Shearable fastener
AssigneeTyco Electronics UK Ltd.
InventorGary Barnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shearable fastener has a threaded shank adapted for engagement with a threaded bore and a head portion formed for engagement with a drive tool, the shank being formed with a series of axially separated weakenings defining a series of shear planes. The weakenings are formed such that the applied torque necessary to cause the shank to shear increases progressively from the shear plane furthest from the head portion to the shear plane nearest the head portion. The weakenings are holes, grooves or slits formed in the shank and the radius at the bottom of the holes, grooves or slits is varied to produce or contribute to the increase in shear torque.
Claims22
A shearable fastener comprising a threaded shank adapted for engagement with a threaded bore and a head portion formed for engagement with a drive tool, the shank being formed with a series of axially separated weakenings defining a series of shear planes, wherein the weakenings are formed such that the applied torque necessary to cause the shank to shear increases progressively from the shear plane furthest from the head portion to the shear plane nearest the head portion, wherein the weakenings comprise holes, grooves or slits formed in the shank and a radius at a bottom of the holes, grooves or slits is varied to contribute to the increase in the applied torque necessary to cause the shank to shear.
An electrical connector comprising first and second connector parts configured to receive therebetween an electrical conductor, and a threaded fastener engageable with a threaded bore in the first connector part such that the fastener may engage the conductor, either directly or through an intermediate component, and secure the conductor against the second connector part, the fastener having a threaded shank adapted for engagement with a threaded bore and a head portion having drive formations for engagement with a drive tool, the shank being formed with axially separated weakenings defining a series of sheer planes, wherein said drive formations are formed such that, in use, a series of said weakenings are incapable of being supported by the drive tool and the weakenings in said series are formed such that the applied torque necessary to cause the shank to shear increases progressively from the shear plane furthest from the head portion to the shear plane nearest the head portion, wherein the weakenings comprise holes, grooves or slits formed in the shank and a radius at the bottom of the holes, grooves or slits is varied to contribute to the increase in the applied torque necessary to cause the shank to shear.
A shearable fastener comprising:
- a threaded shank configured for engagement with a threaded bore;
- a head portion on an end of the shank that is configured for engagement with a drive tool;
- and
- a plurality of axially separated weakenings extending along the shank and defining a series of shear planes therein, a radius at a bottom of respective ones of the weakenings being different from other of the weakenings to provide a different needed applied torque to shear the shank in the corresponding shear planes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.