초록 ▼

A fastening combination adapted for quickly and efficiently connecting a first structure to a second structure using a single tool (like a screwdriver) and from just one side of the two structures. The fastening combination (which may be called a “blind”fastener) is particularly useful in the aircra

A fastening combination adapted for quickly and efficiently connecting a first structure to a second structure using a single tool (like a screwdriver) and from just one side of the two structures. The fastening combination (which may be called a “blind”fastener) is particularly useful in the aircraft industry for installing a transparency such as a canopy or window to the airframe of some plane. A transparency may be removably connected to the airframe with a plurality of internally threaded members (or sleeves) and mating fastening bolts. The sleeves are loosely mounted in a plurality of fastener housings that can be permanently installed near an edge of the transparency. A means is provided for achieving a mechanical connection between each sleeve and an associated housing in such a way that torque applied by the fastening bolt to the sleeve will be resisted by the housing－and in turn by the transparency (or any other mounting structure to which the housing is anchored). This mechanical construction preferably includes an interlocking combination of a recessed shoulder on the housing and a protuberance on the sleeve. The hollow, cylindrical housing of each blind fastener has a top and a bottom, and the housing is counterbored so as to provide a transversely extending shoulder therein. The sleeve may be selectively inserted into the housing, with the sleeve having a radially extending lip at one end that prevents the sleeve from passing all the way through the housing. A cap is adapted to be inserted into the housing top, after the sleeve has been inserted therein. The cap is preferably somewhat resilient and it is sized so that it fits tightly into the top of the fastener, so that it will be effective to inhibit the entrance of contaminants and the like into the fastener. The cap ideally has what may be described as an aerodynamically smooth outer surface; and when the cap is installed into the housing top, said outer surface lies in a plane which is established by the top end of the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

A threaded fastener adapted to be tightened from one end thereof, comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a top, a bottom, and a longitudinal bore therethrough, the top having a longitudinally extending shoulder adapted to accommodate compressive loads, and the exterior of the housing having a c

A threaded fastener adapted to be tightened from one end thereof, comprising: (a) an elongated housing having a top, a bottom, and a longitudinal bore therethrough, the top having a longitudinally extending shoulder adapted to accommodate compressive loads, and the exterior of the housing having a configuration that fosters connection to some mounting structure; (b) a sleeve adapted to be selectively insertable into the housing, but being incapable of passing all the way through the housing, said sleeve being internally threaded, and the sleeve having a structural element which is sized and positioned so that it may bear against the longitudinally extending shoulder of the housing when the sleeve is rotated with respect to the housing; (c) a cap that is formed from a rubber-like material which snugly fits into the open housing top so as to help prevent contaminants from passing through the top of the fastener and coming into contact with the internal portions of the sleeve; and (d) a bolt adapted to pass longitudinally into the housing from the bottom thereof, and the bolt having threads which are complementary to the internal threads in said sleeve, whereby the bolt threads may be selectively engaged with the sleeve threads, and whereby the bolt may be rotated about its axis from the bottom of the fastener, and whereby a desired amount of torque may be applied to the bolt as said structural element on the sleeve bears against the longitudinally extending shoulder of the housing.