# US 2017/0284448 A1 · Anti-rotation rivetless nut plate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284448 A1 - Document ID: US20170284448A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/622,867 - Filed: 2017-06-14 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-21 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Wilkerson; Randy Allan Southmayd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284448A1 ## CPC - F16B 37/044: {Nut cages} - B21D 39/00: Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating ({joining mitred profiles B21D53/745; } riveting B21J; uniting components by forging or pressing to form integral members B21K25/00; welding B23K; press-fitting, force-fitting, or shrinking in general B23P11/00, B21D19/00; by adhesives F16B11/00 {; Connections as such F16L, F16B}); Tube expanders - F16B 33/002: {Means for preventing rotation of screw-threaded elements (F16B39/00 takes precedence)} - Y10T 29/49948: Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method and apparatus for fastening structures. A first end of a body is placed into a hole on a first side of the structures. The body has an outer surface with a noncircular cross-section. A nut element is positioned on a flange at a second end of the body. A bolt is moved into a channel at the first end of the body towards the nut element on the flange on the second end of the body on the first side the structures. The bolt and the nut element are fastened to each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of fastening structures using a body, a nut element, and a bolt, the method comprising: placing a first end of the body into a hole in the structures, wherein: the first end of the body is placed into the hole at a first side of the structures, the body comprises an outer surface, having a noncircular cross-section, and a channel at the first end of the body, and the noncircular cross-section of the body is placed into the hole in the structures; positioning the nut element on a flange of the body, wherein the flange is positioned at a second end of the body; moving the bolt into the channel of the body toward the nut element, while the nut element is positioned on the flange; and fastening the bolt and the nut element to each other, wherein the structures are fastened to each other once the bolt and the nut element are fastened together. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the hole in the structures, wherein the hole is formed prior to placing the first end of the body into the hole on the first side of the structures. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein fastening the bolt and the nut element to each other comprises applying a torque to the bolt while the nut element is supported by the flange. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting the flange to the second end of the body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the flange comprises a first material, and the body comprise a second material, different from the first material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic, steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, polycarbonate, and a composite material, and wherein the second material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic, steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, polycarbonate, and a composite material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the structures comprise at least one composite structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the structures are parts of a platform selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a house, a manufacturing facility, and a building. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hole is a non-circular hole at the first side of the structures. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the hole is a circular hole at a second side of the structures, opposite to the first side. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the circular hole is concentric with the non-circular hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the channel at the first end of the body is circular. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the body is not rotatable relative to the structures while the bolt and the nut element are fastened to each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the body is not rotatable relative to the nut element while the bolt and the nut element are fastened to each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the flange at the second end of the body engages the nut element to prevent rotation of the nut element relative to the body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the flange comprises parallel walls forming a flange channel, and wherein the nut element is positioned within the flange channel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning a retention device onto the flange, wherein the retention device supports the nut element within the flange channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flange and the body are monolithic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the flange comprises a first material and the body comprise a second material, and the first material and the second material are identical. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein placing the first end of the body into the hole on the first side of the structures comprises interference fitting the first end into the hole.