FASTENING SYSTEM AND FASTENER FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE

Abstract: A fastener (10) including a tubular sleeve (22) and an elongated pin (20) with the sleeve (22) having an elongated sleeve shank (26) with a through bore (34, 36) and the pin (20) having an enlarged pin head (40) and a shank (43), the shank (43) having a lock ridge (42) and a lock groove (46) located adjacent thereto; a splined portion (48) on the pin shank (43) having ridges (50) and grooves (52) and adapted to engage a preselected portion of the sleeve shank bore (34) to move the sleeve material into the spline grooves (52), the lock ridge (42) being adapted to engage the material of the preselected sleeve shank portion after it has moved through the splined portion (48) for moving that engaged material radially inwardly into the lock groove (46). The fastener (110) may also include a sealing sleeve (161).

Description: FASTENING SYSTEM AND FASTNER FOR SHIPPING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to a fastening system including pull type fasteners, ' comprising a pin and a sleeve, for manufacturing shipping containers and the like. Shipping containers are frequently of a con¬ struction including a hard metal exterior layer and one or more interior layers of softer materials such as plywood, fiberboard, etc. In fastening the layers together pull type fasteners can be used of a type generally shown in the U.S. Patent No. 3,515,419 is¬ sued to C.W..Baug on June 2, 1970. The pull type fastener includes a pin and a sleeve and is set by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve with the excess shank of the pin being severed upon completion of the installa¬ tion. With that type of fastener, it is desirable that the component engaging the interior surface ha ' ve a relatively large head to provide good load distri¬ bution to inhibit crushing. It is also desirable that the set fastener have a relatively low profile and hence smooth stirface on the interior side in order to maximize the interior load carrying volume and to avoid snagging of the container contents on fastener protrusions. It is also desirable that the fastener provide a watertight seal and inhibit tampering, i.e. fastener removal. In some cases, it may also be de¬ sirable that the fastener have a large bearing, low profile head to engage the outer container surface. One of the problems with fastening systems ρro„- viding one or .more of the above features is that a time consuming installation procedure is required. For ex¬ ample, with a fastener of the type shown in the Baugh patent, supra, numerous installation steps are neces¬ sary. In the fabrication of shipping containers, the body of the container is plywood, etc. with struc¬ tural connections between walls being made by metal brackets, straps, etc. Often the metal brackets, straps, etc. have preformed mounting holes. Thus traditionally, the fastener opening through the con¬ tainer wall or body is drilled by the operator from the outside or metal surface side. Next the operator moves into the container to insert a large headed sleeve (such as shown in Baugh) . Now the operator returns to the exterior side of the container and in¬ serts the shank of the cooperating pin into the sleeve with the pin head on the exterior side. Finally the operator -returns to the interior side, applies an in¬ stallation tool to the protruding pin shank, and actuates the tool to set the fastener. It should be noted that in the above sequence there is a possibility that the sleeve or pin can fall out before the operator has had an opportunity to complete the next step. Of course, the number of steps required of a single operator would be somewhat simplified if two operators were used, i.e. one on the inside and one on the outside of the container. In either case the procedure is costly. In the present invention, a fastener con¬ struction is shown in which the operator need move from outside to inside (or the reverse) only once to install the fastener. At the same time the fastener of the pres¬ ent invention provides a unique mechanical lock to secure the pin and sleeve together. In some constructions such as in the Baugh patent supra, a friction lock is used to hold the pin and sleeve together. Thus with that fastener the magnitude of the installation load and hence ultimate clamp up of the workpieces was re- duced to avoid excessive pin bounce and possible sep¬ aration of pin and sleeve at pin break. With the mech¬ anical lock of the present invention the installation loads and hence final clamp up can be increased since pin bounce and separation of pin and sleeve upon pin break is inhibited. In one form of the invention a blind type fastener construction is utilized which fastener pro¬ vides, among other features, the noted ease of in- stallation and desirable mechanical lock while provid¬ ing a watertight joint. In another form of the invention a non- blind type fastener with a unique pin and sleeve com¬ bination is utilized which fastener also provides, among other features, ease of installation, a desir¬ able mechanical lock and a unique sealing construction for a watertight joint. Thus the present invention provides a new and improved fastening system including a unique pull type fastener for securing structural assemblies of the type noted in which the fastener can be installed by a single operator with a simplified procedure. The fastener has a unique mechanical lock between