US3777358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of assemblying a retained fastener assembly
Assignee: SPS Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1971-10-07
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A retained fastener assembly for use in securing a plurality of workpieces together comprises a screw having a groove configuration including a conical surface and a radial shoulder with a flat face formed intermediate the ends of the shank. The screw is attached to a panel by placing the sleeve of a tool over the threaded portion of the shank and sliding a retaining ring over the tool until it snaps into the groove configuration. Thereafter, the ring cooperates with the flat face on the shoulder and the panel to prevent removal of the screw from the panel from one direction while the head prevents removal from the other direction. To assemble a joint, the panel carrying the fastener is placed adjacent another panel or workpiece having an aperture and a nut; the screw is then pushed through the ring and inserted into the aperture and engaged with the nut.
Inventors
- 👤 W Matievich
- 👤 H Theakston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B41/00; F16B41/002; F16B5/00; F16B5/02; F16B5/0208; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/999; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987; Y10T29/49876; Y10T29/49947; Y10T29/49963; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53657; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
A method of retaining a screw in a panel comprising: providing a panel having a pair of outer surfaces and an opening extending from one of said surfaces through to the other of said surfaces; providing a screw having a head portion and a shank extending therefrom, said shank being formed with thread convolutions extending from a point adjacent its free end and terminating at a point intermediate said head portion and said free end, said shank being further formed with a groove adjacent the termination point of said thread convolutions; inserting said shank through said opening in said panel so that said head portion is adjacent said one surface of said panel and said groove and said threads extend beyond said other surface of said panel; providing a tool having a first cylindrical portion having an opening formed by a generally smooth cylindrical wall extending from a free face thereof a distance substantially equal to the extent said thread convolutions on said shank and terminating in an end bearing wall, said tool being further provided with a second cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than that of said first cylindrical portion, said first and second cylindrical portions being connected by a conical portion, and having at least one retaining ring carried thereon; and, placing said opening in said tool over said thread convolutions on said shank so that the free end of said shank bears on said end wall of said opening and said cylindrical portion covers said threads with the free face of said tool adjacent said groove, sliding said retaining ring along said second cylindrical portion and said conical portion of said tool, the diameter of said retaining ring increasing along said conical portion, and further sliding said retaining ring over said first cylindrical portion and beyond said free face of said first cylindrical portion so that said retaining ring snaps into said groove on said shank.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
320 words
A method of retaining a screw in a panel comprising: providing a panel having a pair of outer surfaces and an opening extending from one of said surfaces through to the other of said surfaces; providing a screw having a head portion and a shank extending therefrom, said shank being formed with thread convolutions extending from a point adjacent its free end and terminating at a point intermediate said head portion and said free end, said shank being further formed with a groove adjacent the termination point of said thread convolutions; inserting said shank through said opening in said panel so that said head portion is adjacent said one surface of said panel and said groove and said threads extend beyond said other surface of said panel; providing a tool having a first cylindrical portion having an opening formed by a generally smooth cylindrical wall extending from a free face thereof a distance substantially equal to the extent said thread convolutions on said shank and terminating in an end bearing wall, said tool being further provided with a second cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than that of said first cylindrical portion, said first and second cylindrical portions being connected by a conical portion, and having at least one retaining ring carried thereon; and, placing said opening in said tool over said thread convolutions on said shank so that the free end of said shank bears on said end wall of said opening and said cylindrical portion covers said threads with the free face of said tool adjacent said groove, sliding said retaining ring along said second cylindrical portion and said conical portion of said tool, the diameter of said retaining ring increasing along said conical portion, and further sliding said retaining ring over said first cylindrical portion and beyond said free face of said first cylindrical portion so that said retaining ring snaps into said groove on said shank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second cylindrical portion of said tool is provided with a plurality of said retaining rings.
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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) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |