US4093491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener installation method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-03-18
•
Granted: 1978-06-06
•
Expires: 1994-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An installation tool and method of using same for securing fastener insert elements to substrates where the fastener element is provided with a heat meltable material which serves to bond the fastener to the substrate, the installation tool comprising a controllably heated tip for contact with the fastener and a timer means for indicating when a required heating cycle has expired and the tool should be withdrawn from the fastener: the method provides the heating of the meltable material, a resin, above the meltable temperature, but not above an upper temperature beyond which a decrease in resultant bond strength would occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh G. Whelpton
- 👤 William H. Trembley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:53
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C66/00; B29C66/90; B29C66/91; B29C66/912; B29C66/9121; B29C66/91231; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/18; B29C65/40; B29C65/42; B29C65/44; B29C65/48; B29C65/4805; B29C65/481; B29C65/4815; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/13; B29C66/131; B29C66/40; B29C66/47; B29C66/474; B29C66/70; B29C66/72; B29C66/725; B29C66/7252; B29C66/72525; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/816; B29C66/8161; B29C66/818; B29C66/82; B29C66/822; B29C66/8221; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/84; B29C66/861; B29C66/91211; B29C66/91212; B29C66/914; B29C66/9141; B29C66/91421; B29C66/91431; B29C66/9161; B29C66/91641; B29C66/96; B29C66/961; B29C65/425; B29C65/483; B29C65/486; B29C65/50; B29C65/5057; B29C66/8614; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A method of installing a fastener insert to a panel having a cavity extending thereinto from one face thereof, the method comprising the following steps in combination: providing a fastener insert having an axially extending body and a flanged heat conductive head portion integrally formed at one end of the body; providing on an undersurface of said flange synthetic resin bonding material which is solid at room temperature, melts at an elevated temperature and resolidifies on cooling to bond adjacent structures; providing a heating tool having an operating temperature substantially above the melting temperature of said bonding material; providing a panel having a cavity, said cavity having a cross-sectional size adapted to receive said body and a depth sufficient to allow engagement between said bonding material and portion of the outer surface of said panel adjacent said cavity when said body is inserted in said cavity; inserting said body in said cavity to provide engagement between said flanged head portion and said bonding material and between said bonding material and said outer surface portions of said panel; transferring heat from said heating tool to said fastener insert and to said bonding material by placing said heating tool in proximity to said insert, and thereby melting said bonding material; said bonding material being characterized by yielding increased bonding strength between said insert and panel after cooling upon an increase in the time of heat transfer from said heating tool beyond the time required to melt said bonding material, and up to a maximum time, beyond which said maximum time the bonding strength of said bonding material deteriorates, and stopping the heating of said bonding material after melting thereof at a time to effect a resulting bonding strength which is approximately the maximum bonding strength of said bonding material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
297 words
A method of installing a fastener insert to a panel having a cavity extending thereinto from one face thereof, the method comprising the following steps in combination: providing a fastener insert having an axially extending body and a flanged heat conductive head portion integrally formed at one end of the body; providing on an undersurface of said flange synthetic resin bonding material which is solid at room temperature, melts at an elevated temperature and resolidifies on cooling to bond adjacent structures; providing a heating tool having an operating temperature substantially above the melting temperature of said bonding material; providing a panel having a cavity, said cavity having a cross-sectional size adapted to receive said body and a depth sufficient to allow engagement between said bonding material and portion of the outer surface of said panel adjacent said cavity when said body is inserted in said cavity; inserting said body in said cavity to provide engagement between said flanged head portion and said bonding material and between said bonding material and said outer surface portions of said panel; transferring heat from said heating tool to said fastener insert and to said bonding material by placing said heating tool in proximity to said insert, and thereby melting said bonding material; said bonding material being characterized by yielding increased bonding strength between said insert and panel after cooling upon an increase in the time of heat transfer from said heating tool beyond the time required to melt said bonding material, and up to a maximum time, beyond which said maximum time the bonding strength of said bonding material deteriorates, and stopping the heating of said bonding material after melting thereof at a time to effect a resulting bonding strength which is approximately the maximum bonding strength of said bonding material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said last mentioned step comprises stopping the heating at a time prior to the time at which the resulting bonding strength deteriorates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said heating is effected by engaging a portion of said heating tool with the surface of said flanged head portion remote from said panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising: applying pressure on said flanged head portion during the heating of said head portion to thereby force said head portion toward said panel and against said bonding material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the heating tool operating temperature is approximately 600° - 900° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, said body being tubular, and wherein said bonding material is additionally heated by introducing a heated element into said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said bonding material consists essentially of a polyamide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7, said bonding material consisting essentially of nylon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |