US3913649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener assembly
Assignee: Textron Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-14
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-02-14
Abstract
Abstract The present disclosure relates to a novel externally threaded fastener unit and the novel combination resulting from employment of said unit with an internally threaded element, such as a nut or the like, and the method of manufacture thereof. The fastener unit includes a headed screw member having a frusto-conical washer preassembled thereon and held in captive relation by the external thread form. Disposed adjacent the threaded portion of the screw member is an unthreaded neck section of a controlled cross-sectional dimension. This neck section is designed to have a dimension which is less than the minimum minor dimension of an internal thread designed in accordance with industry specified dimensions and tolerances for mating engagement with the external thread on said fastener. Thus, the screw member may be advanced along the internally threaded portion of said element, with said internal threads passing over the unthreaded neck section, without producing interfering engagement therewith, such that effective compression of the frusto-conical washer can be obtained regardless of the relative thinness of the workpieces being clamped with the fastener unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter P Stanaitis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B39/00; F16B39/22; F16B39/24; F16B39/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/955; Y10S411/956; Y10S411/96
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A threaded fastener unit for engagement with an internally threaded element, said unit comprising a screw member having a washer preassembled thereon prior to formation of the external thread on said member, said screw member having a driving head and an elongate shank, said shank including an unthreaded portion and a threaded portion having an external thread formed thereon in accordance with industry specified dimensions and tolerances, for engagement by an element having a standard internal thread formed in accordance with said industry specified dimensional tolerances, said unthreaded portion being disposed intermediate the driving head and said threaded portion, and an apertured, compressible washer element carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion thereof, said washer element including a dish-shaped portion and an aperture, the minimum internal dimensions of said washer aperture being less than the major dimension of the external thread on said threaded portion thereby to maintain said washer in assembled relation with said screw member, and said unthreaded portion including a reduced diameter neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded portion, and said diameter of said neck section being less than the minimum minor diameter of the thread form of the internally threaded element to be engaged with said externally threaded portion, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded portion toward the driving head with the internal thread form of said nut passing over said unthreaded neck segment without interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect the desired compression of said washer, whereby when said fastener is seated in tension, failure thereof is more likely to occur across said thread than at said neck, said unthreaded section including an additional segment disposed aDjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, with arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment being sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A threaded fastener unit for engagement with an internally threaded element, said unit comprising a screw member having a washer preassembled thereon prior to formation of the external thread on said member, said screw member having a driving head and an elongate shank, said shank including an unthreaded portion and a threaded portion having an external thread formed thereon in accordance with industry specified dimensions and tolerances, for engagement by an element having a standard internal thread formed in accordance with said industry specified dimensional tolerances, said unthreaded portion being disposed intermediate the driving head and said threaded portion, and an apertured, compressible washer element carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion thereof, said washer element including a dish-shaped portion and an aperture, the minimum internal dimensions of said washer aperture being less than the major dimension of the external thread on said threaded portion thereby to maintain said washer in assembled relation with said screw member, and said unthreaded portion including a reduced diameter neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded portion, and said diameter of said neck section being less than the minimum minor diameter of the thread form of the internally threaded element to be engaged with said externally threaded portion, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded portion toward the driving head with the internal thread form of said nut passing over said unthreaded neck segment without interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect the desired compression of said washer, whereby when said fastener is seated in tension, failure thereof is more likely to occur across said thread than at said neck, said unthreaded section including an additional segment disposed aDjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, with arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment being sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said dish shaped portion of the washer element is of a frusto-conical configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said neck segment is provided with a diameter that is greater than the maximum minor dimension of said external thread form, so as to have a greater tensile strength than said external threaded portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said additional segment is provided with an axial length approximating the wall thickness of said washer element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
302 words
A threaded fastener unit for engagement with an internally threaded element such as a nut or the like, said unit comprising a screw member having a washer preassembled thereon prior to formation of the external thread, which thread holds said washer captive, said screw member having a driving head and elongate shank, said shank including an unthreaded portion and a threaded portion having an external thread formed thereon for engagement with said internally threaded element, said unthreaded portion being disposed intermediate the driving head and said threaded portion, and an apertured compressible washer element carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion thereof, said washer element including an aperture, the minimum internal dimensions of said aperture being less than the major dimension of the external thread on said threaded portion, thereby to maintain said washer in assembled relation with said screw member, and said unthreaded portion including a neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded portion, said neck segment having a diameter less than the minimum minor diameter of the internal thread form of said element to be engaged with said externally threaded portion, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded portion toward the driving head with said internal thread form passing over said unthreaded neck segment without interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect the desired compression of said washer, said unthreaded section further including an additional segment disposed adjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, with arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment of said unthreaded portion being disposed adjacent said driving head, and sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation and thereby to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member, upon compression thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
302 words
A threaded fastener unit for engagement with an internally threaded element such as a nut or the like, said unit comprising a screw member having a washer preassembled thereon prior to formation of the external thread, which thread holds said washer captive, said screw member having a driving head and elongate shank, said shank including an unthreaded portion and a threaded portion having an external thread formed thereon for engagement with said internally threaded element, said unthreaded portion being disposed intermediate the driving head and said threaded portion, and an apertured compressible washer element carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion thereof, said washer element including an aperture, the minimum internal dimensions of said aperture being less than the major dimension of the external thread on said threaded portion, thereby to maintain said washer in assembled relation with said screw member, and said unthreaded portion including a neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded portion, said neck segment having a diameter less than the minimum minor diameter of the internal thread form of said element to be engaged with said externally threaded portion, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded portion toward the driving head with said internal thread form passing over said unthreaded neck segment without interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect the desired compression of said washer, said unthreaded section further including an additional segment disposed adjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, with arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment of said unthreaded portion being disposed adjacent said driving head, and sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation and thereby to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member, upon compression thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said compressible washer element includes a frusto-conical portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 5 wherein the neck segment has a diameter greater than the maximum minor dimension of said external thread form, to provide said neck segment with a greater tensile strength than said threaded shank portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said additional segment is provided with an axial length approximating the wall thickness of said washer element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fastener unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said external thread terminates at and merges smoothly with said neck segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
273 words
A structural joint comprising in combination, an externally threaded fastener unit of the type including a fastener element and a compressible, frusto-conical washer held captive thereon, an internally threaded element for engagement with said fastener and a workpiece structure to be clamped between said washer and said internally threaded element, said fastener unit comprising, a screw member having a driving head and an elongaTe shank, said shank including an externally threaded portion remote from said driving head, and an unthreaded portion disposed intermediate said driving head and said threaded portion, said compressible washer element being apertured and carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion, the minimum internal dimensions of said aperture being less than the major diameter of the external thread on said screw member to maintain said washer in assembled, captive relation therewith, and said unthreaded portion including a neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded section, said neck segment having a diameter which is less than the minor diameter of the internal thread form on said element, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded shank toward the driving head with said internal threads passing over said unthreaded neck segment without producing interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect compression of said washer, said unthreaded section includes an additional segment disposed adjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, and having arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment being sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation and thereby to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
273 words
A structural joint comprising in combination, an externally threaded fastener unit of the type including a fastener element and a compressible, frusto-conical washer held captive thereon, an internally threaded element for engagement with said fastener and a workpiece structure to be clamped between said washer and said internally threaded element, said fastener unit comprising, a screw member having a driving head and an elongaTe shank, said shank including an externally threaded portion remote from said driving head, and an unthreaded portion disposed intermediate said driving head and said threaded portion, said compressible washer element being apertured and carried on said screw member proximate the unthreaded portion, the minimum internal dimensions of said aperture being less than the major diameter of the external thread on said screw member to maintain said washer in assembled, captive relation therewith, and said unthreaded portion including a neck segment immediately adjacent said threaded section, said neck segment having a diameter which is less than the minor diameter of the internal thread form on said element, such that said element may be advanced along said externally threaded shank toward the driving head with said internal threads passing over said unthreaded neck segment without producing interfering engagement therewith, thereby to effect compression of said washer, said unthreaded section includes an additional segment disposed adjacent said neck segment and of a greater diameter than said neck segment, and having arcuately shaped shoulder means joining said additional segment to said neck segment, said additional segment being sized to receive said apertured washer in overlying relation and thereby to effect substantial centering of said washer relative to the axis of said screw member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein the neck segment has a diameter greater than the maximum minor dimension of said external thread form, to provide said neck segment with a greater tensile strength than said threaded shank portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said additional segment is provided with an axial length approximating the wall thickness of said washer element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said external thread terminates at and merges smoothly with said neck segment.
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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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |