Patents for April

USPTO Fastener Patents Compiled from: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by the Editors of FTI

Partially-Threaded Projection Weld Nut
US Patent 11940000
Published March 26, 2024
Inventors: Martin Currie, Gothenburg, Sweden; Sten Johansson,
Gothenburg, Sweden; Thomas Hermansson, Vastra Frölunda, Sweden; Leif
Winberg, Gothenburg, Sweden; and Hans Lundberg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden
A weld nut assembly, including: an annular flange structure; and an annular
body structure coupled to the annular flange structure; wherein the annular
flange structure and the annular body structure collectively define an inner
bore, wherein at least a portion of the inner bore defined proximate the
annular flange structure defines threads adapted to receive a screw
disposed within the inner bore. The weld nut assembly further includes an
annular washer or bottom structure coupled to the annular flange structure.
Optionally, the weld nut assembly further includes an annular ring
projection and a plurality of circumferential weld protrusions coupled to the
annular flange structure. The annular flange structure is adapted to be
welded to a surface of a body panel or other structure of a vehicle with the
inner bore aligned with a hole formed through the body panel or other
structure, the hole adapted to receive the screw therethrough.

Rivet-Type Fastener
US Patent 11933347
www.uspto.gov
Published March 19, 2024
Inventors: Mahantesh S. Gokavi, Maharashtra, India; Ganesh Kumar,
Maharashtra, India; Lokesh Chauhan, Maharashtra, India; and Bhupendra
Pandey, Maharashtra, India
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL, USA
Examples of rivet-type fasteners are described. The rivet-type fastener may
further include a fastener pin. The fastener pin includes a planar head
portion and a shaft longitudinally extending from the head portion. The
fastener pin may further include a cantilevered snap element at a distal end
of the shaft. A portion of the cantilevered snap element is flexibly moveable
with respect to the axis of shaft. The rivet-type fastener comprises a
fastener body which in turn comprises a collared portion with a central
opening. A plurality of elongated portions extend orthogonally from the
collared portion, wherein the elongated portions are radially positioned
about the central axis and about the edges of the central opening.

Fastener Assemblies and Nut Plate Assemblies for Fastener Assemblies
US Patent 11933340
Published March 19, 2024
Inventors: Harold Hess, Leawood, KS, USA; Deeptesh Selvaraj, Pitt Meadows,
CA, USA; Igor Komsitsky, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Armando Perez, Los Angeles,
CA, USA; and Zoltan Szekely, Cypress, TX, USA
Assignee: Enduralock, LLC, Lenexa, KS, USA
Fastener assemblies and nut plate assemblies include a plate member, a
shell member and a floating nut disposed within the shell member and
defining a bore configured to receive a threaded fastener. The fastener
assemblies and nut plate assemblies also include at least one magnetic
component disposed within the shell member and configured to switch the
nut plate assembly between a locked configuration and an unlocked
configuration.

Threaded Insert with a Replaceable Nut Element
US Patent 11933341
Published March 19, 2024
Inventor: Mark David Rowley, Friendswood, TX, USA
A threaded insert with a replaceable nut element allows a user to replace
only the nut element of the threaded insert rather than the entire threaded
insert. The threaded insert includes an insertable housing, a replaceable
nut, a retaining mechanism and an attachment mechanism. The insertable
housing allows the threaded insert to be engaged within a wall structure
and is used to contain the replaceable nut. The replaceable nut allows the
threaded insert to be engaged by a fastener such as a screw or bolt. The
attachment mechanism allows the replaceable nut to be attached within
and detached from the insertable housing. The retaining mechanism further
secures the replaceable nut within the insertable housing and also prevents
the replaceable nut from rotating within the insertable housing.

