Plated fastener inserts and method of producing the same

#The present invention relates to coated fastener inserts and a method for plating such fastener inserts and, more particularly, to plating fastener inserts to prevent galvanic corrosion in fastener assemblies.

#Fastener assemblies come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs and materials. Many fastener assemblies include not only a fastener such as a bolt, pin or screw, but also will include a fastener insert to be positioned within a tapped hole.

#The type of fastener insert needed for a particular fastening operation will in large part dictated the type of fastener to be employed. While the present invention is applicable to various fastener assemblies wherein galvanic corrosion is a potential problem, the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to fastener assemblies with metallic helically coiled wire fastener inserts. By way of non-limiting example, certain metallic helically coiled wire inserts useful in association with a threaded fastener are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,070, entitled “Wire Coil Screw Thread Insert for Molded Material” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,311 B1 entitled “Coated Fastener Inserts and Method of Producing the Same”, each of which is expressly incorporated by reference.

#The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a blown apart perspective view of a fastener assembly including a helically wound insert;

#FIG. 2 is an assembly view in cross-section of the fastener assembly of FIG. 1;

#The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

#Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a fastener assembly 10 for use in association with a substrate 12 having one or more tapped holes 14 including inwardly projecting threads 16. Substrates requiring fastener inserts are generally cast or extruded from a relatively soft metal such as an aluminum or magnesium alloy and can be part of any one of a number of end products such as auto body or aircraft panels and engine blocks, by way of non-limiting example. The fastener assembly 10 includes a fastener 20 and fastener insert 22 insertable within the tapped hole 14.

#The fastener 20 generally includes a head 24 and a shank 26 having radially outwardly projecting threads 28. The fastener insert 22 may be of any form capable of retaining the fastener within a tapped hole, but preferably is in the form of a helically wound wire 30 including a body 32 having a plurality of convolutions 34 disposed between first and second ends, 36 and 38, respectively. At least one of the ends may be provided with a driving tang or notch for tangless embodiments for assistance in the installation or removal process.