Abstract:
A fastener in combination with a substrate wherein the fastener is affixed to the substrate in a manner that does not damage the substrate. The fastener comprises a barrel having an interior, an exterior, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the barrel includes a flange. The exterior of the barrel proximate the flange includes a gripping portion with a spline having at least 12 teeth. The interior of the barrel proximate the second end portion of the barrel includes a counterbore. The interior of the barrel proximate the intermediate portion is threaded. The second end portion of the barrel is flared. The substrate includes a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough. The barrel of the fastener partially resides in the bore of the substrate and the 12-toothed spline on the exterior of the barrel of the fastener engages the bore of the substrate and surrounding material with minimal deformation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of fasteners which are mounted in a substrate such as plastic or wood. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,769 illustrates a stud having a 12 point drive head and a flange made from a less malleable metal such as a powder metal nickel alloy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,260, FIGS. 11-14, illustrate fasteners which utilize threaded studs with flanges and a knurled or serrated base portion adjacent the flange which is force-fitted or swaged into a hole in a mounting for heat dissipation purposes. See, column 5, lines 46 to col. 6, line 57. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view  100  of the prior art 4-tooth automation nut (fastener) inserted into and through the surface  101 A of the plastic substrate  120 . The device is referred to as an automation nut.  FIG. 1  illustrates the barrel  102  of the prior art fastener protruding through the substrate  120 . A counterbore  111  within the barrel  102  is shown proximate the second end  103  of the fastener. Shards  104  are caused by teeth of the fastener jammed forcefully into the substrate and project upwardly in proximity to the barrel  102 . Protrusions  105  project upwardly from the surface  101 A of the substrate  120  and are often discolored. The substrate may be plastic, wood, hard or soft plywood or pressboard. Nominally, the substrate thickness is 0.1875 to 1 inch. However, any size substrate may be used. 
       FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view  100 A taken along the line  1 A- 1 A of  FIG. 1  illustrating the prior art automation nut inserted into a plastic substrate  120 . Internal threads  112  and flange  114  are illustrated in this view. Shards  104  extend upwardly as viewed in  FIG. 1A  above teeth  115 ,  117 . Still referring to  FIG. 1A , the upper surface  109  of the outer gripping portion  106  deforms the plastic above surface  109  as indicated by reference numeral  142 . Reference numeral  141  represents distortion in proximity to the teeth  115 ,  117 . Distortion of the plastic substrate along the fastener is illustrated by reference numerals  141  and  142 . Protrusions  105  occur as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  along with attendant discolorations in the plastic substrate  120 . The lower surface  101 B of substrate  120  is illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
     The fastener of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  is secured to a substrate and then another device such as a bolt having external threads mates with the internal threads  112  for locking securement. Several methods of locking the externally threaded stud may be used. For example, nylon locking rings, metal locking rings, and deformation of the threads may be employed to insure that the fastener connection does not become loose. 
       FIG. 1B  is a side view  100 B of the prior art automation nut illustrating the flange  114  and teeth  115 ,  116  and  118  of the gripping portion  106 . The height of the gripping portion  106  is also illustrated in  FIG. 1B  and is nominally 0.17 inches above the flange  114 . The flange  114  is nominally 0.08 inches thick and the overall length or height of the automation nut is 0.625 inches.  FIG. 1C  is an end view  100 C of the prior art automation nut and the teeth  115 - 118  are readily viewed. Further,  FIG. 1C  indicates a relatively large surface  109  of the gripping portion  106  and it is that surface which engages the substrate as the automation nut is forcefully shoved into the substrate. Referring to  FIG. 1C , the distance between the outermost portions of teeth  115  and  117  is nominally 0.52 inches. 
       FIG. 1D  is a perspective view  100 D of the prior art automation nut illustrating the sharp squared teeth  115 ,  118 , and  117  of the nut. Again, the surface area  109  of the gripping portion  106  is viewed well in  FIG. 1D . 
