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US 8,616,097 B2Granted
Fastener systems and methods of forming fastener systems with stable engagement and stick fit
AssigneePhillips Screw Company
InventorsBarry J. Hughes, Gary Dilling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.
Claims40
A fastener system comprising:
- a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a recess, the recess having a central portion and a plurality of fastener recess wings radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the fastener recess wings having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward-most portion of the fastener recess wing, and wherein the fastener driving surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- a driver having a driver bit end, the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed having a central portion and a plurality of driver lobes radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the driver lobes having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward most portion of the driver lobe, wherein the driver driving surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the fastener recess is adapted to receive the driver bit end such that the fastener driving surfaces receive the driver driving surfaces in a mated engagement;
- and
- an interference interface including:
- a driver interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the driver lobes, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the driver, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper angle;
- and
- a fastener interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the fastener recess wings, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recess, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle,
- wherein the driver taper angle is larger than the fastener taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener recess and driver bit end are in the mated engagement.
5 more elements
A method of constructing a fastener system comprising:
- forming a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a recess, the recess having a central portion and a plurality of fastener recess wings radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the fastener recess wings having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward-most portion of the fastener recess wing, and wherein the fastener driving surfaces are constructed substantially in parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- forming a driver having a driver bit end the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed having a central portion and a plurality of driver lobes radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the driver lobes having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward most portion of the driver lobe, wherein the driver driving surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the fastener recess is adapted to receive the driver bit end such that the fastener driving surfaces receive the driver driving surfaces in mated engagement;
- and
- forming an interference interface including:
- forming a driver interference contour in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the driver lobes, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the driver, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper angle;
- and
- forming a fastener interference contour in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the fastener recess wings, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recess, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle,
- wherein the driver taper angle is larger than the fastener taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener recess and driver bit end are in the mated engagement.
5 more elements
A fastener system comprising:
- a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a recess, the recess having fastener drive surfaces for installation and removal, and wherein the fastener drive surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- a driver having a driver bit end, the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed having driver drive surfaces for installation and removal, and wherein the driver drive surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the fastener recess is adapted to receive the driver bit end such that the fastener drive surfaces receive the driver drive surfaces in a mated engagement;
- and
- an interference interface including:
- a driver interference contour formed in at least one of the driver drive surfaces, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the driver, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper angle;
- and
- a fastener interference contour formed in at least one of the fastener drive surfaces, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recess, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle,
- wherein the driver taper angle is larger than the fastener taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener recess and driver bit end are in the mated engagement.
5 more elements
A fastener system comprising:
- a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a projection extending axially outward therefrom, the projection including a central portion and a plurality of fastener lobes radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the fastener lobes having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward-most portion of the fastener lobe, and wherein the fastener driving surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- a driver having a driver bit end, the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed as a recessed socket, the recessed socket having a central portion and a plurality of driver socket wings radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the driver socket wings having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward most portion of the driver socket wing, wherein the driver driving surfaces of the socket wings are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the recessed socket is adapted to receive the fastener head projection such that the driver driving surfaces receive the fastener driving surfaces in a mated engagement;
- an interference interface including:
- a fastener interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the fastener lobes, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the fastener head projection, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle;
- and
- a driver interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the driver socket wings, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recessed socket, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper,
- wherein the fastener taper angle is larger than the driver taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener head projection and the recessed socket are in the mated engagement.
4 more elements
A method of constructing a fastener system comprising:
- forming a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a projection extending axially outward therefrom, the projection including a central portion and a plurality of fastener lobes radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the fastener lobes having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour
- forming the radially outward-most portion of the fastener lobe, and wherein the fastener driving surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- forming a driver having a driver bit end, the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed as a recessed socket, the recessed socket having a central portion and a plurality of driver socket wings radiating outwardly from the central portion, each of the driver socket wings having an installation driving surface and a removal driving surface, separated by a non-driving transition contour, the non-driving transition contour forming the radially outward most portion of the driver socket wing, wherein the driver driving surfaces of the socket wings are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the recessed socket is adapted to receive the fastener head projection such that the driver driving surfaces receive the fastener driving surfaces in a mated engagement;
- forming an interference interface including:
- forming a fastener interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the fastener lobes, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the fastener head projection, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle;
- and
- forming a driver interference contour formed in at least one of the non-driving transition contours of the driver socket wings, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recessed socket, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper angle,
- wherein the fastener taper angle is larger than the driver taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener head projection and the recessed socket are in the mated engagement.
5 more elements
A fastener system comprising:
- a fastener having a head and a shank, the fastener having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the head is constructed having a projection extending axially outward therefrom, the projection including fastener drive surfaces for installation and removal, and wherein the fastener drive surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the fastener;
- a driver having a driver bit end, the driver having a central longitudinal axis, wherein the driver bit end is constructed as a recessed socket, the recessed socket having driver drive surfaces for installation and removal, wherein the driver drive surfaces are constructed in substantially parallel alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the driver, and wherein the recessed socket is adapted to receive the fastener head projection such that the driver drive surfaces receive the fastener drive surfaces in a mated engagement;
- an interference interface including:
- a fastener interference contour formed in at least one of the fastener drive surfaces, wherein the fastener interference contour is tapered inward, toward a tip of the fastener head projection, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the fastener at a fastener taper angle;
- and
- a driver interference contour formed in at least one of the driver drive surfaces, wherein the driver interference contour is tapered inward, toward a bottom of the recessed socket, with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the driver at a driver taper angle,
- wherein the fastener taper angle is larger than the driver taper angle, and wherein the driver interference contour and the fastener interference contour are constructed to form a frictional mated engagement at the interference interface when the fastener head projection and the recessed socket are in the mated engagement.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.