Fastener with Tool Retainer

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener and, more particularly, to a fastener having a retainer for retaining the fastener with a tool.

Brief Description of Prior Developments

[0002] Break-away or break-off fasteners and fastener assemblies are well known in the art. These fasteners and fastener assemblies generally comprise a portion, or portions, that break away at a predetermined torque. For example, European Patent Application No. EP 1,724,473 discloses a fastener bolt comprising break-off points at the bolt shank. One drawback to conventional configurations is that after the predetermined torque is reached, the break-away or break-off portion is free from the fastener and can easily drop or fall from the fastening tool . This can slow assembly times (and thus increase assembly costs) as the break-away/break-off portion may fall to a location which is not easily accessible. Additionally, foreign objects or debris, such as the break-away/break-off nut portion, may cause damage to the assembled component. In order to minimize and/or prevent damage to the components, there is a

desire to provide a fastener having a robust configuration which is retained within the fastening tool after the predetermined force is reached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fastener such as a nut or' bolt is disclosed. The fastener nut includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section has a threaded inner diameter. On the bolt, the first section has a threaded outer diameter. The second section has an outer annular groove. The third section is between the first section and the second section. The first section, the second section, and the third section are integrally formed together as a one-piece member. The second section is configured to be removed from the first section at the third section. A retaining member, such as an elastomeric ring, fits into the outer annular groove to help retain the second section in an installation tool after the second section is removed from the first section.

[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a fastener assembly is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a nut and a retaining member. The nut includes a first section and a second section. The first section has a threaded inner diameter. The second section is configured to break away from the first section. The retaining

member is connected to the second section. The retaining member is configured to provide an interference fit between the second section and a mating tool .

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a fastener assembly is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a nut and a retaining member. The nut includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section is configured to receive a bolt. The second section has an outer annular groove. The third section is between the first section and the second section. The third section is configured to fracture at a predetermined force. The retaining member disposed within the outer annular groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fastener comprising features of the invention;

[0007] Fig. 2 is a side view of the nut used in the fastener shown in Fig . l ;

[0008] Fig. 3 is an end view of the nut shown in Fig. 2;

[0009] Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the nut shown in Fig . 2 ,-

[0010] Fig. 5 is an end view of a second section of the nut used in the fastener shown in Fig. 1, wherein the nut is retained within a tool; and

[0011] Fig. 6 is a side view of a bolt according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a fastener 10 incorporating features of the present invention. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention- can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

[0013] Referring now also to Fig. 2, the fastener or fastener assembly 10 in this embodiment comprises a nut 20 adapted to be screwed onto a threaded member (not shown) , such as a bolt member of an electrical connector for example, and a retainer member 22. For example, the nut could be used in an electrical connector such as shown in U.S. patent application No. 11/114,571 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. However, the fastener 10 could be used with any suitable type

of mating fastener and/or any suitable type of environment other than an electrical connector environment. The nut 20, in this embodiment, is a break-away nut comprising a first section 12, a second section 14 and a third section 16 connecting the second section 14 to the first section 12. The first section 12, the second section 14, and the third section 16 may be integrally formed together as a one-piece member. The third section 16 is designed to break or fracture in order to allow the second section 14 to be removed from the first section 12 at a predetermined force. Thus, the second section 14 forms a break-off section which is severable from the first section 12 when the third section 16 breaks.

[0014] In this embodiment the first and second sections 12, 14 have generally hexagon shaped outer sides (best shown in Fig. 3) . However, any suitable outer sides could be provided. The first section 12 has a threaded inner diameter (shown in Fig. 4) . In an alternate embodiment, the first section can be a bolt having external threads. The second section 14 has a general non-threaded inner hole (shown in Fig. 4) . The second section 14 has an annular groove 18 on its hexagon shaped outer side. The annular groove 18 may be formed within a middle portion of hexagon shaped outer side. However, it should be noted that the annular groove 18 may be formed within any suitable portion of the second section 14.

[0015] The retainer member 22 includes an O-ring member, such as made of resilient polymer or rubber material . However, in alternate embodiments the retainer member could comprise any suitable shape and/or comprise multiple members. The groove 18 in the break off section 14 of the break-away nut has the thin rubber O-ring 22 in the middle of the HEX portion. The O-ring 22 protrudes above the flat sections of the HEX so that it interferes with a wrench 24 (shown in Fig. 5) which is used to connect the fastener 10 to its mating fastener (not shown) . Therefore, when the second section 14 separates from the first section 12, the second section can be held firmly in the wrench 24. Thus, as the wrench 24 is removed, the severed second section 14 is removed with the wrench 24.

[0016] Fig. 5 illustrates the second section 14 retained within the wrench 24. The O-ring 22 interferes with fastener mating areas of the wrench 24. This allows for the wrench 24 to retain the break off section 14 after the break off section 14 is severed or sheared at the third section 16. It should be understood that although Fig. 5 illustrates the severed second section 14 within a wrench, any suitable tool for fastening the nut may be provided .

[0017] Referring now also to Fig. 6, the fastener or fastener assembly 1OA in this embodiment comprises a bolt 26 adapted to be screwed onto a

threaded member (not shown) , such as a nut member, and a retainer member 22A. The bolt 26 could be used with any suitable type of mating fastener and/or any suitable type of environment other than an electrical connector environment . The fastener 1OA, in this embodiment, is a break-away bolt comprising an externally threaded first section 12A, a second section 14A and a third section 16A connecting the second section 14A to the first section 12A. The first section 12A, the second section 14A, and the third section 16A may be integrally formed together as a one-piece member. The third section 16A is designed to break or fracture in order to allow the second section 14A to be removed from the first section 12A at a predetermined force. Thus, the second section 14A forms a break-off section which is severable from the first section 12A when the third section 16A breaks .

[0018] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. One benefit of the present invention is that a socket, open ended wrench, or box wrench can be used with the fasteners disclosed herein without modification.