Patent ID: 8511960
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: B33Y,F16B

Abstract:
1. A micro-scale or millimeter scale male threaded element, comprising: (a) an axial dimension and a radial dimension that extends perpendicular to the axial dimension; (b) at least one outward facing thread comprising radial extensions and radial depressions that define a spiral turn of at least 90° around and along the axial dimension; wherein the thread of the threaded element has a stair stepped configuration with the stair steps defining a plurality of parallel planes spaced from adjacent planes by a layer thickness, wherein there exists a maximum and minimum radial extension for the thread for each axial position; and wherein the radial extensions of the thread meet at least one of the criteria, for each axial position, selected from the group consisting of: (1) the maximum radial extension has an axial width greater than the layer thickness from which the maximum radial feature is formed, (2) the minimum radial extension has an axial width greater than the layer thicknesses from which the minimum radial features are formed, (3) the maximum radial extension has an axial width at least as great as a minimum feature size associated with the formation of the stair stepped configuration, and (4) the minimum radial extension has an axial width at least as great as a minimum feature size associated with the formation of the stair stepped configuration.