Fastening assemblies and components thereof

Abstract

A fastening assembly is provided. The fastening assembly includes provision for a stud to be positioned in a plurality of predetermined extended positions, minimizing the amount of clearance required for removing a cover from a substructure.

Description

RELATED CASES[0001] Priority is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 288,253, filed on May 2, 2001; to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 338,930, filed on Dec. 6, 2001; and to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 352,059, filed on Jan. 24, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] This disclosure relates generally to a fastening assembly and components of the fastening assembly and, more particularly, to a structural fastener assembly and components of such a fastening assembly, which may be for attaching a cover or panel to a substructure, particularly in high stress environments. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] A variety of fastener assemblies are known for attaching a panel to a substructure, for example, such as attaching a panel to an aircraft structure. Su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution ensures secure attachment and easy removal of panels with reduced stud loss and breakage, maintaining stud position and enhancing durability in high-stress environments by allowing multiple stud positions and even force distribution.

Problems solved by technology

This is problematic when the clearance required to remove a panel is minimal.

In such situations, the studs must be removed from the fastening assembly, which is problematic because it is easy to lose, drop and confuse the studs, and thereafter it is difficult to tell which fasteners the studs belong to when reattaching the panel to the substructure.

Many existing captive fastening assemblies are also quite delicate and are unable to withstand the force associated with the use of pneumatic drills, which increases the amount of time required to remove and re-install panels.

Some fastening assemblies have reduced life due to breakage of retaining rings, as well as other components of the assemblies.

When the retaining ring breaks, depending on the design of the fastener, it often may result in the screw or stud falling out of the assembly, defeating the purpose of using a “captive” fastener assembly.

Another common type of failure is due to “foreign object debris” (FOD), which is common in fastening assemblies that include a hole in the stud or screw which becomes filled with debris over time.

This results in a secure fit of the stud within the grommet assembly and decreases the chance that the stud may be inadvertently released from its captive position.

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