       FIG. 1E  is a perspective view  100 E of the prior art automation nut shown positioned for insertion into the bore  130  of the plastic substrate  120 . The bore is nominally 0.375 inches in diameter and the outside diameter of the barrel  111  is nominally 0.371 inches so that it may slidingly fit within the bore  130 . Bore  131  in wood is the same diameter as bore  130 . Essentially, the automation nut and its generally square-shaped gripping portion  106  are force-fitted along the arrow labeled F into a round hole or cylinder  130 . Since the square-shaped gripping portion  106  of the automation nut is substantially differently shaped than its cylindrically-shaped bore  130  and since the distance from the apex of tooth  115  to the apex of tooth  117  is 0.52 inches, deformation of the plastic substrate  120  occurs.  FIG. 1E  represents the state before the automation nut is force fit into the bore and  FIGS. 1 and 1A  represent the result of force fitting the automation nut into the bore  130 . 
       FIG. 1F  is an enlarged view  100 F of the prior art automation nut similar to  FIG. 1  with the barrel flared to form a lip  111 A thus securing the automation nut to the plastic substrate  120 . It will be noticed that the flared barrel is somewhat distorted and non-symmetrical due to folding the lip  111 A over the shards  104  and the protrusions  105 . When the barrel  102  is flared the protrusions and shards prevent the barrel from folding smoothly and uniformly with respect to the bore  130  through the substrate  120 . 
       FIG. 1G  is a cross-sectional view  100 G taken along the lines  1 G- 1 G of  FIG. 1F . A gap  150  between the surface  101 A and the lip  111 A is illustrated in  FIG. 1G . Deformation of the plastic substrate  120  is caused by forcing the surface  109  and the teeth  115 ,  117  of the gripping portion  106  of the automation nut into the bore  130  of the substrate. Bore  130  has a diameter (0.375 inches) slightly larger than the outside diameter of the barrel  102  (0.371 inches) but substantially smaller than the distance between the teeth  115  and  117  (0.52 inches). Thus, as the automation nut is forced into the bore  130  the surface  109  above teeth  115 ,  117  engage and deform the plastic substrate  120  as indicated by reference numerals  141 ,  142 . See  FIG. 1H , a cross-sectional view  100 H of the bore  130  through the plastic substrate prior to insertion of the prior art automation nut therein. 
       FIG. 1I  is a cross-sectional view  1001  similar to  FIG. 1G  illustrating a barrel flared over deformed portions  141 A,  142 A of a wooden substrate  121 . The deformed portions include splinters and broken wood fibers. Substrate  121  may be pressboard or particle board or it may be virgin wood.  FIG. 1J  is a cross-sectional view  110 J of the bore through the wooden substrate  121  prior to insertion of the prior art automation nut therein. 
       FIG. 1K  is a perspective view  100 K of another prior art automation nut wherein the gripping portion  160  does not project very far from surface  113  of the flange  114  nor does barrel  162  extend upwardly very far as compared to the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1B-D . One of the problems with the prior art is that the gripping portion having 4 teeth is difficult to manufacture using the cold headed process. The gripping portion  160  with 4 teeth, due to cold heading manufacturing problems, results in beveled teeth  161 ,  165 , and  166 . This is especially true when an automation nut as shown by way of example in  FIG. 1K  is manufactured for insertion into a relatively thin substrate. It is believed that the beveled edges of the teeth reduce the gripping ability resulting in a lower torque spin out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A fastener in combination with a substrate is disclosed and claimed. The fastener is commonly referred to as an automation nut and it may be used in various applications including the manufacture of a boat and in the manufacture of furniture. The fastener comprises a barrel and the barrel includes an interior, an exterior, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the barrel includes a flange. The exterior of the barrel proximate (near) the flange includes a gripping portion with a spline having 6-12 teeth. Sometimes herein the feature of the gripping portion having 12 teeth is described as a 12-pointed exterior or a 12-pointed automation nut. The interior of the barrel proximate the second end portion of the barrel includes a counterbore terminating in a shoulder. The interior of the barrel proximate the intermediate portion is threaded and the second end portion of the barrel is flared. The substrate comprises a first surface, a second surface and an intermediate portion. A cylindrically shaped bore extends through the surfaces and the intermediate portion of the substrate. The barrel of the fastener partially resides in the bore of the substrate. The 12-toothed spline on the exterior of the gripping portion of the fastener engages the bore of the substrate and material outside of the bore of the substrate. The bore of the substrate is minimally deformed proximate the 12-toothed spline. The flange of the fastener engages the first surface of the substrate. The flared portion of the barrel engages the second surface of the substrate. 
