Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Externally threaded fastener element – e.g. – bolt – screw – etc. – Double-ended
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-09
2004-12-07
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3677)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Externally threaded fastener element, e.g., bolt, screw, etc.
Double-ended
C411S311000, C411S938000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06827538
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a threaded connecting apparatus such as a combination of nuts and bolts, and more particularly to a torque prevailing stud.
Threaded fastening systems are commonly used today to join two separate elements together either permanently or temporarily. Such fastening systems provide the opportunity to strongly, yet removably fasten one element with another. However, most current threaded fastening systems are subject to undesired stresses or forces that may cause the threaded connection to unscrew itself, thereby weakening the integrity of the underlying connection.
In the automotive industry, a common use of such threaded fastening systems is for attaching exhaust flanges to manifolds on automobiles. In this case, one end of the stud is attached to a manifold flange and the other end of the stud is attached to an exhaust flange. Such fastening systems are subjected to extreme forces from a variety of sources such as axial forces caused by the vibration of the manifold on a vehicle. They are also vulnerable to vibration from the movement of the vehicle itself, all such forces being capable of causing the nuts or female components of the threaded connections to slowly unscrew themselves.
In order to securely maintain the removable connection of two separate elements, a torque prevailing stud has been developed to prevent the threaded connection from vibrating loose. The stud is comprised of a male component made of a shank with an outer wall that is threaded and has a wedge ramp formed in a portion of the threaded outer wall. The stud also has a gripping component located along the shank of the male component. A separate female component is necessary to attach objects to the shank of the male component. The female component has a threaded central bore that matingly engages the threaded outer wall of the male component in such a manner as to cause the wedge ramp to lock the threaded outer wall of the male component within the threaded bore of the female component and prevent undesired loosening of the fastening system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a threaded fastening system that is torque resistant.
The object of the present invention is achieved by a torque prevailing stud comprised of a male component made of a shank with an outer wall that is threaded and a wedge ramp formed in a portion of the threaded outer wall. The stud also has a gripping component that is located within the central region of the shank and is used to facilitate securing the stud to another component.
A female component having a body with a threaded bore for engaging the male component is used to facilitate connecting other elements to the stud. The threaded bore of the female component matingly engages the threaded outer wall of the male component. When the wedge ramp portion of the male component is introduced into the female component, the wedge of each thread engages the adjacent faces of the female component causing a tight frictional fit therewith that is resistive to vibratory jarring which normally causes the fastening system to loosen.
While the wedge ramp creates a secure, locking fit between the male and female components of the torque prevailing stud, the female component is still capable of being removed from the male component with normal means such as a wrench or pliers. Thus the torque prevailing stud is effective at securing various elements together, yet removable and reusable.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 930450 (1909-08-01), Zinow
patent: 1172427 (1916-02-01), Carlson
patent: 1389927 (1921-09-01), Ball
patent: 1884973 (1932-10-01), Hoke
patent: 2202240 (1940-05-01), Trotter
patent: 2352540 (1944-06-01), Hanneman
patent: 2371365 (1945-03-01), Tomalis et al.
patent: 2407741 (1946-09-01), Goodby
patent: 2596885 (1952-05-01), Booth
patent: 2713882 (1955-07-01), Wilkes
patent: 2897867 (1959-08-01), Torre
patent: 2923339 (1960-02-01), Skidmore
patent: 3076208 (1963-02-01), Moore
patent: 3381733 (1968-05-01), Stanwick
patent: 3408887 (1968-11-01), Villo
patent: 3464306 (1969-09-01), Reynolds et al.
patent: 3504722 (1970-04-01), Breed
patent: 3523565 (1970-08-01), Olsen
patent: 3603132 (1971-09-01), Holmes
patent: 3664400 (1972-05-01), Moore
patent: 3763725 (1973-10-01), Reiland
patent: 3792933 (1974-02-01), Stencel
patent: 3841371 (1974-10-01), Thurston
patent: 3854372 (1974-12-01), Gutshall
patent: 3878759 (1975-04-01), Carlson
patent: 4005740 (1977-02-01), Villo, deceased et al.
patent: 4015504 (1977-04-01), Rosan, Sr. et al.
patent: 4061367 (1977-12-01), Moebius
patent: 4074011 (1978-02-01), Teramae et al.
patent: 4260005 (1981-04-01), Stencel
patent: 4383353 (1983-05-01), Stencel
patent: 4544312 (1985-10-01), Stencel
patent: 4854311 (1989-08-01), Steffee
patent: 4928531 (1990-05-01), Schult et al.
patent: 4934491 (1990-06-01), Yamaoka et al.
patent: 4973209 (1990-11-01), Essom et al.
patent: 5071301 (1991-12-01), Engelhardt et al.
patent: 5242252 (1993-09-01), Harle
patent: 5340254 (1994-08-01), Hertel et al.
patent: 6135689 (2000-10-01), Matsunami
patent: 2002/0131834 (2002-09-01), Kondo et al.
patent: 2198801 (1988-06-01), None
Barrett Engineering Consulting, Fastener Design Manual, Part One. 13 pages. http://www.tcnj.edu/~rgraham/barrett/manual1-A.html. Oct. 16, 2000.
Vibration Loosening of Bolts and Threaded Fasteners. 3 pages. http://www.boltscience.com/pages/vibloose.htm Oct. 16, 2000.
Doppke Thomas S.
Schmidt Robert
Whitman Bruce D.
HTG-Wyandotte, LLC
Wilson Neill
Young & Basile P.C.
LandOfFree
Torque prevailing stud does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Torque prevailing stud, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Torque prevailing stud will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3277548