Hybrid composite-metal male fasteners
US8105004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S411/903
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A composite metal male fastener is provided. The metal fastener includes an elongate hollow shell made of metal. The shell includes a threaded exterior for insertion or retraction from the threads of a female fastener. In addition, the shell element includes a central bore and a radially extending flange. The male fastener further includes a core element made of a composite material including plastic, fiberglass or carbon fiber or the like. In a first embodiment, the core element fills the shell's central bore and extends proximally from the proximal end of the shell to encapsulate the shell's flange to form a male fastener head. In an alternative embodiment, the shell's proximal extremity includes a radially extending flange to form a male fastener head for rotation of the male fastener. For this embodiment, the core element extends proximally to the shell's proximal end, without projecting beyond the shell's proximal end. The shell may have a closed distal end, or alternatively, the central bore may extend the length of the male fastener so that the core element fills the shell's central bore the entire length of the shell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.