초록 ▼

A novel fastener assembly is disclosed for use in securing a frame section to a composite panel or the like, said fastener assembly being dielectrically insulated from said frame section to prevent galvanic action. The fastener assembly is comprised of a bolt member adapted for engagement in a bore

A novel fastener assembly is disclosed for use in securing a frame section to a composite panel or the like, said fastener assembly being dielectrically insulated from said frame section to prevent galvanic action. The fastener assembly is comprised of a bolt member adapted for engagement in a bore formed in said frame section, said bolt member having an enlarged head portion including annular axially facing groove means, and an annular axially extending non-conductive elastomeric gasket member disposed in said groove means, and a nut member having an enlarged head portion for engagement with said bolt member. The nut member is disposed in a coaxial bore formed in said composite panel and engaged with said bolt member also disposed in said bore. Upon assembly the gasket member is clamped between the frame and the enlarged head on the bolt and is deformed axially and radially. That is, the gasket is extroded into the spore between the bolt member and the frame to insulate said bolt member from said frame section. In addition, the aforementioned gasket member provides a watertight joint when said bolt and nut members are brought into clamping engagement with said frame and panel sections.

대표청구항 ▼

A structural joint, comprising, in combination, a fastener assembly, a section of composite panel, or the like, and a rigid metal frame section to which said composite panel is attached, wherein both said panel and frame section define a through bore, said fastener assembly being disposed in said bo

A structural joint, comprising, in combination, a fastener assembly, a section of composite panel, or the like, and a rigid metal frame section to which said composite panel is attached, wherein both said panel and frame section define a through bore, said fastener assembly being disposed in said bore in clamping engagement with said panel and frame section to define said structural joint therebetween, said fastener assembly comprising, a bolt member having a first enlarged rigid head portion at one end and an elongate shank portion, said shank including an externally threaded segment, and an internally threaded nut member having a second enlarged rigid head portion, drive tool accommodating means on at least one of said bolt and nut members such that said enlarged head portions can be drawn into clamping engagement with said panel and frame sections, with the enlarged head portion on the one of said members to engage said frame section including annular axially facing groove means, and an annular non-conductive elastomeric gasket member carried on an elongate portion of said one member, said gasket member including a bulbous end portion partially disposed in said groove, said groove means including a pair of annular radiused portions and an annular axially facing wall portion disposed intermediate said radiused portions, said gasket bulbous end portion being disposed in said groove and being of greater volume than said groove means, and an axially extending annular lip portion at the opposite end thereof, said lip portion being of a frusto-conical configuration converging in a direction away from said bulbous end portion, and said lip portion having an initial outer diameter proximate the free end thereof that is less than the diameter of said frame section bore and a major outer diameter greater than said frame section bore, said lip portion and said bulbous end portion meeting to define generally radially disposed axially facing shoulder means axially intermediate said gasket member, such that upon initial clamping engagement, said free end of the gasket lip portion will freely enter said frame section bore, with said annular lip portion being forced into the space between said frame section bore and the elongate portion of said one member disposed in said bore, with said gasket shoulder means engaging against said frame section to promote deformation of said bulbous end portion, with said radiused surfaces and said axially facing wall portion of the groove means serving to force the remainder of the annular lip into the space between said frame section bore and said elongate portion of said one member disposed in said bore, and also directing the material of said bulbous end portion to be deformed and forced radially outward of the groove to extend at least to the periphery of said enlarged head portion of said one member, said gasket member thereby extending axially of said frame bore in surrounding relation to the portion of said one member disposed in said bore, and also extending radially to underlie the enlarged head portion of said one member, thus serving to insulate said one member from said frame section and prevent galvanic corrosion, while also serving to seal against the entrance of moisture through said frame section bore.