Self-drilling, self-countersinking fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10662994-B2
Application number	US-201715710057-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2017
Priority date	Sep 22, 2016
Publication date	May 26, 2020
Grant date	May 26, 2020

Abstract

A self-drilling, self-countersinking fastener is provided that includes a shaft, a countersunk head located at a first end of the shaft, and a tapered point located at an opposite end of the shaft. A thread integrally extends from the shaft and extends along at least a portion of a length thereof. The countersunk head includes a frustoconical region having a first, smaller diameter in a shaft connection region and a second, larger diameter at a second end defining an edge area of the head. A plurality of radially extending ribs are located on the frustoconical region and extend from an area of the first, smaller diameter to a respective radially outer rib end spaced radially inwardly by a distance X from the edge area of the head. A respective cutting edge is located on each of the ribs.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener comprising:
a shaft, a countersunk head located at a first end of the shaft, and a tapered point located at an opposite end of the shaft;
a thread integrally extending from the shaft and extending along a portion of a length thereof;
the countersunk head including a frustoconical region having a first, smaller diameter in a shaft connection region and a second, larger diameter at a second end defining an edge area of the head, a plurality of radially extending ribs located on the frustoconical region that extend from an area of the first, smaller diameter to a respective radially outer rib end spaced radially inwardly by a distance X from the edge area of the head, and a respective cutting edge is located on each of the ribs, and the cutting edges each have a positive angle of attack in an area of the shaft connection region and transition to a negative angle of attack at the radially outer rib end.

2. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein each of the ribs has a maximum height from the frustoconical region, and the distance X is greater than or equal to one half of the maximum height.

3. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein a maximum height of each of the ribs is located at the radially outer rib end.

4. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an axis, and the radially outer rib end extends generally parallel to the axis.

5. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the shaft has an axis, the countersunk head has an end surface that extends perpendicular to the axis, and the outer rib end extends at an angle of 45° to 90° to the end surface.

6. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the ribs are helical.

7. The fastener of claim 6 , wherein the helical ribs are curved as they extend radially outwardly in an advancing direction of the fastener based on a direction of the thread.

8. The fastener of claim 6 , wherein there are an odd number of ribs.

9. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the ribs are straight.

10. The fastener of claim 9 , wherein the ribs extend from a minimum height in an area of the first, smaller diameter in the shaft connection region to a maximum height H M at the radially outer rib end.

11. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the ribs change in height along a length thereof.

12. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the tapered point is self-drilling and includes a hole cutting edge.

13. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein a tool engagement recess is located in the head.

Assignees

• Sfs Intec Holding Ag

Inventors

• Scheerer Daniel
• Cole James

Classifications

• F16B25/0021

  the material being metal, e.g. sheet-metal or aluminium (F16B25/0031 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16B35/065 Primary

  with self-countersink-cutting means · CPC title

• F16B25/0031

  the screw being designed to be screwed into different materials, e.g. a layered structure or through metallic and wooden parts · CPC title

• F16B25/103

  by means of a drilling screw-point, i.e. with a cutting and material removing action · CPC title

• F16B25/106

  by means of a self-piercing screw-point, i.e. without removing material · CPC title