Patent US4778637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4778637A
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Method of forming a composite fastener
Assignee: Tiodize Co Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-13
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Granted: 1988-10-18
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Expires: 2007-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A fastener member and method of formation are provided wherein a bolt and nut are formed from a block of resin-impregnated fibers woven in a first, second and third plane each perpendicular to the other wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously and longitudinally through the fastener member and the fibers in the second and third plane extend to form the peaks and valleys of the helical thread.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Adams
- 👤 Gary R. Wittman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:05
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/06; B29C70/10; B29C70/16; B29C70/24; B29D; B29D1/00; B29D1/005; F; F16; F16B; F16B33/00; F16B33/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for the production of a fastener having a continuous helical thread, the improvement comprising: forming an essentially void-free block of continuous, non-metallic resin impregnated fibers, by weaving said fibers into an arrangement having a plurality of fibers in first, second and third fiber planes, each plane being perpendicular to the other planes, and impregnating said fibers with a resin; and grinding said block into the shape of a fastener with said continuous helical thread in a manner wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously through the fastener and the fibers in the second and third planes extend continuously across the cross-section of the fastener and into the peaks and form the valleys of said helical thread.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for the production of a fastener having a continuous helical thread, the improvement comprising: forming an essentially void-free block of continuous, non-metallic resin impregnated fibers, by weaving said fibers into an arrangement having a plurality of fibers in first, second and third fiber planes, each plane being perpendicular to the other planes, and impregnating said fibers with a resin; and grinding said block into the shape of a fastener with said continuous helical thread in a manner wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously through the fastener and the fibers in the second and third planes extend continuously across the cross-section of the fastener and into the peaks and form the valleys of said helical thread.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a bolt having a shaft portion, an externally-threaded portion at a first end and an enlarged head portion at an end opposite the threaded portion, and wherein the fibers in the first plane extend continuously from the enlarged head portion to the threaded portion, and the fibers in the second and third planes extend continuously across the enlarged head portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a nut, said improvement comprising the additional step of grinding the nut from the block in a manner wherein the fibers in the second and third planes extend into the peaks and define the valleys of the helical thread.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of forming a reinforced fiber composite fastener having a continuous helical thread characterized by maximized shear strength and including a multi-dimensional arrangement of continuous, non-metallic fibers wherein a first plurality of said fibers extends continuously along a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of said fibers extends transversely at a right angle to said first plurality of fibers and a third plurality of said fibers extends transversely at a right angle to each of said first and second plurality of fibers, said composite fastener being formed by the method comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of said continuous, non-metallic fibers into a preform having and multi dimensional arrangement, impregnating said multi-dimensional fiber preform with a resin; and solidifying the resin of the impregnated fiber preform; and forming said impregnated and solidified fiber preform into the shape of a fastener with said continuous helical thread.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of forming a reinforced fiber composite fastener having a continuous helical thread characterized by maximized shear strength and including a multi-dimensional arrangement of continuous, non-metallic fibers wherein a first plurality of said fibers extends continuously along a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of said fibers extends transversely at a right angle to said first plurality of fibers and a third plurality of said fibers extends transversely at a right angle to each of said first and second plurality of fibers, said composite fastener being formed by the method comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of said continuous, non-metallic fibers into a preform having and multi dimensional arrangement, impregnating said multi-dimensional fiber preform with a resin; and solidifying the resin of the impregnated fiber preform; and forming said impregnated and solidified fiber preform into the shape of a fastener with said continuous helical thread.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of impregnating said fibers with a thermosetting resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of impregnating said fibers with a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of impregnating said fibers with a polyimide resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of impregnating said fibers by submerging said fibers in a solution of resin thinned by solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 8, including the additional step of heating said fibers during said step of impregnating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 8, including the additional step of heating the resin-solvent solution during said step of impregnating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 10, including the additional step of heating the resin-solvent solution to a temperature which is below both the boiling point of the solvent and the solidifying temperature of the resin, such temperature being suitable to enhance the dispersion of the resin-solvent solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 8, including the additional step of removing at least some of the solvent from the resin-solvent solution after said step of impregnating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method recited in claim 12, including the additional steps of removing said solvent by heating the impregnated fibers to a temperature which is below both the boiling point of the solvent and the solidifying temperature of the resin and maintaining such temperature for a time suitable to permit solvent vapors to escape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of compressing the impregnated fibers during said step of solidifying the resin so as to minimize the formation of voids and bubbles within the composite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 4, including the additional step of compressing the impregnated fibers between metal platens within a hydraulic press.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 15, including the additional step of heating the impregnated fibers to the solidifying temperature of the resin while the fibers are being compressed between the platens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method recited in claim 4, wherein said step of forming said impregnated and solidified fiber preform into the shape of a fastener having a helical thread is effected by grinding.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 4, wherein said step of forming said multi-dimensional arrangement of fibers into said preform is effected by weaving.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-18 | 1992-04-18 | 1992-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-18 | 1996-04-18 | 1996-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-18 | 2000-04-18 | 2000-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |