Abstract:
A system for inserting and retaining a fastener between two generally parallel spaced apart webs formed on a first workpiece. The fastener is inserted using ultrasonic energy to deform the material of the webs to engage an axial force resisting portion and a torsional force resisting portion of the fastener with the material of the webs. The present invention includes the fastener which is constructed for use in the system, as well as an article employing the fastener for attaching the first workpiece, to which the fastener is attached, to a second workpiece.
Abstract:
In the space shuttle, a cargo bay storage rack was required which was to be manufactured from a metal-plastic composite and bolted to a cargo structure. Following completion, utilization of the rack was disallowed due to tolerances, that is, the size differences between the outside bolt diameter and the inside hole diameter. In addition to the space shuttle problem there are other close tolerance requirements for bolts. Such environments often benefit from close tolerance bolting. Frequently such fabrication is not cost effective. Consequently there is a need for means of achieving close tolerances between bolts and bolt holes. Such means are provided herein. After compressing the elements together a strong rigid plastic, ceramic, or ceramic plastic fluid is forced into a channel extending through the bolt.
Abstract:
A self locking panel fastener comprising a receptacle connected to one of the two panels being secured together, the receptacle having an internally threaded nut portion, an externally threaded stud having a head portion extendible through the apertures of the panels, a shaped end portion and a bore formed therein; a first locking member within said receptacle having a shaped aperture and sized to receive the shaped end portion of the stud to drivingly connect the first locking member and the stud; a second locking member mounted within the receptacle for generally axial movement relative to the nut portion; a spring member for forcing the second locking member into engagement with the first locking member to form a locking connection between the stud and the second locking member; and a member for driving the second locking member generally axially relative to the first locking member against the force of the spring to break the locking connection and to allow counterrotation of the stud relative to the nut portion to allow unscrewing of the stud from the nut portion, the driving member having a first position within the bore when the stud is engaged with the receptacle and a second position when the stud is disengaged from the receptacle.
Abstract:
An adhesive mixture comprising a multiplicity of contiguous deposits of a curable but uncured fluid resin and a fluid curing agent for the resin, said deposits being separated by a thin flexible barrier film of cured resin resulting from the interaction between the resin and curing agent.
Abstract:
An electrical outlet box formed of metallic material has an integral boss that angularly aligns, engages and retains wiring device mounting screws. The boss has a bore for receiving the screw comprising in sequence a cylindrical surface having a diameter slightly larger than the crest diameter of the mounting screw threads, and a self-tapping surface defining generally a regular hexagon in transverse cross section. The hexagon has a diameter across its corners slightly larger than the crest diameter of the screw threads, and a diameter across its flat sides slightly larger than the root diameter of the screw threads and slightly smaller than the crest diameter of the screw threads. A slot extends laterally from the bore and into the boss.
Abstract:
A reusable anchor is disclosed for securing a supporting base plate in place along the surface of a substrate to be drilled. The anchor comprises an anchor body having a first body portion engageable to the base plate and a second body portion extendable into the substrate to be drilled. The second body portion comprises first and second cylindrical sections. The first cylindrical section is disposed in axial alignment with the first body portion and the second cylindrical section is formed to vary between a first postion in axial alignment with respect to the first body portion and a second position eccentric with respect to said first body portion. The first and second cylindrical sections are adapted to cooperatiely engage the substrate when the second cylindrical section is disposed in the second position to maintain the anchor body in place with respect to the substrate.
Abstract:
An electrical outlet box formed of nonmetallic material which has a pair of integral bosses that angularly align, engage and retain wiring device mounting screws therein. The bosses each have a through bore for receiving the screws comprising in sequence a frustoconical surface, a cylindrical surface having a diameter slightly larger than the crest diameter of the mounting screw threads, and a self-tapping surface defining a regular hexagon in transverse cross section. The hexagon has a diameter across its corners slightly larger than the crest diameter of the screw threads, and a diameter across its flat sides slightly larger than the root diameter of the screw threads and slightly smaller than the crest diameter of the screw threads.
Abstract:
A fastener for attaching fixtures to channeled structural members has an extended bolt engaging section which increases the load carrying capacity of the fastener. The fastener, with the extended section, can be used in channeled structural members of limited depth as well as the standard channeled structural members without sacrificing the load carrying capacity. The extended section has an alignment feature which will align the flanges of the channeled structural member with the grooved flange engaging means of the fastener permitting the use of the fastener in channeled structural members having widths greater than standard members.
Abstract:
An improved fastener has a head section and an axially extending shank section. A thread convolution is disposed in a coaxial relationship with the head and shank sections. An improved holding action against rotational and axial movement of the fastener relative to a metal base member is promoted by a plurality of radially extending wedge-shaped compression ramps. The compression ramps are disposed on the head section and slope radially and axially inwardly toward the shank section. The compression ramps are effective to force metal of the base member into an annular groove which circumscribes and undercuts at least a portion of the shank section. The metal which is received in the undercut portion of the groove is effective to hold the fastener against being pushed or pulled axially outwardly from the base member. The compression ramps also force the metal of the base member radially inwardly against corners formed on the shank section of the fastener to hold the fastener against rotation. In addition, the compression ramps are embedded in the base member to further hold the fastener against rotation relative to the base member. The compression ramps are separated by flat arcuate stop surface areas which limit the extent to which the fastener is pressed into the base member.
Abstract:
Disclosed are fastener assemblies in which the fastener is captivated in a channel member and is removable through the opening between inturned flange edges of the channel member. Embodiments of a nut retainer assembly and a bolt retainer assembly are disclosed as is an embodiment of a complementary clamping system utilizing a nut retainer assembly and a bolt retainer assembly. In order to facilitate insertion of a fastener through the opening between inturned flange edges of the channel member, at least one of the flats of the base of the fastener includes an inclined portion. Further, in order to facilitate removal of a captivated fastener, at least one of the flats of the base of the fastener includes a cut-out or recessed portion which with the inturned flange edge forms a slot suitable for receiving the tip of a screwdriver. Pivoting the screwdriver in cooperation with the recessed portion of the flat causes outward, elastic flexing of a flange portion to enable the base of the fastener to be moved through the opening between the inturned flange edges, and thus removed from captivation in the channel member. A fastener base is inserted into the channel member through the opening by positioning the fastener base with one flat in the channel member and with the inclined portion of the other flat resting on an inturned flange edge. Force is applied to the fastener base which in cooperation with the inclined flat portion flexes elastically the flange portion of the channel member outwardly to enable the fastener base to be moved through the opening.