MXPA99005891A - Assembly of bolt and mangu - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener assembly (10a, 10b ~) that is engageable with a workpiece (60, 62). The fastener assembly (10a, 10b) includes a sleeve (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (34), a bolt (12a, 12b) having a threaded portion (22a, 22b), a bolt (12a, 12b) extending in the sleeve (16) and moving axially, and a collar (38) close to the first end (40) of the sleeve (16). The collar (38) is a separate component from, but coupled with, the sleeve (16) and has a retaining portion (44) engaged with the first end (49) of the sleeve (16). The retaining portion (44) provides a splice that prevents removal of the bolt (12a, 12b) from the sleeve (1

Description

ASSEMBLY OF BOLT AND SLEEVE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally related to fasteners, and more specifically it is related to a fastener which includes a bolt in a sleeve. In some situations, it is desirable to mount a first workpiece to a second workpiece using a fastener where the fastener is provided for a predetermined spacer of the second workpiece. Such an application occurs when the automotive components are assembled. Many fasteners which provide a spacer can be found in the prior art, such as in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,732,519, 5,489,177 and 5,577,854. As shown in the above-identified references, it is common to use a sleeve to separate a head portion of a bolt from a workpiece. However, these types of fasteners very often cause the sleeve and bolt to be easily separated from one another before the assembly is used. Fasteners are very often used in manufacturing assembly line and where many different types of fasteners are routinely used. Therefore, the fact that a bolt and sleeve assembly can be easily disassembled proves to be a significant inconvenience. Additionally, because the bolt can be easily separated from the sleeve, the sleeve is typical and initially inserted into an opening in a workpiece, and then, in a second operation, the bolt is inserted into the sleeve before the bolt can be threadedly engaged within a second work piece. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener which provides a spacer when the fastener is coupled with a workpiece. It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastener where a bolt can not easily and fully be retracted from a sleeve during axial movement of the bolt relative to the sleeve. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fastener which provides for a bolt to be held in captive relation with a sleeve. It is still another object of the present invention perhaps to provide a fastener which includes an eyelet that permits thermal expansion or contraction of the gasket. According to these and other objects,. The present invention provides a fastener which includes a sleeve having a flange extending outwardly at a first end. A bolt extends into the sleeve and moves axially therein. A collar includes a retainer portion coupled with a second end of the sleeve, and the collar provides a flange extending outwardly adjacent the second end of the sleeve. The retaining portion of the collar prevents removal of the sleeve pin when the pin is at least partially and axially retracted from the sleeve towards the collar. The retaining portion with this retains the pin in a captive axially displaceable relationship with the sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention and the advantages thereof will become more apparent in consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a fastener of according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of the fastener shown in FIGURE 1, showing a bolt according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view along line A-A of the fastener shown in FIGURE 1, showing a bolt according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 2, showing the bolt axially displaced, but captively retained in the sleeve; FIGURE 5 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 showing the bolt axially displaced, but captively retained in the sleeve; FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a non-threaded template extending through a collar; FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the bolt and collar of FIGURE 6 after the threads are formed in the template to provide a threaded pin; FIGURE 8 is a top plan view showing a grommet placed in a sleeve; FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of a sleeve receiving the threaded pin of FIGURE 7; FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the sleeve coupled with the collar; FIGURE 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the fastener of FIGURE 2, being used to mount a workpiece on another workpiece; and FIGURE 12 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 11 showing the fastener fully engaged with which the two work pieces are assembled together.

