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US 5,746,096 AGranted
Break-off drillpoint screw
AssigneeTextron Inc.
InventorRichard Lukes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeTextron Inc.
InventorRichard Lukes
Estimating the term…
A fastener, method of fastening, a fastener and drive tool system, and a drive tool for driving a fastener in which the fastener has a leading portion or drill tip portion which is frangible and detachable from the threaded portion. The fastener includes a shank having a head formed at one end, the leading portion or drill tip at an opposite end thereof, and the threaded portion positioned intermediate the head and drill portion. A weakened or frangible portion is provided on the shank between the drill tip and the threaded portion for dividing the fastener into the threaded portion which is retained in engagement with the workpieces and the drill tip which is detached from the fastener. The method includes driving the fastener into a workpiece and detaching or fracturing the drill tip from the threaded portion generally at a predetermined location. The detachment or frangible portion is formed to facilitate fracture at a predetermined area along the shank either manually or automatically as a function of the structure of the fastener and/or the fastener driving process. The present invention also includes the tool included in the fastener system which is used to drive the fastener into a workpiece. The tool includes an interference block having a surface which promotes fracture and detachment of the drill from the threaded portion when the drill portion abuts and is deflected by the surface.
A method of fastening a fastener to a workpiece, said workpiece having a first side and a second side, said fastener including a shank defining a central axis, a drive head formed on one end of said shank, a drill-point portion located on said shank generally opposite said head. a threaded portion located on said shank between said head and said drill-point portion and a frangible detachment portion formed an external surface of said shank between said drill-point portion and said threaded portion, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of fastening a fastener to a workpiece, said workpiece having a first side and a second side, said fastener including a shank defining a central axis, a drive head formed on one end of said shank, a drill-point portion located on said shank generally opposite said head, a threaded portion located on said shank between said head and said drill-point portion, and a frangible detachment portion formed an external surface of said shank between said drill-point portion and said threaded portion, said detachment portion further comprising a recess formed in said shank between said drill-point portion and said threaded portion, said method comprising
A fastener and drive tool system for driving said fastener into a workpiece having a first surface and a second surface, said fastener having a shank and a drive head formed on one end of said shank;
A drive tool for driving a fastener into a workpiece having a first side and a second side;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.