The present invention relates to fasteners, and, more particularly, to a fastener used to receive another fastener that may have a coupling feature.
A threaded fastener is a hardware device that mechanically affixes objects together or provides a connecting feature. In general, threaded fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints, which can be removed or dismantled.
Threaded fasteners have a section along the length that has a thread formed thereon. The thread has a pitch, a major diameter and a minor diameter. The threaded portion is mated to a reciprocally formed threaded item by rotating the two relative to each other.
Threaded fasteners often have a head on one end so that the fastener will engage a surface through which a portion of the fastener is passed. Typically, a nut or other female threaded item is used on the threaded end of the fastener to draw the fastener to the item to which it is affixed. The head engages one surface and the nut generally engages an opposite surface, either or both can be configured to be driven by a driver or a wrench that engages a feature on the head and/or nut.
A lock washer or a lock nut is often used with a bolt so that the bolt and nut remain engaged with each other. However, this arrangement allows the bolt to be rotated relative to structure to which it is affixed. Practical evidence of this is widespread in that two wrenches are then required to remove or affix the bolt to the structure.
In particular applications, such as in marine applications it is often desirable to have a threaded connection point to which a coupling feature, such as an eyebolt, is threaded into the threaded connection point. This then makes the eyebolt useful for attaching a pulley or a rope etc. thereto. The removal of the eyebolt is then desired when the coupling feature is no longer needed. A problem can arise if the eyebolt loosens the threaded connection point.
What is needed in the art is a fastener system that is versatile and provides a non-loosening threaded connection point.
The present invention provides a fastener system that is engaged with a structural member, the fastener system being non-rotatable when installed.
The invention in one form is directed to a fastener system incorporated in a structural member, the system including a dual threaded member and an anti-rotational member. The dual threaded member is inserted through a hole in the structural member. The dual threaded member has an engaging feature. The anti-rotational member is coupled to the dual threaded member, and the anti-rotational member is coupled with the engaging feature of the dual threaded member and with the structural member to thereby limit rotation of the dual threaded member relative to the structural member.
The invention in another form is directed to a fastener system configured to be incorporated in a structural member having a hole therein. The fastener system includes a dual threaded member and an anti-rotational member. The dual threaded member is insertable through the hole in the structural member. The dual threaded member has an engaging feature. The anti-rotational member is coupled to the dual threaded member, and the anti-rotational member is coupled with the engaging feature of the dual threaded member and with a surface of the structural member to thereby limit rotation of the dual threaded member relative to the structural member.
The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of fixing a fastener system to a structural member, the method comprising the steps of inserting, engaging a feature, threading, rotating, engaging a spur and threading a coupling member. The inserting step including inserting a dual threaded member into a hole in the structural member, with one end of the dual threaded member engaging a first surface of the structural member, an external threaded portion of the dual threaded member extending beyond a second surface of the structural member. The engaging a feature step including engaging a feature on the dual threaded member with an anti-rotational member that limits rotation of the dual threaded member relative to the anti-rotational member. The threading step including threading a nut onto the external threaded portion of the dual threaded member. The rotating step including rotating the nut thereby tightening the dual threaded member and the anti-rotational member to the structural member. The engaging a spur step including engaging a spur on the anti-rotational member to the second surface of the structural member thereby limiting movement of the anti-rotational member relative to the second surface of the structural member and by extension limiting the rotatability of the dual threaded member relative to the structural member. The treading a coupling member step including threading a coupling member into an internal threaded portion of the dual threaded member, the coupling member extending above the first surface of the structural member.
An advantage of the present invention is that once the fastening system is installed a threaded item can be threaded into the internal threads and removed without the fastening system rotating and loosening.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the engaging features of the dual threaded member and the anti-rotational member are complementary for easy fixing of the system to a structural member.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the location of the spur on the anti-rotational member provides a substantially leverage location to preclude disengagement when a threaded member is removed from the system.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to
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Now, additionally referring to
Anti-rotational member 14 (also see
Engaging feature 26 may, as illustrated, extend below a minor thread diameter of external threaded portion 30 along at least one side of external threaded portion 30, or feature 26 may extend along threaded portion 30 only below the major thread diameter. Flats 26A and 26B run along at least one side of the external threaded portion. Torque that is applied to internal threaded portion 28 is resisted by system 10 by way of the coupling of flats 26A and 26B with flats 34A and 34B and the location of teeth 32 that are located proximate to corners 38 of anti-rotational member 14, and by the interaction of shoulder S against the metal of anti-rotational member 14 or other metal structure shoulder S encounters.
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In the event structural member SM is a composite floor or a carbon fiber floor or a fiberglass floor, system 10 can be installed through a ⅝″ hole. Then anti-rotational member 14 is installed with bonding agent applied between surfaces. Add the flat washer FW, lock washer LW and nut 16, and torque to 35 ft-lbs.
In the event structural member SM is thicker, say 2 inches or more, then Drill 7/16″ hole through entire structure. Follow with a 9/16″ drilling operation to 2″ depth. Followed with ⅝″ drilling to ¾″ depth. Install dual-threaded member 12 into the multi stepped hole with bonding agent such as epoxy on external threads 30 and side of ⅝″ member 12. Thread bolt B into member 12 with lock washer LW thereon and red thread locking agent on the bolt threads. Torque to 35 ft-lbs. for a permanent mounting. All dimensions are used for explanation purposes only and are not to be construed as limitations.
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As can be visualized from the figures, a method of fixing fastener system to a structural member, takes place by inserting dual threaded member 12 into hole H of structural member SM. Head 20 is one end of dual threaded member 12 that engages a first surface of structural member SM. External threaded portion 30 of dual threaded member 12 extending beyond a second surface of structural member SM. An engaging takes place in which a feature 26 on the dual threaded member is engaged with feature 34 of anti-rotational member 14, which together limits rotation of dual threaded member 12 relative to anti-rotational member 14. A threading step takes place by threading a nut onto external threaded portion 30 of dual threaded member 12. A rotating step takes place in which nut 16 is rotated thereby tightening dual threaded member 12 and anti-rotational member 14 to structural member SM. The engaging a spur step takes place by engaging spur 32 on anti-rotational member 14 to the second surface of structural member SM thereby limiting movement of anti-rotational member 14 relative to the second surface of structural member SM and by extension limiting the rotatability of dual threaded member 12 relative to structural member SM. The threading a coupling member step takes place when coupling member 18 is threaded into internal threaded portion 28 of dual threaded member 12, with coupling member 18 extending above the first surface of structural member SM.
Advantageously, fastener system 10 of the present invention provides a secured, non-rotatable coupling point for many applications, including on vehicles of various types.
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.