While the present invention may be susceptible to modalities in different forms, embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. and is not intended to limit the invention as illustrated and described herein. In FIGURE 1 a fastener 10a, 10b is shown, which is in accordance with the present invention. FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional view, taken along line AA of FIGURE 1, of the fastener 10a in the case where the bolt component 12a of the fastener 10a is provided according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In contrast, FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view, taken along line AA in FIGURE 1, of the fastener 10b in the case where a bolt component 12b of the fastener 10b is provided in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. First, the fastener 10a will be described according to the first embodiment, then the fastener 10b will be described according to the second embodiment. Therefore, FIGURES 1 and 2 should initially be viewed while reading the following description of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the fastener 10a includes a bolt 12a having a rod portion 14a that is inserted into a sleeve 16. The bolt 12a preferably has a head portion 18a at a first end 20a of the bolt 12a, and has a threaded portion 22a at an opposite second end 24a of the bolt 12a. Between the head portion 18a and the threaded portion 22a is a non-threaded portion 26a which is a portion reduced in diameter. Both of the unthreaded portion 26a and the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a have diameters 28a and 30a, respectively, which are smaller than an inner diameter 32 of the sleeve 16. This provides that the shank portion 14a of the bolt 12a, which it includes both of the threaded and unthreaded portions 22a and 26a, are insertable and axially displaceable within the sleeve 16. The sleeve 16 is generally cylindrical with an axial through hole 33 which receives the rod portion 14a of the bolt 12a. Preferably, the sleeve 16 is formed of wire instead of being an extruded tube. However, it is anticipated that the sleeve 16 may, in fact, be an extruded tube, and that such a tube could be within the working scope of the present invention. As shown, the shank portion 14a of the bolt 12a is provided as being longer than the sleeve 16, thus the threaded portion 26a of the bolt 12a is extendable outwardly from a first end 34 of the sleeve 16. The first end 34 of the sleeve 16 preferably provides an outwardly extending flange 36 for contacting a workpiece, as will be described hereinafter. Alternatively, the sleeve 16 can have a generally uniform outer diameter which is generally equivalent to the diameter of the flange 36 shown. In other words, the sleeve 16 can be provided in a form which makes the flange 36 unnecessary. A collar 38 is retained within the sleeve 16 at a second end 40 of the sleeve 16. The collar 38 can be provided in the form of a washer which provides a radially extended flange 42 adjacent the second end 40 of the sleeve 16 as well as a retaining portion 44 which is received within the second end 40 of the sleeve 16. More specifically, the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 , engages an inner surface 46 of the sleeve 16 at the end 40 of the sleeve 16. The retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 may comprise a dependent flange or skirt which is inserted into the end 40 of the sleeve 16. Preferably, the retaining portion 44 of collar 38 frictionally engages or otherwise attaches to internal surface 46 of sleeve 16 in such a way that collar 38 can not be remove easily from end 40 of sleeve 16. Up to this point, preferably a nominal external diameter of the retaining portion 44 can be provided as being slightly larger than the internal diameter 32 of the sleeve 16 such that a snap fit is formed between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16. Preferably, the pressure fit between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16 is such that the snap fit is maintained even when a reasonable amount of force is applied to try to separate the collar 38 from the sleeve 16. On the other hand, the collar 38 and the sleeve 16 they can be adhered together, and this adhesive coupling can replace or increase the friction fit between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16. The collar 38 includes an opening 48 having an internal diameter 49 through which the stud portion 14a of the pin 12th is received. The head portion 18a of the bolt 12a has a diameter 51 which is larger than the diameter 49 of the opening 48 in the collar 38. Therefore, the bolt 12a can not be displaced axially and completely beyond the collar 38 within the 16 and expansion is prevented by means of the splice between the head portion 18a of the bolt 12a and the surface of the collar 38. The diameter 28a of the non-threaded portion 26a of the bolt 12 is smaller than the diameter 49 of the opening 48 in the collar 38. Therefore, the bolt 12a can axially move inside the sleeve 16.

However, according to the first embodiment, the diameter 30a of the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a defines a portion of increased diameter having a diameter 30a which is larger than the diameter 49 of the opening 46 in the collar 38. both, when the bolt 12a is at least partially and axially retracted from the sleeve 16, the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a splices the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 as shown in FIGURE 4. This resultant splice between the collar 38 and the threaded portion 44 of the bolt 12a provides that the bolt 12 can not be completely removed from the sleeve 16 when the bolt 12a is axially displaced in the sleeve 16 towards the collar 38. In this manner, the bolt 12a is captively retained in the sleeve 16 , even the bolt 12a axially is displaced therein. Specifically, the splice between the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 and the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a, as shown in FIG. In FIGURE 4, it limits the axial movement of the bolt 12a within the sleeve 16 in one direction. The splice between the head portion 18a of the bolt 12a and the surface of the collar 38, as shown in FIGURE 2, limits the axial movement of the bolt 12a within the sleeve 16 in the other direction. A grommet 58 such as a compressible silicone eyelet can be placed on the sleeve 16, in contact with the collar 38. The eyelet 58 functions to provide a seal when the fastener 10a is engaged with a workpiece, and allows for thermal expansion or contraction of the board. The eyelet 58 preferably provides a clamp, both tensioner of the thermal expansion and contraction as well as mechanical expansion (ie, plastic deformation). A method for producing the fastener 10a will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-10. First, the shank portion 14a of the bolt 12a is inserted into the collar 38 in such a way that the collar 38 makes contact with the portion of the collar. head 18a, as shown in FIGURE 6. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bolt as shown in FIGURE 6 would perhaps be defined more accurately as a "template" at this point in the assembly process since the part still has no thread formed in it. The threads will be formed in the next step as will be explained later. The collar 38 is placed in the template in which the non-threaded portion 26a of the bolt 12a will be. Then, the threads, as shown in FIGURE 7, are rotated in the bolt 12a to provide the threaded portion 22a. A thread sealant can be applied to the threads. After the threaded portion 22a is formed, the rod portion 14a of the bolt 12a is inserted into the through hole 33 of the sleeve 16, as shown in FIGURE 9, such that the end 40 of the sleeve 16 engages the portion retention 44 of the collar 38, as shown in FIGURE 10. As mentioned, preferably a nominal outside diameter of the retaining portion 44 is provided as being slightly larger than the internal diameter 32 of the sleeve 16 in such a way that, A snap fit is formed between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16 when two components are engaged. Preferably, the snap fit between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16 is such that the socket is retained even when a reasonable amount of force is applied to attempt to separate the collar 38 from the sleeve 16. The retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 is It can be configured or formed, as by means of the fluted one, in order to facilitate the snap fit. As mentioned, an adhesive coupling can be provided between the collar 38 and the sleeve 16 in addition to, or as an alternative to, the snap fit. Either before or after the sleeve 16 engages with the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38, the eyelet 58 can be placed on the sleeve 16, as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10. Then, the eyelet 58 can be move to make contact with the collar 38 in such a way that the resulting fastener 10a appears as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. As mentioned, the eye 58 can be placed on the sleeve 16 either before or after the sleeve 16 engages with the collar 38. However, it is preferred that the eye 58 be placed on the sleeve 16 by moving the eye 58 over the end 40 of the sleeve 16 before the sleeve 16 engages with the collar 38. This is illustrated in FIGURE 8. By not having to move the eyelet 58 past the flange 36 (if provided) towards the other end 34 of the 16 during the assembly, the grommet 58 can be selected from materials that could provide insufficient resilience as would be necessary to release the flange 36 during assembly. In other words, coupling the eyelet 58 with the sleeve 16 of the end 40 of the sleeve 16 having the flange 36 provides that a wider range of materials and resilience can be selected for the eyelet 58. The fastener 10a can be used to hold a first workpiece 60 to a second workpiece 62, and this will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown in FIGURE 11, the fastener 10a is initially inserted into an opening 64 in the first piece 60. Because the bolt 12a is captively retained in the sleeve 16, only the head portion 18a of the bolt 12a needs to be used to initially place the sleeve 16 in the opening 64 in the first workpiece 60. This is because the sleeve 16 avoids separating from the bolt 12a while the head portion 18a is used to guide the fastener 10a, and more specifically the sleeve 16 thereof, into the opening 64. Then, the portion threads 26a of the bolt 12a engages the threaded inner diameter 66 on the second workpiece 62. This threaded coupling is facilitated by rotating the head portion 18a of the bolt 12a after inserting the sleeve 16 into the opening 64 in the first part of the bolt 12a. work 60, and after axially moving the bolt 12a towards the second workpiece 62 in such a manner that the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a initially makes contact with the threaded hole 66. Preferably, the head portion 18a of the bolt 12a is shaped in such a way that it can be easily coupled with a tool to facilitate rotation of the bolt 12a. FIGURE 11 represents the fastener 10a after the bolt 12a has been partially threaded into the workpiece 62. As shown in FIGURE 12, the continuous threaded coupling attracts the first end 36 of the sleeve 16 against the second workpiece. 62 and causes the grommet 58 to be compressed between the collar 38 and the first workpiece 60. As the bolt 12a is screwed into the threaded hole 66, the flange 36 at the end 34 of the sleeve 16 contacts the workpiece 62 avoiding any additional threading of the bolt 12a in the workpiece 62 thereby creating a spacer. When the bolt 12a has been fully threaded into the hole 66, the eyelet 58 in the sleeve 16 is compressed within the workpiece 60 and the collar 38 of the fastener 10a thereby forms a seal and allows expansion and contraction, as shown in FIG. described earlier. As mentioned, FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener 10b shown in FIGURE 1 in the case where the bolt component 12b thereof is provided according to a second embodiment. Because many of the components of the fastener 10b are the same as the fastener 10a, only the differences between the two will now be discussed and identical reference numbers will be used for the identical parts and description thereof omitted with the understanding that one can review the description related to the fastener 10a to obtain an understanding of the fastener 10b. As shown in FIGURE 3, the fastener 10b also includes a bolt 12b, a collar 38, a sleeve 16, and possibly