     The cold-headed fastener disclosed herein includes a barrel shape which provides high resistance to spin-out torque. In particular, the example wherein the barrel includes 12 convex teeth has been found to provide high resistance to spin-out torque. 
     The cold-headed fastener disclosed herein includes a counterbored barrel for riveting the barrel and creates retention against pull-out force, and also has the option of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be a mechanical crimp, spring steel locking ring, nylon lock ring, or other style lock. The fastener may be used in wood, particle board, plywood, various plastics and in other materials. 
     The fastener includes a round base flange which may assume various diameters and a cylindrical barrel which may assume various lengths. Proximate the flange is a gripping portion formed as a spline which has a plurality of teeth. The number of teeth of the spline may be anywhere from 6 to 12 or even higher than 12. It is specifically contemplated that other examples may include more than 12 teeth. Additionally, it is specifically contemplated that the geometry of the teeth may vary as well. Specifically, the teeth may be arranged as straight splines or involute splines. For example, the splines may have various major diameters, minor diameters, pitch diameters and the like. The instant invention can be made with various thread sizes, barrel lengths, flange diameters, and spline configurations. 
     The fastener includes tapped threads on the internal surface of the bore through the fastener for mating engagement with a threaded member. Threads may be any size and fit and may be imperial or metric internal threads. 
     The fastener may be manufactured in steel, stainless steel, other ferrous materials and non-ferrous materials. The body of the fastener is formed in a cold-heading process and then the body is internally tapped. An optional locking mechanism, either a nylon or spring steel ring, is then inserted into a counterbore on the flange end and material is crimped to contain the ring. A mechanical crimp may be applied to distort the internal threads and create a locking feature. 
     The prior art 4 point (4-tooth nut) style fastener creates high stress points in dense materials where the fastener of the present invention creates lower stress points because the displacement of material is less and because the displacement of material does not extend as far radially outwardly from the barrel. 
     Because the prior art 4-tooth fastener displaces considerable material, problems become evident in thinner substrates and will often create an undesirable and unattractive square-shaped protrusion in the material. The fastener of the instant invention does not create a shape transfer of any kind and allows for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automation nut which has a high resistance to spin out torque and which does not cause deformation in the surface characteristics of a substrate into which it is inserted. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener for use with a substrate which enables smooth and complete riveting of the fastener to the substrate. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener for use with a substrate which includes a gripping portion having 12 teeth for gripping the bore and surrounding material to provide improved spin out torque resistance and which does not unduly deform the substrate into which it is inserted. 
     A better understanding of the invention will be had when reference is made to the Brief Description Of The Drawing, Description Of the Invention and Claims which follow hereinbelow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the prior art 4-tooth automation nut inserted into a substrate. 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  1 A- 1 A of  FIG. 1  illustrating the prior art automation nut inserted into a plastic substrate. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the prior art automation nut. 
         FIG. 1C  is an end view of the prior art automation nut. 
         FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of the prior art automation nut illustrating the sharp squared teeth of the nut. 
         FIG. 1E  is a perspective view of the prior art automation nut shown positioned for insertion into a substrate. 
         FIG. 1F  is an enlarged view of the prior art automation nut similar to  FIG. 1  with the barrel flared and secured to the plastic substrate. 
         FIG. 1G  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  1 G- 1 G of  FIG. 1F . 
         FIG. 1H  is a cross-sectional view of the bore through the plastic substrate prior to insertion of the prior art automation nut therein. 
         FIG. 1I  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 1G  illustrating a barrel flared over deformed portions of a wooden substrate. 
         FIG. 1J  is a cross-sectional view of the bore through the wooden substrate prior to insertion of the prior art automation nut therein. 
