Patent · US Expired

Deformable locking fastener system and method of use

US5452974A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
81References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 4, 1993
Grant dateSep 26, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 4, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16B39/025
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved deformable locking fastener system comprises a fastener, a deformable collar and a dedicated installation tool. The fastener has a threaded exterior defining a plurality of axial flutes which are configured to prevent of the collar from prematurely captivating the fastener during installation. The collar comprises a cylindrical forward portion, a central portion having an elliptical cross-sectional shape and a rearward portion having an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The collar portions have axial heights selected to maximize the strength of the collar and to minimize the weight of the collar. The installation tool contacts the collar along driving ridges which reduces the radial compression of the collar and increases the tangential driving force turning the collar during installation. In addition, the installation tool includes oblique driving ridges and exit vents which prevent premature cam-off of the installation tool when generating a desired preload and swaging the collar onto the fastener to lock the components together.

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