Patent · US Expired

Fastening arrangement employing thread-forming screw

US7179036B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
16References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 2004
Grant dateFeb 20, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16B37/005
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A fastening arrangement comprising a thread-forming lobular screw and a member defining a non-tapped pilot hole therein. The screw has a shaft and a head joined to a proximal end of the shaft, the shaft defining a plurality N of lobes circumferentially spaced about a central longitudinal axis of the shaft, a thread being formed on an outer surface of the shaft. The pilot hole comprises a central portion of a diameter intermediate the minor and major diameters of the screw thread, and a plurality N of circumferentially spaced cutouts extending radially out from the central portion. A plurality of longitudinally extending edges parallel to the axis of the screw are defined at junctures between the cutouts and central portion of the pilot hole. The screw thread forms a thread in the member beginning at the longitudinal edges of the pilot hole.

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