US 4,975,008 AGranted

Fastener assembly with sealing grommet

AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.

InventorDavid P. Wagner

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A threaded fastener assembly which includes a threaded fastener about which is securely disposed an axially movable washer with a resilient grommet fitted thereover. The threaded fastener assembly is adapted to be preassembled within a first apertured work piece such as, for example, a rocker arm cover which is to be mounted upon a second apertured work piece such as, for example, an engine block. The threaded fastener assembly is retainable within the first apertured work piece while holding the fastener in a freely axially movable configuration which permits the fastener to be moved into an elevated position relative to the washer and grommet so as to prevent the fastener from projecting through the bottom surface of the first work piece, thus preventing interference with other surfaces or the second workpieces, and the structure provides seals for preventing fluid from leaking through the apertures of the workpieces.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A fastener assembly adapted for use in connection with at least one apertured work piece for sealing said aperture against fluid flow, said fastener assembly comprising:

a fastener;
a washer;
a resilient grommet;
said fastener having a head with a clamping surface thereunder and a shank;
said shank having an upper shank portion, a threaded lower shank portion, and protuberance means spaced a predetermined axial distance from said head between said upper shank portion and said threaded lower shank portion;
said washer including a flange, an axially extending sleeve, and abutment means projecting inwardly of said sleeve;
said washer being slidably telescopically associated with said fastener, with an inner dimension of said abutment means being less than an outer dimension of said protuberance means for thereby securing said fastener within said washer;
said at least one workpiece having counterbored recess means defined therein so as to define at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and at least one substantially vertical sealing surface;
said resilient grommet surrounding and sealingly engaging said washer and including means disposed within and sealingly engageable with said at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and said at least one substantially vertical sealing surface of said counterbored recess means defined within said at least one work piece so as to seal a first fluid flow path defined between said washer and said aperture of said at least one work piece as a result of axial compression and radial expansion of said grommet means with respect to said at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and said at least one substantially vertical sealing surface, respectively, of said counterbored recess means defined within said at least one workpiece when said fastener assembly is fully assembled with said at least one workpiece;
said shank and said washer defining a second fluid flow path therebetween;
and
means for sealing said second fluid flow path when said fastener assembly is fully assembled with said at least one work piece.

9 more elements

A fastener assembly for connecting a first apertured work piece to a second apertured work piece and for sealing the aperture defined within said first apertured work piece against fluid flow therethrough, comprising:

a fastener;
a washer;
a resilient grommet;
said fastener comprising a head, a threaded shank having a threaded portion remote from said fastener head for threadedly engaging a threaded portion of said second apertured work piece, and protuberance means upon said shank and axially spaced from said head;
said washer being axially slidable upon said shank between said head and said protuberance means and being retained upon said shank by said protuberance means;
said first workpiece having counterbored recess means defined therein so as to define at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and at least one substantially vertical sealing surface;
said resilient grommet including a body portion encircling and mounted upon said washer, said body portion including means for sealingly engaging a surface of said first apertured work piece, and said grommet further including means disposed within and sealingly engaging said at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and said at least one substantially vertical sealing surface of said counterbored recess means defined within said first apertured workpiece so as to seal a first fluid flow path defined between said washer and said aperture of said first apertured workpiece as a result of axial compression and radial expansion of said resilient grommet means with respect to said at least one substantially horizontal sealing surface and said at least one substantially vertical sealing surface, respectively, of said counterbored recess means defined within said first apertured workpiece when said fastener assembly is fully assembled as a result of said threaded engagement of said threaded portion of said fastener and said threaded portion of said second apertured workpiece;
said shank and said washer defining a second fluid flow path therebetween;
and
means for sealing said second fluid flow path defined between said washer and said shank.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/331,150Filed 31 Mar 1989
Granted: 4 Dec 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

F16B 41/002
Measures against loss of bolts, nuts, or pins; Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins: measures against loss of bolts,…
F02B 77/00
Component parts, details or accessories, not otherwise provided for
F16B 33/06
Features common to bolt and nut: surface treatment of parts furnished with screw-thread, e.g. for preventing seizure or fretting
F16B 43/001
Washers or equivalent devices; Other devices for supporting bolt-heads or nuts: for sealing or insulation