Fastener
US Patent 11927302
Published March 12, 2024
Inventor: Christian Ritter, Ludwigshafen, Germany
Assignee: Spectra Precision, Lisle, IL, USA
A fastener comprises a body part, fastening means for fixing the fastener to
a first object, a mounting part for mounting a second object to the fastener,
and connecting means connecting the body part and the mounting part. The
mounting part is rotatable and pivotable relative to the body part so as to
assume a predetermined orientation relative to the body part, and the body
part is retractable from the mounting part. The fastener is adjustable
between at least two operational states, a first operational state, in which
the body part and the mounting part are adjacent to each other, or a second
operational state, in which the body part is retracted from the mounting
part so that the body part and the mounting part are spaced apart from
each other. In the first operational state, the predetermined orientation of
the mounting part relative to the body part is fixed, and in the second
operational state, the predetermined orientation of the mounting part
relative to the body part is adjustable by rotating and/or pivoting the
mounting part.

Press on Retaining Washer for Fasteners
US Patent 11927212
Published March 12, 2024
Inventors: Michael R. Estridge, Austin, TX, USA; Mark J. Dube, McDade, TX,
USA; and William J. Elliott, Kyle, TX, USA
Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.,
Nashua, NH, USA
A thin film-retaining washer with custom geometry that may further provide
for a simple press-on installation while maintaining retention of fasteners
during assembly, shipping, handling and/or use of associated systems. The
present retaining hardware is easily manufactured from sheet or film
materials with minimal post-processing and may be scaled and optimized
for use with multiple size and style of fasteners. Further, the thickness
profile of the thin film retaining hardware facilitates lobe spring deflection
to further provide secure retention of the associated fasteners.

Non-Loosening Bolt
US Patent 11920626
Published March 5, 2024
Inventor: Toshimitu Tokumoto, Akashi, Japan
Provided in the context of a bolt is a method for achieving antiloosening
capability such as will make it possible to obtain antiloosening effect for
tightening operations to be carried out easily and rapidly, and such as will
make it possible in robust and reliable fashion. Comprised, in such form as
if a single bolt had been cut into two perpendicularly with respect to an axis
thereof at a location midway along the axis thereof, of first bolt 11 having a
bolt head and second bolt 12 having a threaded tip; second bolt 12 being
such that an eccentric columnar portion 123 which is smaller in diameter
than a diameter of the shaft of the second bolt 12 is provided at cutting
plane 122 in such fashion as to protrude outward in an axial direction in
eccentric fashion with respect to a direction perpendicular to a central axis,
and such that side face protrusion 124 is formed at an outside
circumferential side face of eccentric columnar portion 123; first bolt 11
being such that eccentric cylindrical portion 113 that mates with eccentric
columnar portion 123 is formed at cutting plane 112 in eccentric fashion
with respect to a direction perpendicular to a central axis, axial groove 114
being formed in a direction parallel to the central axis and radial groove 115
being formed in a radial direction at the interior thereof; the entirety
constituting locking bolt 1.

Safety Washer for Improved Control of Bolt Tension and High Antiloosening
Effect
US Patent 11920625
Published March 5, 2024
Inventor: Paolo Cattaneo, Calco, Italy
Assignee: Growermetal S.p.A., Calco, Italy
The present invention relates to a washer having a having central hole, a
bolt under head engaging surface (under head surface) and a bearing
engaging surface (bearing surface) with a serration on both surfaces,
wherein the serration on the bolt under head engaging surface comprises a
saw tooth structure, the edges of the saw tooth structure in top view of the
bolt under head engaging surface of the washer have a boomeranglike
shape, the bolt under head engaging surface has a chamfer on its inner
periphery, the serration on the bearing engaging surface comprises a
plurality of teeth which in top view of the bolt under head engaging surface
run in the direction from the inner to the outer circumference of the washer
surface and which are inclined with regard to radially extending straight
lines originating from the washer center, and the top sections of the edges
of both the teeth and the saw tooth structure in cross-sectional view of the
serrations are rounded.

Zn-Ni as a Coating Layer on Self-Drilling Screws of Austenitic Stainless Steel
US Patent 11920624
Published March 5, 2024
Inventor Huang Kun-Hao, Thal, China
Assignee: SFS Group International AG, Heerbrugg, Switzerland
A self-drilling screw (10) having a head (20), a shaft (30) at least partially
wearing a thread (35) and a drill point (40). The base material of the screw
(10) including the drill point (40) is integrally manufactured from an
austenitic 300 series steel with a surface hardness (uncoated) of 400-600 HV
0.3. The surface of the screw has a top coating of Zn—Ni with a Ni-content
between 12-15% deposited on the austenitic base material. This self-drilling
screw (10) is manufactured from a blank of raw austenite 300 series steel
which is initially squeezed by cold forming to reduce its diameter in a first
operation and, in following cold forming operations the head, the drill point
and a thread are formed.

Sealing Nut for Electric Vehicles
US Patents 11913487
Published February 27, 2024
Inventors: Albert J. Dapoz, Sterling Heights, MI, USA; Lucas W. Kroeger,
Fenton, MI, USA; and Luke Wallace, Dubuque, IA, USA
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL, USA
A sealing nut for securing a battery vent to a battery cover includes an
upper body, a base, a fang extending from the base in a direction opposite
the upper body, a flange extending from the base in the direction opposite
the upper body and a channel formed between the fang and the flange. The
channel extends annularly around the base and is configured to receive a
seal member.

Screw Having an Under-Head Coating
US Patent 11913486
Published February 27, 2024
Inventors: Anselm Weckerle, Munich, Germany; Karin Lüdtke, Munich,
Germany; Markus Lang, Munich, Germany; Sebastian Thau, Munich,
Germany; Alexander Kuhn-Weiss, Munich, Germany; and Agron Berisha,
Munich, Germany
Assignee: Omnitechnik Mikroverkapselungs GmbH, Munich, Germany
The present disclosure provides a screw and a screw assemblage. The screw
includes a screw head and a screw shaft which protrudes from an underside
of the screw head and has a self-forming or self-cutting thread, wherein the
underside of the screw head has a bearing area and at least one annular
recess extending around the shaft between the bearing area and the shaft,
wherein a coating made of an elastic sealant is attached to the underside of
the screw head.

Quick-Access Fastener Assembly for High Temperature Applications
US Patent 11905986
Published February 20, 2024
Inventor: Stefano Gulli, Kent, WA, USA; Adam Norman, Kent, WA, USA; Chris
Hupf, Kent, WA, USA; John Brendel, Kent, WA, USA; Sean Lay, Kent, WA, USA;
and Pierce Louderback, Kent, WA, USA
Assignee: Blue Origin LLC, Kent, WA, USA
Embodiments disclosed herein include fastener assemblies. In an
embodiment, a fastener assembly comprises a sleeve with a hole, an inner
surface, and top and bottom ends. The top end has a planar surface, and
the inner surface has a cylindrical surface. The fastener assembly includes a
fastener downwardly extending through the hole, and having a drive slot, a
head, a shank and a threaded region. The head is positioned within the
bottom end. The head is separated from the threaded region by the shank.
The fastener assembly comprises a cover disposed on the top end and
having an access hole and top and bottom surfaces. The cover is welded to
the sleeve to define an inner cavity between the cover, sleeve and fastener
head. The access hole is positioned over the drive slot. The cover, sleeve and
fastener comprises materials having high temperature, strength and
oxidation resistances.

Hidden Fastener Unit and Related Method of Use
US Patent 11898357
Published February 13, 2024
Inventor: Roger A. Vandenberg, Hudsonville, MI, USA; and Todd E.A
Schwartzkopf, Hudsonville, MI, USA
Assignee: National Nail Corp., Grand Rapids, MI, USA
A fastener unit and related method for securing a board to a support is
provided. The fastener unit includes a spacer block, a grip element
extending from the spacer block and configured to fit in and engage a
groove of the board, and one or more board engagement elements. The
board engagement elements can engage the groove of the board, thereby
securing the spacer block in a position adjacent the groove to establish a
gap between the board and another board. Related methods of use also are
provided.

Semi-Compliant Fasteners for Mechanical Locking
US Patent 11890682
Published February 6, 2024
Inventor: Quinlan Yee Shuck, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Scott Nelson, Carmel, IN,
USA; and Raymond Ruiwen Xu, Carmel, IN, USA
Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, USA
A method for connecting or joining a first substrate and a second substrate
across an interface between the first substrate and the second substrate.
The method includes disposing a fastener precursor in the bore and
sintering the fastener precursor in the bore. The fastener precursor
densifies and shrinks in at least one dimension to mechanically interlock
with a contour in the bore and form a mechanical fastener in the bore, and
the mechanical fastener forms an interlock between the first substrate and
the second substrate.

Blind Fastener and Method of Installation Thereof
US Patent 11885358
Published January 30, 2024
Inventors: Robert B. Wilcox, McGregor, TX, USA; James Thomas Smith,
Crawford, TX, USA; and Troy Don Pierce, Hewitt, TX, USA
Assignee: Howmet Aerospace Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The present disclosure relates to a blind fastener and a method of
installation thereof. The blind fastener comprises a sleeve and a mandrel.
The sleeve comprises a first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, and a cavity
extending from the first sleeve end to the second sleeve end. The mandrel is
configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the sleeve. The
mandrel comprises a first mandrel end disposed adjacent to the first sleeve
end and comprising an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a
diameter of the cavity, a second mandrel end comprising a pull region, and
a shank region extending intermediate the first mandrel end and the
second mandrel end. The pull region comprises an axial length no greater
than four times a diameter of the shank region and is configured to be
engaged by an installation tool.

Self Drilling Screw
US Patent 11885363
Published January 30, 2024
Inventor: Rameshkumara Ramachandran, Yatala, Australia
Assignee: IPH International Pty Ltd., Yatala, Australia
A self-drilling screw, particularly for use in a security screen employing
leveraged clamping. The selfdrilling screw comprises a head and a shank. A
drill bit is formed at one end of the shank away from the head with a thread
extending along the full length of the shank, including the drill bit. The
thread on the drill bit increases holding strength.

Rivet Nut
US Patent 11885365
Published January 30, 2024
Inventors: Jeffrey T. Roose, Troy, MI, USA; and Harry Lee Hastings, III, Little
Rock, AR, USA
Assignee: Arkansas Bolt Co., Inc., Little Rock, AR, USA
An apparatus providing mating alignment between internal threading of a
rivet nut and the external threading of the mandrel of an unclaimed
installation tool before anchoring the rivet nut in a hole in a substrate, or
the external threading of an unclaimed threaded fastener after anchoring in
the substrate hole. The improvements include a bushing sleeve seated in a
counterbore in the rivet nut, for guiding the external threading of the
mandrel or fastener to the internal threading of the rivet nut. The sleeve
also enables play during upset of the rivet nut, and provides visual
confirmation whether the rivet nut has been properly anchored in the hole
of substrate.

Screw with Milling-Ribs for Countersinking the Screw and Use of the Screw
US Patent 11879491
Published January 23, 2024
Claus Hornstrup Dissing, Ry, Denmark
Assignee: Dissing A/S, Skanderborg, Denmark
In order to prevent wood fringes at the edge of a hole from a countersunk
screw (1), the screw-head (2) is provided with a tapering underside and
inclined milling-ribs with cavities between the milling-ribs on the tapering
underside.

Self-Tapping Fastener
US Patent 11879487
Published January 23, 2024
Inventor: Ryan Mansour, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
A self-tapping fastener or screw is provided including a head, a cutting tip,
and a body portion. The cutting tip includes a first cutting surface. The body
portion extends from the head along a central axis to the cutting tip. The
body portion includes a proximal threaded portion having a proximal thread
size; a distal threaded portion having a distal thread size, the distal thread
size being smaller than the proximal thread size; and an intermediate
portion, the intermediate portion of the body portion disposed between the
proximal threaded portion and the distal threaded portion.