         FIG. 1K  is a perspective view of the prior art automation nut. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a splined automation nut having a gripping portion with 12 teeth which is an example of the instant invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 2  illustrating minimal distortion of a plastic substrate into which the splined automation nut has been forced. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front side view of the splined automation nut illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is an end view of the splined automation nut illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B. 
         FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of the splined automation nut in  FIG. 2-2C . 
         FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the splined automation nut in  FIG. 2-2D . 
         FIG. 2F  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  2 F- 2 F of  FIG. 2E  illustrating the splined automation nut with its barrel flared over the plastic substrate. 
         FIG. 2G  is a cross-sectional view of the splined automation nut of  FIGS. 2-2D  with its barrel flared over the wooden substrate. 
         FIG. 2H  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 2G  with a threaded stud interengaging the splined automation nut. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view of the bore through the plastic substrate prior to insertion of the splined automation nut therein. 
         FIG. 4  is a front side view illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 6 teeth. 
         FIG. 4A  is an end view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front side view illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 7 teeth. 
         FIG. 5A  is an end view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front side illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 8 teeth. 
         FIG. 6A  is an end view of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front side illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 9 teeth. 
         FIG. 7A  is an end view of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front side illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 10 teeth. 
         FIG. 8A  is an end view of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front side illustration of another example of a splined automation nut with a gripping portion having 11 teeth. 
         FIG. 9A  is an end view of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     The drawings will be better understood when reference is made to the Description of the Invention and the Claims which follow hereinbelow. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 1K  have been described above in the Background of the Invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view  200  of an example of the invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates a splined automation nut having an outer gripping portion  206  with 12 teeth.  FIG. 2  illustrates the splined automation nut, and particular the barrel of the splined automation nut  202 , as protruding through the plastic substrate  120  and its surface  101 A. Counterbore  211  and end  203  of the barrel  202  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . No splintering, shards or protrusions exist when the splined automation nut with 12 teeth on its gripping section is used. The counter bore is typically 0.25 inches long. 
     The substrate may be plastic, wood, hard or soft plywood or pressboard. Nominally, the substrate thickness is in the range of 0.1875 to 1.00 inch. However, any size substrate may be used. 
       FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view  200 A taken along the lines  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 2  illustrating minimal distortion  242  of the plastic substrate  120  into which the splined automation nut has been forced. The distance between teeth  215  and  217  as represented by reference numeral  299  of the gripping portion  206  is nominally 0.42 inches and is larger than the diameter of the bore  130  (which is nominally 0.375 inches in diameter) into which it is inserted. See,  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view  300  of the bore  130  through the plastic substrate  120  prior to insertion of the splined automation nut therein. No distortion is indicated near the upper surface  101 A and minimal distortion  242  is indicated above teeth  215  and  217 . Flange  214  abuts the lower surface  101 B. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2B and 2C  in particular, the overall height of the fastener is 0.625 inches, the barrel has a diameter which is nominally 0.371 inches and the height of the gripping portion  206  is nominally 0.17 inches. The flange height is 0.08 inches. 
       FIG. 2B  is a front side view  200 B of the example of the splined automation nut illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2A .  FIG. 2C  is an end view  200 C of the splined automation nut.  FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate 12 teeth, namely,  215 - 215 B,  216 - 216 B,  217 - 217 B, and  218 - 218 B. Recesses between the teeth, namely,  225 - 225 B,  226 - 226 B,  227 - 227 B,  228 - 228 B are also illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C .  FIG. 2D  is a perspective view  200 D of the splined automation nut. It will be noticed from these illustrations that the teeth may assume a shallow pitch. However, it is specifically contemplated that different pitches may be used and that different configurations of the splined teeth may be used. For instance, straight or involute splines may be used. The instant invention can be made with various thread sizes, barrel lengths, flange diameters, and spline configurations. In short, it is specifically contemplated that various other geometrical shapes of the teeth may be used. 
     There are several advantages of the automation nut employing a gripping portion having 12 teeth. First, when the gripping portion with the configuration disclosed herein is forcefully inserted in a substrate, deformation of the plastic and wood does not occur such that the automation nut may be securely riveted to the substrate by deforming the barrel. Second, preliminary testing indicates that the 12-tooth automation nut has improved spin-out properties as compared to the prior art nut having 4 teeth. In other words, the 12 teeth work to secure the fastener to the substrate securely such that a mating stud when locked to the nut will not rotate the fastener within the substrate. 
