US3937121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double break-off screw
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-14
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1995-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A double break-off screw fastener is described, which conceals its mode of fastening by means of a "dummy" free-floating middle shaft. The inventive screw contains three sections, a threaded section which does the actual fastening; a middle shaft section which helps to internally fasten the threaded section before breaking-off; and an outer head section which breaks from the middle shaft, thus leaving the middle shaft in a free-floating state. To the outer observer, the middle shaft is free turning giving the impression of a fastening screw. In reality, however, it is nothing more than a dummy member, which carefully conceals the well hidden internal screw thread.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith E. Schubert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B31/00; F16B31/02; F16B31/021; F16B41/00; F16B41/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A double break-off screw for use with a security cover plate and an inner retaining member disposed within said cover plate, said double break-off screw having three sections and comprising: a fastening section having screw threads and fastening to said inner retaining member by torsional means; an intermediate section disposed between said security cover and said inner retaining member, said intermediate section connected to said fastening section on one end thereof by means of a narrowed torsional break-off section, and connected to said security cover plate on an opposite end thereof; and a rotatable installation section connected to said intermediate section by means of a narrowed break-off section, said installation section being disposed externally of said security cover plate, and being rotatable to drive said fastening section into said inner retaining member until seated, whereby said intermediate section will shear from said fastening section about said torsional break-off section as said installation section is further rotated, said installation section then being removable from said intermediate section about the narrowed break-off section disposed therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A double break-off screw for use with a security cover plate and an inner retaining member disposed within said cover plate, said double break-off screw having three sections and comprising: a fastening section having screw threads and fastening to said inner retaining member by torsional means; an intermediate section disposed between said security cover and said inner retaining member, said intermediate section connected to said fastening section on one end thereof by means of a narrowed torsional break-off section, and connected to said security cover plate on an opposite end thereof; and a rotatable installation section connected to said intermediate section by means of a narrowed break-off section, said installation section being disposed externally of said security cover plate, and being rotatable to drive said fastening section into said inner retaining member until seated, whereby said intermediate section will shear from said fastening section about said torsional break-off section as said installation section is further rotated, said installation section then being removable from said intermediate section about the narrowed break-off section disposed therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The double break-off screw of claim 1, wherein said installation section is caused to be bent about said intermediate section and the narrowed break-off section disposed between said installation section and said intermediate section fails in shear as said installation section is caused to be bent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The double break-off screw of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section is rotatively affixed to said security cover plate by means of a retaining ring and a head portion, said retaining ring being disposed within said security cover plate, and said head portion being disposed externally of said security cover plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The double break-off screw of claim 1, wherein said installation section comprises a torsional nut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A double break-off screw having a plurality of sections, comprising: a fastening section having a threaded shaft for torsional fastening purposes; a first break-off section connected to said fastening section and having a cross-section of narrower width than said fastening section; an intermediate section comprising a shaft connected to said first break-off section at one end thereof; a second break-off section connected to said intermediate section about an end opposite to the first break-off section end, and having a crosssection of narrower width than said intermediate section; and an installation section having a torsional head member connected to said second break-off section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A double break-off screw having a plurality of sections, comprising: a fastening section having a threaded shaft for torsional fastening purposes; a first break-off section connected to said fastening section and having a cross-section of narrower width than said fastening section; an intermediate section comprising a shaft connected to said first break-off section at one end thereof; a second break-off section connected to said intermediate section about an end opposite to the first break-off section end, and having a crosssection of narrower width than said intermediate section; and an installation section having a torsional head member connected to said second break-off section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The double break-off screw of claim 5, wherein said intermediate section is disconnectable from said fastening section by torsionally shearing said first break-off section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The double break-off screw of claim 5, wherein said installation section is disconnectable from said intermediate section by means of flexurally shearing said second break-off section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A double break-off screw comprising a head section, an intermediate shaft section, and a threaded shaft fastening section, a first narrow break-off shaft disposed between said threaded fastening section and said intermediate section, said first break-off section being caused to torsionally shear when said intermediate section is rotated after said fastening section is caused to seat, a second narrow break-off shaft disposed between said head section and said intermediate section, said second break-off section being caused to flexurally shear when said head section is bent about said intermediate section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A double break-off screw comprising a head section, an intermediate shaft section, and a threaded shaft fastening section, a first narrow break-off shaft disposed between said threaded fastening section and said intermediate section, said first break-off section being caused to torsionally shear when said intermediate section is rotated after said fastening section is caused to seat, a second narrow break-off shaft disposed between said head section and said intermediate section, said second break-off section being caused to flexurally shear when said head section is bent about said intermediate section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The double break-off screw of claim 8, wherein said head section has the shape of a torsionally grippable nut, and each of said intermediate and said fastening shaft sections comprise a flat head member.
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) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |