US3749362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener stretcher
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-04-09
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A fastener stretcher for applying a substantially pure axial tensile force to a structural bolt or similar fastening element, comprising a pair of telescoping elements one of which is temporarily secured to the bolt. By spreading the telescoping elements axially, the bolt is tensioned axially to permit a nut or the like to be threaded thereon with a minimum of torque; when the elements are then removed from the bolt, the axial forces on the bolt are taken up by the nut to retain the bolt in its stressed state.
Inventors
- 👤 Connor J O
- 👤 V Orem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:03
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/04; B23P19/06; B23P19/067; B23P19/068; B25; B25B; B25B29/00; B25B29/02; F; F16; F16B; F16B31/00; F16B31/04; F16B43/00; F16B43/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49874
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A fastener stretcher for applying an axial tensile loading force to a fastener such as a shaft extending through and connecting a plurality of structural members, the fastener extending at one end from the members and being retained at its opposite end against axial movement relative to the members, said fasten stretcher comprising: supporting means adopted fOr bearing against an exterior surface of the structural members adjacent said one end of the fastener; fasterner-engaging means adapted for being removably secured to said one end of the fastener; and an annular, hollow stretcher nut means loosely surrounding, generally concentric with, and carrying said fastener-engaging means, said stretcher nut means being threaded-ly mounted on said support means, having a generally spherical surface cooperating with a complementary generally spherical surface on said fastener-engaging means, and having an external configuration permitting rotation thereof by a suitable tool, rotation of said stretcher nut means effecting axial movement thereof relative to said support means and hence imparting axial movement to said fastener-engaging mean in the direction away from the exterior surface of the structural member to thereby impart an axial tensile force to the fastener.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A fastener stretcher for applying an axial tensile loading force to a fastener such as a shaft extending through and connecting a plurality of structural members, the fastener extending at one end from the members and being retained at its opposite end against axial movement relative to the members, said fasten stretcher comprising: supporting means adopted fOr bearing against an exterior surface of the structural members adjacent said one end of the fastener; fasterner-engaging means adapted for being removably secured to said one end of the fastener; and an annular, hollow stretcher nut means loosely surrounding, generally concentric with, and carrying said fastener-engaging means, said stretcher nut means being threaded-ly mounted on said support means, having a generally spherical surface cooperating with a complementary generally spherical surface on said fastener-engaging means, and having an external configuration permitting rotation thereof by a suitable tool, rotation of said stretcher nut means effecting axial movement thereof relative to said support means and hence imparting axial movement to said fastener-engaging mean in the direction away from the exterior surface of the structural member to thereby impart an axial tensile force to the fastener.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 1, wherein said one end of the fastener is externally threaded, said fastener-engaging means having an internally threaded portion adapted to threadedly receive therein said one end of said fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 2 wherein said supporting means comprises an annular standoff collar surrounding the fastener and supporting said stretcher nut means, said annular standoff collar having at least one generally radial access opening permitting tightening of a nut threaded on the fastener, the nut retaining the axial tensile force on the fastener when the fastener stretcher is removed from the fastener.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a pair of washers disposed axially between said stretcher nut means and said fastener-engaging means, each of said washers carrying one of said respective generally spherical surfaces and cooperating with the generally spherical surface of the other of said washers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 4, further comprising a strain gauge collar disposed axially between said stretcher nut means and said fastener-engaging means; and a strain gauge mounted on said strain gauge collar for indicating the degree of axial tensioning of the fastener, whereby the fastener may be tensioned to a predetermined degree.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 4, wherein said one end of the fastener is externally threaded, said fastener-engaging means having an internally threaded portion adapted to threadedly receive therein said one end of said fastener.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises an annular standoff collar surrounding the fastener and supporting said stretcher nut means, said annular standoff collar having at least one generally radial access opening permitting tightening of a nut threaded on the fastener, the nut retaining the axial tensile force on the fastener when the fastener stretcher is removed from the fastener.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A fastener stretcher as defined in claim 1, further comprising a strain gauge collar disposed axially with respect to said stretcher nut means and said fastener-engaging means; and a strain gauge mounted on said strain gauge collar for indicating the degree of axial tensioning of the fastener, whereby the fastener may be tensioned to a predetermined degree.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |