Hybrid fastener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9464658-B2
Application number	US-201313910266-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 5, 2013
Priority date	Jun 11, 2012
Publication date	Oct 11, 2016
Grant date	Oct 11, 2016

Abstract

A hybrid fastener is provided in combination with a structural insert. The insert is disposed about a shank of the fastener at an unthreaded section. In another aspect, a sleeve surrounds the shank of the fastener and has apertures for receiving the insert therethrough. Methods of using the above-described hybrid fastener for securing workpieces are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a fastener comprising:
a first end and a second end;
a head disposed at the first end of the fastener;
a shank extending from the head between the first end and the second end;
at least one thread helically located about the shank adjacent the second end and extending at least partially towards the first end;

(b) a structural insert disposed about the shank at an unthreaded section adjacent the first end, wherein the structural insert is located at least partially within at least one of the head and the shank; and
a nut engaging the thread of the fastener;
the structural insert including one of a thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin, which is hardenable and structural after injection into the second end of the fastener opposite the head;
the insert contacting an intersection between the head and the shank, and an intersection between the nut and the shank; and

(c) a sleeve surrounding the shank of the fastener, wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of apertures;
wherein the sleeve is a flexible fabric and wherein the apertures are arranged between threads of the fabric, and the sleeve is expandable when the structural insert resin is inserted therein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of workpieces each having an aperture arranged therethrough, wherein the fastener secures the plurality of workpieces together, and the structural insert extending an entire longitudinal length of the shank that is within the aperture.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising at least one spacer arranged between the plurality of workpieces for providing a gap between the workpieces, wherein the structural insert extends into the gap between the workpieces and the fastener.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the structural insert entirely fills a space between the workpieces and the fastener.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the fastener protrudes from the secured workpieces and a majority of the shank arranged within the workpieces is devoid of thread.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising one of a magnetically, electrically, and chemically attractive coating on the apertures of the workpieces.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is a telescoping sleeve.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the resin has an additive suspended therein.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the resin is the thermosetting resin.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the additive is at least one of: a graphene nanoparticle, a nanosilica particle, a rubber-coated graphene particle, a nylon particle, a chopped graphite fiber, a chopped glass fiber, an aluminum particle, a steel particle, an iron particle, an elastomeric particle, an aluminum oxide particle, a ceramic, and a chopped cellulose fiber.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a fitting secured to the fastener in at least one operating condition.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the fitting is secured to the head and wherein the fitting is a threaded adaptor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a fitting is secured to the second end of the shank and wherein the fitting is a grease fitting in communication with a channel extending longitudinally to the shank at the second end and transversely to the shank at the first end, the fitting providing the insert through the shank.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one of a magnetically, electrically, and chemically attractive coating on the shank.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a release agent on one of the shank and workpieces for removing one of the fastener and the insert from the workpieces.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an electroconductive material within the insert.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a channel arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shank, wherein at least a portion of the structural insert is arranged in the channel.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a duct arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shank and through the head of the fastener, wherein at least a portion of the structural insert is arranged in the duct.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a self-drilling and self-tapping fastener.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes nanoparticles.

21. An apparatus comprising:
a plurality of workpieces including aligned apertures therethrough;
a fastener having a head, a partially-threaded shank, and a channel extending both longitudinally and transversely through the shank, the shank extending through the workpieces and a majority of the shank within the workpieces is devoid of thread;
a nut secured to the threaded portion of the shank at an end opposite the head for joining the workpieces;
a structural insert located between the shank, the workpieces, and the nut, wherein the structural insert is at least partially liquefied when initially placed within a gap between the shank and the workpieces, wherein the structural insert extends at least partially into the channel, and the structural insert extends an entire longitudinal length of the apertures; and
a flexible sleeve located between the shank and the apertures, and being expandable when the structural insert is present therein.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the insert comprises a material having an additive suspended therein.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the material is one of a thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the additive is at least one of: a graphene nanoparticle, a nanosilica particle, a rubber-coated graphene particle, a nylon particle, a chopped graphite fiber, a chopped glass fiber, an aluminum particle, a steel particle, an iron particle, an elastomeric particle, an aluminum oxide particle, a ceramic, and a chopped cellulose fiber.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising a fitting secured to the fastener in at least one operating condition.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the fitting is secured to the head and wherein the fitting is a threaded adaptor for providing the insert through the shank.

27. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising one of a magnetically, electrically, and chemically attractive coating on the shank.

28. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the fastener secures the plurality of workpieces together, and wherein one of a magnetically, electrically, and chemically attractive coating is applied to the apertures of the workpieces.

29. The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising an electroconductive material within the insert.

30. An apparatus comprising:
a fastener having a head and a partially-threaded shank;
a nut secured to a threaded portion of the shank at an end opposite the head;
a hardened resin insert located adjacent the shank, between the head and the nut; and
a sleeve member disposed within the insert adjacent the shank, wherein the sleeve member has a plurality of apertures having the insert extending therethrough, the sleeve member extending at least a majority of a longitudinal distance between the head and the nut, and the sleeve member contacting against at least one of the head and the nut at least prior to resin ins

Assignees

• Univ Michigan State

Inventors

• Cloud Gary L

Classifications

• F16B33/004

  Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001) · CPC title

• F16B25/0015

  the material being a soft organic material, e.g. wood or plastic (F16B25/0031 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16B19/008

  with sealing means · CPC title

• F16B39/225 Primary

  by means of a settable material · CPC title

• F16B3/005

  the key being formed by solidification of injected material (joining of preformed parts by applying molten plastics B29C65/40; non-disconnectible pipe joints obtained using a hardenable filler F16L13/11) · CPC title