pin and sleeve. The fastening system includes unique fastener constructions for manufacturing shipping containers or the like. Other features and advantages of the pres¬ ent invention will become apparent from the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompany- ing drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view with some parts shown in section of a blind type fastener, prior to being installed, in a structural assembly to be fastened together; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of- the fastener of Figure 1 taken generally along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view with some parts shown in section of the lock section of the fastener of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of 5 the fastener after it has been installed; Figure 5 is an elevational view with some parts shown in section of a non-blind type fastener, including a sealing sleeve and a pin, prior to being installed, in a structural assembly to be fastened 10 together; Figure 6 is an enlarged, pictorial view with some portions broken away of the sealing ' sleeve of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 of 15 the fastener after it has been installed. Looking now to Figure 1, a fastener 10 is shown in assembly relationship with a plurality of workpieces 12 and 14. For a-typical shipping container or the like, the workpiece 12 can be a metal bracket, 20 strap, frame, etc. located at the exterior of the con¬ tainer and can be constructed of sheet metal such as steel or aluminum; the body or walls of the container can be constructed of members such as workpiece 14 which is fabricated of plywood, fiberboard, etc., or 25 other materials which have a relatively soft core and are susceptible to crushing under high, local loads. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the workpiece 14 is constructed of a fiberglass reinforced plywood having a plywood core and fiberglass reinforced plastic layers 30 16 and 18 with the layer 16 defining the interior of the container. In this regard the plastic layers 16 and 18 are impervious to water to provide a water¬ tight construction. It should be understood that the preceding material for a shipping container have been 35 discussed by way of example only and that the present invention can be utilized in other applications and with other materials. The fastener 10 operates in the manner of a blind type fastener and includes a pin 20 and a sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 has an enlarged head 24 and a generally straight shank 26 which is adapted to fit in a clearance relationship in aligned openings 28 and 30 through workpieces 12 and 14, respectively. The sleeve head 24 is generally inwardly dished or concave on its inner surface 32. This concave structure pro¬ vides clearance with the confronting corners at the outer surface of bore 30 of inner workpiece 14. At the same time the concave structure distributes the installation and final clamp loads radially outwardly to thereby inhibit excessive localized deformation or crushing of the inside wall 14. The sleeve shank 26 has a generally uniform outside diameter and a through bore comprising a for¬ ward bore portion 34 and a rearward enlarged diameter counterbore portion 36. A shoulder 38 is defined by the juncture of forward bore portion 34 and rearward bore portion 36. The pin 20 has an enlarged head 40 and elongated shank 43. Pin head 40 is of a flat construc¬ tion with its outer diameter being generally the same as or slightly less than the outside diameter of the sleeve shank 26. The pin shank 42 has a straight, smooth shank portion 44 adjacent the head 40 and ter- . minates at an annular lock ridge 42 of increased diameter. An annular lock groove 46 is located im¬ mediately adjacent the lock ridge 42 and is followed by a splined portion 48. The splined portion 48 has axially extending ridges 50 and grooves 52 (Figure 2) which are helically formed generally at an angle of around 10 to 30 degrees with. the axis of pin 20. The diameter of spline ridges 50 is approximately that of the lock ridge 42 while the diameter of spline grooves 52 is generally equal to or slightly greater than that of the lock groove 46. The diameter of the spline ridges 50 and of lock ridge 42 is generally equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of sleeve counterbore portion 36 to provide a slight inter¬ ference fit whereby the pin 20 and sleeve 22 can be frictionally held together in the pre-installed condition shown in Figure 1. The frictional connection can be further enhanced by having- the spline portion 48 moved partially within the sleeve shoulder 38. Following the splined portion 48 is a gen¬ erally straight portion 54. Straight portion 54 is generally of a diameter to provide clearance or a slight interference with sleeve forward bore portion 34. A reduced diameter annular breakneck groove 56 is located between straight pin shank portion 54 and a pull portion 58 comprised of a plurality of annular pull grooves 60. The fastener 10 is set by the application of a relative axial force between the pin 20 and sleeve 22 via a pull tool 62 (partially shown) which can be of a type generally known in the- art and hence the de- tails thereof have been omitted. To install the fastener 1.0, the operator first drills the workpiece bores 28 and 30 inwardly from the exterior workpiece 12. Frequently the bore 28 will have already been formed in workpiece 12 