulders at areas therealong which are spaced from the nut upper face by a distance which is less than the thickness of the shoulders when the nut is inserted width-wise into the entrance channel.

Abstract: A tension indicating device which includes at least one indicating arm and reference means carried by a stamped generally frustoconical spring washer. A relieved area in the bearing surface of the washer prevents work surface irregularities from producing erroneous tension indications. The arm and reference means may mechanically engage one another and the arm may be made separately and attached to the washer. Indications made by the arm are designed to be visually discernable from a distance.

Abstract: A loading washer assembly includes an annular first washer provided with spaced apart ears on its outer peripheral edge with each of the ears having a return bent portion at its free end, an annular second washer provided with spaced apart notches on its outer peripheral edge for slidably receiving the ears whereby to prevent relative rotation of said washers, the return bent portions of the ears limiting the axial extent of separation of these washers. Each of the washers on their opposed surfaces have circumferentially spaced apart, radial extending raised ribs with the ribs on the first washer rotatively offset from the ribs on the second washer. A normally flat spring ring is interposed between the first washer and the second washer in position so as to be engaged by the opposed sets of ribs whereby the spring ring will be deformed into a wave-like spring upon axial displacement of the first washer toward the second washer.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching roofing insulation to roof decks. A washer with a broad load-distributing flange has a crushable region which is deformed as the fastener becomes fully seated. This region insures that the joint is loaded with a predetermined force before the depth-sensitive driver disengages reducing the likelihood of overdriving or underdriving.

Abstract: A valve body has a stem passage rotatably receiving a valve stem. A packing surrounds the stem in the passage and a packing nut threaded on the stem applies axial force to radially expand the packing into sealing engagement with the stem and passage wall. Controlled slippage components interposed between the packing and packing nut allow rotation of the stem and packing nut without any rotational sliding movement against an end face of the packing. A packing support ring engages the end face of the packing adjacent the packing nut and includes a chevron surface for radially expanding the packing. A gland engages the support ring and a pair of reversely positioned spring washers are interposed between the gland and packing nut. During rotation of the stem, packing nut and spring washers, the gland rotates against the packing support ring. The chevron surface of the support ring includes notches for gripping the packing to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a fastener for securely joining two or more abutting flat panels together along their edges without the necessity of piercing any of the panels or disassembling the connection assembly. The fastener comprises first and second directionally oriented compressible parts of resilient material which are pressed against opposing sides of the panels and means for applying a mechanical force to produce said pressing action causing a partial shape change of the opposing frustoconical compressible parts. The force applying means comprises an elongated threaded member and a body portion extending through an aperture in each compressible part with a wing nut mounted on the extending ends thereof to anchor the parts together.

Abstract: In a locking latch assembly for mounting an electronic component drawer in a rack a clamping ring 30 is provided with plug and socket elements 46, 48 adapted to cooperate with a dynamometric key. An all metal hollow cylindrical spring cushion 44 is received within the cup-shaped clamping ring, a support stud 32 formed integral with the clamping ring 30 supporting the interior surface of the spring cushion along a portion of the axial extent thereof. The free end face of the spring cushion 44 forms a thrust bearing cooperating with a latch ring 52 adapted to receive a latch hook 60 fixed to the drawer. The clamp ring 30 runs on a threaded bolt 22 being in turn pivotally connected to drawer support rails 12 through a pivot pin 18.

Abstract: An apparatus for fastening an electrical device into the connecting head of an electrical thermometer includes a fastener arrangement for the base plate of the temperature probe which consists of a screw, a casing and helical spring, with the spring slidable into the casing which is provided with a J-shaped notch or groove and a flange for engaging the helical spring. In the notch there is engaged a pin which is formed in the bore hole of the electrical device. By turning the casing there is accomplished a fastening of the part according with a type of bayonet locking.

Abstract: A tension indicating device which includes at least one indicating arm and reference means carried by a stamped generally frustoconical spring washer. A relieved area in the bearing surface of the washer prevents work surface irregularities from producing erroneous tension indications. The arm and reference means may mechanically engage one another and the arm may be made separately and attached to the washer. Indications made by the arm are designed to be visually discernable from a distance.

Abstract: A load indicating flange is provided either separately or on a nut or a bolt head. This load indicating flange has an axially directed face which has a wavy surface on which a plurality of crests are disposed for initial engagement with a work surface. A plurality of troughs are provided on the wavy surface one each between two of the crests. A gauge groove is provided at each trough and when the bolt and nut combination is properly tightened on a workpiece, the troughs are flattened toward the work surface to such an extent that a relatively thick gauge cannot enter the gauge groove. If the bolt and nut are improperly tightened, then the gauge will enter the gauge groove. A narrow band peripheral bearing surface is provided on the outer periphery of the face to prevent defacing the work surface.

