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Threaded adjustable-height inserts and related methods

  • US 10,228,003 B2
  • Filed: 04/30/2018
  • Issued: 03/12/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of installing a threaded adjustable-height insert into a bore formed in a sandwich panel, the method comprising:

  • installing a threaded adjustable-height insert into the bore, wherein the threaded adjustable-height insert comprises;

    a first insert part comprising;

    a first flange having a first upper surface and a first lower surface;

    a first neck extending from the first upper surface of the first flange to a first neck end region; and

    a first hole extending at least through the first neck and defined at least partially by a first inner surface of the first neck, wherein the first neck comprises a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface; and

    a second insert part comprising;

    a second flange having a second upper surface and a second lower surface;

    a second neck extending from the second lower surface of the second flange to a second neck end region; and

    a second hole extending through the second neck and the second flange, wherein the second hole is partially defined by a second inner surface of the second neck, and wherein the second neck comprises a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface;

    wherein the second insert part is configured to be selectively operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part such that the second neck has a threaded engagement with at least a portion of the first neck, wherein the threaded adjustable-height insert is configured to have a selectively adjustable overall height such that moving the second insert part with respect to the first insert part such that the second flange is moved towards the first flange reduces the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert, wherein the overall height of the threaded adjustable-height insert is defined as a perpendicular distance between the second upper surface of the second flange and the first lower surface of the first flange, wherein the first hole and the second hole are at least substantially concentric when the second insert part is operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part, and wherein the first insert part and the second insert part are configured to both longitudinally slidably translate relative to each other and rotate relative to each other when the second insert part is operatively positioned with respect to the first insert part; and

    adjusting a height of the threaded adjustable-height insert until the second upper surface of the second flange is at least substantially flush with an outer surface of the sandwich panel, wherein the adjusting the height comprises;

    longitudinally sliding one of the second insert part and the first insert part with respect to the other of the second insert part and the first insert part; and

    rotating one of the first insert part and the second insert part with respect to the other of the first insert part and the second insert part.

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