and will act as a locator and guide for the bore 30. The operator next moves to the inside of the container or opposite side of the workpieces 12, 14 and inserts the fastener 10 into the aligned bores 28, 30. Next the tool 62 is applied to the fastener 10 and actuated by the operator to set the fastener 10. In this regard the tool 62 has an anvil member 64 having an engaging surface 66 which is concave to generally conform to the convex outer surface of the sleeve head 24. A collet assembly 68 is slidably supported within the anvil member 64 and has a plurality of chuck jaws 70 adapted to grippingly engage the pull grooves 60 of pull por- tion 58. A reduced diameter bore 72 located in the anvil member 64 is only slightly larger than the out¬ side- diameter of the pull portion 58 whereby it pilots the pull portion 58 into the opening defined by the chuck jaws 70. The interference assembly force be¬ tween the pin 20 and sleeve 22 is sufficient to facil¬ itate insertion ' of the pin 20 into the chuck jaws 70 without the pin 20 being pushed out from the sleeve 22. Upon actuation of the tool 62, the collet assembly 68 is moved axially rearwardly or away from the engaging surface 64 of anvil 62 whereby a relative axial force is applied between the pin 20 and sleeve 22. The axial force moves the pin head 40 towards the confronting end of sleeve shank 26. As this occurs the splined portion 48 engages (or engages further, if already engaged as preassembled) the sleeve shoulder 38 and moves the material of the forward bore portion 34 radially into the spline grooves 52 and also radially outwardly to fill the clearance between the workpiece bore 28 and the sleeve shank 26. Any excess sleeve material can move relatively freely through the spline grooves 50. As the movement of pin 20 continues the pin head 40 engages the end of sleeve shank 26 and attempts to move into the counterbore portion 36. The engaging surface 74 of pin head 40 is relatively straight transversely and operates to shear a ring 76 (Figure 4) of material from the end of sleeve shank 26 as it moves into the counterbore portion 36. The ring 76 assists in the formation of an enlarged tulip head 78 and in providing a good, relatively large bearing area for the tulip head 78 against the ex¬ terior workpiece 12. Prior to the final formation of the tulip head 78, the lock ridge 42 engages the material of the sleeve 22 at the shoulder 38 through which the splined portion 48 has passed. The ridge 42 now moves that sleeve material radially inwardly into the lock groove 5 46 to form a lock ring 79 (Figure 3) ; the latter sleeve material will be extruded to generally fill the lock groove 46. In this way a positive mechanical lock holds the pin 20 and sleeve 22 together. Be¬ cause the material of the sleeve 22 is substantially 10 softer than the pin 20, excess material could be moved or extruded into the clearance between the counter¬ bore portion 36 and pin shank portion 44. The splined portion 48 provides an advantage in the formation of the lock ring 79 by reducing the cross-sec ional area 15 and mass of material that has to be moved into the lock groove 46 at any one time by the lock ridge 42, i.e. the loads to form the lock ring 79 would be con¬ siderably higher if the lock ridge 42 simply engaged the full cross sectional area of the sleeve shoulder 20 38. At the same time the splined portion 48 pro¬ vides a generally predictable radial width at the sleeve shoulder 38 for engagement by the lock ridge 42. Also the relative rotation between the pin 20 and sleeve 22 at the splined portion 48 will assist in providing 25 a more uniform circumferential fill of groove 46. Thus the splined portion 48 assists in the lock forma¬ tion by sizing the sleeve material at the shoulder 38 both as to its radial width and volume and also as to the distribution of material within the lock groove 30 42. With the formation of the tulip head 78 completed, further axial movement of the pin 20 is re¬ sisted by both the pin head 40 in its final sleeve head forming position and by the ridge 41 which has sub- 35 stantially filled the lock groove 46. As the relative axial force increases, the pin shank 42 will be severed at the breakneck groove 56 and the installation is completed as shown in Figure 4. The axial length or distance of the spline portion 48 to the ridge 42 is generally equal to the minimum travel of the pin 20 in setting workpieces 12, 14 of the maximum total thickness, i.e. maximum grip for that fastener. Since a positive, mechanical, lock holds the pin 20 and sleeve 22 together, pin bounce upon frac¬ ture at the breakneck groove 56 is resisted and the installation loads can be maximized resulting in a high " final clamp load holding the workpieces 12, 14 together. Also the likelihood of the pin 20 vibrat- ing loose, as in a friction lock, is reduced. Note that during installation the pin 20 can rotate slightly relative to the sleeve 22 in response to the movement of the helical splined portion 48 into the sleeve forward bore portion 34. The push out loads of the pin 20 are higher than if a straight spline were used. Thus by using a helical shape for splined portion 48, the mechanical lock of the lock groove 46 is assisted whereby the total resistance of the pin 20 to being pushed out or separated from the sleeve 22 is enhanced. The sleeve shoulder 38 is located such that it will be positioned in line with the bore 28 of the exterior, metal workpiece 12 for