Composite fastener

Claim 2

A fastener member having at least one transverse integral load-bearing flange, comprising a first plurality of resin-impregnated fibers extending continuously therethrough along a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed transversely at right angles to the first plurality and a third plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed transversely at right angles to each of the first and second plurality, wherein at least a portion of the second and third plurality of resin-impregnated fibers extends continuously across the cross-section of the fastener to form the load-bearing flange.

Claim 3

The fastener member of claim 1 wherein the flange comprises a helical thread on a surface of the fastener.

Claim 4

The fastener member of claim 2 which further includes a shank and an enlarged head portion, and wherein the thread is disposed on an external surface of the shank.

Claim 5

The fastener of claim 2 wherein the fastener is hollow and the thread is continuous and disposed on an internal surface thereof.

Claim 6

The fastener member of claim 1 wherein the fastener includes a longitudinal shank and the load-bearing flange comprises helical threads on the exterior surface of the shank, and wherein a portion of the second and third plurality of resin-impregnated fibers extend continuously and transversely across the cross-section into the thread.

Claim 7

The fastener member of claim 1 or 5 wherein the load-bearing flange further comprises a head portion including a workpiece-abutting surface.

Claim 8

A fastener member having a longitudinal shank including an externally-threaded portion at a first end and an enlarged portion at an end opposite the threaded portion, the member comprising a plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and longitudinally from the first to the opposite end and the fibers in the second and third plane extend continuously between transversely-opposed surfaces of the fastener member.

Claim 9

A fastener member having a longitudinal shank including an externally-threaded portion at a first end and an enlarged portion at an end opposite the threaded portion, the member comprising a plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and longitudinally from the first to the opposite end and the fibers in the second and third plane extend continuously between transversely-opposed surfaces of the fastener member.

Claim 10

A fastener comprising a hollow member having an interior surface and a continuous, integral thread thereon, the fastener comprising a plurality of resin-inpregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously along the axis of the hollow member and the fibers in the second and third planes extend between the threads and an external surface of the fastener.

Claim 11

A fastener comprising a hollow member having an interior surface and a continuous, integral thread thereon, the fastener comprising a plurality of resin-inpregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously along the axis of the hollow member and the fibers in the second and third planes extend between the threads and an external surface of the fastener.

Claim 12

A fastener assembly for securing first and second workpieces by disposal through coaxial apertures formed therethrough, the assembly comprising: a bolt member having a longitudinal shank including an externally-threaded portion at a first end and an enlarged head portion at an end opposite the threaded portion, and including a plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and longitudinally from the first to the opposite end, and the fibers in the second and third planes extend continuously between transversely-opposed surfaces to the fastener member; a nut member including an internally-threaded aperture matingly engagable with the threaded portion, the nut member including resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein a portion of the fibers of two of said planes extends to form the peaks and valleys of said internally-threaded aperture; and an annular sleeve including resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and axially from a first to a second longitudinal end of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve extends axially from the external surface of the first workpiece to the external surface of the second workpiece for relieving compressive loads on said first and second workpieces and for receiving said bolt member therethrough.

Claim 13

A fastener assembly for securing first and second workpieces by disposal through coaxial apertures formed therethrough, the assembly comprising: a bolt member having a longitudinal shank including an externally-threaded portion at a first end and an enlarged head portion at an end opposite the threaded portion, and including a plurality of resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and longitudinally from the first to the opposite end, and the fibers in the second and third planes extend continuously between transversely-opposed surfaces to the fastener member; a nut member including an internally-threaded aperture matingly engagable with the threaded portion, the nut member including resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein a portion of the fibers of two of said planes extends to form the peaks and valleys of said internally-threaded aperture; and an annular sleeve including resin-impregnated fibers disposed in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other, wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and axially from a first to a second longitudinal end of the sleeve; wherein the sleeve extends axially from the external surface of the first workpiece to the external surface of the second workpiece for relieving compressive loads on said first and second workpieces and for receiving said bolt member therethrough.