Captive screw and method for installing same

US11015638B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FASTENER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Benjamin Phan · Arcadia, US
• Simon Ly · Shekou, CN
• William Smyrski · San Fernando, US
• An Tran · Austin, US
• Patrick Tran · Arcadia, US
• Yuriy Bern · West Hollywood, US
• Larisa Zilber · San Fernando, US
• Jeffrey Hang · Rosemead, US
• Dennis Suedkamp · San Fernando, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 2019
• Grant date: May 25, 2021
• Expiry date: Feb 19, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16B39/028
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A captive fastener and method of use is disclosed wherein the screw is comprised of a head and shank, and where the shank includes a radial counter bore that retains a spring biased pin. The spring may bear against a plug in the counter bore or the shank inner wall, and biases the pin outward such that it extends outside of the shank in the absence of a compressive force. The captive screw is inserted through a top panel by tilting the screw at the opening of the panel such that the pin is pushed inward into the channel formed by the counter bore (against the force of the spring). Once the pin is recessed in the screw, the screw is passed through the panel opening until the shank emerges on the other side. Once the shank pushes through the panel, the pin will emerge under the biasing of the spring to extend outward of the shank in the radial direction. The pin thus prevents the screw from disengaging with the panel. A holdout fork is applied to the shank to anchor the screw at the retracted position, which keeps the screw up right against the surface of the panel.