Threaded adjustable-height inserts and related methods

A method of installing a threaded adjustable-height insert into a bore formed in a sandwich panel, the method comprising:

• installing a threaded adjustable-height insert into the bore, wherein the threaded adjustable-height insert comprises:
• a first insert part comprising:
• a first flange having a first upper surface and a first lower surface;
• a first neck extending from the first upper surface of the first flange to a first neck end region;
• and
• a first hole extending at least through the first neck and defined at least partially by a first inner surface of the first neck, wherein the first neck comprises a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface;
• and
• a second insert part comprising:
• a second flange having a second upper surface and a second lower surface;
• a second neck extending from the second lower surface of the second flange to a second neck end region;
• and
• a second hole extending through the second neck and the second flange, wherein the second hole is partially defined by a second inner surface of the second neck, and wherein the second neck comprises a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface;
• wherein the second insert part is configured to be selectively operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part such that the second inner surface of the second neck has a threaded engagement with at least a portion of the first neck, wherein the threaded adjustable-height insert is configured to have a selectively adjustable overall height such that moving the second insert part with respect to the first insert part such that the second flange is moved towards the first flange reduces the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert, wherein the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert is defined as a perpendicular distance between the second upper surface of the second flange and the first lower surface of the first flange, wherein the first hole and the second hole are at least substantially concentric when the second insert part is operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part, and wherein the first insert part and the second insert part are slidably translatable and rotatable relative to each other;
• and
• adjusting a height of the threaded adjustable-height insert until the second upper surface of the second flange is at least substantially flush with an outer surface of the sandwich panel, wherein the adjusting the height comprises longitudinally sliding the second insert part with respect to the first insert part and rotating the first insert part with respect to the second insert part.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of first threaded adjustable-height inserts;
• and
• a plurality of second threaded adjustable-height inserts, wherein each second threaded adjustable-height insert of the plurality of second threaded adjustable-height inserts and each first threaded adjustable-height insert of the plurality of first threaded adjustable-height inserts comprises:
• a first insert part comprising:
• a first flange having a first upper surface and a first lower surface;
• a first neck extending from the first upper surface of the first flange to a first neck end region;
• and
• a first hole extending at least through the first neck and defined at least partially by a first inner surface of the first neck, wherein the first neck comprises a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface;
• and
• a second insert part comprising:
• a second flange having a second upper surface and a second lower surface;
• a second neck extending from the second lower surface of the second flange to a second neck end region;
• and
• a second hole extending through the second neck and the second flange, wherein the second hole is partially defined by a second inner surface of the second neck, and wherein the second neck comprises a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface;
• wherein the second insert part is configured to be selectively operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part such that the second inner surface of the second neck has a threaded engagement with at least a portion of the first neck, wherein the threaded adjustable-height insert is configured to have a selectively adjustable overall height such that moving the second insert part with respect to the first insert part such that the second flange is moved towards the first flange reduces the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert, wherein the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert is defined as a perpendicular distance between the second upper surface of the second flange and the first lower surface of the first flange, wherein the first hole and the second hole are at least substantially concentric when the second insert part is operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part, and wherein the first insert part and the second insert part are slidably translatable and rotatable relative to each other;
• wherein each respective first threaded adjustable-height insert has a first minimum overall height and a first maximum overall height when the respective second insert part is installed on the respective first insert part of each respective first adjustable-height insert, and
• wherein each respective second threaded adjustable-height insert has a second minimum overall height and a second maximum overall height when the respective second insert part is installed on the respective first insert part of each respective second threaded adjustable-height insert, wherein the second minimum overall height of each second adjustable-height insert is greater than the first minimum overall height of each first threaded adjustable-height insert, and wherein the second maximum overall height of each second threaded adjustable-height insert is greater than the first maximum overall height of each first threaded adjustable-height insert.