초록 ▼

An improved deformable locking fastener system comprises a fastener, a deformable collar and a dedicated installation tool. The fastener has a threaded exterior defining a plurality of axial flutes which are configured to prevent the collar from prematurely capturing the fastener during installation

An improved deformable locking fastener system comprises a fastener, a deformable collar and a dedicated installation tool. The fastener has a threaded exterior defining a plurality of axial flutes which are configured to prevent the collar from prematurely capturing the fastener during installation. The collar comprises a cylindrical forward portion, a central portion having an elliptical cross-sectional shape and a rearward portion having an elliptical cross-sectional shape. The collar portions have axial heights selected to maximize the strength of the collar and to minimize the weight of the collar. The installation tool contacts the collar along driving ridges which reduces the radial compression of the collar and increases the tangential driving force turning the collar during installation. In addition, the installation tool includes oblique driving and swaging ridges which prevent premature cam-off of the installation tool when generating a desired preload and which swage collar material onto the fastener to lock the components together.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination, a collar of a fastener system and an installation tool for installation tool for installing the collar, said collar having a generally cylindrical forward portion, a generally elliptical central portion having diametrically opposed camming regions proximate to a major axis of the cen

In combination, a collar of a fastener system and an installation tool for installation tool for installing the collar, said collar having a generally cylindrical forward portion, a generally elliptical central portion having diametrically opposed camming regions proximate to a major axis of the central portion, and a generally elliptical rearward portion having diametrically opposed camming regions proximate to a major axis of the rearward portion, and said installation tool comprising a housing defining a first cavity extending from an engagement end into the housing and opening into a second cavity defined by said housing, said first cavity being configured to receive the collar elliptical central portion with the wall of said first cavity including a first pair of diametrically opposed driving ridges spaced apart from each other by a distance X which substantially equals a diametric distance between the camming regions of the collar elliptical central portion, said second cavity being configured to receive the collar elliptical rearward portion, a wall of said second cavity including a second pair of diametrically opposed driving ridges spaced apart from each other by a distance Y which substantially equals a diametric distance between camming regions of the collar elliptical rearward portion, each driving ridge of said first and second pair of driving ridges being formed by two surfaces that each recede away from a center of the corresponding cavity.