Optimized elastic belleville fastener useful in eyeglass frames
AssigneeThe Beta Group
InventorsJohn F. Krumme, William H. Humphries, Sr., Thomas W. Duerig, Michael D. Perry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fastener useful for attaching components of an eyeglass frame together. The fastener includes a pin having a smooth or fluted shank and a belleville washer having a hole for receiving the shank, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the washer. The washer is made from a titanium nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition. The optimized elastic condition is provided by work hardening a sheet of Ni-Ti and cutting or stamping the washer out of the sheet. The washer is also plastically deformed into a conical shape.
Claims16
A fastener comprising a pin and a belleville washer, the pin including a shank and the washer including a hole extending between opposite sides of the washer, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the shank and the washer being of a titanium-nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition.
A method of attaching a fastener comprising a pin and a belleville washer, the pin including a shank and the washer including a hole extending between opposite sides of the washer, the hole being sized to provide an interference fit with the shank and the washer being of a titanium-nickel shape memory alloy in an optimized elastic condition, comprising steps of inserting the shank of the pin through a bore in a component and pressing the washer onto a free end of the shank such that the washer holds the shank of the pin in the bore of the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.