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Fastener installation method

  • US 4,093,491 A
  • Filed: 03/18/1974
  • Issued: 06/06/1978
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1971
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of installing a fastener insert to a panel having a cavity extending thereinto from one face thereof, the method comprising the following steps in combination:

  • providing a fastener insert having an axially extending body and a flanged heat conductive head portion integrally formed at one end of the body;

    providing on an undersurface of said flange synthetic resin bonding material which is solid at room temperature, melts at an elevated temperature and resolidifies on cooling to bond adjacent structures;

    providing a heating tool having an operating temperature substantially above the melting temperature of said bonding material;

    providing a panel having a cavity, said cavity having a cross-sectional size adapted to receive said body and a depth sufficient to allow engagement between said bonding material and portion of the outer surface of said panel adjacent said cavity when said body is inserted in said cavity;

    inserting said body in said cavity to provide engagement between said flanged head portion and said bonding material and between said bonding material and said outer surface portions of said panel;

    transferring heat from said heating tool to said fastener insert and to said bonding material by placing said heating tool in proximity to said insert, and thereby melting said bonding material;

    said bonding material being characterized by yielding increased bonding strength between said insert and panel after cooling upon an increase in the time of heat transfer from said heating tool beyond the time required to melt said bonding material, and up to a maximum time, beyond which said maximum time the bonding strength of said bonding material deteriorates, andstopping the heating of said bonding material after melting thereof at a time to effect a resulting bonding strength which is approximately the maximum bonding strength of said bonding material.

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