Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for preloading a joint

US3989081A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
6References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 1974
Grant dateNov 2, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49934
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a fastener assembly and method of using same to preload a joint including a plurality of adjacent workpieces having aligned openings formed therein. The fastener assembly includes a pin member having an enlarged head and a shank located within the aligned openings in the workpieces and further includes a collar member having a deformable outer portion and a relatively hard inner portion located about a portion of the shank such that the inner portion is directly adjacent the shank portion. Also formed on the shank is a thread configuration adapted to cooperate with a complimentary thread configuration for snugging the workpieces together with a relatively light preload. After the joint has been snugged together, the collar member is crimped causing axial flow of material in the outer portion which reacts to stretch the pin member and induce a desired preload in the joint. Radial flow of the material in the outer portion is resisted by the hardened inner portion whereby the collar member does not flow into engagement with the shank portion of the pin member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.