Flush mounted bolt

• US 4,822,227 A
• Filed: 07/14/1987
• Issued: 04/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avibank Manufacturing Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Avibank Manufacturing Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Duran, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US07/072,885
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 411/402, 411/403, 411/353, 411/910, 411/429-431, 411/371-373, 411/377
• US Class Current: 411/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/00 Specially shaped nuts or heads of bolts or screws for rotations by a tool detachable ornamental heads for screws A47G3/00; screwdrivers, wrenches B25B
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 41/002 Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0208 using panel fasteners, i.e. permanent attachments allowing for quick assembly

Abstract

A fastener assembly for joining a panel to a sub-panel comprising a receptacle assembly having a threaded stud secured to the undersurface of the sub-panel. The assembly includes a bolt having an enlarged head at one end and a nose at the other end. The panel has a countersunk opening aligned with an opening in the sub-panel. The bolt is threaded for threaded engagement to the stud. The head of the bolt has a countersunk opening configured to a tool for rotating the same. This opening includes a releasable plug which is moved downwardly upon insertion of the tool to permit rotation thereof, then returns to a position flush with the exterior of the head of the bolt surrounding the opening.

Claims

1. In a fastener assembly for joining a panel to a sub-panel comprising a receptacle assembly having a threaded portion secured to the undersurface of the sub-panel, a bolt having an enlarged flush head at one end and a nose at the other end, said nose being adapted to extend through a countersunk opening in said panel coaxially aligned with an opening in said sub-panel with the threaded portion of said receptacle assembly coaxially aligned with both of said openings, said bolt being threaded for threaded engagement to the threaded portion of said receptacle assembly, said head having a socket therein configured to a tool adapted to be inserted into said socket to rotate said bolt, the improvement which comprises:

a plug mounted in said socket and configured similarly thereto having an outer surface flush with the portion of the head of said bolt surrounding said socket; and

plug displacement and flush return means associated with said plug and said socket for moving said plug from a first position wherein the outer surface thereof is flush with the portion of the head of said bolt surrounding said socket to a second position wherein the outer surface of said plug is disposed internally of said socket upon insertion of a tool into said socket thereby permitting rotation of said bolt,

said plug displacement and flush return means including a flange having an annular groove therein at the upper end of said plug, the outer diameter of said flange being substantially the same as the inner diameter of said socket and similarly configured in cross-section to provide a seal between said plug and said socket.

2. In the assembly of claim 1 including a resilient O-ring disposed in said groove.

3. In the assembly of claim 2 wherein said plug displacement and flush return means includes an internal flange mounted on the inner wall of said socket between the top and bottom thereof, said plug having a nose portion with an annular groove therein, and a retaining ring mounted in said last-mentioned groove abutting against the lower surface of said flange when said plug is in said first position.

4. In the assembly of claim 3 wherein the upper surface of said retaining ring and the lower surface of said flange are flat.

5. In the assembly of claim 4 wherein the outer body portion of said plug between said plug flange and said socket flange when said plug is in said first position is less than the outer diameter of said plug flange.

6. In the assembly of claim 4 wherein the upper surface of said socket flange tapers downwardly and inwardly.

7. In the assembly of claim 4 wherein said plug displacement and flush return means includes a cavity in said plug receiving a spring therein, said spring abutting against the bottom wall of said socket and normally biasing said plug to said first position.