Tee nut and method of manufacture

Abstract

A Tee nut and method of manufacture is provided which T-nut includes a flange and a hollow barrel extending from the flange. The flange is general circular and has a pair of pawls extending upwardly therefrom, each of which terminates in teeth for engaging a base member. The barrel has an end portion proximal to the flange and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion has internal female threads and the distal end portion has a smooth unthreaded inner surface. The wall thickness of the distal end portion is thinner than the wall thickness of the proximal end portion, and the outer wall diameter is essentially constant for the length of the barrel. The barrel is formed first as an elongate member extending from a strip of material initially having a constant inner diameter and an outer diameter of the proximal portion greater than the outer diameter of the distal portion, with the distal portion having a wall thickness thinner than the wall thickness of the proximal portion. The outer diameter of the distal portion is increased to the same diameter as the outer diameter of the proximal portion while maintaining the same wall thicknesses of both the distal and proximal portions. The internal surface of the proximal portion is threaded with threads terminating at the distal portion and having a lead angle of at least about 80.degree.. The terminal end surface of the distal portion is essentially planar and parallel to a flange.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.