Fastener with recessed head and head insert

• US 6,302,630 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Grant, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US09/550,993
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 411/372.5, 411/372.6, 411/373, 411/374, 411/377, 411/431, 411/403, 411/399, 411/508-510
• US Class Current: 411/372.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 3/00 Removable ornamental heads for nails, screws, or the like specially-shaped, non-removable heads for nails F16B15/02, for screws F16B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/06 Specially-shaped heads special shape in order to rotate the bolt F16B23/00 ; separate hook adaptors for bolts F16B43/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps

Abstract

A fastening device (10) including a fastener (20) and a recess insert (12) retained within the head (21) of the fastener (20). The fastener has a head (21) at one end and a threaded shaft (25) at the opposing end. The fastener head (21) has an engagement recess (22) and a concentric counter-bored section (28). The counter-bored section (28) has a greater diameter than the diameter of the engagement recess (22) and extends into the fastener head (21) less than the depth of the engagement recess. The counter-bored section includes an insert retainer (24). The recess insert (12) comprises a different material than the fastener (20). The insert (12) has a fastener retainer (18) and is adapted to fit within the fastener head (21) counter-bored section (28). The insert (12) has a head (13) with an aperture (14) for permitting access to the fastener engagement recess (22) therethrough.

Claims

1. A fastening device, comprising:

a fastener having a head at one, said head having an engagement recess extending into said fastener head; and

an insert comprising a different material than said fastener, said insert having a fastener retainer to secure and fit within said fastener head recess, said insert having a head with an aperture permitting direct engagement with said fastener head engagement recess therethrough for providing rotational force to said fastener; and

wherein

said diameter of said insert head is substantially equal to said diameter of said fastener head.

2. The fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said head engagement recess comprises a counter-bored section insert retainer comprising a female retainer, wherein said insert fastener retainer comprises a male retainer, and wherein said fastener female retainer engages with said insert male retainer to retain said insert within said fastener.

3. The fastening device according to claim 2 wherein said fastener counter-bored section has an interior cylindrical surface including said insert female retainer, said insert female retainer comprising at least one annular groove, wherein said insert comprises a hollow shaft having an exterior cylindrical surface including said fastener male retainer, said fastener male retainer comprising at least one annular rib, wherein said insert shaft rib engages with said counter-bored section groove to retain said insert within said fastener.

4. The fastening device according to claim 3 wherein said insert shaft comprises a plurality of ribs and said counter-bored section comprises a plurality of corresponding grooves.

5. The fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said insert has an insert shaft comprising at least one slot parallel to the fastener shaft.

6. The fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said fastener head comprises chamfered walls adapted to fit flush within a counter-bored surface.

7. The fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said insert comprises a material inhibiting a reflection of a radar signal.

8. The fastening device according to claim 7 wherein said insert comprises Nylon-12 material.

9. The fastening device according to claim 1 wherein said insert comprises a pliable material so that said insert is hand press-fittable into said fastener.

10. An insert for a fastener having a head at one end, said fastener head having an engagement recess extending into said fastener head, said insert comprising:

a hollow shaft adapted to be retained within said fastener engagement recess; and

a head coupled to said shaft and having an aperture for permitting direct engagement with said fastener head engagement recess therethrough for providing rotational force to said fastener; and

wherein

said insert comprises a substantially pliable material inhibiting reflection of a radar signal, whereby said insert is hand-insertable into said fastener.

11. The insert according to claim 10 wherein said insert hollow shaft includes a fastener retainer.

12. The insert according to claim 10 wherein said insert hollow shaft comprises at least one slot.

13. The insert according to claim 10 wherein the diameter of said insert head is adapted to be substantially equal to the diameter of said fastener head.

14. The insert according to claim 10 wherein said insert comprises Nylon-12 material.

15. A method of improving the radar signature of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

installing one or more fasteners on the exterior surface of said vehicle, said fasteners having a head comprising an engagement recess; and

installing an insert into each fastener engagement recess, said insert contained and retained by said fastener engagement recess providing rotational force to said fastener, said insert head having an aperture for accessing said fastener engagement recess; and

wherein

said accessing includes inserting a driving bit, through said aperture, to securingly engage with said fastener engagement recess.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said step of installing an insert comprises installing said insert by hand.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein said fastener may be removed and reinstalled by inserting said driving bit into said insert aperture to securingly engage said fastener engagement recess.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein said insert is removable and replaceable.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein said insert comprises a material inhibiting reflection of a radar signal.