US4040326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-03
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved fastener assembly includes helical internal and external thread convolutions. A generally helical insert having a plurality of turns is disposed between the internal and external thread convolutions. This insert is resiliently twisted or flexed from a first condition to a fully deflected condition under the influence of torsion forces applied to the insert by the internal and external thread convolutions. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert has four side surfaces. When this insert is in the first condition, one pair of side surfaces is disposed in abutting engagement with the leading flanks of the internal and external thread convolutions. At this time the other side surfaces of the insert are spaced apart from the trailing flank surfaces of the thread convolutions. As used herein, the leading flank surfaces of the thread convolutions are the flank surfaces which, when the thread is about to be assembled with a mating thread, face the mating thread. Upon twisting of the insert to a deflected condition, the side surfaces of the insert move away from the leading flanks of the thread convolutions and move into abutting engagement with the trailing flanks of the thread convolutions. Under conditions in which it is desired to pretension the internal thread convolution, the internal thread convolution is formed with a smaller pitch than the external thread convolution. In another embodiment of the invention, the insert is provided with an arcuate surface which engages one of the thread convolutions and a pair of side surfaces to engage the flanks of the other thread convolution. The internal and external thread convolutions may have different pitches to provide a locking action between the insert and the thread convolutions.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur R. Breed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
666 words
An assembly comprising a generally helical internal thread convolution having leading and trailing flank surfaces extending between crest and root portions of said internal thread convolution, a generally helical external thread convolution at least partially disposed within said internal thread convolution and having leading and trailing flank surfaces extending between crest and root portions of said external thread convolution, said external thread convolution having a crest diameter which is less than the crest diameter of said internal thread convolution to provide a space between adjacent crests of said internal and external thread convolutions, a generally helical insert having a plurality of turns disposed between said internal and external thread convolutions and having a generally helical central axis extending through each of said turns, said insert having a generally polygonal cross sectional configuration in a radically extending plane with first and second pairs of side surfaces, said insert being resiliently twistable about said helical central axis from a first condition to a fully deflected condition under the influence of torsion forces applied to said insert by said internal and external thread convolutions, said internal thread convolution having a first flank surface disposed in abutting engagement with a first side surface of said first pair of side surfaces on said insert and a second flank surface spaced apart from said insert when said insert is in said first condition, said first flank surface of said internal thread convolution being spaced apart from said insert and said second flank surface of said internal thread convolution being disposed in abutting engagement with a first side surface of said second pair of side surfaces on said insert when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces at least partially defining an included angle which is less than the included angle between said first and second flank surfaces of said internal thread convolution to provide space between one of said flank surfaces of said internal thread convolution and one of said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces when said insert is in said first condition and when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said external thread convolution having a first flank surface disposed in abutting engagement with a second side surface of said first pair of side surfaces on said insert and a second flank surface spaced apart from said insert when said insert is in said first condition, said first flank surface of said external thread convolution being spaced apart from said insert and said second flank surface of said external thread convolution being disposed in abutting engagement with a second side surface of said second pair of side surfaces on said insert when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces at least partially defining an included angle which is less than the included angle between said first and second flank surface of said external thread convolution to provide space between one of said flank surfaces of said external thread convolution and one of said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces when said insert is in said first condition and when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said helical central axis of said insert being shiftable relative to said internal and external thread convolutions upon twisting of said insert from the first condition to the fully deflected condition, said helical central axis of said insert being spaced further from said first flank surfaces of said internal and external thread convolutions when said insert is in said fully deflected condition than when said insert is in said first condition, said helical central axis of said insert being spaced further from said second flank surfaces of said internal and external thread convolutions when said insert is in said initial condition than when said insert is in said fully deflected condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
666 words
