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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9618029-B2
Application number	US-201314034140-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 23, 2013
Priority date	Sep 23, 2013
Publication date	Apr 11, 2017
Grant date	Apr 11, 2017

Abstract

A cap for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface is provided. The portion includes threads. The cap includes an interior, a base that at least partially delimits the interior, a threaded receptacle on the interior configured to threadably engage the portion of the fastener, and a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cap for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface, the portion including threads, the cap comprising:
a wall;
an interior, wherein the cap includes at least one port extending through the wall, the at least one port configured to receive sealant therethrough for injection into the interior;
at least one cam on the interior, wherein the at least one cam is recessed in a surface of the interior;
a base that at least partially delimits the interior; and
a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

2. The cap in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an exterior partially delimited by the base and having a shape configured to be operable with a tool.

3. The cap in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the base has a larger profile than a remainder of the cap.

4. The cap in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the exterior comprises at least one flat surface.

5. The cap in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the exterior comprises at least one projection.

6. The cap in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the at least one port is a single port.

7. A method of covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface, the portion including at least one tab, the method comprising:
providing a cap that includes a wall with a port for receiving sealant, a base, an interior at least partially delimited by the wall and the base, and at least one cam recessed in a surface of the interior;
rotatably engaging the at least one cam with the portion of the fastener; and
sealing the base of the cap against the surface by engaging a seal that is coupled to the base against the surface.

8. A system for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface, the system comprising:
a cap comprising:
a wall including at least one port extending therethrough, wherein the at least one port is smaller than the portion of the fastener;
an interior;
a base that at least partially delimits the interior; and
at least one cam on the interior, wherein the at least one cam is recessed in a surface of the interior;
a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface; and

at least one tab configured to be coupled to the fastener and configured to rotatably engage the at least one cam.

9. The system in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a collar configured to be coupled to the fastener, wherein the collar includes the at least one tab.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a retainer configured to couple the collar to the fastener.

11. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one tab is adapted to be spaced a distance from the surface.

12. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one cam has a tapered surface that faces away from the base of the cap.

13. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one cam comprises a notch to positively engage the at least one tab.

14. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one tab is angled away from the surface.

15. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one cam comprises a plurality of cams.

16. The system in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one cam is positioned on a portion of the interior nearest the base.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Cameron Michael Scott
• Rawdon Blaine Knight

Classifications

• Y10T29/49966

  with supplemental joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49948

  Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] · CPC title

• Y10T29/49993

  Filling of opening · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49963

  Threaded fastener · CPC title