Abstract: A method for producing a fastening device, in which a head part and a shaft part are joined, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a screw-tightening element are disclosed for designing the screw-tightening element (mechanical element). The design method comprises representing material characteristics of the screw component with factors including at least one of an elastic limit, an endurance strength, a true breaking power and a tension strength, representing a material characteristic of the tightening object with a factor including an elastic limit, providing a plurality of damage patterns associated with the material characteristics of the screw component and the tightening object, and calculating tolerance values of fluctuating loads in the plurality of damage patterns based on the material characteristics of the screw-tightening element and the elastic limit of the tightening object. The tolerance values of fluctuating loads are compared to determine an optimum tolerance load for the screw-tightening element.

Abstract: A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3A1-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue anchor which is an open helix of biocompatible material having a slope of from 0.5 to 10 turns per centimeter, a length from 3 to 75 millimeters, a diameter of from 1.5 to 11 millimeters, and an aspect ratio of from about 3 to about 5 to 1. The anchor can have a head which is capable of securing or clamping tissue together, such as holding a suture to secure a ligament or tendon to bone. The anchor can also have a head which causes an inward, compressive loading for use in fastening bone to bone, orthopedic plates to bone, or cartilage to bone. The head may be an integral member and may include a self-reinforcing wedge which joins the helix to the head. Further, the elongate member, or filament that forms the helix may have a tapering diameter along its length.

Abstract: A method of making a knob and ferrule for a captive screw is disclosed, the knob integrally attached to the screw, the ferrule attachable to a panel. The method of making the knob includes providing an aluminum alloy base metal for the knob, pressing by cold-forming the base material into a generally cylindrical cup-shaped article using at least one pressing operation, the cup having a generally cylindrical side wall, removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cup-shaped cylindrical article, and providing a hole in the bottom of the cup, coaxial with the hollow cylindrical walls of the cup, thereby forming the knob.

Abstract: A method of making a knob and ferrule for a captive screw is disclosed, the knob integrally attached to the screw, the ferrule attachable to a panel. The method of making the knob includes providing an aluminum alloy base metal for the knob, pressing by cold-forming the base material into a generally cylindrical cup-shaped article using at least one pressing operation, the cup having a generally cylindrical side wall, removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cup-shaped cylindrical article, and providing a hole in the bottom of the cup, coaxial with the hollow cylindrical walls of the cup, thereby forming the knob.