# US 7,195,436 B1 · Inset panel fastener

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- Number: US 7,195,436 B1
- Document ID: US7195436B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/006,181
- Filed: 2004-12-06
- Granted: 2007-03-27
- Earliest claimed: 2004-12-06
- Assignees: Nmc Group, Inc.
- Inventors: Douglas Stephen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7195436B1

## CPC

- F16B 11/006: {by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48)}
- F16B 5/01: by means of fastening elements specially adapted for honeycomb panels
- F16B 37/044: {Nut cages}
- 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

An inset panel fastener anchors into honeycomb substrates employed in the aircraft industry. The inset panel fastener provides significantly increased load carrying capabilities with a simple inexpensive construction. The inset panel fastener includes a plastic casing and a central floating fastener element. The casing includes a body, disk and cap. The body is generally barrel shaped including a central chamber for holding the fastener element which is preferably a female fastener. The disk radially projects from the top of the body and includes a fill hole and vent hole. Meanwhile, the cap engages and covers the bottom of the barrel shaped body. The cap is affixed in place using a weld, such as a sonic weld.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inset panel fastener for being received into a structure cavity for affixing objects to the structure, the inset panel fastener comprising:
a plastic casing including plastic body, a plastic disk and a plastic cap;
said plastic body including a cylindrical barrel having a top, a bottom and a bore extending through said body to form a central chamber, a fastener entrance located at the top of said body and a fastener access opening located at the bottom of said body;
said plastic disk radially projecting from said top of said body; said disk having a diameter greater than the diameter of said body to form a cavity space around said body; said disk further including a fill hole and a vent hole at the edge of said disk for allowing the injection of resin into said cavity space;
said plastic cap engaging said body and covering said fastener access opening;
a fastener floatingly disposed within said central chamber; and
a weld affixing said plastic cap to said plastic body wherein the material of said plastic cap and plastic body both melt and coalesce to form a bond.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inset panel fastener of claim 1 wherein said weld is a sonic weld.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The inset panel fastener of claim 1 wherein said plastic body and plastic disk are constructed in one piece.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The inset panel fastener of claim 1 wherein said plastic body, plastic disk and plastic cap are constructed of nylon.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The inset panel fastener of claim 1 further comprising one or more ridges vertically positioned in said cavity space for restricting rotation of the inset panel fastener when adhered within a structure cavity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The inset panel fastener of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a female fastener.