Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Having separate expander means – Frangible member
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-02-13
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2831)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Having separate expander means
Frangible member
C411S034000, C411S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186717
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to fasteners and more specifically to electrical terminal blind grounding studs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Blind grounding studs are used throughout aircraft and protrude from the same side of the structure from which they are installed. They are referred as “blind” because they require access to only one side of the panel or structure for installation. A nut is typically threaded on the installed grounding stud and holds an electrical wire in contact with the stud.
The problem with conventional grounding studs is that they occasional slip relative to the structures through which they are installed. Slippage allows the grounding studs to rotate relative to the panels or structures. Slippage is more prevalent when the structures, such as panels, through which they are installed are relatively thin, i.e., they have a thickness of less than 0.050 inch. The rotation due to slippage can cause the loss of proper electrical conductivity between the sleeve of the stud and panel and ultimately to a wire held in contact with the stud which may result in electrical failures in the system which rely on such stud for grounding.
As such, a blind grounding stud is desired that can be locked in place in the panel or structure to which it is installed such that rotation of the stud relative to the panel is alleviated. The present invention provides such a blind stud.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A fastener system is provided comprising a blind grounding stud and an inventive sleeve. The sleeve has a first section abutting a second section. The first section has a smaller outer surface diameter than the second section. A knurled band is formed around the first section beginning at the intersection between the first and second sections. The sleeve has an opening axially through the two sections. The opening has a first larger inner diameter surface which tapers via a frusto-conical surface to a smaller diameter inner surface. The larger diameter inner surface extends from an end of the sleeve first section opposite the second section and extends toward the second section to the frusto-conical surface. The smaller diameter inner surface begins at an end of the second section opposite the first section and extends toward the first section to the frusto-conical inner surface. The smaller diameter inner surface spans at least a portion of, and preferably all of the knurled band.
The blind grounding stud is fitted through the sleeve opening from the first section. The stud comprises a head, a knurled portion extending from the head, a threaded portion extending from the knurled portion, a breakneck positioned at the end of the threaded portion and a grip portion comprising a plurality of ferrules extending from the breakneck. When fitted through the sleeve, the threaded portion and grip portion extend through the end of the sleeve second section.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3515419 (1970-06-01), Baugh
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patent: 5599147 (1997-02-01), Luhm
patent: 5618142 (1997-04-01), Sonden et al.
patent: 5733086 (1998-03-01), Jakob
patent: 5993129 (1999-11-01), Sato
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Fairchild Holding Corp
Kincaid Kristine
Nino Adolfo
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