an eyelet 58. In fact, the fastener components 10b may be identical to that of the fastener 10a, but for a difference in the structure of the bolt 12b. As mentioned above, the bolt 12a of the fastener 10a includes a threaded portion 22a which defines a portion of increased diameter in that it has a diameter 30a which is larger than the size of the opening 48 in the collar 38. In this way, the bolt 12a is axially displaceable within the sleeve 16, but is captively retained within it. The bolt 12a is captively retained in the sleeve 16 because when the bolt 12a is axially withdrawn from the sleeve 16, the threaded portion 22a of the bolt 12a is spliced with the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38, as shown in FIGURE 4, with which prevents the bolt 12a from being further removed from the sleeve 16. The bolt 12b of the fastener 10b also includes a portion of increased diameter in the form of a circumferential grooved portion 70b which has a diameter 30b which is larger than the diameter 49 of the opening 48 in the collar 36. Both diameters of the circumferential grooved portion 70b and the threaded portion 22b of the bolt 12b are smaller than an inner diameter 32 of the sleeve 16. Additionally, the bolt 12b includes a head portion 18b the which has a diameter 51 which is larger than the diameter 49 of the opening 48 in the collar 38. In this way, the bolt 12b of the fastener 10b, like the bolt 12a of the fastener 10a, is axially movable within sleeve 16, but captively retained within it. The bolt 12b is captively retained in the sleeve 16 because when the bolt 12b is axially withdrawn from the sleeve 16, the circumferential grooved portion 70b of the bolt 12b is connected to the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 as shown in FIGURE 5. This The resulting splice between the collar 38 and the fluted circumferential portion 70b of the bolt 12b provides that the bolt 12b can not be completely removed from the sleeve 16 when the bolt 12b is axially withdrawn from the sleeve 16 towards the collar 38. Also, the splice between the portion The head 18b of the bolt 12b and the surface of the collar 16, as shown in FIGURE 3, limit the axial movement of the bolt 12b inside the sleeve 16 in another direction. With respect to the manufacture of the fastener 10b, the same steps can be performed as discussed above in relation to the fastener 10a (FIGURES 6 to 10), with the circumferential grooved portion 70b of the bolt 12b being formed in the bolt 12b simultaneously with the portion threaded 22b. With respect to the operation, the fastener 10b can be used in the same manner as the fastener 10a for mounting one workpiece in another. As discussed, both fasteners 10a, 10b provide for the bolt 12a, 12b to move axially, but to be captively retained within the sleeve 16. Both fasteners 10a, 10b produce this result by providing the retaining portion 44 of the collar 38 which splices an enlarged diameter portion of the bolt 12a, 12b when the bolt 12a, 12b is axially withdrawn from the sleeve 16 in the direction of the collar 38. This captive but axial displaceable relationship between the sleeve 16 and the bolt 12a, 12b provides that the two components Do not disassemble easily from each other. While the embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is anticipated that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A fastener assembly coupled with a workpiece, the fastener assembly includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, a bolt having a threaded portion, the bolt extending into the sleeve and moving axially in the same, and a collar next to the first end of the sleeve, the fastener assembly is characterized in that the collar is a component separate from, but coupled with, the sleeve and has a portion of. retainer engaged within the first end of the sleeve, the retaining portion provides a splice that prevents removal of the pin from the sleeve. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt includes a diameter portion, the retaining portion of said collar having a diameter which is smaller than the increased diameter portion of the bolt, the diameter portion Increased bolt splices the retaining portion when the bolt is at least partially and axially removed from the sleeve, such splicing between the increased diameter portion of the bolt and the retaining portion of the collar provides for the bolt to be retained in an axially displaceable captive relationship to the cuff. 3. The fastener assembly according to claim 2, the threaded portion of the bolt having a diameter, such fastener assembly is characterized in that the retaining portion of the collar has a diameter, such diameter of the retaining portion of the collar being less than the diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt, the threaded portion of the bolt splices the retaining portion of the collar when the bolt is at least partially and axially removed from the sleeve. The fastener assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the bolt includes a circumferential grooved portion having a diameter, the retaining portion of the collar having a diameter, the diameter of the retaining portion of the collar being less than the diameter of the fluted circumferential portion of the bolt, the fluted circumferential portion of the bolt splices the retaining portion of the collar when the bolt is at least partially and axially removed from the sleeve, such splicing between the fluted circumferential portion of the bolt and the retaining portion of the bolt. The collar provides for the bolt to be retained in a captive axially displaceable relationship to the sleeve. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar provides an outwardly extending flange, and the fastener assembly includes an eyelet disposed in the sleeve such that the eyelet engages the flange extending toward outside the collar and the work piece when the fastener assembly engages with the workpiece. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt includes a portion of the first end of the sleeve with which the retaining portion of the collar engages, is fully opened so that the first end does not provide a flange that in front. The fastener assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bolt includes a head portion that engably engages against the collar.