Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Nut – and means to engage substructure on its opposite faces...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2002-11-05
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3679)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Nut, and means to engage substructure on its opposite faces...
C411S386000, C411S436000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06474918
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One problem that assemblers, machine builders, manufacturers, mechanics and the like have is cross threading internal threads. When assembling of devices was performed by hand, cross threading of internal threads did not occur frequently. But, products are now increasingly assembled using power devices. Cross threading occurs more frequently when using powered devices such as electric screw drivers and power guns.
FIG. 1
illustrates a screw
101
and a conventional insert
102
. The conventional insert has internal threads
103
extending from top to bottom. The screw
101
has external threads
104
which match the internal threads
103
of the insert. The screw
101
is shown slightly mis-aligned with respect to the insert
102
. Any turning or driving of the screw
101
will likely cause cross threading of the internal threads
103
or the external threads
104
.
Cross threading of internal threads can be especially problematic for fixed devices and inserts as opposed to nuts. Once a device has female threads and they become cross threaded, the device may be unusable. Cross threaded inserts can be extremely difficult or impossible to remove or replace. Often, cross threading internal threads means that the part needs to be disposed of which could be a very costly problem. Cross threading or the occurrences of cross threading need to be reduced.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a device which reduces cross threading.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by the present invention. An anti-cross threading device is disclosed. The device includes an element, a cylindrical cavity, an unthreaded section and a threaded section. The element has an exterior surface. The cylindrical cavity is in the element extending from the surface to a first length. The cylindrical cavity has an interior surface. An unthreaded section of the interior surface extends from the element surface to a second length. The threaded section of the interior surface extends from the second length to the first length.
Other devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed.
The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section. This alignment can avoid cross threading.
REFERENCES:
patent: 447775 (1891-03-01), Higbee
patent: 2392133 (1946-01-01), Eklund
patent: 3030705 (1962-04-01), Gill
patent: 4842462 (1989-06-01), Tildesley
patent: 5320467 (1994-06-01), Erbes
patent: 5335411 (1994-08-01), Muller
patent: 5609455 (1997-03-01), McKewan
patent: 5704749 (1998-01-01), Landgrebe
patent: 5730566 (1998-03-01), Goodwin et al.
patent: 5791849 (1998-08-01), Goodwin et al.
patent: 5836731 (1998-11-01), Goodwin et al.
patent: 5928395 (1999-07-01), Glen et al.
patent: 2041136 (1980-09-01), None
Ashton Plastic Products, Inc.
Killworth, Gottman Hagan & Schaeff LLP
Wilson Neill
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