     Each tooth of the gripping portion of the prior art automation nut illustrated in  FIG. 1-1K  extends approximately 0.076 inches radially outwardly from the outside surface of the barrel  111 . Each tooth of the gripping portion of the example of the automation nut set forth in  FIGS. 2-2D  extends radially outwardly 0.025 inches. Use of the nut having a gripping portion with 12 teeth has been found to prevent deformation of the substrates and to improve the spin-out properties of the fastener. 
       FIG. 2E  is a perspective view  200 E of the splined automation nut illustrating that the riveted barrel  211  lays flat against the surface  101 A of the substrate  120 . Flange  214  of the splined automation nut engages surface  101 B when the device is forcefully shoved into the bore  130 . 
       FIG. 2F  is a cross-sectional view  200 F taken along the lines  2 F- 2 F of  FIG. 2E  illustrating the splined automation nut with its barrel smoothly flared/riveted over the plastic substrate  120  without any shards or protrusions interfering with the riveting of the barrel. Flange  214  of the splined automation nut engages surface  101 B when the device is forcefully shoved into the bore  130 . Reference numeral  242  indicates a small deformation above the respective teeth  215 ,  217  and it can be seen that the distance between teeth  215  and  217  is relatively close to the diameter of the bore  130 . The deformation caused by teeth  215 ,  216 ,  217  and  218  is relatively insignificant and does not cause any discoloration and does not cause any interference with flaring/riveting the barrel  211  such that a smooth and uniform lip  211 A is formed over the substrate  211 . In other words, the splined automation nut having a gripping portion with 12 teeth does not cause the deformation with the surface  101 A of the substrate. Reference numeral  250  indicates that the lip  211 A rests over the surface  101 A without a gap therebetween. 
       FIG. 2G  is a cross-sectional view  200 G of the splined automation nut with the barrel smoothly flared over the wooden substrate. Flange  214  of the spline automation nut engages surface  101 D when the device is forcefully shoved into the bore  131 . Deformation  243  of the wood above the teeth  215 ,  216 ,  217  and  218  can be seen in  FIG. 2G  and the deformation does not interfere with the smooth riveting of the lip  211 A over the wood surface  101 C. Reference numeral  250  indicates that lip  211 A fits smoothly over the surface  101 C of the wood and that no gap between the lip  211 A and the surface  101 C exists. 
       FIG. 2H  is a cross-sectional view  200 H similar to  FIG. 2G  with a threaded stud  260  interengaging the splined automation nut. Additionally, a nylon locking ring  261  resides within the nut for securing the stud in place. The splined automation nut using a 12-tooth gripping portion has improved spin-out properties. In other words a higher torque is required to rotate the 12-tooth automation nut with a stud locked thereto as compared to the 4-tooth automation nut. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded assembly view  300  of the bore  130  through the plastic substrate  120  prior to insertion of the splined automation nut therein. 
       FIG. 4  is a front side view  400  illustration of a splined automation nut having 6 teeth arranged symmetrically about its gripping portion  406 .  FIG. 4A  is an end view  400 A of  FIG. 4 . The point to point distance of the 6-tooth arrangement measured between diametrically situated teeth is the same as the point to point distance of the 12-tooth arrangement, namely 0.42 inches. This distance is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 5  is a front side view  500  illustration of a splined automation nut having 7 teeth.  FIG. 5A  is an end view  500 A of  FIG. 5 . The bore in the substrate is slightly larger in diameter than the barrel. The bore being smaller in diameter than the largest diametrical measurement of the gripping portion. The largest diametrical measurement is measured from the apex of one tooth to the apex of a tooth diametrically situated or if no tooth is diametrically situated as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , then to the next adjacent tooth nearest a point diametrically related to the reference tooth. For instance, the largest measurement in  FIG. 5A  is obtained between points, i.e., reference tooth  518  and teeth  515  or  521  being nearest to the point diametrically opposite reference tooth  518 . By diametrically opposite it is meant through the center of the barrel. This distance, 0.42 inches, is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front side illustration  600  of a splined automation nut having 8 teeth.  FIG. 6A  is an end view  600 A of  FIG. 6 . The point to point distance of the 8-tooth arrangement is measured from the apex of one tooth to the apex of a tooth diametrically situated. For instance from tooth  619  to tooth  615 . This distance, 0.42 inches, is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front side illustration  700  of a splined automation nut having 9 teeth.  FIG. 7A  is an end view  700 A of  FIG. 7 . The largest diametrical measurement is measured from the apex of one tooth to the apex of a tooth diametrically situated or if no tooth is diametrically situated as illustrated in  FIG. 7  then of the adjacent tooth. For instance, the largest measurement in  FIG. 7A  is obtained between points  719  (reference tooth) and  715  or  723  being nearest to the point diametrically opposite tooth  719 . By diametrically opposite it is meant through the center of the barrel. This distance, 0.42 inches, is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 8  is a front side illustration  800  of a splined automation nut having 10 teeth.  FIG. 8A  is an end view  800  of  FIG. 8 . The point to point distance of the 10-tooth arrangement is measured from the apex of one tooth to the apex of a tooth diametrically situated. For instance, the distance between the apex of tooth  819  and tooth  824 . This distance, 0.42 inches, is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front side illustration  900  of a splined automation nut having 11 teeth.  FIG. 9A  is an end view  900 A of  FIG. 9 . The largest diametrical measurement is measured from the apex of one tooth to the apex of a tooth diametrically situated or if no tooth is diametrically situated as illustrated in  FIG. 9  then to the adjacent tooth of a point diametrically opposite the reference tooth. For instance, the largest measurement in  FIG. 9A  is obtained between points  920  (reference tooth) and teeth  915  or  925 . By diametrically opposite it is meant through the center of the barrel. This distance, 0.42 inches, is greater than the diameter of the bore of the substrate  120 ,  121 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           100 - 100 K—view of prior art 
           101 A,  101 B—surface of substrate 
           102 —barrel of prior art fastener 
           103 —end of prior art fastener 
           104 —shard of plastic 
           105 —discoloration and deformation 
           106 —outer gripping portion having teeth 
           108 —shoulder 
           109 —upper surface of gripping portion 
           111 —counterbore 
           111 A—flared/riveted counterbore forming a lip 
           112 —internal threads in bore 
           113 —surface of flange 
           114 —flange 
           115 - 118 —tooth (point) on 4-sided nut 
           120 —plastic substrate 
           121 —wooden substrate 
           130 ,  131 —bore 
           141 ,  142 —deformed plastic 
           141 A,  142 A—deformed wood 
           150 —gap 
           160 —gripping portion 
           163 —surface of gripping portion 
           161 ,  165 ,  166 —beveled tooth 
           200 - 200 H—view of one example 
           202 —barrel 
           203 —end of barrel 
           206 ,  406 ,  506 ,  606 ,  706 ,  806 ,  906 —outer gripping portion having teeth 
           208 —shoulder 
           211 —counterbore 
           211 A—flared/riveted counterbore forming a lip 
           212 —internal threads 
           213 —mating surface of the flange 
           215 A-C,  216 A-C,  217 A-C,  218 A-C—teeth 
           225 A-C,  226 A-C,  227 A-C,  228 A-C—recess 
           242 ,  243 —minor deformation 
           250 —flared end in contact with substrate 
           260 —threaded stud 
           261 —locking ring 
           299 —dimension between outer point of teeth  215  and  217   
           300 —assembly view with substrate 
           400 ,  400 A,  500 ,  500 A,  600 ,  600 A,  700 ,  700 A,  800 ,  800 A,  900 ,  900 A—views of other examples of the automation nut 
           415 - 420 ,  515 - 521 ,  615 - 622 ,  715 - 723 ,  815 - 824 ,  815 - 824 ,  915 - 924 —teeth 
       
    
     Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the invention has been set forth by way of example only and that changes may be made to the examples given without departing from the spirit and the scope of the appended claims.