Dual head fastener

• US 4,189,976 A
• Filed: 06/29/1978
• Issued: 02/26/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fargo Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Hubbell, Inc.)
• Inventors: Becker, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holko, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US05/920,161
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 85/9 R, 85/32 R, 85/45, 85/54, 85/61, 85/62, D 8/387, D 8/397, 81/121 R, 81/185, 81/DIG. 11
• US Class Current: 411/396
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/0092 with a head engageable by two or more different tools F16B23/0076 takes precedence

Abstract

A fastener element adapted for use as a bolt head, nut and the like. The element includes an operative structure adapted for removable interconnection with at least one other element of a fastener assembly to complete the assembly. A head extends from the operative structure and has an exterior surface adapted to be removably engaged by a wrench for rotation of the element. The head is hexagonal in configuration and has a projection extending from each side of the head a predetermined height less than the height of the head and being circumferentially aligned to thereby cooperate with the edges of each adjoining pair of sides of the head to form a twelve point head portion at the location of the projections while retaining a six point head portion at the remainder of the head. Thus, the fastener element can be used with either a six point or a twelve point wrench.

Claims

1. A fastener element adapted for use as a bolt head, nut and the like comprising;

an operative structure adapted for removably interconnecting with at least one other element of a fastener assembly to complete the assembly, a head extending from the operative structure and having an exterior surface adapted to be removably engaged by a tool for rotation of the element, the head being hexagonal in configuration on its outer surface for a predetermined portion of its height and being of a twelve pointed configuration on its outer surface for a predetermined portion of its height thereby permitting the use of a fastener element with a tool adapted for engagement with a six pointed surface or a tool for engagement with a twelve pointed surface, the head being hexagonal in configuration and having a projection extending from each side thereof a predetermined height less than the height of the head and being circumferentially aligned to thereby cooperate with the edges of each adjoining pair of sides to the head to form a twelve point head portion at the location of the projection while retaining a six point head portion at the remainder of the head formed by the point of joinder of the six sides thereby permitting the use of the fastener element with either a six point or a twelve point wrench.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the projections are formed adjacent the base of the head and are triangular in cross section extending outwardly to an apex forming an edge parallel to the adjacent two side edges of the hexagonally shaped head.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the projections are formed adjacent the base of the head and flange extends from the bottom of the head from which extends operative structure for coupling with another fastener element.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the head is formed of a synthetic non-metallic material.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the head forms the upper portion of a bolt with a shank extending from the underside thereof having a threaded end portion for interengaging with a nut.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein the bolt is formed of a steel material and the head is formed of a synthetic non-metallic material, a flange at the base of the head and having a collar extending downwardly therefrom, the bore in the collar adapted to receive and couple the head of the shank of the bolt.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the head is the upper portion of an adapter with the projections positioned adjacent the base of the head, an annular flange extending outwardly from the bottom end of the head and a tubular socket extending from the flange, the socket being open at the free end and having a hexagonal configuration on its inner surface.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein the hexagonal configuration in the tubular extension extends into the interior of the upper portion of the adapter and the hexagonal configuration is adapted to receive a metal element therein, the adapter being formed of a non-metallic synthetic material.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the head has an aperture therethrough with the projections located adjacent one end of the head so that the head forms a threaded nut for coupling with a threaded fastener element to form a fastener assembly.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the threaded nut has a conical flange extending downwardly and outwardly from the bottom end thereof adjacent to the projections to form a flanged nut for coupling with a threaded fastener element of a fastener assembly.