Abstract: An annular composite washer assembly provides a "soft" mount for a tool element subassembly mounted on the threaded output spindle of a portable grinder or other power tool. The composite washer includes a pair of flat annular washers and a molded body therebetween. The body has integrally-molded inner and outer annular bands joined integrally with the inner and outer diameters of the respective washers. A first pair of blind axial pockets, diametrically opposed to one another, extends through the first washer and the body and terminates at the second washer. A second pair of blind axial pockets, diametrically opposed to one another and shifted circumferentially with respect to the first pair of blind axial pockets (preferably by ninety degrees) extends through the second washer, through the body, and terminates at the first washer.

Abstract: A disc brake pad assembly has clench tabs extending through rubber-like grommets in openings in a caliper housing leg so that the grommets are retained in the openings and the brake pad assembly is retained on the housing leg. The grommets provide a noise dampening action during braking to reduce brake noise.

Abstract: A chain-like toy made of a plurality of isosceles triangular hollow prism units that are connected serially with one another at slanted side planes thereof by means of a connecting rod interposed with a resilient member, each unit being connected rotatably for an angle of 360.degree. so that various shapes of things can be simulated by rotating each of the triangular hollow prisms.

Abstract: A tension gauge for indicating the tension on a fastener such as a mine roof bolt is a non-metallic right circular cylinder having a central bore and an axial thickness between parallel top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of radially extending holes is equally spaced around the perimeter of the cylinder, an end of each hole in communication with the bore and/or an end opening in the perimeter of said cylinder. Preferably, there are six such holes disposed at 60.degree. intervals about the cylinder bore. The central axis of each hole lies in a plane which is parallel to and substantially equidistant from the planes of the top and bottom surfaces.The cylinder is formed of a one-piece, compressible, organopolymeric material, such as high density polyethylene, which is capable of flowing under compression resulting from tension on the fastener less than that tension which will overstress the fastener.

Abstract: Spacers are used where added bolt length is advantageous. Such spacers are usually one piece and are formed from tubing having a solid cylindrical wall which often splits or yields when stressed by highly torqued bolts. An improved spacer (10) is formed from wound coil (12) to form a spiral walled cylindrical body (20) having advantageous over prior spacers. Each spiral (14) includes a portion (26) which abuts each adjacent spiral (14) and a portion (30) which is free of such abutment.

Abstract: Connected temporary fastening nails including vertically oriented connecting parts formed by making cuts at fixed intervals along the length of a continuous elastic part which is substantially square in cross-section and which has a hollow space in the interior of the continuous elastic part and a plurality of small diameter nails each provided through adjacent connecting parts at fixed intervals along the length of the continuous elastic part.

Abstract: An improved assembly for mounting a part onto a base member is provided by incorporating a tubular insert having a hollow inner core in a mounting hole in the part. A fastener, such as a bolt, machine screw or rivet may then be inserted through the insert in the mounting hole for attachment to the base member. When the assembly is subjected to axial compression by the fastener, the insert collapses uniformly in an axial direction to absorb a substantial amount of the total compressive load exerted upon tightening the fastener.

Abstract: An improved assembly for mounting a part onto a base member is provided by incorporating a tubular insert having a hollow inner core in a mounting hole in the part. A fastener, such as a bolt, machine screw or rivet, may then be inserted through the insert in the mounting hole for attachment to the base member. The tubular insert has an integral flange on the end which engages the fastener. The flange functions as the "washer" in conventional fastener assemblies. When the assembly is subjected to axial compression by the fastener, the insert collapses uniformly in an axial direction to absorb a substantial amount of the total compressive load exerted upon tightening the fastener.

Abstract: A sealing element is characterized by an upset metal disc having a central opening and reversely positioned annular grooves, and an annular sealing member in each groove. The sealing element as a sealing washer provides for effective sealing engagement with the head of a fastener and the surface of an article being fastened to seal the fastener opening in such article. The sealing element may also be employed as a valve seat and seal in a check valve assembly in which a biased poppet element is carried by the sealing element and is responsive to fluid pressure for controlled passage of fluid through the check valve assembly.

Abstract: A selectively adjustable means for positioning a shift fork on a shift rail. The adjustable means correlates the shift fork with a shift lever position and assures full engagement of the clutch teeth when the lever is shifted. Positive detent mechanism will assure the transmission will not jump out of gear while coasting or driving under load.

Abstract: An improved lock washer is described for locking nuts or bolts into their fastened positions. A molded plastic washer has a series of integral dimples or lock projections extending radially outwardly and downwardly from one of the washer contact surfaces. These integral projections are turned circumferentially during the tightening of the nut or bolt and the circumferential positioning of the dimples resists an unscrewing movement of the nuts or bolts.