workpieces within the grip range of the fastener 10. Thus for minimum grip, shoulder 38 will be positioned near the outer end of bore 28 while for maximum grip the shoulder 38 will be positioned further inside. In this way a sub¬ stantial portion of the radial, hole filling expan¬ sion of sleeve shank 26 will occur within the bore 28 of the metal workpiece 12. The result will be a water¬ tight connection between the sleeve shank 26 and work- piece 12 preventing water from reaching the core ma¬ terial of the laminated plywood workpiece 14. The frictional and mechanical connection between the .pin 20 and sleeve 22 will provide a watertight seal between those members. As noted the material of the sleeve 22 is sufficiently malleable relative to the hardness of the pin 20 to provide the above noted results. Thus in one form of the invention the sleeve 22 could be made of AISI 1008 carbon steel having a hardness of around 50-70Rb while the pin 20 could be made of AISI 1022 or 1035 carbon steel having a hardness of around 28- 34Rc. Thus with the construction of fastener 10, installation is significantly simplified relative to other container fasteners while still providing the noted advantages including a watertight joint, mech¬ anical lock and high retained clamp loads. A different form of fastener for shipping containers and the like, which includes some similar features and some features different from that pre¬ viously described, is shown in Figures 5-7. Looking now to Figure 5, a fastener 110 is shown in assembly relationship with a plurality of workpieces 120 and 140, which can be similar to work¬ pieces 12 and 14 and hence will not be described in detail. The fastener 110 includes a pin 120 and a sleeve 122. The sleeve 122 has an enlarged head 124 and a generally straight shank 126 which is adapted to fit in a clearance relationship in at least some of the aligned bores 128 and 130 through workpieces 112 and 114, respectively. The sleeve head 124 is generally inwardly dished or concave on its inner surface 132 to provide clearance with the corner of bore 132 of inner workpiece 116. At the same time the concave structure distributes the installation and final clamp loads radiallv outwardlv to inhibit excessive localized deformation or crushing of the inside wall 140. The sleeve shank 126 has a generally uniform outside di¬ ameter and a through bore 134 of a generally uniform diameter. 5 The pin 120 has an enlarged head 140 and an elongated shank 142. Pin head 140 is of a flat, truss head construction with its outer diameter being sub¬ stantially larger than the diameter of bores 128, 130. The large head 140 has a low profile to provide a gen- 10 erally smooth surface at the exterior of the sheet metal workpiece 120. The pin shank 142 is of a di¬ ameter less than workpiece bores 128, 130 and has a straight, smooth shank portion 144 adjacent the head 140 and terminates at an annular lock ridge 142 of 15 increased diameter. An annular lock groove 146 is located immediately adjacent the lock ridge 142 and is followed by a splined portion 148. The splined por¬ tion 148 has ridges 150 and grooves 152 which are helically formed generally at an angle of around 10 to 20 30 degrees with the axis of pin 120. The diameter of spline ridges 150 is approximately that of the lock ridge 142 while the diameter of spline grooves 152 is slightly greater than that of the lock groove 146. The diameter of the spline ridges 150 and of lock 25 ridge 142 is larger than the diameter of sleeve bore 134. Following the splined portion 148 is a gen¬ erally straight shank portion 154. Straight portion 154 is generally of a diameter to provide clearance or a slight interference with sleeve bore 134 and acts to 30 pilot the sleeve 122 onto the pin 120. A reduced diameter annular breakneck groove 156 is located between straight pin shank portion 154 and a pull portion 158 comprised of a plurality of annular pull grooves 160. In order to provide a watertight fastened 35 joint, a sealing sleeve 161 is located over the smooth pin shank portion 144. The sleeve 161 is of a tubular construction with a straight through bore 163; ex¬ ternally the sleeve 161 has a reduced diameter, center section 165 with increased diameter flanges 167 at its 5 opposite ends. The sleeve 161 is made of a generally elastic material which is resiliently deformable e.g. an elastic synthetic polyamide material such as nylon. The sleeve 161 is of a length to generally extend from the inside surface of the pin head 140 to a po- 10 sition at or adjacent to the splined portion 148. The diameter of sealing sleeve, bore 163 is proximate to that of the pin shank portion 144 but because of its resilient nature can be readily expanded over the splined portion 148 for retained assembly onto the pin 15 120. The outside diameter of the end flanges 167 is slightly greater than that of workpiece bores 128, 130 so that the pin 120, with the sealing sleeve 161 assembled to it, will be inserted into the bores 128, 130 with an interference fit. The interference fit 20 assists in providing a watertight seal while at the same time provides a means for holding the pin 120 and sealing sleeve 161 in place in the bores 128, 130 so that the operator can single-handedly install the fastener 110 from the opposite side or the interior of 25 the container. The fastener 110 is set by the application of a relative axial force between the pin 120 and sleeve 122 via a pull tool 162 (partially shown) which can be of a type generally known in the art and hence the de- 30 tails thereof have been omitted. To install the fastener 110, the operator first drills the workpiece bores 128 and 130 inwardly from the exterior workpiece 112. As previously noted, frequently the outer workpiece bore 128 will have al- 35 ready been formed. The operator now inserts the pin 120, with the sealing sleeve 161 attached, into the work- piece bores 28, 30. The latter assembly is moved into place with an interference fit, as noted, so that the pin 120 and sleeve 161 are held in place for the re- 5 mainder of the installation steps. Now the operator moves to the inside of the container or opposite side of the workpieces 112, 114 and places the sleeve 122 over the protruding portion of the pin shank 143. Next the tool 162 is applied to the fastener 110 and 10 actuated by the operator to set the fastener 110. In this regard, the tool 162 with anvil member 164, engaging surface 166, collet assembly 168, chuck jaws 170 and reduced diameter anvil bore 172 functions similarly to the tool 62 previously described. 15 The interference assembly force between the pin 120 and sealing sleeve 161 and the workpiece bores 128, 130 is sufficient to accommodate the insertion of the pin 120 into the chuck jaws 170 without the pin 120 and sleeve 161 being pushed from the bores 128, 20 130; thus, as noted the fastener 110 can be installed by a single operator with a minimum of installation steps. Upon actuation of the tool 162, the collet assembly 168 is moved axially rearwardly or away from 25 the engaging surface 164 of anvil 162 whereby a rela¬ tive axial force is applied between the pin 120 and sleeve 122. The axial force moves the sleeve shank 126 further onto the pin shank 142. As this occurs the splined portion 148 engages the sleeve shank 126 30 and progressively moves the material of the sleeve bore portion 134 radially into the spline grooves 152 and also radially outwardly to fill the clearance between the workpiece bore 130 and the sleeve shank 126. Any excess material can move relatively freely through the 35 spline grooves 150. As the axial movement of the sleeve 122 continues the leading end of the sleeve shank 126 will engage the confronting one of the flanges 167 on the sealing sleeve 161. A column load will be applied to the sleeve 161 causing it to buckle at its reduced diameter center section 165. The buckling will occur 5 radially outwardly against the bore 128 while also forcing the material of the sleeve 161 radially in¬ wardly against the smooth pin shank portion 144 and axially against the underside of the pin head 140. The result is a watertight seal between the pin 120 10 and the workpiece bores 128, 130. The sealing sleeve 161 can also sealingly accommodate an out-of-round condition of bore 128, eccentricity of shank portion 144, etc. At the same time that the sealing sleeve 15 161 is being deformed, the lock ridge 142 engages the material of the sleeve 122 which has passed through the splined portion 148. The ridge 142 now moves that sleeve material radially inwardly into the lock groove 146; the latter sleeve material will be extruded to 20 generally fill the lock groove 146. In this way a positive mechanical lock holds the pin 120 and sleeve 122 together. The lock formation action in this regard is similar to that previously described with regard to the embodiment of Figures 1-4. 25 At this point the concave surface 132 of the sleeve head 124 has now engaged the interior sur¬ face of workpiece 114 and axial movement of the sleeve 122 is arrested. As the relative axial force increases, the pin shank 142 will be severed at the breakneck 30 groove 156 and the installation is completed as shown in Figure 7. The axial length or distance of the spline portion 148 to the ridge 142 is generally equal to the minimum travel of the sleeve 122 in securing workpieces 35 112, 114 of the maximum total thickness, i.e. maximum grip for that fastener. Since a positive, mechanical lock holds the pin 120 and sleeve 122 together, pin bounce upon frac¬ ture at the breakneck groove 156 is resisted and the installation loads can be maximized resulting in a high final clamp load holding the workpieces 112, 114 together. Note that during installation the pin 120 and/or sleeve 122 can rotate relatively to each other as the sleeve shank 126 moves over the helical splined portion 148. By using a helical shape for splined portion 148, the mechanical lock of the lock groove 146 is assisted whereby the total resistance of the pin 20 to being pushed out or separated from the sleeve 22 is enhanced. The sealing sleeve 161 is located such that its reduced diameter portion 165 will be position¬ ed within the bore 128 of the exterior, metal work¬ piece 112 for workpieces within the grip range of the fastener 110. In this way a substantial portion of the radial, hole filling expansion of sealing sleeve 161 will occur within the bore 128 of the metal work¬ piece 112. The result will be a watertight connection between the pin 110 and workpiece 112. The material and hardness of the sleeve 122 and pin 120 can be similar to that described with re¬ gard to the embodiment of Figures 1-4. Again, the fastener 110 can be installed single-handedly by one operator with a simplified in¬ stallation procedure while providing the noted ad- vantages including a watertight joint, mechanical lock between pin and sleeve and high clamp up of the work¬ pieces.

