Fastener system with spline recess and driving tool

• US 6,237,450 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Howmet Aerospace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fairchild Holding Corp. (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Cosenza, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hail, III, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OJINI, EZIAMARA ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US09/301,018
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 81/436, 81/460, 411/3, 411/5, 411/403-405, 411/919
• US Class Current: 81/436
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/005 with cross- or star-shaped cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 23/003 star-shaped or multi-lobular, e.g. Torx-type, twelve-point star
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/045 for retention or rotation by a tool specially shaped heads of bolts or screws for rotation by a tool F16B23/00

Abstract

An improved fastener system includes a threaded pin and a tool. The pin contains a recess in a threaded end of the pin for receiving the tool, thus holding the pin against rotation during application of a nut on the pin. The recess includes splines extending around a circumference of the recess. A plurality of mating splines are located on an end of the tool for engaging the slots of the recess. The splines are oriented to maximize torsional performance and to balance the shear strength of the pin with the shear strength of the tool. Additionally the ends of the recess splines and a minor diameter of the tool include a matching curved surface to increase torsional strength.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising:

a nut; and

a pin having a shank, a threaded portion on the shank, an end face on the threaded portion of the shank, and a recess in the end face,

wherein the recess comprises a plurality of splines spaced around a circumference of the recess, the splines having a width greater than a space between adjacent splines and a concave end surface, and

wherein the nut is torqued onto the pin.

2. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein there are six splines.

3. The fastener according to claim 2 wherein the pin further comprises a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction across the threaded portion of the pin.

4. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein the nut comprises at least one external, axially extending lobe.

5. A tool for use in a fastener system, the tool comprising:

a shaft;

a plurality of splines spaced around the circumference of the shaft, the splines having a width less than a space between adjacent splines; and

a convex minor diameter located between the splines formed to match an end spline surface of a fastener.

6. The tool according to claim 5 wherein there are six splines equally spaced on the shaft.

7. The tool according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of splines further comprises a leading edge surface having a beveled edge.

8. A fastener system for exhibiting increased torsional capability during installation of a fastener, the fastener system comprising:

a tool including a shaft, a plurality of splines extending around a circumference of the shaft;

a nut; and

a pin having a shank, a threaded portion on the shank for receipt of the nut, an end face on the threaded portion of the shank, and a recess in the end face,

wherein the recess includes a plurality of splines having a width greater than a space between adjacent splines positioned around a circumference of the recess, and

wherein the recess is configured to receive the splines of the tool when the nut is torqued onto the pin to balance a shear strength of the tool with a shear strength of the pin.

9. The fastener system according to claim 8 wherein the pin further comprises a plurality of flutes extending in an axial direction across the threaded portion of the pin.

10. The fastener system of claim 8 wherein an end of the recess splines and a minor diameter of the tool have a matching curved surface.