Screw boss assemblies and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9748699-B1
Application number	US-201514716457-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 19, 2015
Priority date	May 19, 2015
Publication date	Aug 29, 2017
Grant date	Aug 29, 2017

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing screw bosses on a substrate. The substrate can be dimpled. The dimples can then be threaded to accept screw bosses. The dimples can be threaded using a threading die or can have threads cut by self-tapping screw bosses. An adhesive can be applied to the substrate, the bottom of the screw boss, or both. The screw bosses can include standoffs to determine the distance between the bottom of the screw boss and the substrate. The screw bosses can be threaded onto the dimples and can provide threads for attaching items to the substrate. A filler material can be applied to the reverse side of the substrate to fill-in the dimples and present a smooth surface. A decorative or protective layer can be applied over the filler material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a substrate comprising a dimple formed on a first side of the substrate;
a screw boss comprising:
a first set of threads, disposed proximate a first end of the screw boss, threadably engageable with the dimple;
a second set of threads disposed proximate a second end of the screw boss; and
a standoff, comprising a raised, circular ring disposed on the first end of the screw boss between the first end of the screw boss and the first side of the substrate to maintain a gap between the first end of the screw boss and the first side of the substrate, the standoff having a first height; and

an adhesive layer proximate a base of the dimple, wherein the adhesive layer is in contact with the first side of the substrate and the first end of the screw boss;
wherein the adhesive layer is at least partially compressed between the first end of the screw boss and the first side of the substrate during installation of the screw boss.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of threads provides an electrical pathway between the screw boss and the substrate via the dimple.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a filler layer disposed on the second side of the substrate to fill in the dimple.

4. A system comprising:
a substrate with a dimple formed on a first side of the substrate;
a filler layer applied to a second side of the substrate to fill in the dimple and form a substantially smooth, solid surface;
an adhesive layer disposed proximate a base portion of the dimple; and
a screw boss, with a first end and a second end, the first end comprising a first set of threads mechanically engaged with the base portion of the dimple and the second end comprising a second set of threads.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
an additional layer disposed on the filler layer.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the additional layer comprises a soft-touch paint layer applied to the filler layer.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the additional layer comprises a layer of polymer applied to the filler layer.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the layer of polymer comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.

9. The system of claim 4 , further comprising:
a layer of putty applied to the filler layer; and
a layer of paint applied to the layer of putty.

10. The system of claim 4 , wherein applying the filler layer comprises applying a self-leveling liquid or gel to the second side of the substrate.

11. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first set of threads comprises a different thread pitch, a different thread size, or both.

12. The system of claim 4 , the screw boss further comprising:
a plurality of standoffs disposed on the first side of the screw boss to maintain a gap between the first end of the screw boss and the first side of the substrate, the plurality of standoffs having a first height.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Skipor Andrew Frederick
• Swindlehurst Sue Jean

Classifications

• F16B37/02

  made of thin sheet material (fastening to surfaces F16B37/04 {; used as lock-nuts F16B39/14}) · CPC title

• F16B39/021

  by injecting a settable material after the screwing down · CPC title

• H01R13/652 Primary

  with earth pin, blade or socket · CPC title

• F16B5/0275

  the screw-threaded element having at least two axially separated threaded portions (F16B5/0283 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R4/36

  Conductive members located under tip of screw · CPC title