Arrangement for captive screw

Claim 1

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member having: an integral generally radially outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending to the opposite end of said tubular member; a first bore portion extending inwardly from said one end with said first bore portion being dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank; and a second bore portion larger than said first bore portion extending inwardly from said opposite end of said tubular member so as to provide a radially directed shoulder intermediate said bore portions and a thin-walled portion of said tubular member adjacent said opposite end; then extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said tubular member to bring said head into adjacency with said flange and the distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said second bore portion but greater than said first bore portion so that said shoulder prevents removal of said shank from said member; then extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece that is shorter at said opening than the length of said tubular member and includes a surface radial with respect to said opening extending therefrom at one end of said opening so that at least a portion of said thin-walled portion projects outwardly past said one end of said opening beyond said surface of said workpiece and said flange is in engagement with the surface of said workpiece at the opposite end of said opening; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly through approximately 90* so as to provide a second substantially radial flange on said tubular member overlapping said radial surface of said workpiece beyond said one end of said opening in said workpiece for cooperation with said firstmentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece.

Claim 2

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member having: an integral generally radially outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending to the opposite end of said tubular member; a first bore portion extending inwardly from said one end with said first bore portion being dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank; and a second bore portion larger than said first bore portion extending inwardly from said opposite end of said tubular member so as to provide a radially directed shoulder intermediate said bore portions and a thin-walled portion of said tubular member adjacent said opposite end; then extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said tubular member to bring said head into adjacency with said flange and the distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said second bore portion but greater than said first bore portion so that said shoulder prevents removal of said shank from said member; then extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece that is shorter at said opening than the length of said tubular member and includes a surface radial with respect to said opening extending therefrom at one end of said opening so that at least a portion of said thin-walled portion projects outwardly past said one end of said opening beyond said surface of said workpiece and said flange is in engagement with the surface of said workpiece at the opposite end of said opening; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly through approximately 90* so as to provide a second substantially radial flange on said tubular member overlapping said radial surface of said workpiece beyond said one end of said opening in said workpiece for cooperation with said firstmentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece.

Claim 3

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member of aluminum material having: an integral outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending to the opposite end of said tubular member; a surface at said one end adapted for engagement by said head; a bore portion of a predetermined diameter inwardly from said opposite end thereof so as to provide a relatively thin bendable wall at said opposite end; and another bore portion of a relatively constant and smaller diameter substantially complementary to said shank so as to be dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank and extending inwardly at least substantially .060 inch from said surface to said bore portion of predetermined diameter so as to provide an undeflectable shoulder between said bore portions; then extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said bore portions to bring said head into adjacency with said surface and the distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular memBer; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said predetermined diameter but greater than said smaller diameter so that said shank prevents removal of said shank from said tubular member; then extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece that is shorter at said opening than the length of said tubular member so that at least a portion of said thin-walled portion projects outwardly past said opening beyond the surface of said workpiece on one side and said flange is adjacent the surface of said workpiece on the opposite side; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly through approximately 90* so as to provide a second substantially radial flange on said tubular member overlapping said one side of said workpiece beyond said opening in said workpiece for cooperating with said first-mentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece.

Claim 4

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member of aluminum material having: an integral outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending to the opposite end of said tubular member; a surface at said one end adapted for engagement by said head; a bore portion of a predetermined diameter inwardly from said opposite end thereof so as to provide a relatively thin bendable wall at said opposite end; and another bore portion of a relatively constant and smaller diameter substantially complementary to said shank so as to be dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank and extending inwardly at least substantially .060 inch from said surface to said bore portion of predetermined diameter so as to provide an undeflectable shoulder between said bore portions; then extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said bore portions to bring said head into adjacency with said surface and the distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular memBer; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said predetermined diameter but greater than said smaller diameter so that said shank prevents removal of said shank from said tubular member; then extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece that is shorter at said opening than the length of said tubular member so that at least a portion of said thin-walled portion projects outwardly past said opening beyond the surface of said workpiece on one side and said flange is adjacent the surface of said workpiece on the opposite side; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly through approximately 90* so as to provide a second substantially radial flange on said tubular member overlapping said one side of said workpiece beyond said opening in said workpiece for cooperating with said first-mentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece.

Claim 5

The method of forming a captive screw comprising the steps of: forming a first bore extending inwardly from one end of a sleeve member adapted to be attached to a workpiece, forming a second bore of larger diameter extending inwardly from the opposite end of said sleeve member and communicating with said first bore so as to provide a shoulder therebetween; providing an integral abutment means on one end of an elongated element, said abutment means being formed to a lateral dimension greater than that of said bore at one end of said sleeve member; forming said elongated element to provide a portion of a first diameter smaller than said first bore adjacent said abutment means and a portion of a second and larger diameter at the opposite end thereof, with said portion of said first diameter being longer than said first bore, extending said elongated element through said bores to bring said abutment means into adjacency with said one end of said sleeve member and to position said portion of second diameter of said elongated element so that it projects beyond said opposite end of said sleeve member, and to position said portion of first diameter of said elongated element in said first bore so that there is a clearance around said elongated element at said first bore permitting limited lateral floating movement of said elongated element relative to said sleeve; and then forming threads on said portion of second diameter of said element so that said threads have a major diameter smaller than the diameter of said second bore and greater than the diameter of said first bore so that said portion of second diameter of said element is prevented by said shoulder from being moved back through said first bore and removed from said sleeve member, said threads being formed to an axial length shorter than that of said second bore so that said portion of second diameter of said element is retractable in its entirety into said sleeve member.

Claim 6

The method of forming a captive screw comprising the steps of: forming a first bore extending inwardly from one end of a sleeve member adapted to be attached to a workpiece, forming a second bore of larger diameter extending inwardly from the opposite end of said sleeve member and communicating with said first bore so as to provide a shoulder therebetween; providing an integral abutment means on one end of an elongated element, said abutment means being formed to a lateral dimension greater than that of said bore at one end of said sleeve member; forming said elongated element to provide a portion of a first diameter smaller than said first bore adjacent said abutment means and a portion of a second and larger diameter at the opposite end thereof, with said portion of said first diameter being longer than said first bore, extending said elongated element through said bores to bring said abutment means into adjacency with said one end of said sleeve member and to position said portion of second diameter of said elongated element so that it projects beyond said opposite end of said sleeve member, and to position said portion of first diameter of said elongated element in said first bore so that there is a clearance around said elongated element at said first bore permitting limited lateral floating movement of said elongated element relative to said sleeve; and then forming threads on said portion of second diameter of said element so that said threads have a major diameter smaller than the diameter of said second bore and greater than the diameter of said first bore so that said portion of second diameter of said element is prevented by said shoulder from being moved back through said first bore and removed from said sleeve member, said threads being formed to an axial length shorter than that of said second bore so that said portion of second diameter of said element is retractable in its entirety into said sleeve member.

Claim 7

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a stud member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member having: an integral outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending from said flange to the opposite end of said tubular member; a first bore portion adjacent said one end with said first bore portion being dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank; a second bore portion larger than said first bore portion adjacent said first bore portion so as to provide a shoulder intermediate said first and second bore portions; and a third bore portion larger than said second bore portion extending inwardly from said opPosite end of said tubular member so as to provide a thin-walled portion of said tubular member adjacent said opposite end; extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said tubular member to bring said head into adjacency with said flange and to position the distal end of said shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member, then rolling threads on said distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said second and third bore portions but greater than said first bore portion so that said shoulder prevents removal of said shank from said tubular member; extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece which opening is shorter than the length of said tubular member so as to position said flange in adjacency with the surface of said workpiece at one end of said opening, and to position a portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly past said opening at the opposite end of said opening; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly to provide a second flange on said tubular member overlapping said workpiece beyond said opening in said workpiece for cooperating with said first-mentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece and said threaded portion is retractable into said second bore portion in said tubular member.

Claim 8

The method of providing a threaded fastener on a workpiece with freedom for limited movement relative thereto comprising the steps of: preparing a stud member having a head at one end and an integral elongated substantially cylindrical shank projecting therefrom; preparing a tubular member having: an integral outwardly projecting flange at one end thereof; a continuous circumferential wall extending from said flange to the opposite end of said tubular member; a first bore portion adjacent said one end with said first bore portion being dimensioned to slidably receive said substantially cylindrical shank; a second bore portion larger than said first bore portion adjacent said first bore portion so as to provide a shoulder intermediate said first and second bore portions; and a third bore portion larger than said second bore portion extending inwardly from said opPosite end of said tubular member so as to provide a thin-walled portion of said tubular member adjacent said opposite end; extending said substantially cylindrical shank through said tubular member to bring said head into adjacency with said flange and to position the distal end of said shank outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member, then rolling threads on said distal end of said substantially cylindrical shank to provide a major diameter less than said second and third bore portions but greater than said first bore portion so that said shoulder prevents removal of said shank from said tubular member; extending said tubular member through an opening in a workpiece which opening is shorter than the length of said tubular member so as to position said flange in adjacency with the surface of said workpiece at one end of said opening, and to position a portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly past said opening at the opposite end of said opening; and then bending said projecting portion of said thin-walled portion outwardly to provide a second flange on said tubular member overlapping said workpiece beyond said opening in said workpiece for cooperating with said first-mentioned flange of said tubular member in holding said tubular member to said workpiece, whereby said tubular member holds said shank with said threads thereon to said workpiece and said threaded portion is retractable into said second bore portion in said tubular member.

Claim 11

The method of retaining a screw on a workpiece with freedom for limited axial movement of the screw relative to the workpiece comprising the steps of: preparing a first member having an elongated unthreaded cylindrical shank and an integral outwardly projecting head at one end of said shank; providing a tubular member of continuous circumferential wall and a length less than that of said shank; providing an integral outwardly projecting flange on one end of said tubular member; providing a cylindrical unthreaded bore through said tubular member; so that said bore has a first portion of a first diameter adjacent said one end; and a second portion of a second and larger diameter extending inwardly from the opposite end of said tubular member to a location intermediate the ends thereof; so as to provide an opposite end portion having a relatively thin bendable wall of substantially constant thickness; and to define a solid undeflectable shoulder intermediate said first bore and said second bore; then extending said shank through said bore in said tubular member so as to bring said head of said first member into adjacency with said flange of said tubular member, and to provide a distal end portion of said shank projecting axially outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said shank at a location remote from said shoulder so as to provide threads having a greater major diameter than said first diameter of said bore so that said shoulder will interfere with said threads to prevent removal of said shank from said bore in one direction while allowing limited axial movement of said shank relative to said tubular member; providing a workpiece with an opening therethrough shorter than the distance between said flange of said tubular member and said opposite end thereof and of smaller diameter than the diameter of said flange of said tubular member; providing a first surface at one end of saiD opening, and a second surface at the opposite end of said opening such that said second surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said opening; then extending said tubular member into said opening so as to bring said flange of said tubular member into engagement with said first surface of said workpiece, and to cause a part of said opposite end portion of said tubular member to project outwardly beyond said second surface of said workpiece, with said shoulder being inwardly of said second surface of said workpiece; and then bending said relatively thin wall of said part of said opposite end portion outwardly through substantially 90* to overlap said second surface of said workpiece and cooperate with said flange of said tubular member to hold said tubular member and thus said first member to said workpiece.

Claim 12

The method of retaining a screw on a workpiece with freedom for limited axial movement of the screw relative to the workpiece comprising the steps of: preparing a first member having an elongated unthreaded cylindrical shank and an integral outwardly projecting head at one end of said shank; providing a tubular member of continuous circumferential wall and a length less than that of said shank; providing an integral outwardly projecting flange on one end of said tubular member; providing a cylindrical unthreaded bore through said tubular member; so that said bore has a first portion of a first diameter adjacent said one end; and a second portion of a second and larger diameter extending inwardly from the opposite end of said tubular member to a location intermediate the ends thereof; so as to provide an opposite end portion having a relatively thin bendable wall of substantially constant thickness; and to define a solid undeflectable shoulder intermediate said first bore and said second bore; then extending said shank through said bore in said tubular member so as to bring said head of said first member into adjacency with said flange of said tubular member, and to provide a distal end portion of said shank projecting axially outwardly beyond said opposite end of said tubular member; then rolling threads on said distal end portion of said shank at a location remote from said shoulder so as to provide threads having a greater major diameter than said first diameter of said bore so that said shoulder will interfere with said threads to prevent removal of said shank from said bore in one direction while allowing limited axial movement of said shank relative to said tubular member; providing a workpiece with an opening therethrough shorter than the distance between said flange of said tubular member and said opposite end thereof and of smaller diameter than the diameter of said flange of said tubular member; providing a first surface at one end of saiD opening, and a second surface at the opposite end of said opening such that said second surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said opening; then extending said tubular member into said opening so as to bring said flange of said tubular member into engagement with said first surface of said workpiece, and to cause a part of said opposite end portion of said tubular member to project outwardly beyond said second surface of said workpiece, with said shoulder being inwardly of said second surface of said workpiece; and then bending said relatively thin wall of said part of said opposite end portion outwardly through substantially 90* to overlap said second surface of said workpiece and cooperate with said flange of said tubular member to hold said tubular member and thus said first member to said workpiece.