Patent Application
20060180116
The present invention relates to self-retained fasteners, and more particularly to a captured nut using a stamped retention feature.
Threaded fasteners have been used to interconnect automotive components for years. Typically, a bolt having an externally threaded shaft is mated with a nut having an internally threaded aperture to provide a clamping force to members positioned between the bolt and the nut. During the assembly of complex machines such as automotive engines, the fasteners may be dropped or misplaced. Unfortunately, the dropped fastener may become trapped within an internal cavity of the engine and possibly cause significant damage. If multiple components must be handled and positioned during the fastener installation process, the likelihood of dropping the fastener increases. Accordingly, it may be desirable to attach a fastener, such as a nut, to a component that is to be mounted on the engine and thereby eliminate the risk of dropping the nut within the engine cavity. Furthermore, it may be desirable to provide a component and nut assembly having an axially translatable and rotatable nut that is captured by the component to allow mounting the component on an existing stud or bolt that extends from the engine.
The present invention provides a bracket and nut assembly including a bracket having a first end and second end. The first end includes a first substantially planar portion spaced apart from and positioned substantially parallel to a second substantially planar portion. A third portion interconnects the first and second portions. A first aperture extends through the first portion and a second aperture extends through the second portion. The first and second apertures are axially aligned with one another. A nut includes a substantially cylindrical hollow body having flats, a first end and a second end. A flange radially extends from the first end. The flange is captured between the first portion and the second portion of the bracket such that the nut is operable to translate and rotate relative to the bracket.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
With reference to
The captured nut 22 includes a substantially cylindrical body 48 having a first end 50 and a second end 52. A flange 54 radially extends from the first end 50. Flats 56 are formed in the shape of a hexagon at the second end 52 to provide means for applying torque to captured nut 22. Alternatively, flats 56 may extend along the entire length of nut 22. The flange 54 extending from the nut 22 includes a first surface 58 and a second surface 60. The nut 22 has an internally threaded aperture 62 extending axially through its center.
As best shown in
The spacing “X” between the first land 43 and the second land 44 is less than the overall length of nut 22. As such, the nut 22 is captured within the aperture 47 between the first land 43 and the second land 44. The aperture 46 extending through the first land 43 of the bracket 24 has a diameter less than the diameter of the flange 54. The surface 66 surrounding the aperture 46 is in engagement with the first surface 58 to prevent the captured nut 22 from axially translating past the second position. The diameter of the aperture 46 is sized to allow the threaded portion of the stud 14 to pass therethrough. However, the diameter of the aperture 46 is less than the diameter of the first nut 18 to allow nut 22 to provide a clamping force on bracket 24. Aperture 46 is coaxially aligned with aperture 47 to allow threaded connection of nut 22 and stud 14.
The process of coupling the bracket and captured nut assembly 30 to engine 10 is described below. The first nut 18 is engaged with the stud 14 to secure the bearing cap 32 to the engine block 12. The deflector 16 is positioned to abut the first nut 18 by engaging a first side 68 of the deflector 16 with an end face 70 of the first nut 18. The threaded portion of the stud 14 passes through one of apertures 34 in the deflector 16.
The bracket and captured nut assembly 30 are positioned such that the threaded portion of the stud 14 extends through the aperture 46 extending through first land 43. At this time, captured nut 22 is free to axially move toward the first position to allow entry of the stud 14 into the area between first land 43 and second land 44. The distance “X” between the first land 43 and the second land 44 allows for the stud 14 to be completely inserted into the bracket 24 without the nut 22 being engaged with the stud 14. The stud 14 extends into the “C-shape” less than the total distance “X” but far enough to allow for substantial engagement with the captured nut 22. In the embodiment shown, the stud 14 extends more than halfway into the “C-shape” of the bracket 24. Nut 22 is rotated to threadingly engage internally threaded aperture 62 with stud 14. Nut 22 is rotated until a clamping force is exerted between flange 54 and first nut 18 thereby clamping bracket 24 and deflector 16 therebetween.
During clamping, nut 22 is located at the second position shown in
Furthermore, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without department from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
