Sandwich panel insert and installation holder assembly and method of handling

Claim 1

An assembly of sandwich panel inserts and installation holders, comprising: a plurality of panel inserts each having a fastener body and a head at one end of said body in the form of a radially projecting flange having circumferentially spaced appertures for injection of potting compound into a hole in a sandwich panel so as to surround the insert body received in said hole; a plurality of installation holders each comprising a thin disc of larger diameter than said head, said disc having on one of its faces a central area adjoining the outer face of the head of a respective insert and a peripheral area which projects beyond said head for attachment to the outer face of the sandwich panel around the hole therein, for holding said insert in correct position in said hole during injection and hardening of the potting compound, said disc having apertures registering with the apertures of the insert head; a layer of adhesive attaching said central area of said disc to the opposed face of said head, said adhesive being such as to retain said disc in position on said head during handling and installation including said holding, and such as to permit release of said holder from said head when the insert is secured in said hole; an adhesive coating of lasting tackiness on said peripheral area operable to effect said attachment to the panel and to permit release of the holder therefrom when the insert is secured to the panel; said inserts and holders being arranged in a coaxial column of insert-holder units in which the inserts and holders are in alternating arrangement and their respective apertures are aligned; and a wire stringer means having laterally spaced legs received in the respective apertures and retaining said insert-holder units in said coaxial column.