Patent ID: 7237314
Filing Date: 2007-07-03
Classification: B23P,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of securing a nut plate to a wall defined by an aperture through a workpiece, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing said nut plate which includes a nut, a holding bracket having a generally tubular portion and a bracket portion extending from a first end thereof, said tubular portion having an outer wall and an inner wall which is defined by an aperture provided through said tubular portion, said inner wall defining a shoulder proximate to said first end of said tubular portion, said inner wall being tapered from said shoulder to a second end of said tubular portion, said outer wall having a plurality of high and low lobes extending outwardly therefrom, said high lobes extending further outwardly from said outer wall than said low lobes, and a stem having first and second ends, said first end of said stem defining an enlarged head portion; b) inserting said second end of said stem into said aperture of said tubular portion such that said enlarged head portion of said stem is positioned on said shoulder of said inner wall of said tubular portion; c) placing said nut into said bracket portion; d) securing said nut within said bracket portion such that said nut is prevented from moving out of said bracket portion but such that said nut is free to move within said bracket portion; e) inserting said tubular portion into the aperture of the workpiece such that an undersurface of said bracket portion is positioned on a top surface of the workpiece; and f) applying a force to said second end of said stem to move said enlarged head portion of said stem through said aperture of said tubular portion such that said tapered inner wall of said aperture is expanded to force said lobes to be embedded in the wall of the workpiece to secure said tubular portion to the workpiece, said high lobes being embedded further into the wall of the workpiece than said low lobes.