The present invention is directed to fastening devices useful in assembling machinery and related technology.
Threaded rods are useful in large assemblies where it is impractical or impossible to use shorter fasteners (e.g., a screw, a bolt, etc.). When using a threaded rod (or another fastener), a user often has access to either end of the rod and can tighten a nut (or similar hardware) to achieve a desired tightness. Where a user only has access to one end (i.e., a “free end”), the threaded rod may be threaded into a mating, tapped hole (or similar mating feature) and tightened on the one end with a nut (or similar hardware). This common technique is undesirable in certain applications, as there is no mechanism to prevent the rod from turning substantially in the tapped hole. Thus, the actual force (e.g., axial tensile force, torque value, etc.) through the threaded rod cannot be accurately or precisely determined. A known technique in the art is to weld (or otherwise fully constrain) the rod. This partial solution poses other assembly related problems (e.g., for instance when the rod needs to be assembled later when it becomes impractical or impossible to weld the rod).
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a fastening device to address assembly problems and related problems in the art.
One aspect of the invention provides a fastening device, including an elongated member, the elongated member including a first end defining a first threaded portion and a first crimped portion, and a second end defining a second threaded portion. The fastening device also includes a fastener, the fastener disposed on the second end.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of providing a fastening device. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a threaded rod, the threaded rod including a first end and a second end; (b) providing a fastener disposed on the second end; (c) crimping a first portion of the threaded rod at a predetermined distance; and (d) crimping a second portion of the threaded rod at a distal position from the first end.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions.
As used herein, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing,” “having,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like.
As used herein, the term “lateral” refers to a component that is located relatively away from the midline of a subject's body.
As used herein, the term “medial” refers to a component that is located between the proximal distal ends of a device.
The terms “proximal” and “distal” can refer to the position of a portion of a device relative to the remainder of the device or the opposing end as it appears in the drawing. The proximal end can be used to refer to the end manipulated by the user. The distal end can be used to refer to the end of the device that is inserted and advanced and is furthest away from the user. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of proximal and distal could change in another context, e.g., the anatomical context in which proximal and distal use the patient as reference, or where the entry point is distal from the user.
Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, the term “or,” as used herein, is understood to be inclusive.
The present invention relates to a fastening device (sometimes referred to as a fastening assembly). Aspects of the present invention relate to a rod threaded on both ends. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rod is crimped at a predefined distance from a first end. The crimp width may be limited to the diameter of the hole(s) the rod will be passed through. In certain embodiments, the first end may (or may not) be covered with thread locking material. In certain embodiments, a nut with (or without) a washer is installed on the second end. In certain embodiments, the second end is crimped to a predefined distance. When using such an embodiment, the first end is passed through different elements to be joined and, for example, threaded into a female thread in the last element of a joint. In certain embodiments, a driving tool (e.g., an inverted flat screwdriver or a slotted bit such as that shown in
Throughout the various drawings provided herein, the same reference characters refer to the same element (and similar reference characters, such as those beginning with a “4” instead of a “1” but otherwise the same, e.g., threaded portion 110 and 410, refer to substantially similar elements). Thus, a description of certain elements may be omitted (or limited) in connection with some of the drawings.
Referring now to
A crimping tool (e.g., crimping tool 522 of
In some embodiments, prior to crimping, threaded portion 110a and threaded portion 110b may be considered to be a part of the same threaded portion, said threaded portion extending from medial portion 108 to first end 104 (i.e., a distal end). In another embodiment, threaded portion 110a and threaded portion 110b may have different thread characteristics (e.g., diameter, pitch, thread depth, rolled threads, cut threads, etc. depending on the application) and may be considered to be a part of different threaded portions. Although medial portion 108 illustrates unthreaded portion 114, the invention is not so limited (e.g., see threaded elongated member 402 of
Second end 106 of elongated member 102 is illustrated at a proximal end of elongated member 102 (i.e., the end where a user may be able to most easily access fastening device 100). Second end 106 includes at least a portion of threaded portion 110c.
Fastening device 100 includes a fastener 116 (e.g., a nut, a locknut, a wash nut, a nut and washer assembly, a jam nut, a plurality of nuts, a plurality of hardware, etc.). Fastener 116 is disposed on second end 106. Depending on the application, crimped portion 112b may be formed (e.g., using the crimping tool used to form crimped portion 112a, such as an FEK50 Pneumatic Crimping Press with a 2.5 ton output force, another crimping tool, another method of crimping, etc.) after fastener 116 is disposed (e.g., installed, placed, etc.) on second end 106.
In some embodiments of the invention, threaded portion 110a may engage with a mating portion (e.g., via a tapped hole, a threaded element, receiving element 226 of
In certain embodiments, crimped portion 112a is formed at a predetermined location having a predetermined distance (e.g., from a terminal portion of first end 104). In such embodiments, threaded portion 110a engages with mating portion as a function of the predetermined location; in other words, after threading elongated member 102 such that the threads of the mating portion interfere with crimped portion 112a, rotation is impeded (i.e., the rod is prevented from spinning past crimped portion 112a). In some embodiments, first end 104 may include a thread locking material (e.g., a threadlocker, an adhesive, LOCTITE® threadlocker, etc.) to improve assembly (e.g., to prevent undesired rotation, loosening, etc.)
Referring now to
In the illustrated example, a user may have access to second end 106, but may not have practical access to first end 104. In such a situation where known devices may be used, it would be difficult, impractical, or impossible to determine the actual force through the rod or achieve the desired tightening without undesired rotation. Various inventive aspects of fastening device 100 make fastening, connecting, and assembling various elements of assembly 250 superior over known fastening techniques and devices in the art.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/357,100, filed on Jun. 30, 2022, the entire contents of which being fully incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63357100 | Jun 2022 | US |