USPTO Patents for June
Compiled from: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
System and Method for Sealing a Metal Fastener from Electrolyte in an Area of Dissimilar Metals
United States Patent 11,339,823
Issued May 24, 2022
Inventor: David Demaratos, Wixom, MI, USA
Assignee: J.S.T. Corporation, Farmington Hills, MI, USA
A sealing system and a method for sealing a metal fastener and members having dissimilar metals for a header connector or a connector device from electrolyte in an area where, in the header connector or the connector device, certain dissimilar metals may be in contact. The metal fastener and other adjoining or abutting dissimilar metals are sealed by a non-conductive seal from electrolyte, thereby protecting the metal fastener and the other adjoining or abutting dissimilar metals from galvanic corrosion and subsequently protecting the integrity of the header connector or the connector device.
Bolt
United States Patent 11,333,189
Issued May 17, 2022
Inventors: Takahiro Hamada, Kanagawa, Japan; and Daisuke Kobayashi, Kanagawa, Japan
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Yokohama, Japan
A bolt of the present invention is a high-strength bolt of high-carbon steel having a tempered martensite structure, wherein the composition of the bolt comprises: 0.50 mass % or more and 0.65 mass % or less of carbon (C); 1.5 mass % or more and 2.5 mass % or less of silicon (Si); 1.0 mass % or more and 2.0 mass % or less of chromium (Cr); 0.2 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less of manganese (Mn); and 1.5 mass % or more and 5.0 mass % or less of molybdenum (Mo); a total content of impurities being phosphor (P) and sulfur (S) is 0.03 mass % or more; and the remaining is iron (Fe). Furthermore, the carbon concentration satisfies the following Formula (1): 0.75≤X<1 . . . Formula (1) wherein, in Formula (1), X represents surface carbon concentration/inner carbon concentration. Therefore, the bolt of the present invention has low quench cracking susceptibility and excellent delayed fracture resistance, because an increase in temperature at which martensite transformation occurs (Ms point) on the surface side is held down.
Method of Securing a Fastener to an Object
United States Patent 11,331,862
Issued May 17, 2022
Inventors: Jorg Mayer, Niederlenz, Switzerland; Joakim Kvist, Nidau, Switzerland; Philipp Bernhard, Thun, Switzerland; Laurent Torriani, Lamboing, Switzerland; Mario Weiss, Diessbach bei Buren, Switzerland; Antonino Lanci, Bern, Swtizerland; Martin Sigrist, Bern, Switzerland; Hannes Merz, Olten, Switzerland; and Samuel Malzach, Evilard, Switzerland.
Assignee: Woodwelding AG, Stansstad, Switzerland
A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.
Self-Piercing Rivet and Self-Piercing Riveting Method and Self-Piercing Riveted Joint
United States Patent 11,333,187
Issued May 17, 2022
Inventors: Steffen Hofmann, Giessen, Germany; Paul Bartig, Giessen, Germany; Frank Wilhelm, Giessen, Germany; and Matthais Wissling, Giessen, Germany
Assignee: Newfrey LLC, New Britain, CT, USA
A riveted joint comprising: an upper workpiece and a lower workpiece, and a self-piercing rivet. The rivet in an undeformed state, before the creation of the riveted joint, included: a head defining a head diameter (DH); a shank defining a shank diameter (DS); and a foot end opposite the head. Radially outward at the foot end is a flat surface facing away from the head; and an axial recess located radially inward of the flat surface, partly defined in the foot end, open axially away from the head, and frustoconical in longitudinal cross section. The axial recess defining an axial depth (LB). The ratio of recess axial depth (LB) to shank diameter (DS) is less than 0.3. And in a deformed state, after the creation of the riveted joint, the rivet extends through the first workpiece and penetrates the second workpiece; and the head bears against the upper surface.
Threaded Fastener with a Hybrid Self-Drilling Tip
United States Patent 11,326,638
Issued May 10, 2022
Inventor: Michael C. Dill, Elk Grove Village, IL, USA
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL, USA
The present disclosure provides a threaded fastener having a hybrid self-drilling tip or drill tip. The fastener includes a head, a shank connected to and extending from the head, a helical thread formation extending radially outwardly from part of the shank, and a self-drilling tip including a first tapered tip portion and a second tapered tip portion. The first tapered tip portion is connected at a first end to the shank and at a second end to the second tapered tip portion, and the second tapered tip portion terminates in a pointed end. The outer diameters of both tapered portions taper radially inwardly moving in the direction of the pointed end, which renders the fastener suitable for attachment to wood as well as for fastening two metal objects to one another.
Fasteners for High Strength Steel
United States Patent 11,326,637
Issued May 10, 2022
Inventors: Brandt J. Ruszkiewicz, Glendale Heights, IL, USA; and Gene M. Simpson, Algonquin, IL, USA
Assignee: Semblex Corporation, Elmhurst, IL, USA
A fastener has a generally cylindrical shank and a driver at a first end of the shank. The shank has a thread having a first side and a second side opposed to the first side. The first and second sides form a compound angle between the shank and an apex where the first and second sides meet. The compound angle is formed by a body portion extending along the first and second sides from the shank to an intersection, and a crest portion extending along the first and second sides from the intersection to the apex. The first and second sides in the body portion form a body angle with respect to each other, and the first and second sides in the crest portion form a crest angle with respect to each other. The crest angle is greater than the body angle.
Range Taking Shear Bolts and Drive Tools
United States Patent 11,326,639
Issued May 10, 2022
Inventors: Christopher Juillet, Warren, NJ, USA; Jeffrey Madden, Bernardsville, NJ, USA; and Bruce Bier, Warren, NJ, USA
Assignee: Richards Mfg. Co., A New Jersey Limited Partnership, Irvington, NJ, USA
Range taking shear bolts and bolt installation (drive) tools are described herein, which are configured for use with a variety of range taking connectors and conductors.
