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US4341053A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Built-in connector element for sandwich type compound panels

Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1980-03-10
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Granted: 1982-07-27
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Expires: 2000-03-10
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Abstract

Abstract A built-in connector element is constructed for being anchored in sandwichype compound panels. For this purpose the connector element has a central threading for cooperation with further connector components and a body with corners forming anchoring fins for holding the connector element in the compound panel. The cornered body is arranged substantially concentrically relative to said threading and has a rounded flange merging into the anchoring fins. The anchoring fins are so dimensioned that the circle enclosing the outer corners of the fins has a diameter which is equal or larger than the diameter of the flange. In one embodiment the central threading is provided directly in the cornered body. In the other embodiment a threaded member is laterally displaceable in the hollow cornered body, whereby the initial insertion of a screw is made easier.

Inventors

  • 👤 Karl Dettfurth
  • 👤 Bernd Dettfurth

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 09:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/12; F16B37/122; F16B5/00; F16B5/01

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 175 words
A connector element adapted for anchoring into a sandwich type compound panel, comprising a single piece body having a central opening and anchoring means in the form of anchoring fins extending integrally and radially out of said single piece body, said anchoring fins extending substantially concentrically relative to said central opening for holding said connector element in said panel, threaded means in said central opening of said single piece body, said single piece body further comprising an upper part with fin corners formed by said anchoring fins, said single piece body further comprising a single substantially rounded flange located as an integral part of said single piece body opposite said fin corners, said anchoring fins merging into said lower substantially rounded single flange, said fin corners defining a first circle having a given diameter, said first circle extending concentrically with said central opening, said single flange defining a second circle, said given diameter of said first circle being equal to or larger than said second circle, whereby said anchoring fins merge into said lower flange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 175 words
A connector element adapted for anchoring into a sandwich type compound panel, comprising a single piece body having a central opening and anchoring means in the form of anchoring fins extending integrally and radially out of said single piece body, said anchoring fins extending substantially concentrically relative to said central opening for holding said connector element in said panel, threaded means in said central opening of said single piece body, said single piece body further comprising an upper part with fin corners formed by said anchoring fins, said single piece body further comprising a single substantially rounded flange located as an integral part of said single piece body opposite said fin corners, said anchoring fins merging into said lower substantially rounded single flange, said fin corners defining a first circle having a given diameter, said first circle extending concentrically with said central opening, said single flange defining a second circle, said given diameter of said first circle being equal to or larger than said second circle, whereby said anchoring fins merge into said lower flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said anchoring fins have a multi-cornered cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The connector element of claim 2, wherein said multi-cornered cross-section comprises corners with flat surfaces facing radially outwardly and with side surfaces which are curved radially inwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said threaded means comprise a bore extending completely through said body and at least partially into said single flange, said bore being threaded at least along part of its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The connector element of claim 4, wherein said bore extends also completely through said single flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 62 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said fin corners of said anchoring fins defining said first circle have a first fin portion with a constant diameter corresponding to that of said first circle, and a second fin portion between said first fin portion and said single flange, said second fin portion tapering toward said single flange from said first fin portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said body comprises surface areas which taper or curve toward said single flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said single flange comprises a groove (7) extending axially inwardly and substantially around said central axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The connector element of claim 1, wherein said threaded means comprise lateral stop means for providing a stop nut effect.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 36 words
The connector element of claim 1, built into a dead-end hole in said sandwich type compound panel, said dead-end hole having such a depth that the built-in connector element extends flush with an outer panel surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The connector element of claim 1, built into a through hole in said sandwich type compound panel, whereby said flange means extend in parallel with an outer panel surface.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3313078A Cited
US3252493A Cited
US3504723A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-07-26 1986-01-25 1986-07-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-07-26 1990-01-25 1990-07-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-07-26 1994-01-25 1994-07-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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