Fastener
AssigneeCentrix Aerospace LLC
InventorTravis McClure
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener with workpiece clamping functionality. The fastener, in one example, includes a body assembly configured to transition the fastener between a clamping configuration and an insertion and removal configuration. The body assembly is further configured to, in the clamping configuration, adjust an axial length between a proximal clamping surface and a distal clamping surface while an axial length between the distal clamping surface and a distal end of the fastener remains constant, where the body assembly includes a shaft that is axially spaced away from a drive screw.
Claims20
A fastener, comprising:
- a body assembly configured to:
- transition the fastener between a clamping configuration and an insertion and removal configuration;
- and
- in the clamping configuration, adjust an axial length between a proximal clamping surface and a distal clamping surface while an axial length between the distal clamping surface and a distal end of the fastener remains constant;
- wherein the body assembly includes a shaft that is axially spaced away from a drive screw.
A method for operating a fastener, comprising:
- transitioning the fastener between an insertion and removal configuration and a clamping configuration;
- and
- adjusting a grip length between a proximal clamping surface and a distal clamping surface while an axial length between the distal clamping surface and a distal end of the fastener remains constant;
- wherein a body assembly in the fastener includes a pin that extends through an opening in a shaft and multiple axially extending slots in a sleeve.
A fastener comprising:
- a body assembly including:
- a sleeve positioned within a housing;
- a drive screw rotationally coupled to the sleeve;
- a shaft axially spaced away from the drive screw;
- and
- a pin extending through multiple axially extending slots in the sleeve and an opening in the shaft;
- wherein when the fastener is in a clamping configuration, the body assembly is configured to adjust an axially length between a proximal clamping surface and a distal clamping surface while an axial length between the distal clamping surface and a distal end of the fastener remains constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.