Internal impacted screw-locking pellet
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorMalcolm J. MacMartin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elongate fastener having an engaging surface engageable with an engaging surface of a fastener's mate includes a hole extending through a portion of the fastener and having a top opening and a bottom floor, a locking pellet disposed near the bottom floor, a discharge channel communicating between the pellet and through the engaging surface of the fastener and opening out toward the engaging surface of the fastener's mate, and an impact pin in the hole having a top portion protruding through the top opening and a bottom portion near the locking pellet, whereby the pin drives the locking pellet through the discharge channel against the engaging surfaces of the fastener and the fastener's mate whereby to lock the fastener against the fastener's mate.
Claims12
An elongate fastener having an engaging surface engageable with an engaging surface of a fastener's mate, comprising:
- a hole extending through a portion of said fastener and having a top opening and a bottom floor, said hole being aligned with a longitudinal axis of said elongate fastener;
- a pellet of a locking material disposed near said bottom floor;
- a thin elongate slot in the engaging surface of said fastener;
- a discharge channel through said elongate fastener communicating between near the bottom of said hole and said slot and opening out toward said engaging surface of said fastener's mate;
- and
- an impact pin in said hole having a top portion protruding through said top opening and a bottom portion near said pellet, whereby said pin drives the locking material forming said pellet through said discharge channel, along at least pad of a length of the slot, and against the engaging surface of said fastener's mate whereby to lock said fastener against said fastener's mate.
An elongate fastener having an engaging surface, comprising:
- a hole extending through a portion of said fastener and having a top opening and a bottom floor, said hole being aligned with a longitudinal axis of said elongate fastener;
- a pellet of a locking material disposed near said bottom floor;
- a thin elongate slot in the engaging surface of said fastener;
- a discharge channel through said elongate fastener communicating between near the bottom of said hole and said slot;
- and
- an impact pin in said hole having a top portion protruding through said top opening and a bottom portion near said pellet.
The fastener of claim 11 wherein said malleable material comprises a soft metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.