Claims: - ±6 - CLAIMS 1. In a fastening system for securing work- pieces having aligned openings with at least one of the workpieces having a relatively soft core and another of the workpieces being of a relatively hard material with the workpieces being such that the opposite, ends of the aligned openings are separately accessible but simultaneously inaccessible by a single operator, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head andan elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore comprising a first bore portion and a second bore portion at the end of said sleeve shank opposite from said sleeve head, said second bore portion having a diameter greater than said first bore portion to define a radially in¬ wardly extending shoulder at the juncture of said first and second bore portions, said pin having_ an en¬ larged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a generally smooth shank portion adjacent said pin head, a lock ridge located adjacent to and having a di¬ ameter greater than that of said smooth shank portion, a lock groove having a diameter less than said smooth shank portion and located immediately adjacent saidrv. - ' lock ridge, a splined portion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter generally prox¬ imate to that of said second bore portion, said spline grooves having a depth generally proximate to that of said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed at an angle of around 10 to 30 de¬ grees relative to the axis of said pin shank, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying .a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, a breakneck groove located intermediate said pull portion and said splined portion, said splined portion engaging said second bore and said shoulder of said sleeve shank in a fric¬ tional connection for friσtionally securing said pin and said sleeve together in a preinstalled con¬ dition, said frictional connection being sufficient to hold said pin and said sleeve together as the tool is applied to said pull portion, said pin head having a diameter generally, equal to the outside diameter of said pin shank and having a surface beneath said pin head adapted to engage the confronting end of said sleeve shank and to shear a ring of material from said sleeve shank as said pin head moves axially into said sleeve shank in response to said relative axial force, said pin head and said sheared ring radially expand¬ ing said sleeve shank to form an enlarged head having a diameter greater than the confronting one of the aligned openings in the workpieces, said splined portion, radially expanding said first bore of said sleeve shank as said pin is pulled axially into said sleeve with the material of said sleeve shank also moving in¬ to said spline grooves, the expanded material of said first bore radially engaging the workpiece opening of the workpiece of relatively hard material to assist in providing a watertight seal, said lock ridge en¬ gaging the material of said shoulder after said splined portion has moved therethrough for moving the engaged shoulder material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges providing a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve ma¬ terial at said shoulder to said lock ridge to facili¬ tate movement by said lock ridge of the material of said shoulder into said lock groove, said pin severing at said breakneck groove when said relative axial force attains a.preselected magnitude after said enlarged - sleeve head has been formed and after said lock groove has been substantially filled. 2. In a fastening system for securing work¬ pieces having aligned openings, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore comprising a first bore portion and a second bore portion at the end of said sleeve shank opposite from said sleeve head, said second bore, por¬ tion having a diameter greater than said first bore portion to define a radially inwardly extending shoulder at the juncture of said first and second bore portions, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a shank portion adjacent said pin head, a lock ridge located adjacent to and having a diameter greater than that of said shank portion, a lock groove having a diameter less than said smooth shank portion and located adjacen • said lock ridge, a splined por¬ tion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter generally proximate to that of said second bore portion, said spline grooves having a depth generally proximate to that of said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed relative to the axis of said pin shank, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying - a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, frictional connection means for frictionally securing said pin and said sleeve together in a preinstalled condition, said frictional connection means being sufficient to hold said pin and said sleeve together as the tool is applied to said pull portion, said pin head having a diameter generally equal to the outside diameter of said pin shank and having a surface beneath said pin head adapted to engage the confronting end of said sleeve shank, said pin head responsive to said relative axial force for radially expanding said sleeve shank to form an enlarged head having a diameter greater than the confronting one of the aligned openings in the workpieces, said splined portion rad¬ ially expanding said first bore of said sleeve shank as said pin is pulled axially into said sleeve with the material of said sleeve shank also moving into said spline grooves, the expanded material of said first bore radially engaging the workpiece openings, said lock ridge engaging the material of said shoulder after said splined portion has moved therethrough for moving the engaged shoulder material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges pro¬ viding a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve material at said shoulder to said lock ridge to facili¬ tate movement by said lock ridge of the material of said shoulder into said lock groove. 3. In a fastening system for securing work- pieces having aligned openings, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore comprising a first bore portion and a second bore portion at the end of said sleeve shank opposite from said sleeve head, said second bore por¬ tion having a diameter greater than said first bore portion to define a radially inwardly extending sleeve shoulder at the juncture of said first and second bore portions, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a lock shoulder spaced proximate to said pin head and having a diameter greater, than that of said first bore portion, a lock groove having a diameter less than said lock shoulder and lo¬ cated adjacent to said lock shoulder, a splined portion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plural¬ ity of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter greater than that of said first bore por¬ tion, said spline grooves having a diameter less than that of said lock shoulder, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying a rela¬ tive axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, said pin head having a diameter generally equal to the outside diameter of said pin shank and having a surface beneath said pin head adap¬ ted to engage the confronting end of said sleeve shank, said pin head radially expanding said sleeve shank to form an enlarged head having a diameter greater than the confronting one of the aligned open¬ ings in the workpieces in response to said relative axial force, said splined portion moving the material of said sleeve shank into said spline grooves as said pin is pulled axially into said sleeve, said lock shoulder engaging the material of said sleeve shoulder after said splined portion has moved therethrough for moving the engaged sleeve shoulder material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges providing a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve material at said sleeve shoulder to said lock shoulder to facilitate movement by said lock shoulder of the material of said sleeve shoulder into said lock groove. 4. The fastening system of claim 3 with said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed. 5. The fastening system of claim 3 with said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed at an angle of around 10 to 30 de . grees relative the axis of said pin shank. 6. The fastening system of claim 3 with said splined portion radially expanding said first bore of said sleeve shank as said pin is pulled axial¬ ly into said sleeve, the expanded material of said first bore radially engaging at least one of the workpiece openings to assist in providing a watertight seal. 7. In a fastening system for securing work¬ pieces having aligned openings with at least one of the workpieces having a relatively soft core and another of the workpieces being of a relatively hard material with the the workpieces being such that the opposite ends of the aligned openings are separately accessible but simultaneously inaccessible by a single operator, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubu¬ lar sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a generally smooth shank portion adjacent said pin head, a lock ridge located adjacent to and having a diameter greater than that of said smooth shank portion, a lock groove having a diam'eter less than said smooth shank portion and located immediately adjacent said lock ridge, a splined portion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter generally proximate to that of said second bore portion, said spline grooves having a depth gen¬ erally proximate to that of said lock groove, said ... spline grooves and ridges being helically formed at an angle of around ιo to 30 degrees relative to the axis of said pin shank, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adap¬ ted to be gripped by a tool for applying a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, a breakneck groove located intermediate said pull portion and said splined portion, said splined portion adapted to engage the end of said sleeve shank opposite said sleeve head and to radially expand said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved axially onto said pin with the material of said sleeve shank also moving into said spline grooves, said lock ridge engaging the material of said shoulder after said splined portion has moved therethrough for moving the engaged shoulder material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges providing a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve material at said shouler to said lock ridge to facilitate movement by said lock ridge of the ma¬ terial of said shoulder into said lock groove, a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said pin to radially deform said sleeve between said smooth shank portion and the workpiece opening of the work- piece of relatively hard material to assist in provid¬ ing a watertight seal, said sealing sleeve having an outside diameter when assembled to said pin shank greater than that of the workpiece openings whereby the assembly of said pin and said sealing sleeve will be inserted into the workpiece openings with a preselected interference, said preselected interference being sufficient to hold said pin and said sealing sleeve in the workpiece openings as the tool is applied to said pull portion, said pin severing at said breakneck groove when said relative axial force attains a preselected magnitude after said lock groove has been substantial¬ ly filled. 8. In a fastening system for securing work- pieces having aligned openings, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a shank portion adjacent said pin head, a lock ridge located adjacent to and having a diameter greater than that of said smooth shank portion, a lock groove having a diameter less than said smooth shank portion and located adjacent said lock ridge, a splined portion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter gen¬ erally proximate to that of said second bore portion, said spline grooves having a depth generally proximate to that of said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed relative to the axis of said pin shank, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, said splined portion adapted to engage the end of said sleeve shank opposite said sleeve head and to radially expand said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved axially onto said pin with the material of said sleeve shank also moving into said spline grooves, said lock ridge engaging the material of said shoulder after said splined portion has moved therethrough for moving the engaged shoulder material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges pro¬ viding a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve material at said shoulder to said lock ridge to facil¬ itate movement by said lock ridge of the material of said shoulder into said lock groove, a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said pin to radially deform said sleeve between said smooth shank portion and the workpiece opening of the workpiece of relatively hard material to assist in providing a water¬ tight seal, said sealing sleeve having an outside diameter when assembled to said pin shank greater than that of the workpiece openings whereby the assembly of said pin and said sealing sleeve will be inserted into the work piece openings with a preselected interference, said preselected interference being sufficient to hold said pin and said sealing sleeve in the workpiece openings as the tool is applied to said pull portion. 9. In a fastening system for securing work- pieces having aligned openings, said system comprising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a lock shoulder located proximate to said pin head and having a diameter great¬ er than that of said sleeve shank bore at the opposite end of said sleeve shank from said sleeve head, a lock groove having a diameter less than said lock shoulder and located adjacent to said lock shoulder, a splined portion located adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter greater than that of said opposite end of said sleeve shank, said spline grooves having a diameter less than that of said lock shoulder, a ,. pull portion located on the end of said pin shank op¬ posite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, said splined portion adapted to engage said opposite end of said sleeve shank to move the material of said sleeve shank into said spline grooves, said lock shoulder engaging the material of said opposite end of said sleeve shank after it has moved through said splined portion for moving the engaged material at said opposite end radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges providing preselected cross-sec¬ tion and volume of sleeve material at said opposite end to said lock shoulder to facilitate movement by said lock shoulder of the material of said opposite end of said sleeve shank into said lock groove. 10. The fastening system of claim 9 with said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed. 11. The fastening system of claim 9 with said spline grooves and ridges being helically formed at an angle of around 10 to 30 degrees relative the axis of said pin shank. 12. The fastening system of claim 9 with said fastener including a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said opposite end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said pin to radial¬ ly deform said sleeve between said shank portion and the workpiece openings to assist in providing a water¬ tight seal. 13. The fastening system of claim 12 with said pin shank having a generally smooth shank portion adjacent said pin head with said sealing sleeve being radially deformed between said smooth shank portion and the workpiece openings to assist in providing the watertight seal. 14. The fastening system of claim 9 with at least one of the workpieces having relatively soft core and another of the workpieces being of a rela¬ tively hard material, a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said pin to radially deform said sleeve between said smooth shank portion and the work¬ piece opening of the workpiece of relatively hard material to assist in providing a watertight seal. 15. The fastening system of claim 9 with said fastener including a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said opposite end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said pin to radial¬ ly deform said sleeve between said shank portion and the workpiece openings to assist in providing a water¬ tight seal, said sealing sleeve having a reduced section portion for providing the radial deformation and an enlarged section portion adapted to be engaged by said opposite end of said sleeve shank. 16. The fastening system of claim 9 with said fastener including a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being engageable by said opposite end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into said.pin to radial¬ ly deform said sleeve between said shank portion and the workpiece openings to assist in providing a water¬ tight seal, said sealing sleeve having an outside di¬ ameter when assembled to said pin shank greater than that of the workpiece openings whereby the assembly of said pin and said sealing sleeve will be inserted into the workpiece openings with a preselected interference. said preselected interference being sufficient to hold said pin and said sealing sleeve in the workpiece openings as the tool is applied to said pull portion. 17. The fastening system of claim 9 with at least one of the workpieces having a relatively, soft core and another of the workpieces being of a rela¬ tively hard material, a sealing sleeve located on said pin shank adjacent said pin head, said sealing sleeve being of a resiliently deformable material and being en¬ gageable by said end of said sleeve shank as said sleeve is moved into saidpin to radially deform said sleeve between said smooth shank portion and the workpiece opening of the workpiece of relatively hard material to assist in providing a watertight seal, said sealing sleeve having a reduced section portion for providing the radial deformation and an enlarged section por¬ tion having an outside diameter when assembled to said pin shank greater than that of the workpiece openings whereby the assembly of said pin and said sealing sleeve will be inserted into the workpiece openings with a preselected interference, said pre¬ selected interference being sufficient to hold said pin and said sealing sleeve in the workpiece openings as the tool is applied to said pull portion. 18. The fastening system of claim 17 with said sealing sleeve having a second enlarged section portion adapted to be engaged by said opposite end of said sleeve shank. 19. In a fastening system for securing workpieces having aligned openings, said system com¬ prising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve having an enlarged sleeve head and an elongated sleeve shank, said sleeve shank having a through bore, said pin having an en¬ larged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a lock shoulder located proximate to said pin head and having a diameter greater than a preselected portion of said sleeve shank bore, a lock groove having a di¬ ameter less than said lock shoulder and located ad¬ jacent to said lock shoulder, a splined portion lo¬ cated adjacent said lock groove and having a plurality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter greater than that of said preselected portion of said sleeve shank, said spline grooves having a diameter less than that of said lock shoulder, a pull portion located on the end of said pin shank opposite said pin head and adapted to be gripped by a tool for applying a relative axial force between said pin and said sleeve to set the fastener, said splined portion adapted to engage said preselected portion of said sleeve shank bore to move the material of said preselected portion into said spline grooves, said lock shoulder engaging the material of said pre¬ selected portion of said sleeve shank bore after it has moved through said splined portion for moving the engaged material radially inwardly into said lock groove. 20. In a fastening system for securing workpieces having aligned openings, said system com¬ prising: a fastener including a tubular sleeve and an elongated pin, said sleeve- having an elongated sleeve shank with a through bore, said pin having an enlarged pin head and a shank, said shank comprising a lock shoulder located proximate to said pin head and having a diameter greater than a preselected portion of said sleeve shank bore, a lock groove having a diameter less than said lock shoulder and located adjacent to said lock shoulder, a splined portion lo¬ cated adjacent said lock groove and having a plur¬ ality of ridges and grooves, said spline ridges being of a diameter greater than that of said preselected portion of said sleeve shank, said spline grooves having a diameter less than that of said lock shoulder, said splined portion adapted to engage said pre¬ selected portion of said sleeve shank bore to move the material of said preselected portion into said spline grooves, said lock shoulder engaging the material of said preselected portion of said sleeve shank bore after it has moved through said splined portion for moving the engaged material radially inwardly into said lock groove, said spline grooves and ridges pro¬ viding a preselected cross-section and volume of sleeve material at said preselected portion to said lock shoulder to facilitate movement by said lock shoulder of the material of said preselected portion of said sleeve shank bore into said lock groove.

Inventors: DIXON RICHARD D, HICKS MARVIN R, JOHNSON WALTER A, DIXON, RICHARD, D., HICKS, MARVIN, R., JOHNSON, WALTER, A.
Applicants: HUCK MFG CO, HUCK MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16B19
IPC codes: F16B19