Light load compression limiting fastening system
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJohn D. Bisset, Jason D. Holt, Ronald C. Owens, II, Daniel A. Dechant
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A compression limiting fastening system incorporating a spring element and cooperating compression limiting sleeve adapted for substantially coaxial receipt of a fastening element through a fastened component so as to apply a relatively light load to an outer surface of the fastened component during the fastening operation. Once fastened down, the compression limiting sleeve supports the fastening load while the spring element applies a relatively light opposing load to the fastened component.
Claims20
A fastening system adapted to secure a fastened component in overlying relation to an underlying mating structure, the fastening system comprising:
- an elongated fastener having a head and a shaft extending away from the head;
- an annular sleeve, the annular sleeve including an axial hub and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the axial hub to a flange lip, the flange lip being disposed at an elevation below an upper proximal edge of the axial hub, the axial hub including a hollow central passageway, the central passageway being adapted to matedly receive the shaft of the fastener in pass-through relation such that a portion of the fastener remote from the head extends beyond the central passageway, and
- an annular spring adapted to matedly surround a portion of the shaft below the head and above the annular sleeve, the spring including a central opening with a biasing element extending downwardly and radially outwardly away from the central opening to an outer edge of the spring disposed at an elevation below the central opening and below the upper proximal edge of the axial hub when the fastening system is in an assembled condition.
A fastening system adapted to secure a fastened component in overlying relation to an underlying mating structure, the fastening system comprising:
- an elongated fastener having a head and a shaft extending away from the head;
- an annular sleeve, the annular sleeve including an axial hub and a substantially flat annular flange extending radially outwardly from the axial hub to a flange perimeter disposed at an elevation below an upper proximal edge of the axial hub, the axial hub including a hollow central passageway, the central passageway being adapted to matedly receive the shaft of the fastener in pass-through relation such that a portion of the fastener remote from the head extends beyond the central passageway, and
- a spring comprising a disc spring of unitary metal construction adapted to matedly surround a portion of the shaft below the head and above the annular sleeve, the spring including a central opening with a biasing element comprising a sloped spring wall of annular construction extending downwardly and radially outwardly away from the central opening to a spring lip defining an outer edge of the spring disposed at an elevation below the central opening and below the upper proximal edge of the axial hub when the fastening system is in an assembled condition.
A fastening system adapted to secure a fastened component in overlying relation to an underlying mating structure, the fastening system comprising:
- an elongated fastener having a head and a shaft extending away from the head, the shaft including a threaded portion and a reduced diameter neck disposed at a position above the threaded portion;
- an annular sleeve of unitary metal construction, the annular sleeve including a substantially cylindrical axial hub and a substantially flat annular flange extending radially outwardly from a lower distal end of the axial hub to a flange lip defining an outer edge of the annular flange, the axial hub including a hollow central passageway having a proximal opening and a distal opening at opposing ends, the central passageway being adapted to matedly receive the shaft of the fastener in pass-through relation such that a portion of the fastener remote from the head extends beyond the distal opening, the central passageway having a variable internal diameter along its length with a ring detent at a defined elevation within the central passageway;
- and
- an annular disc spring of unitary metal construction having a top-hat geometry adapted to matedly surround a portion of the shaft below the head, the disc spring including a substantially flat annular spring base surrounding a central opening with a substantially vertical circumferential wall extending circumferentially about the spring base downwardly from the spring base to a sloped spring wall of annular construction, the sloped spring wall extending downwardly and radially outwardly away from the annular spring base and the circumferential wall to a substantially flat spring lip defining an outer edge of the disc spring, the spring lip being disposed at an elevation below the spring base and below the upper proximal edge of the axial hub when the fastening system is in an assembled condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.