Captive Fastener with Push Out Cam and Hold Out Clip
United States Patent 11,313,406
Issued April 26, 2022
Inventors: Benjamin Phan, Arcadia, CA, USA; Simon Ly, Rosemead, CA, USA; An Tran, Rosemead, CA, USA; Patrick Tran, Arcadia, CA, USA; Yuriy Bern, North Hollywood, CA, USA; Larisa Zilber, Northridge, CA, USA; Jeffrey Hang, Rosemead, CA, USA; and Dennis Suedkamp, Porter Ranch, CA, USA
Assignee: Fastener Technology Corporation, North Hollywood, CA, USA
A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold-out clip, and a chamber that houses a retractable cam member. The cam member is spring actuated to extend out of the shank and can be retracted into the cavity against the bias of the spring to pass through a primary panel and subpanel. The cam member is shaped to counter-rotate in the presence of a traverse force, such as the panel bearing against it.
Bolt
United States Patent 11,313,401
Issued April 26, 2022
Inventors: Yu-Ren Chu, Taipei, Taiwan; and Chih-Lung Hsieh, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Assignee: Chun Yu Works & Co., Ltd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan
The disclosure provides a bolt including a main body, a head portion and a thread portion. The main body has a central axis. The head portion connects the main body. The thread portion is connected to the main body and runs around the central axis. The thread portion has a bearing surface facing toward the head portion. The bearing surface is a continuous curved surface or has an inflection point. The bearing surface includes a concave curved surface, a convex curved surface and a flank surface. The concave curved surface connects the main body. The convex curved surface is located further away from the main body than the concave curved surface. One side of the convex curved surface connects the concave curved surface, and another side of the convex curved surface connects the flank surface.
Self-Tapping Screw
United States Patent 11,306,761
Issued April 19, 2022
Inventor: Pang-Hsiu Yen, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Assignee: Tycoons Group Enterprise Co., Ltd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan
A self-tapping screw includes a screw head, a screw shank having a shank body extending from the screw head along an axis, a self-tapping thread extending helically around an outer peripheral surface of the shank body and having a plurality of cutting edges continuously connected to one another and extending outwardly, radially and taperingly from the outer peripheral surface of the shank body, and a supporting unit including a plurality of supporting teeth each disposed between two adjacent ones of the cutting edges, and a plurality of concave surfaces respectively adjacent to the supporting teeth and extending inwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the shank body.
Segmented Nut
United States Patent 11,300,151
Issued April 12, 2022
Inventor: Brian Bradshaw, Mandurah, Australia
Assignee: Segnut Pty Ltd, Mandurah, Australia
A segmented nut is formed by three segments held together with a sleeve for transport and fastening use. Rotation of the sleeve, such as in the order of 60°, frees the segments, allowing for quick release of the nut.
Injection Molded Rivet-Style Fastener and Housing with Snap Assembly Functionality Along with an Injection Molding Process for Producing Such a Rivet without an Undercut Feature
United States Patent 11,293,471
Issued April 5, 2022
Inventor: Steve Porter, Auburn Hills, MI, USA
Assignee: U.S. Farathane Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI, USA
A fastener assembly including a hollow and structurally collapsible stem over an intermediate extending range, a solid end most extending portion being structurally rigid. A receiving portion is constructed of a deformable material having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge of a deformable material. The inner rim edge can include either of a flat profile or a chamfered shape with a narrowed profile, a diameter of an aperture bounded by the chamfered edge being less than a diameter of the solid end portion so that, upon insertion and passage of the solid portion through the narrowed rim profile, initial deformation of the chamfered rim edge shape preceding alignment of the interiorly hollowed portion, which is subsequently caused to exhibit a controlled collapse by the rim edge in order to secure the stem within the receiving portion.
Fasteners Having Enhanced Electrical Energy Dispersion Properties
United States Patent 11,293,474
Issued April 5, 2022
Inventors: Tanni Sisco, Mukilteo, WA, USA; Antonio Carlos Rufin, Seattle, WA, USA; Richard B. Tanner, Seattle, WA, USA; Dale Winter, Maple Valley, WA, USA; Jeffery Alan Wilkerson, Everett, WA, USA; and Joe Heeter, Seattle, WA, USA
Assignee: The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL, USA
Systems and methods are provided for fabricating fasteners. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a fastener. The fastener includes a head, a cylindrical shank that extends from the head and is dimensioned to engage in a fit with a corresponding hole, and a coating that is discontinuously speckled around a circumference of the shank and extends axially along the shank, leaving irregular portions of a surface of the shank exposed. The coating exhibits a higher lubricity than the surface, and the coating exhibits a higher dielectric withstand voltage than the surface.
Screw
United States Patent 11,293,475
Issued April 5, 2022
Inventors: Kuo-Tai Hsu, Tainan, Taiwan; and Ming-Hao Hsu, Tainan, Taiwan
A screw includes a head and a shank extending from the head and defining a longitudinal axis. A thread is provided on the shank. The head includes a top portion and a cone portion located between the top portion and the shank. A plurality of recesses is provided in a peripheral surface of the cone portion and spaced in a circumferential direction of the cone portion. Each recess includes first and second side edges opposite to each other in the circumferential direction and an upper edge connecting the first and second side edges. The first side edge features a maximum recess depth greater than a maximum recess depth of the second side edge. The top edge extending in the circumferential direction of the cone portion is partially arranged between the top portion and the first side edge of an adjacent recess in the longitudinal axis direction.