Method of forming fastening system
AssigneeM.M.G., Inc.
InventorMyron E. Ullman, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastening system utilizes a tapered plug configured to be matingly received in an elongate, buttonhole-like slot. The slot has an enlarged receiving portion into which the tapered plug can be axially inserted, and a narrower retaining portion having a cross-section which tapers in correspondence with the taper of the plug to establish a snug, secure connection. The retaining portion has an undercut end region which matingly engages a maximum of surface area of the tapered plug to establish a connection which will transmit relatively heavy tension, compression and shear loadings as well as bending moments. The plug is preferably molded from plastics material. The slot is preferably formed using a rotating cutter.
Claims12
A method of forming a connection between first and second structures, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a pin having a plug formation with portions diminishing in width and perimeter as they extend generally in a given direction away from an end region of the plug formation, a shank extending outwardly of the plug formation on that side of the plug formation opposite the end region, and a flat shoulder at the interface between the plug formation and the shank;
- (b) forming a shank-receiving opening in the first structure;
- (c) inserting the shank of the pin into the opening in the first structure and continuing insertion until such time as the flat shoulder engages the surface of the first structure in the area surrounding the opening;
- (d) forming an elongate slot in the second structure, the slot having an enlarged portion for receiving the plug formation, and a narrower retaining portion for snugly and matingly engaging the plug formation, the retaining portion being undercut and having a substantially uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, opposite sides of the retaining portion being defined by wall portions which increase in width with slot depth, the depth of the slot being substantially equal to the length of the plug formation from the shoulder to the end region;
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- (e) connecting the first and second structures by inserting the plug formation into the enlarged receiving portion and thereafter moving the plug formation into the narrower retaining portion.
A method of forming a connection between first and second structures, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a pin having a plug formation with straight-sided wall portions diminishing in width and perimeter as they extend along a longitudinal axis of the plug formation in a direction away from a flat end region of the plug formation, a shank extending outwardly of the plug formation on that side of the plug formation opposite the end region, and a flat shoulder at the interface between the plug formation and the shank, the shoulder lying in a plane positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug formation;
- (b) forming a shank-receiving opening in the first structure;
- (c) inserting the shank of the pin into the opening in the first structure and continuing insertion until such time as the flat shoulder engages the surface of the first structure in the area surrounding the opening;
- (d) forming an elongate slot in the second structure, the slot having an enlarged portion for receiving the plug formation, and a narrower retaining portion for snugly and matingly engaging the plug formation, the retaining portion being undercut and having a substantially uniform cross-sectional configuration along its length, opposite sides of the retaining portion being defined by wall portions which increase in width with slot depth to provide a retaining portion having a configuration substantially identical to that of the plug formation, the retaining portion including a flat bottom wall engageable with the flat end region of the plug formation, the depth of the slot being substantially equal to the length of the plug formation from the shoulder to the end region;
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- (e) connecting the first and second structures by inserting the plug formation into the enlarged receiving portion and thereafter moving the plug formation into the narrower retaining portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.