Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Member preassembled with substructure at through-passage or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-04-24
Saether, Flemming (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Member preassembled with substructure at through-passage or...
C411S352000, C411S114000, C411S999000, C411S951000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220803
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the field of fastening devices and, in particular to, a self-locking, self-retained, structural fastening device that may be used to secure two panels together.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background will be described with reference to securing two aircraft panels together with a fastener as an example.
Aircraft fasteners are available in a variety of configurations to serve in many different applications including securing two panels together. These fasteners are subjected to environmental conditions that are far more severe than ordinary fasteners. The fasteners must endure conditions that include extreme temperature variations, constant operational vibration, and substantial static and dynamic loading. Component failure in these harsh environments could be disastrous for the crew and passengers. Significant equipment losses may also result from component failure. Aircraft fasteners, consequently, must be designed to perform reliably under many adverse conditions.
One typical fastener used for securing two panels together for an aircraft is the rivet. In certain application, however, it becomes necessary to be able to remove or disconnect the fastener from the structure. In such cases, a convention removable fastener, such as a bolt or stud could be used. In certain applications, however, it is desirable to mount the bulk of the structural fastener toward the interior of a structure being connected. In addition, it may be desirable to mount a fastener such that the exterior surface of the fastener is flush with the exterior surface of the structure being fastened or connected. Also, it is desirable prevent damage to other components in the event of a fastener failure.
Therefore a need has arisen for a structural fastener that is capably of securing two panels together that can withstand high vibrations and extreme outside influences that would cause ordinary fasteners to eventually loosen and disengage. A need has also arisen for such a structural fastener that can mounted toward the interior of a structure being connected. Further, a need has arisen for such a structural fastener that may be mounted such that the exterior surface of the fastener is flush with the exterior surface of the structure being fastened or connected. Additional, a need has arisen for such a structural fastener that does not damage other components in the event of a fastener failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention disclosed herein comprises a structural fastener assembly that is capably of securing two panels together that is locked in position to prevent rotation when the fastener is securing two panels together. The self-locking structural fastener assembly of the present invention may be mounted toward the interior of a structure being connected and may be mounted such that the exterior surface of the fastener is flush with the exterior surface of the structure being fastened or connected. In the event of failure of the self-locking structural fastener assembly of the present invention, the threaded stud thereof is retained within the fastener housing to enhance safety. As such, the present invention disclosed herein comprises a self-locking, self-retained structural fastener assembly that may couple two panels together.
The fastener assembly of the present invention comprises a plate member that is secured to the first panel. The plate member has an opening and a pair of receivers. The fastener assembly also comprises a retainer having a threaded opening, a pair of oppositely disposed spring fingers and a pair of oppositely disposed hooks. The hooks are lockably insertable within the receivers of the plate member to form a fastener housing. A stud having a boss and first and second threaded sections extending in opposite directions from the boss is rotatably positioned within the fastener housing. The stud has an uninstalled position and an installed position. In the uninstalled position, the first threaded section is threadably engaged with the threaded opening of the retainer. In the installed position, the second threaded section extends outwardly through the opening of the plate member into a nut secured to the second panel. Also, in the installed position, the boss is locked between the spring fingers to prevent unwanted rotation of the stud. In this manner, the first and second panels are secured together.
In one embodiment, the spring fingers of the retainer are angled such that the distance between the spring fingers proximate the plate member is less than the distance between the spring fingers proximate the threaded opening of the retainer. In another embodiment, the spring fingers of the retainer have detents on their distal ends. In either embodiment, the spring finger may be located within channels of the boss to lock the stud in the installed position.
In one embodiment, the stud may include an unthreaded section that extends beyond first threaded section which is disposed within the threaded opening of the retainer when the stud is in the installed position. The stud may be a hollow and may have a tool receiving pattern cut internally therein proximate the end of the second threaded section such that a tool may be inserted therein to rotate the stud.
In the method of the present invention, two panels are secured together using the fastener assembly. The method comprises securing a nut to the first panel and securing a plate member, having an opening and a pair of receivers, to the second panel. A retainer having a threaded opening, a pair of oppositely disposed spring fingers and a pair of oppositely disposed hooks is coupled to the plate member by lockably inserting the hooks within the receivers of the plate member to form a fastener housing. A stud that is rotatably positioning within the fastener housing may then be rotated from an uninstalled position wherein a first threaded section is threadably engaged with the threaded opening of the retainer to an installed position wherein a second threaded section extends outwardly through the opening of the plate member into the nut and a boss is locked between the spring fingers, thereby securing two panels together.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2742072 (1956-04-01), Murphy
patent: 2756796 (1956-07-01), Murphy
patent: 2992685 (1961-07-01), Madsen
patent: 3683988 (1972-08-01), Carter et al.
patent: 4822227 (1989-04-01), Duran
patent: 4906153 (1990-03-01), Duran
patent: 5333978 (1994-08-01), Rives
patent: 5632584 (1997-05-01), Acevedo
patent: 6010289 (2000-01-01), DeStasio et al.
patent: 6095736 (2000-08-01), Miller
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Gardere Wynne Sewell LL
Saether Flemming
Warren, Jr. Sanford E.
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