US3812756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positive lock self-retained fastener
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-18
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A positive lock self retained bolt adapted to pass into a hole in a work piece. The bolt automatically locks when fully inserted. Locking means on the bolt are provided near the end thereof first inserted into the work piece and become operative to lock after passing beyond the hole in the work piece. The locking means comprise an annular groove in the bolt and a ring having an elastically compressible overall diameter in the groove. The groove has certain cross-sectional configurations, generally characterized by having one wall substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the bolt, a bottom surface, and another wall having an average slope from the bottom surface to outer surface of the bolt in the direction of insertion of the bolt, and the ring and the groove having certain mutual positional and dimensional relationships.
Inventors
- 👤 M Wenger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/10; F16B21/16; F16B21/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/999; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49822; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
543 words
A joint assembly comprising a plurality of workpieces in overlying relationship and having an opening extending from the outer surface of one of said workpieces to the outer surface of another of said workpieces, a fastener securing said workpieces together, said fastener comprising a generally smooth cylindrical shank having a length substantially equal to that of said opening in said workpieces and having a bearing surface at one end for engagement with said outer surface of said one of said workpieces, said fastener further comprising a tip having a diameter less than that of said shank throughout at least some portion of its circumference and being connected to said shank by a groove, said fastener being moveable between a first position wherein said bearing surface engages said outer surface of said one of said workpieces and said tip and said groove are located entirely beyond said outer surface of said another of said workpieces and a second position wherein said bearing surface is spaced from said outer surface of said one of said workpieces and a portion of said groove is located within said opening in said workpieces, said groove being formed by a first wall portion forming a generally radial shoulder at the end of said shank portion and a second wall portion having a first diameter section adjacent said shank portion and a second diameter section adjacent said tip portion, said second diameter section being larger than said first diameter section, an elastically compressible retaining ring carried in said groove, said ring having a solid cross-section and, in the uncompressed state, having an inner diameter less than that of said shank and said tip, an outer diameter greater than that of said shank and said opening in said workpieces and a mean diameter less than that of said opening, whereby said ring will retain said fastener in said opening when said fastener moves to said second position by reacting between said second diameter section of said groove and the edge of said opening at said outer surface of said another of the workpieces, the diameter of the cross-section of said ring being no greater than the radial distance between said first diameter section of said groove and the wall of said opening in said workpieces, where by when in locking position said ring will engage the edge of said opening along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertical plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse axial component 5 of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the opening results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the opening and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener, and said fastener can be removed from said opening when said fastener is in said first position and when said ring is located adjacent said shoulder and said first diameter section of said groove, causing a portion of said ring beyond said mean diameter thereof to react against said edge of said opening adjacent said outer surface of said another of said workpieces and compressing to a diameter no greater than that of said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
543 words
A joint assembly comprising a plurality of workpieces in overlying relationship and having an opening extending from the outer surface of one of said workpieces to the outer surface of another of said workpieces, a fastener securing said workpieces together, said fastener comprising a generally smooth cylindrical shank having a length substantially equal to that of said opening in said workpieces and having a bearing surface at one end for engagement with said outer surface of said one of said workpieces, said fastener further comprising a tip having a diameter less than that of said shank throughout at least some portion of its circumference and being connected to said shank by a groove, said fastener being moveable between a first position wherein said bearing surface engages said outer surface of said one of said workpieces and said tip and said groove are located entirely beyond said outer surface of said another of said workpieces and a second position wherein said bearing surface is spaced from said outer surface of said one of said workpieces and a portion of said groove is located within said opening in said workpieces, said groove being formed by a first wall portion forming a generally radial shoulder at the end of said shank portion and a second wall portion having a first diameter section adjacent said shank portion and a second diameter section adjacent said tip portion, said second diameter section being larger than said first diameter section, an elastically compressible retaining ring carried in said groove, said ring having a solid cross-section and, in the uncompressed state, having an inner diameter less than that of said shank and said tip, an outer diameter greater than that of said shank and said opening in said workpieces and a mean diameter less than that of said opening, whereby said ring will retain said fastener in said opening when said fastener moves to said second position by reacting between said second diameter section of said groove and the edge of said opening at said outer surface of said another of the workpieces, the diameter of the cross-section of said ring being no greater than the radial distance between said first diameter section of said groove and the wall of said opening in said workpieces, where by when in locking position said ring will engage the edge of said opening along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertical plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse axial component 5 of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the opening results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the opening and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener, and said fastener can be removed from said opening when said fastener is in said first position and when said ring is located adjacent said shoulder and said first diameter section of said groove, causing a portion of said ring beyond said mean diameter thereof to react against said edge of said opening adjacent said outer surface of said another of said workpieces and compressing to a diameter no greater than that of said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A joint assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second wall of said groove is generally frusto-conic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A joint assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tip has a diameter less than that of said shank throughout its entire circumference.