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Fastener for application to a threaded studRelated Patent Categories: Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-deformed, Or Locked-threaded Fastener, Internally Threaded Fastener Element, E.g., Nut, Etc., Multipart, Including Movable Threaded SegmentsFastener for application to a threaded stud description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070160441, Fastener for application to a threaded stud. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/994,210, currently allowed, filed Nov. 19, 2004, which claimed the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10357024.1, filed Dec. 3, 2003. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention concerns a fastener to be applied to a threaded stud with a sleeve-like clamping element that has a cavity extending in the direction of its longitudinal axis to accommodate the threaded stud and at least one clamping region that can deform into the cavity and that forms at least one clamping ramp inclined toward the longitudinal axis on the outside of the clamping element, and with a clamping sleeve that can be pushed onto the clamping element and in the installed state grips around the clamping element, wherein an inner surface of the clamping sleeve works with the clamping ramp such that the clamping region reaches a clamping position that is deformed into the cavity and holds the threaded body, wherein the clamping element has a flange at its forward end in the direction of installation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Fasteners of the specified type are used particularly in automobile manufacture to fasten parts to threaded studs. The distinguishing feature of these fasteners is that they can be brought into the fastening position on a threaded stud solely through an axial motion and can be securely attached to the threaded stud by pushing on the clamping sleeve, for example by striking. The connection can be released again by unscrewing the fastener from the threaded stud like a nut. Moreover, it is possible to increase the axial clamping force of an established connection by turning the fastener in the direction of tightening. [0004] In a fastener of the specified type known from DE 101 33 063 A1, the cross-section of the clamping element is polygonal and its wall has radially resilient wall sections that deform radially outward when the clamping element is pushed onto the threaded stud. The clamping sleeve is formed onto one end of the clamping element such that it can break off and its inner cross-section is dimensioned such that it can be pushed over the outside of the clamping element, whereby the radially resilient wall sections are deformed inward such that the threads of the threaded stud can be partially formed into the resilient wall sections. To hold the clamping sleeve in the assembled position, latching sections are formed on the flange of the clamping element that extend in the direction of the clamping sleeve and grip around a latching recess on the outside of the clamping sleeve. The outside of the clamping sleeve is hexagonal so that a wrench may be used to rotate the fastener. A torque produced at the clamping sleeve is transmitted to the polygonal wall sections of the clamping element by the polygonal inner surface of the clamping sleeve. Because of the resilience of the wall sections, this leads to an increase in the radial clamping force, thus making it more difficult to turn the fastener. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The object of the invention is to create a fastener of the aforementioned type that is characterized by ease of use. [0006] The object is attained by the invention in that there are arranged, on the flange and on the end of the clamping sleeve facing the flange, coupling elements and mating coupling elements that interlock when the clamping sleeve is located on the clamping element in the assembled state, and that prevent rotation of the clamping sleeve relative to the clamping element. [0007] In the fastener according to the invention, the clamping sleeve in the installed state is nonrotatably fixed to the clamping element by the coupling elements so that relatively high torques can be transmitted from the clamping sleeve to the clamping element without significantly affecting rotatability of the fastener relative to the threaded stud. This has the advantage that unscrewing of the fastener is made easier and that comparatively high tightening torques and corresponding high loosening torques can be produced and/or transmitted with the fastener in accordance with the invention. [0008] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the coupling elements are composed of axial projections on the end face of the clamping sleeve and the mating coupling elements are composed of recesses in the flange of the clamping element that accommodate the projections. This simplifies manufacture of the fastener as an injection-molded plastic part and the coupling elements can be made sufficiently large without difficulty. However, the invention is not limited to such a design. Rather, projections that work in conjunction with recesses in the clamping sleeve may also be provided on the clamping element or its flange. [0009] In accordance with another proposal of the invention, provision can be made that the initial inside diameter of the clamping element's cavity is equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the threaded stud so that the clamping element can be brought into position on the threaded stud by axial sliding and without great resistance. This refinement makes it possible to keep the assembly forces for placement of the fastener on a threaded stud especially low; this also contributes to improving the fastener's ease of use. [0010] High retention or pull-off forces can be achieved according to another proposal of the invention in that the clamping region of the clamping element has, on its inner side that works together with the threaded stud, at least one rib that is designed to engage in a thread groove of the threaded stud. Efficacious positive locking between the clamping element and the threaded stud can be achieved by one or more ribs, which preferably are shaped to match the stud thread profile, without the need for high contact forces between the clamping region of the clamping element and the threaded stud. In addition to high pull-off forces, this design has the further advantage that no high clamping forces need be generated during assembly of the clamping sleeve, so the resistance to be overcome to move the clamping sleeve can remain correspondingly small. [0011] According to another proposal of the invention, provision can be made that the flange of the clamping element is provided with a toothed contact surface on its forward side facing away from the clamping region. Particularly when the mating contact surface is made of a more or less resilient material, this toothing effects an increase in the frictional force between the flange and the mating contact surface that works together with the flange, which serves to increase the loosening torque, i.e. the torque required to unscrew an installed fastener. The increase in the loosening torque makes the installed fastener more secure against coming loose by itself. There is no danger here of disadvantages with respect to ease of use, however, since the design of the fastener according to the invention facilitates the transmission of high torques without an increase in clamping forces. [0012] To secure the clamping sleeve in the installed position on the clamping element, according to another suggestion of the invention at least one flexible latching finger extending forward toward the flange can be provided, which carries at its end a catch that works in conjunction with a shoulder of the clamping element. Preferably, the shoulder is formed here by an undercut in an opening that is provided in the flange of the clamping element, and in which the latching finger engages in the installed state of the clamping sleeve. This design protects the latching point of the latching finger from external access so that the clamping sleeve cannot be separated from the clamping element once the fastener is installed. Only after the fastener has been unscrewed is the catch of the latching finger accessible on the front of the flange and can be unlocked with the aid of a tool if necessary. [0013] According to another suggestion of the invention, the clamping sleeve can be joined to the clamping element as a single piece by means of a predetermined breaking point. Manufacture of the clamping sleeve and clamping element, for example of plastic, can thus be accomplished in a single mold, and both parts are always guaranteed to be available at installation. It is advantageous for the predetermined breaking point to be located between the rearward end of the clamping element and the forward end of the clamping sleeve in the direction of installation. At installation, after placement of the clamping element on the threaded stud, an impact in the direction of the stud axis separates the clamping sleeve from the clamping element and simultaneously moves it into the installed position. This process makes possible a short installation time and can be performed equally well by hand or with the aid of automatic assembly devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The invention is explained in detail below using an example embodiment that is illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show: [0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a fastener according to the invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the fastener according to the invention along line II-II in FIG. 3; [0017] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the fastener according to the invention along line III-III in FIG. 1; and [0018] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the fastener in the installed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Continue reading about Fastener for application to a threaded stud... Full patent description for Fastener for application to a threaded stud Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fastener for application to a threaded stud patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fastener for application to a threaded stud or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Self-boring and self-tapping screw Next Patent Application: Non-prismatic grooved shank fastener Industry Class: Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-threaded fastener ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fastener for application to a threaded stud patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.59681 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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