Insert Kit and Installation Method

• US 20110070047A1
• Filed: 05/12/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bulten Fasteners AB (Bulten AB)
• Original Assignee: PSM IP Limited
• Inventors: Martin, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,194,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/178
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/742 to metals or their alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/122 Threaded inserts, e.g. "rampa bolts"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An insert (100) having a first insert portion (102) a second insert portion (104) and a third insert portion (106) for installation into a first bore portion (136), a second bore portion (138) and a third bore portion (140) respectively in which the first bore portion (136) is larger than the second and third insert portions (104, 106) and the second bore portion (138) is larger than the third insert portion (106).

Claims

1. An insert assembly kit comprising;

a generally cylindrical stepped insert having;

a first cylindrical insert portion of a first insert diameter,

a second cylindrical insert portion of a second insert diameter, and

a third cylindrical insert portion of a third insert diameter,

in which the first insert diameter is greater than the second and third insert diameters, the second insert diameter is greater than the third insert diameter, and the second insert portion is positioned axially between the first and third insert portions,

the insert assembly further comprising;

a plastics part having a generally cylindrical stepped bore defining;

a first cylindrical bore portion of a first bore diameter,

a second cylindrical bore portion of a second bore diameter, and

a third cylindrical bore portion of a third bore diameter,

in which the first bore diameter is greater than the second and third bore diameters, the second bore diameter is greater than the third bore diameter, and the second bore portion is positioned axially between the first and third bore portions,

wherein the first, second and third bore diameters are smaller than the first, second and third insert diameters respectively to engage and thereby retain the insert upon installation into the plastics part, and;

wherein the first bore diameter is greater than second and third insert diameters, and the second bore diameter is greater than the third insert diameter such that the second and third insert portions are freely positionable within the first and second bore portions respectively.

2. An insert assembly kit according to claim 1 in which the first, second and third insert portions are of a substantially equal axial length.

3. An insert assembly kit according to claim 2 in which the first, second and third insert portions are approximately one third of the axial length of the insert.

4. An insert assembly kit according to claim 1 in which the insert defines a threaded inner bore.

5. An insert assembly kit according to claim 1 in which at least one of the first, second and third insert portions defines external movement resistant features.

6. An insert assembly kit according to claim 5 in which the first and/or second insert portions comprise torque resistant features and the second and/or third insert portions comprise pull-out resistant features.

7. An insert assembly kit according to claim 6 in which the first and second insert portions comprise opposing torque resistant features and the third insert portion comprises pull-out resistant features.

8. An insert assembly kit according to claim 7 in which the pull-out resistant features are annular ribs.

9. A method of installation of an insert into a plastics component comprising the steps of:

providing a generally cylindrical stepped insert having;

a first cylindrical insert portion of a first insert diameter,

a second cylindrical insert portion of a second insert diameter, and

a third cylindrical insert portion of a third insert diameter,

in which the first insert diameter is greater than the second and third insert diameters, the second insert diameter is greater than the third insert diameter, and the second insert portion is positioned axially between the first and third insert portions,

providing a plastics part having a generally cylindrical stepped bore defining;

a first cylindrical bore portion of a first bore diameter,

a second cylindrical bore portion of a second bore diameter, and

a third cylindrical bore portion of a third bore diameter,

in which the first bore diameter is greater than the second and third bore diameters, the second bore diameter is greater than the third bore diameter, and the second bore portion is positioned axially between the first and third bore portions, wherein the first, second and third bore diameters are smaller than the first, second and third diameters respectively, and,

in which the first bore diameter is greater than second and third insert diameters, and the second bore diameter is greater than the third insert diameter,

freely positioning the second and third insert portions within the first and second bore portions respectively, and;

installing the insert into the bore to engage the first, second and third insert portions with the first, second and third bore portions to thereby engage and retain the insert.

10. (canceled)