Patent ID: 7326014
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: F16B

Abstract:
1. A threaded fastener comprising: a shank having a head at one end thereof and a distal tip at an opposite end thereof; a thread on said shank having a thread crest and a thread root, said thread disposed in a generally helical pattern along said shank, said thread further having a pressure flank and a trailing flank from said thread crest to said thread root; and at least a portion of said thread following a curved-line path, said curved-line path deviating from a straight-line helical path while following said generally helical pattern, with said thread crest and said thread root following a similarly curved path within said portion, said curved-line path deviating from said straight-line helical path only below said straight-line helical path, said thread following said straight-line helical path having a pitch, and said thread further having an oscillating pitch between said portion of said thread following said curved-line path and an adjacent portion of said thread following said straight-line helical path, such that said oscillating pitch is equal to or less than said pitch with respect to said thread following said straight-line helical path on a side of said straight-line helical path that is closer to said tip than said head, said thread being further configured such that from said thread crest to said thread root, said pressure flank and said trailing flank are substantially linear and maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional shape over at least said portion of said thread following said curved-line path.