Screw bosses for blow-molded structures
OwnerThayne Haneyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A screw boss for blow-molded structures, such as portable tables and chairs, allows various components to be securely attached to the blow-molded structure. For example, the screw boss may allow support legs to be securely fastened to a blow-molded table top. The screw boss is integrally formed in an outer surface of the blow-molded structure and it includes a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a fastener such as a screw. Preferably, the fastener has threads that threadably engage the inner surface of the receiving portion to provide for secure attachment of the fastener to the blow-molded structure.
Claims38
An apparatus that allows a threaded fastener to be threadably connected to a blow-molded structure, the apparatus comprising:
- an outer surface of the blow-molded structure, the outer surface having a thickness;
- and
- a screw boss integrally formed in the outer wall surface of the blow-molded structure as part of a unitary structure, the screw boss comprising:
- an opening in the outer surface of the blow-molded structure;
- and
- a receiving portion inwardly extending into the blow-molded structure from the opening, the receiving portion having an inside diameter that is sized and configured to threadably receive the fastener, the receiving portion having a length generally equal to or greater than twice the thickness of the outer wall of the blow-molded structure.
A method of manufacturing an apparatus that allows a threaded fastener to be threadably connected to a blow-molded structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming an outer surface of the blow-molded structure, the outer surface having a thickness;
- and
- forming an integral screw boss in the outer wall surface of the blow-molded structure as part of a unitary structure, the screw boss comprising:
- an opening in the outer surface of the blow-molded structure;
- and
- a receiving portion inwardly extending into the blow-molded structure from the opening, the receiving portion having an inside diameter that is sized and configured to threadably receive the fastener, the receiving portion having a length generally equal to or great than twice the thickness of the outer wall of the blow-molded structure.
An attachment system for use in securing one or more components to a blow-molded structure, the attachment system comprising:
- a fastener;
- a surface of the blow-molded structure having a thickness;
- and
- a screw boss integrally formed in the blow-molded structure as part of a unitary structure, the screw boss comprising:
- an opening in the surface of the blow-molded structure;
- and
- a receiving portion aligned with the opening in the surface of the blow-molded structure, the receiving portion having an inside diameter that is sized and configured to receive the fastener, the receiving portion having a length generally equal to or great than twice the thickness of the surface of the blow-molded structure.
A method of attaching a component to a blow-molded structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming an integral screw boss in an outer surface of the blow-molded structure, the screw boss including an opening in the outer surface of the blow-molded structure, the screw boss including a receiving portion aligned with the opening and having an inner diameter that is sized and configured to receive a threaded fastener;
- threadingly engaging the receiving portion of the screw boss with the threaded fastener, the threaded fastener having a minor diameter that is generally equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the receiving portion, the threaded fastener having a major diameter that is generally greater than the inner diameter of the receiving portion;
- and
- attaching the component to the blow-molded structure by the threaded fastener and the screw boss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.