REMOVEABLE FASTENER RECESS INSERT AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

• US 20080025815A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: McCracken, Mike, Lubchansky, Adam B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,086,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/372.5
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/0007 characterised by the shape of the recess or the protrusion engaging the tool F16B23/0069 and F16B23/0076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps

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.

Claims

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.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a plastic material.

3. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein the insert comprises nylon.

4. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the insert conforms to an outer shape of the head portion of the fastener when seated within the head portion.

5. The fastening system of claim 4, wherein the head portion is substantially planar, and wherein the insert, when seated within the recess, is substantially flush with the head portion of the fastener.

6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the insert shape is configured such that an interference fit forms between the insert and the recess when the insert is seated within the recess.

7. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the insert shape has rotational symmetry.

8. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured to attach to a skin to form a moldline surface.

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.

10. The insert of claim 9, wherein the insert shape comprises a plastic material.

11. The insert of claim 10, wherein the insert comprises nylon.

12. The insert of claim 9, wherein the head portion is substantially planar, and wherein the insert, when seated within the recess, is substantially flush with the head portion of the fastener.

13. The insert of claim 9, wherein the insert shape has rotational symmetry.

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:

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.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the insert includes forming a plastic insert.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the insert comprises nylon.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the insert includes forming the insert using an injection molding process.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the insert includes forming the insert using a rapid prototyping process.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the insert includes forming an insert having rotational symmetry.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the insert is configured to fit within a recess shape selected from the group consisting of slotted, Philips, cross-point, Pozidriv, Supadriv, Allen, and Torx.