Signal-carrying fasteners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11207765-B2
Application number	US-201916537696-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 12, 2019
Priority date	Apr 6, 2012
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

Improved connection techniques are provided. In some embodiments, specialized connectors are provided with both physical fastening and signal-conducting attributes. In some such embodiments, signals related to conditions of a connector are passed through the connector. In other embodiments, multiple-section connectors are included, which may be self-actuating and create remotely-detectable conditions and signals.

First claim

I claim:

1. A connector driving system comprising a sensor and a control system, wherein said control system performs operations to:
control driving power based on said sensor sensing change in seating or position of at least part of a connector relative to the position of a driver tip; and
apply remedial action(s);
wherein said remedial action(s) are executed if said change in seating or another condition of a connector is sensed.

2. The connector driving system of claim 1 , wherein:
the remedial action(s) comprise reducing or reversing power when a substantial decrease in required power to turn a connector is sensed while the system is operating in a connector-tightening direction.

3. The connector driving system of claim 1 , wherein:
the remedial action(s) comprise reducing or reversing power when a substantial increase in driver tip speed is sensed while the system is operating in a connector-tightening direction.

4. The connector driving system of claim 1 , wherein said connector driving system is configured to separately electrify or magnetize each of a plurality of sections of a connector head driven by the driver tip.

5. The connector driving system of claim 1 , wherein said control system performs operations to: determine a tightness of a multi-sectioned connector or failure of a physical connection based on the relative orientation of at least two sections of said multi-sectioned connector.

6. The connector driving system of claim 5 , wherein the connector driving system is configured to determine the tightness of the multi-sectioned connector against a connected material by using a sensor remote from the multi-sectioned connector.

7. The connector driving system of claim 5 , wherein the system is configured to identify the multi-sectioned connector and/or its location.

8. The connector driving system of claim 5 , wherein said connector driving system comprises said multi-sectioned connector, and wherein said multi-sectioned connector takes or facilitates a first action, and enters a readable orientation, and wherein said readable orientation indicates data related to said first action.

9. The connector driving system of claim 5 , wherein the connector driving system comprises said multi-sectioned connector, and wherein said at least two sections comprise at least one rigid section comprising outer ridges.

10. A system with signaling capabilities through physical connector(s) comprising:
a control system; and
at least one connector comprising a rigid body and a signaling device;
wherein said control system performs operations to:
sense a condition based, at least in part, on a signal from said signaling device.

11. The system with signaling capabilities through physical connector(s) of claim 10 , wherein said signals indicates a reduced tightness or another condition of said at least one connector.

12. A connector, comprising:
a rigid body, comprising at least one portion with outer ridges, wherein at least some of said outer ridges are threading;
a head connected to the rigid body;
a conductor or other signal-carrying device, coupled to the rigid body and configured to be moved relative to the rigid body;
wherein at least part of the rigid body, the head and/or the conductor or other signal-carrying device form a signaling path.

13. The connector or claim 12 , wherein the rigid body includes an interior cavity.

14. The connector of claim 13 , wherein said conductor or other signal-carrying device is at least partially within the interior cavity.

15. The connector of claim 12 , wherein said signaling path is an electrically conductive path.

16. The connector of claim 12 , wherein said connector is inserted in an insulating material.

17. The connector of claim 12 , wherein said conductor or other signal-carrying device is configured to move relative to the rigid body in response to movement of the rigid body.

18. The connector of claim 17 , wherein the conductor or other signal-carrying device comprises a spring.

19. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the outer ridges are at least partially interposed between the head and the conductor or other signal-carrying device.

20. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the connector comprises a self-tightening system, and wherein self-tightening by the connector is configured to be sensed by a contact sensor or a remote sensor.

Assignees

• Beckman Christopher V

Inventors

• Beckman Christopher V

Classifications

• B25B23/12

  using magnetic means · CPC title

• B25B15/005

  with cross- or star-shaped cross-section · CPC title

• B25B23/08

  for holding or positioning screw or nut prior to or during its rotation · CPC title

• B25B15/001

  characterised by material or shape of the tool bit · CPC title

• B25B21/00

  Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; (details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; {for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006}); Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose (machines B23P19/06) · CPC title