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US 5,304,023 AGranted
Metal panel fastener
AssigneeMetaltite Corporation
InventorsAlex S. Toback, Stanley W. Choiniere
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener for fastening a pair of metal panels comprises a head which has an annular recess at its underside. A threaded shank has a buttress thread which terminates in a self-driving tip. An sealant/adhesive coating is preapplied to the fastener. The coating seals and bonds between the fastener and the panels upon installation of the fastener.
Claims23
A fastener for fastening a pair of metal panels comprising:
- head means comprising a top portion and an underside and recess means for defining a recess at said underside;
- and
- shank means integrally extending from said underside at a proximal end and terminating at a distal tip and defining an axis thereof, said recess surrounding said shank means at said proximal end, said shank means having a spiral buttress thread extending from a location adjacent said proximal end and defining a first support surface which is oriented at an angle between 0 degrees and 15 degrees to a normal line to the axis of said shank and a second surface which is inclined to said normal line at an angle between 25 and 65 degrees, said shank means comprising self-drilling means adjacent said distal tip for self-drilling into a metal panel, whereby said buttress thread is engageable against said metal panels to clamp said metal panels against said head means.
A metal panel assembly comprising:
- a first metal panel having a first opening;
- a second metal panel having a second opening aligned with said first opening and overlaying said first panel;
- fastener means for fastening said panels together comprising:
- head means having a top portion and an underside disposed adjacent one said panel and recess means for defining a recess at said underside;
- shank means defining a central axis and extending from said underside through said opening and terminating in a tapered distal tip, said shank means having a spiral buttress thread extending from a location adjacent said proximal end and comprising a support surface which is oriented at an angle between 0 degrees and 15 degrees relative to said axis wherein a portion of said support surface engages the other said panel;
- and
- a coating disposed between said head and said one panel and between said shank and adjacent portion of the first and second panels,
- so that said panels are locked together between said head means and engaging portions of said buttress thread, and said coating seals between said head means and said one panel and portions of said first and second panels surrounding said shank means.
5 more elements
A fastener for fastening a pair of metal panels comprising:
- head means comprising a top portion and an underside and recess means for defining an annular recess at said underside;
- shank means integrally extending from said underside at a proximal end and terminating at a distal tip and defining an axis thereof, said recess surrounding said shank means at said proximal end, said shank means having a spiral buttress thread extending from a location adjacent said proximal end said spiral buttress thread having a support surface inclined at an angle between 0 degrees and 15 degrees to a normal line to said axis;
- self-drilling means adjacent said distal tip for self-drilling into a metal panel;
- and
- coating means for sealing between said fastener and said panels comprising a sealant composition disposed in said recess and engaging said shank means proximate said proximal end, whereby said buttress thread is engageable against said metal panels to clamp said metal panels against said head means.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.