An assembly comprising a generally helical internal thread convolution having leading and trailing flank surfaces extending between crest and root portions of said internal thread convolution, a generally helical external thread convolution at least partially disposed within said internal thread convolution and having leading and trailing flank surfaces extending between crest and root portions of said external thread convolution, said external thread convolution having a crest diameter which is less than the crest diameter of said internal thread convolution to provide a space between adjacent crests of said internal and external thread convolutions, a generally helical insert having a plurality of turns disposed between said internal and external thread convolutions and having a generally helical central axis extending through each of said turns, said insert having a generally polygonal cross sectional configuration in a radically extending plane with first and second pairs of side surfaces, said insert being resiliently twistable about said helical central axis from a first condition to a fully deflected condition under the influence of torsion forces applied to said insert by said internal and external thread convolutions, said internal thread convolution having a first flank surface disposed in abutting engagement with a first side surface of said first pair of side surfaces on said insert and a second flank surface spaced apart from said insert when said insert is in said first condition, said first flank surface of said internal thread convolution being spaced apart from said insert and said second flank surface of said internal thread convolution being disposed in abutting engagement with a first side surface of said second pair of side surfaces on said insert when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces at least partially defining an included angle which is less than the included angle between said first and second flank surfaces of said internal thread convolution to provide space between one of said flank surfaces of said internal thread convolution and one of said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces when said insert is in said first condition and when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said external thread convolution having a first flank surface disposed in abutting engagement with a second side surface of said first pair of side surfaces on said insert and a second flank surface spaced apart from said insert when said insert is in said first condition, said first flank surface of said external thread convolution being spaced apart from said insert and said second flank surface of said external thread convolution being disposed in abutting engagement with a second side surface of said second pair of side surfaces on said insert when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces at least partially defining an included angle which is less than the included angle between said first and second flank surface of said external thread convolution to provide space between one of said flank surfaces of said external thread convolution and one of said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces when said insert is in said first condition and when said insert is in said fully deflected condition, said helical central axis of said insert being shiftable relative to said internal and external thread convolutions upon twisting of said insert from the first condition to the fully deflected condition, said helical central axis of said insert being spaced further from said first flank surfaces of said internal and external thread convolutions when said insert is in said fully deflected condition than when said insert is in said first condition, said helical central axis of said insert being spaced further from said second flank surfaces of said internal and external thread convolutions when said insert is in said initial condition than when said insert is in said fully deflected condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said external thread convolution has a first number of turns per unit of axial length which is different than the number of turns of said internal thread convolution per unit of axial length, said internal and external thread convolutions being effective to twist said insert to obtain a locking action.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the included angle between said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces is of a first magnitude and the included angle between said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces is of a second magnitude which is different than said first magnitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second side surfaces of said first pair of side surfaces extend parallel to each other and said first and second side surfaces of said second pair of side surfaces extend parallel to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first flank surface of one of said thread convolutions extends at a first angle to a radial plane extending perpendicular to the central axis of said one thread convolution and said second flank surface of said one of said thread convolutions extends at a second angle to the radial plane, said first angle having a magnitude which is different than the magnitude of said second angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the included angle between said first side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces is of the same magnitude as the included angle between said second side surfaces of said first and second pairs of side surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
An assembly comprising a generally helical internal thread convolution, a generally helical external thread convolution at last partially disposed within said internal thread convolution, a generally helical insert having a plurality of uniform turns disposed between said internal and external thread convolutions and having a generally helical axis extending through each of said turns, said insert being resiliently twistable about said helical axis from a first condition to a fully deflected condition under the influence of torsion forces applied to said insert by said internal and external thread convolutions, said external thread convolution having a number of turns per unit of axial length which is different than the number of turns of said internal thread convolution per unit of axial length, said internal and external thread convolutions being effective to twist said insert to obtain a locking action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
An assembly comprising a generally helical internal thread convolution, a generally helical external thread convolution at last partially disposed within said internal thread convolution, a generally helical insert having a plurality of uniform turns disposed between said internal and external thread convolutions and having a generally helical axis extending through each of said turns, said insert being resiliently twistable about said helical axis from a first condition to a fully deflected condition under the influence of torsion forces applied to said insert by said internal and external thread convolutions, said external thread convolution having a number of turns per unit of axial length which is different than the number of turns of said internal thread convolution per unit of axial length, said internal and external thread convolutions being effective to twist said insert to obtain a locking action.
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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) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |