US5102276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable fastener with elastic linking means
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1990-07-12
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2010-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A removable threaded fastener is provided which comprises a head component; an externally threaded shank component; and a resilient linking means connecting the head and shank components. The fastener has a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool for the application of torque in a driving engagement with the shank component without an integral torque transfer means. Also provided is a method for removably fastening a work piece using the removable threaded fastener by inserting the fastener through a threaded aperture in the work piece; inserting the tool into the longitudinal opening; applying torque to the shank component sufficient to cause axial displacement of the shank component against the resilient biasing of the linking means to maintain the head and shank components in axial tension; and removing the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Gourd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B35/00; F16B35/04; F16B35/041; F16B35/044; F16B35/045; F16B33/00; F16B33/006; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/97; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A removable threaded fastener comprising: a head component; an externally threaded shank component; a resilient linking means made of an elastomeric material connecting said head and shank components; and means defining a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said shank component for the application of torque thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A removable threaded fastener comprising: a head component; an externally threaded shank component; a resilient linking means made of an elastomeric material connecting said head and shank components; and means defining a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said shank component for the application of torque thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal opening extends through said head component, shank component and said resilient linking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 2 wherein said resilient linking means is cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers and elastomeric plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 1 wherein said head component and said shank component are formed of the same material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 5 wherein said material is plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 2 wherein said longitudinal opening is slotted and said tool applies torque substantially equally to both said head component and said shank component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 7 wherein said slotted longitudinal opening is hexagonal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
A removable threaded fastener comprising: a head component for the application of torque having a lip portion and a lower portion of smaller diameter than said lip portion, said lower portion being unitary and coaxial with said lip portion; an externally threaded shank component; a resilient linking means connecting said lower portion and said shank component on a common axis, said resilient linking means of smaller diameter than said shank component; and said fastener having a longitudinal hexagonal opening along said common axis adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said head and shank components and said resilient linking means for the application of torque simultaneously thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A removable threaded fastener comprising: a head component for the application of torque having a lip portion and a lower portion of smaller diameter than said lip portion, said lower portion being unitary and coaxial with said lip portion; an externally threaded shank component; a resilient linking means connecting said lower portion and said shank component on a common axis, said resilient linking means of smaller diameter than said shank component; and said fastener having a longitudinal hexagonal opening along said common axis adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said head and shank components and said resilient linking means for the application of torque simultaneously thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 9 wherein said head and shank components are plastic and said resilient linking means is formed from a material selected form the group consisting of natural and synthetic rubbers, and elastomeric plastics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 9 wherein said resilient linking means is a coil type spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The removable threaded fastener of claim 9 wherein said resilient linking nonrotatably connects said head and shank components.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for removably fastening a plate member to an internally threaded work piece using a threaded fastener which comprises: a head component, an externally threaded shank component, a resilient linking means connecting said head and shank components, said fastener having a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said shank component for the application of torque thereto, said method comprising: threadedly engaging said fastener with said threaded aperture in said work piece; inserting said tool into said longitudinal opening; and applying torque to said shank component sufficient to cause axial displacement of said shank component against the resilient biasing of said linking means to maintain said head and shank components in axial tension, said torque being applied simultaneously to said head component and said shank component sufficient to cause said head component and shank component to rotate equally.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for removably fastening a plate member to an internally threaded work piece using a threaded fastener which comprises: a head component, an externally threaded shank component, a resilient linking means connecting said head and shank components, said fastener having a longitudinal opening adapted to receive a tool in driving engagement with said shank component for the application of torque thereto, said method comprising: threadedly engaging said fastener with said threaded aperture in said work piece; inserting said tool into said longitudinal opening; and applying torque to said shank component sufficient to cause axial displacement of said shank component against the resilient biasing of said linking means to maintain said head and shank components in axial tension, said torque being applied simultaneously to said head component and said shank component sufficient to cause said head component and shank component to rotate equally.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fastening method of claim 13 and further including removing said tool after applying torque to said shank component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fastening method of claim 13 and further comprising: applying torque simultaneously to said dean component and said shank component sufficient to cause said head component and shank component to rotate equally.
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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) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |