# US 6,293,744 B1 · Fastener system including a fastener and a cap > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,744 B1 - Document ID: US6293744B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/595,568 - Filed: 2000-06-14 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 2000-06-14 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Inventors: Dave C. Hempfling; George G. Dewey; Sigismund G. Paul - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293744B1 ## CPC - F16B 33/004: {Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001)} - F16B 37/14: Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps - F16B 43/001: {for sealing or insulation} - F16B 23/0023: {substantially cross-shaped} - F16B 23/003: {star-shaped or multi-lobular, e.g. Torx-type, twelve-point star} - F16B 23/0038: {substantially prismatic with up to six edges, e.g. triangular, square, pentagonal, Allen-type cross-sections} - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) ## Abstract A fastener system that includes a fastener with a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, where the head has a first pattern formed thereon, and a cap that is configured and arranged to be seated upon the head, where the cap includes a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof. This second pattern is adapted to cooperate with the first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to the cap are transferred to the fastener via contact between the first and second patterns. Furthermore, the second pattern is defined by a closed figure that includes a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between the adjacent points. Several different configurations are available for the second pattern. Some examples of such configurations include generally star-shaped patterns, generally cross-shaped patterns, and other patterns also formed by a plurality of radially extending branches. Additionally, the second pattern may also be defined by a plurality of closed figures, such as a combination of generally pie-shaped components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof and a third pattern on an exterior thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns, and said third pattern being of a different general shape than said second pattern and including a plurality of straight segments joined to each other by a plurality of corners; and said second pattern being defined by a closed figure including a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between said adjacent points; wherein said second pattern is defined by a plurality of radially extending branches, and further wherein only a single one of said radially extending branches extends towards each of said straight segments of said third pattern. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fastener system according to claim 1, wherein said first pattern is projected from said head of said fastener and said second pattern is recessed into said interior surface of said cap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fastener system according to claim 1, wherein said pattern distance between each set of said adjacent points is defined by at least one curved surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fastener system according to claim 1, wherein said second pattern further includes a plurality of inner circumferential points located about a second circle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fastener system according to claim 4, wherein at least one straight line connects each of said outer circumferential points with an adjacent inner circumferential point. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fastener system according to claim 4, wherein at least one curved line connects each of said outer circumferential points with an adjacent inner circumferential point. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein said second pattern includes three of said branches. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein said second pattern includes four of said branches, such that said second pattern is generally cross-shaped. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein each of said branches is connected to an adjacent one of said branches by a curved inner peripheral surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fastener system of claim 9, wherein each of said curved inner peripheral surfaces is generally concave. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fastener system according to claim 1, wherein each of said radially extending branches includes a longitudinal center line that is generally perpendicular to said single one of said straight segments of said third pattern that said radially extending branch extends towards. ### Claim 12 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns; and said second pattern being defined by a closed figure including a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between said adjacent points; wherein said second pattern is defined by a plurality of generally radially extending branches and each of said branches is connected to an adjacent one of said branches by a curved inner peripheral surface; and further wherein each of said curved inner peripheral surfaces is generally convex. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The fastener system according to claim 12, wherein each of said branches is of a relatively uniform width when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fastener system according to claim 13, wherein: said curved inner peripheral surfaces are all sections of a single circle; and each of said branches includes a radiused outer peripheral surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein each of said branches includes a radiused outer peripheral surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein each of said branches is truncated by a relatively straight surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The fastener system of claim 1, wherein each of said branches has a width that decreases when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The fastener system according to claim 1, wherein said second pattern is generally star-shaped. ### Claim 19 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns; and said second pattern being defined by a closed figure including a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between said adjacent points; wherein said second pattern is defined by a plurality of generally radially extending branches such that said second pattern is generally star-shaped; and wherein said generally star-shaped second pattern includes truncated outer peripheral branches and a semicircular inner peripheral surface for connecting each of said truncated peripheral branches to an adjacent one of said truncated peripheral branches. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fastener system according to claim 19, wherein: each of said truncated outer peripheral branches has a width that decreases when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof; and each of said semicircular inner peripheral surfaces is generally convex. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The fastener system according to claim 19, wherein: each of said truncated outer peripheral branches has a width that decreases when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof; and each of said semicircular inner peripheral surfaces is generally concave. ### Claim 22 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns; and said second pattern being defined by a closed figure including a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between said adjacent points; wherein said second pattern is defined by a plurality of generally radially extending branches, and each of said branches is of a relatively uniform width when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The fastener system according to claim 22, wherein: said second pattern consists of four of said branches, such that said second pattern is generally cross-shaped; and each of said branches includes a radiused outer peripheral surface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The fastener system according to claim 22, wherein: said second pattern consists of three of said branches; and each of said branches includes a radiused outer peripheral surface. ### Claim 25 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof and a third pattern on an exterior thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns, and said third pattern being of a different general shape than said second pattern; and said second pattern is not defined by a single polygon consisting solely of a plurality of planar sides, but is instead defined by a plurality of closed figures. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The fastener system of claim 25, wherein said plurality of closed figures are generally triangular. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The fastener system of claim 26, wherein each of said generally triangular-shaped closed figure has a pointed radially inwardly facing edge and a curved radially outwardly facing surface. ### Claim 28 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns; and said second pattern is not defined by a single polygon consisting solely of a plurality of planar sides, but is instead defined by a plurality of closed figures that are each generally triangular; wherein each of said generally triangular-shaped closed figures has a pointed radially inwardly facing edge and a relatively straight radially outwardly facing surface. ### Claim 29 A fastener system comprising: a fastener including a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, said head having a first pattern formed thereon; a cap configured and arranged to be seated upon said head, said cap including a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof, said second pattern being adapted to cooperate with said first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to said cap are transferred to said fastener via contact between said first and second patterns; and said second pattern being defined by a closed figure including a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between said adjacent points; and wherein said second pattern is generally star-shaped and is defined by a plurality of generally radially extending branches that each have a width that gradually decreases to a point when considered from a radial inner end to a radial outer end thereof.