Systems and methods for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9541118-B2
Application number	US-201314034114-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 23, 2013
Priority date	Sep 23, 2013
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

A system for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface is provided. The system includes a cap that includes an interior, a base that at least partially delimits the interior, and pawls on the interior. The system may also include a tooth configured to be associated with the fastener and configured to positively engage the pawls.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface, the system comprising:
a cap that comprises:
an interior surface;
a base that at least partially delimits the interior surface; and
pawls extending from the interior surface, each of the pawls comprising a first end proximate to the interior surface, and a second end distal from the interior surface, wherein the second ends of all the pawls are equidistant from the base; and

a nut configured to be coupled to the fastener and comprising a tooth, wherein the pawls are configured to engage the tooth.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the nut is configured to threadably engage the fastener.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein, when the pawls engage the tooth, the pawls are loaded in compression against the tooth.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the seal is configured to bias the pawls against the tooth.

6. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises:
a wall comprising the interior surface; and
at least one port that extends through the wall.

7. The system in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the at least one port comprises an injection port configured to receive sealant therethrough and a bleed port configured to allow air to escape from the interior.

8. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the tooth is delimited on one side by a groove formed in an outer surface of the nut.

9. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the nut is configured to be coupled to the fastener with an interference fit.

10. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the tooth and the surface are separated by a space.

11. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each of the pawls comprises a first end proximal to the base, and a second end distal from the base, wherein the second ends of the pawls are configured to engage the tooth.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the second end has a greater width than the first end.

13. The system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the tooth includes a tapered surface facing away from a head of the fastener.

14. A system for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface, the system comprising:
a cap that comprises:
an interior;
a base that at least partially delimits the interior; and
pawls on the interior;
a collar configured to be coupled to the fastener and comprising a tooth, wherein the pawls are configured to engage the tooth in tension; and

a retainer configured to couple the collar to the fastener.

15. The system in accordance with claim 14 , wherein each of the pawls comprises a first end proximal to the base, and a second end distal from the base, wherein the first ends of the pawls are configured to engage the tooth.

16. The system in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the first ends of the pawls are positioned in a space between the tooth and the surface when engaged with the tooth.

17. The system in accordance with claim 14 , wherein, when the pawls engage the tooth, the pawls are loaded in tension.

18. The system in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the cap further comprises a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

19. The system in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the seal is configured to bias the pawls against the tooth.

20. The system in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the cap further comprises:
a wall comprising the interior surface; and
at least one port that extends through the wall.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Rawdon Blaine Knight
• Cameron Michael Scott

Classifications

• B64F5/10

  Manufacturing or assembling aircraft, e.g. jigs therefor · CPC title

• Y10T29/4995

  Nonthreaded · CPC title

• Y10T29/49959

  Nonresilient fastener · CPC title

• Y10T29/49876

  by snap fit · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title