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
2000-06-21
2001-11-20
Saether, Flemming (Department: 3627)
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...
C411S181000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318940
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Background of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fastener such as a flange nut, for example, for locking securement within a panel opening. More particularly, the fastener of this invention achieves improved securement of the fastener within the panel opening against all forms of relative movement (e.g., axial, rotation, rocking).
2. Description of Related Art
Fasteners such as so-called clinch fasteners are known and generally include parts which, on being mounted to a panel opening, deform the panel to grip or clinch the fastener providing desired fixed securement of the fastener.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,669, CLINCH TYPE FASTENER, by Ronald J. Egner, includes a fastener with a nose portion of cross-section exceeding that of a metal plate opening to receive the fastener, and a locking groove that separates the nose portion from the fastener head. On installation, the nose portion cold works the opening to a larger size which forces plate metal into the locking groove to effect locking securement. Depending upon tolerances of the metal plate thickness and opening size, the amount of plate metal forced into the fastener groove can, at times, be too little to be effective for more than partial securement, and therefore results in load failure during use. On the other hand, excessive metal forced into the locking groove before the fastener head is also unsatisfactory and can result in failure by holding the head away from the plate surface.
Still further, where a fastener is of the threaded nut variety, locking integrity is desirably maintained against relative movement of the nut and plate generally parallel to the nut bore axis, rocking or wobbling about the axis and also preventing rotative movement about the bore axis when receiving a bolt or screw, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the practice of the present invention, there is provided a fastener of the threaded nut category for locking receipt within a metal panel opening of predetermined characteristics. The fastener includes a head portion adapted for receiving a wrench (e.g., to provide restraint during tapping or in emergency situations), a cylindrical flange of dimensions exceeding those of the panel opening, and a unitary deformable body extending away from the flange oppositely to that of the head portion. The deformable body has cross-sectional dimensions enabling sliding receipt within the panel opening. A central opening or bore extends through the head portion and deformable body and is provided with internal threads.
A plurality of panel gripping means are located on the flange surface, which in assembly face toward the panel and which are arranged in radially spaced apart relation about the deformable body. The gripping means each include a generally triangularly shaped tooth facing away from the flange.
On assembly, the deformable body of the fastener is inserted into the panel opening until the gripping means contact the panel surface adjacent to the opening, then a forming punch or tool is pressed against the outer end of the deformable body forming the body material into obstructing and locking contact with panel opening edges. Simultaneously, the gripping means bite into the panel thereby moving the panel material into the spaces between adjacent gripping means.
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Breh Donald J.
Croll Mark W.
Donovan Paul F.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Saether Flemming
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