Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A blind fastener assembly for installation in a workpiece having an opening therein, said assembly comprising: a pin member having an enlarged head at one end thereof, an elongated shank portion and means on said shank portion operative to advance said pin member in a direction along its longitudinal axis; expander means having an enlarged head at one end thereof formed to bear upon an accessible surface of the workpiece, a tapered surface of varying radial thickness in a longitudinal direction adjacent the other end thereof, said tapered surface varying from a minimum radial thickness at said other end to a maximum radial thickness at a locus of points spaced from said other end, and a shank portion intermediate said enlarged head and said tapered surface, said shank portion having an outer surface formed to be placed in the workpiece opening, and an internal bore extending through said expander means carrying said pin member shank portion; and sleeve means carried on said pin member shank portion having a first end proximate said enlarged head and a second end adjacent said expander means minimum radial thickness portion, and including a grip accommodating feature in the form of a portion of varying radial wall thickness intermediate the ends of said sleeve means formed to expand radially outwardly and form a bulb as a result of a reaction force produced between said sleeve means second end and an inaccessible surface of the workpiece when said sleeve means is advanced along said expander means tapered surface and outer surface and contacts the inaccessible workpiece surface, in order to accommodate variations in the thickness of the workpiece, whereby said pin member is advanced to a predetermined axial position relative to said expander means, said bulb forming away from the inaccessible workpiece surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
A blind fastener assembly for installation in a workpiece having an opening therein, said assembly comprising: a pin member having an enlarged head at one end thereof, an elongated shank portion and means on said shank portion operative to advance said pin member in a direction along its longitudinal axis; expander means having an enlarged head at one end thereof formed to bear upon an accessible surface of the workpiece, a tapered surface of varying radial thickness in a longitudinal direction adjacent the other end thereof, said tapered surface varying from a minimum radial thickness at said other end to a maximum radial thickness at a locus of points spaced from said other end, and a shank portion intermediate said enlarged head and said tapered surface, said shank portion having an outer surface formed to be placed in the workpiece opening, and an internal bore extending through said expander means carrying said pin member shank portion; and sleeve means carried on said pin member shank portion having a first end proximate said enlarged head and a second end adjacent said expander means minimum radial thickness portion, and including a grip accommodating feature in the form of a portion of varying radial wall thickness intermediate the ends of said sleeve means formed to expand radially outwardly and form a bulb as a result of a reaction force produced between said sleeve means second end and an inaccessible surface of the workpiece when said sleeve means is advanced along said expander means tapered surface and outer surface and contacts the inaccessible workpiece surface, in order to accommodate variations in the thickness of the workpiece, whereby said pin member is advanced to a predetermined axial position relative to said expander means, said bulb forming away from the inaccessible workpiece surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sleeve in accordance with claim 1 wherein said varying thickness portion varies from a maximum thickness at the respective ends of said portion to a minimum thickness at the approximate center of said portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A sleeve in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pin includes a shoulder cooperating with the other end of the expander to fix the axial location of the pin with respect to the expander, and wherein said bulb extends a greater radial distance for a thicker workpiece and a smaller radial distance for a thinner workpiece.