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A joint assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein said fastener includes a threaded portion adjacent said tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A joint assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mean diameter of said ring is no greater than that of said tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A joint assembly in accordance wtih claim 1 wherein said fastener carries a removal tool adapted to slide over said tip and having an outer diameter less than that of said opening in said workpieces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
304 words
A positive locking self-retaining fastener including a shank and a tip interconnected by a groove, said shank having a generally smooth outer surface and having a bearing surface at the end opposite said tip, at least some portion of said tip having a diameter less than that of said shank, said groove including a first wall adjacent said shank and a second wall having a smaller diameter section adjacent said shank and a larger diameter section adjacent said tip, said first wall defining a generally radial shoulder at the end of said shank, an elastically compressible ring having a solid cross-section carried in said groove, said ring, in the uncompressed state, being movable axially of said groove between said first and second diameter sections and having an inner diameter less than that of said shank and said tip, an outer diameter greater than that of said shank and said tip and a mean diameter no greater than that of said tip, the radial depth of said shoulder being at least equal to the diameter of said cross-section of said ring whereby said ring can be compressed when located adjacent said first diameter section so that said outer diameter of said ring is substantially equal to the diameter of said shank, and whereby in the locking position said ring will engage an edge of an opening in a workpiece along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertifcal plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse and axial components of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the opening results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the opening and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
304 words
A positive locking self-retaining fastener including a shank and a tip interconnected by a groove, said shank having a generally smooth outer surface and having a bearing surface at the end opposite said tip, at least some portion of said tip having a diameter less than that of said shank, said groove including a first wall adjacent said shank and a second wall having a smaller diameter section adjacent said shank and a larger diameter section adjacent said tip, said first wall defining a generally radial shoulder at the end of said shank, an elastically compressible ring having a solid cross-section carried in said groove, said ring, in the uncompressed state, being movable axially of said groove between said first and second diameter sections and having an inner diameter less than that of said shank and said tip, an outer diameter greater than that of said shank and said tip and a mean diameter no greater than that of said tip, the radial depth of said shoulder being at least equal to the diameter of said cross-section of said ring whereby said ring can be compressed when located adjacent said first diameter section so that said outer diameter of said ring is substantially equal to the diameter of said shank, and whereby in the locking position said ring will engage an edge of an opening in a workpiece along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertifcal plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse and axial components of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the opening results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the opening and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fastener in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second wall of said groove is frusto-conic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fastener in accordance with claim 7 wherein said tip has a diameter less than that of said shank throughout its entire circumference.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fastener in accordance with claim 9 wherein said fastener includes a threaded portion adjacent said tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fastener in accordance with claim 7 wherein a removal tool is slideably carried on said tip and wherein the outer diameter of said tool is substantially equal to the diameter of said shank.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
347 words
A positive locking self retaining bolt adapted to be inserted into a hole in a work piece, said bolt including a shank and a tip, said tip being adapted to be inserted into said hole first, and lock means on said bolt to automatically lock said bolt in said hOle when inserted through and past said hole and to be selectively releasable, said lock means comprising an annular groove in said bolt, transverse to the long axis of said bolt, between said shank and tip, said groove comprising a first wall adjacent said shank a second wall adjacent said tip, and a bottom between said walls, said first wall being about perpendicular to said long axis, said second wall having an average slope from said bottom to the surface of said tip, in the direction along said long axis away from said shank, the diameter of said tip being less then the diameter of said shank at least some portion of the circumference of the bolt at the line of juncture between said second wall and said tip by means of a hole provided entirely through said tip of said bolt, transverse to the long axis thereof, and intercepting at each end thereof said second wall but not intersecting said first wall, with the distance between said first wall and the side of said transverse hole nearest said first wall equal to the diameter of said ring, to accommodate a selectively applicable release tool, a ring having a solid cross-section and an elastically compressible outer diameter in said groove, said ring in the uncompressed state having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the shank and tip and greater than the distance of the bolt at said bottom of said groove, and having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said shank and tip and greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece, said ring in the compressed state being positioned over said bottom of said groove and having an outer diameter no greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
347 words
A positive locking self retaining bolt adapted to be inserted into a hole in a work piece, said bolt including a shank and a tip, said tip being adapted to be inserted into said hole first, and lock means on said bolt to automatically lock said bolt in said hOle when inserted through and past said hole and to be selectively releasable, said lock means comprising an annular groove in said bolt, transverse to the long axis of said bolt, between said shank and tip, said groove comprising a first wall adjacent said shank a second wall adjacent said tip, and a bottom between said walls, said first wall being about perpendicular to said long axis, said second wall having an average slope from said bottom to the surface of said tip, in the direction along said long axis away from said shank, the diameter of said tip being less then the diameter of said shank at least some portion of the circumference of the bolt at the line of juncture between said second wall and said tip by means of a hole provided entirely through said tip of said bolt, transverse to the long axis thereof, and intercepting at each end thereof said second wall but not intersecting said first wall, with the distance between said first wall and the side of said transverse hole nearest said first wall equal to the diameter of said ring, to accommodate a selectively applicable release tool, a ring having a solid cross-section and an elastically compressible outer diameter in said groove, said ring in the uncompressed state having an inner diameter less than the diameter of the shank and tip and greater than the distance of the bolt at said bottom of said groove, and having an outer diameter greater than said diameter of said shank and tip and greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece, said ring in the compressed state being positioned over said bottom of said groove and having an outer diameter no greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
519 words
A positive locking self-retaining bolt and a workpiece having a hole therethrough, said bolt passing through said hole, said workpiece comprising at least two pieces meeting to form an interruption in the bore of said hole, said hole ending in an edge at each end thereof, said bolt including a shank and a tip, the diameter of said tip being less than the diameter said shank at at least some portion of the circumference of the bolt at the line of juncture between said second wall and said tip to accommodate a selectively applicable release tool, and lock means on said bolt to automatically lock said bolt in said hole only when said lock means is inserted through and past said hole, and to be selectively unlockable only by selective application of said release tool, passable through said hole at least as far as all said interruptions to permit said bolt to be withdrawn from said hole, passing said interruption in said bore, said lock means comprising, a. an annular groove in said bolt, transverse to the long axis of said bolt, between said shank and said tip, said groove comprising a first wall adjacent said shank, a second wall adjacent said tip, and a bottom between said walls, said first wall being about perpendicular to said long axis, said second wall having an average slope from said bottom to the surface of said tip, in the direction along said long axis away from said shank, and b. an elastically compressible ring having a solid cross-section and an outer diameter in said groove, said ring having (1) an uncompressed state in which said ring has an inner diameter less than the diameter of the shank and tip and greater than the diameter of the bolt at said bottom of said groove, and having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said shank and tip and greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece at said edge of said hole and having a mean diameter less than the diameter of said hole at said edge, (2) a compressed state being positioned over said bottom of said groove and having an outer diameter no greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece, said bolt having a normal operatively installed locked condition completely through said hole, with said lock means through and past said hole, securing said pieces of said workpieCe, in which condition said ring is in said groove, in said uncompressed state, and free to move between said first and second walls, whereby in the locking position said ring will engage the edge of the hole in the workpiece along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertical plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse and axial components of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the hole results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the hole and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
519 words
A positive locking self-retaining bolt and a workpiece having a hole therethrough, said bolt passing through said hole, said workpiece comprising at least two pieces meeting to form an interruption in the bore of said hole, said hole ending in an edge at each end thereof, said bolt including a shank and a tip, the diameter of said tip being less than the diameter said shank at at least some portion of the circumference of the bolt at the line of juncture between said second wall and said tip to accommodate a selectively applicable release tool, and lock means on said bolt to automatically lock said bolt in said hole only when said lock means is inserted through and past said hole, and to be selectively unlockable only by selective application of said release tool, passable through said hole at least as far as all said interruptions to permit said bolt to be withdrawn from said hole, passing said interruption in said bore, said lock means comprising, a. an annular groove in said bolt, transverse to the long axis of said bolt, between said shank and said tip, said groove comprising a first wall adjacent said shank, a second wall adjacent said tip, and a bottom between said walls, said first wall being about perpendicular to said long axis, said second wall having an average slope from said bottom to the surface of said tip, in the direction along said long axis away from said shank, and b. an elastically compressible ring having a solid cross-section and an outer diameter in said groove, said ring having (1) an uncompressed state in which said ring has an inner diameter less than the diameter of the shank and tip and greater than the diameter of the bolt at said bottom of said groove, and having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said shank and tip and greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece at said edge of said hole and having a mean diameter less than the diameter of said hole at said edge, (2) a compressed state being positioned over said bottom of said groove and having an outer diameter no greater than the diameter of said hole in said workpiece, said bolt having a normal operatively installed locked condition completely through said hole, with said lock means through and past said hole, securing said pieces of said workpieCe, in which condition said ring is in said groove, in said uncompressed state, and free to move between said first and second walls, whereby in the locking position said ring will engage the edge of the hole in the workpiece along a line spaced radially outwardly of a vertical plane extending along the diameter of said ring, so that the combination of the transverse and axial components of force acting on the ring from the engagement of the ring with the edge of the hole results in the ring tending to pivot about the edge of the hole and be forced in against said second wall portion when a withdrawal force is applied to the fastener.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |