REMOVEABLE FASTENER RECESS INSERT AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fastening system comprising:
- a fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion extending therefrom, the head portion having a recess formed therein, the recess having a recess shape and a recess depth; and
an insert having an insert shape substantially equal to the recess shape, and an insert thickness substantially equal to the recess depth, the insert configured to removeably seat within the recess of the head portion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fastening system includes a fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion, wherein the head portion has a recess (e.g., a removal tool recess), and an insert (e.g., a plastic insert) having an insert shape substantially equal to the recess shape and an insert thickness substantially equal to or less than the recess depth, wherein the insert is configured to removeably seat within the recess of the head portion. In this way, the insert may be later removed from the recess, allowing easy tool access even in applications where an overlying fairing material or other such conformal coating is used.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fastening system comprising:
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a fastener having a head portion and a shaft portion extending therefrom, the head portion having a recess formed therein, the recess having a recess shape and a recess depth; and an insert having an insert shape substantially equal to the recess shape, and an insert thickness substantially equal to the recess depth, the insert configured to removeably seat within the recess of the head portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 9. An insert configured to be removeably seated within a tool recess formed in a head portion of a fastener, the recess having a recess shape and a recess depth, the insert having an insert thickness substantially equal to the recess depth and an insert shape substantially equal to the recess shape such that the insert forms an interference fit with the recess when seated within the tool recess.
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14. A method for making an insert configured to be removeably seated within a recess formed in a head portion of a fastener, the method comprising:
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determining a depth of the recess; determining a shape of the recess; and forming an insert having an insert thickness substantially equal to the depth of the recess and an insert shape substantially equal to the shape of the recess such that the insert forms an interference fit with the recess and conforms to an outer surface of the head portion of the fastener when the insert is seated within the tool recess. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification