SELF-THREADING SCREW FOR PLASTICS AND LIKE MATERIALS, INCLUDING SOFT METALS, HAVING A HIGH TEARING STRENGHT AND A VERY LOW THREADING TORQUE

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-threading screw having a thread wit a thread angle not greater than 25° and an angle between the thread front portion (1) and the screw stem (2) of 90° or a value as far as possible near to 90°.

Description: The present invention relates to a self-threading screw for plastics and like materials, including soft metals, having a thread so designed as to provide the screw with a high tearing strength and, to provide, during the screwing-on operation, a very reduced radial compression and, accordingly, a very reduced over-heating of the material to which the screw is applied. Known self-threading screws for plastics material and the like (e.g. Kunststoffe, vol. 78, no. 7, July 1988, pages 617-622, München, DE; H. Domininghaus: "Schraubenverbindungen für Banteile aus Kunstoff") have at present a thread angle of 30°-40°, and a thread cross-section perpendicular to the screw axis, said characteristics being considered as the most suitable to assure an optimum ratio of the screwing-on torque and the tearing torque and to provide a clamping torque as even as possible. The Applicant, after extensive tests, has surprisingly found that the best angle of the thread of a screw for plastic material and the like materials, including soft metals, is, depending on present making methods, included between 15° and 25°, and this in order to reduce to a minimum the radial compression and accordingly the over-heating of the material being stressed by the screw thread. In fact, an excessive radial compression would be susceptible to produce, within a period of time, breakings of the element being clamped. it should be pointed out that the reduction of the friction on the material obtained by reducing the thread angle prevents, as stated, an over-heating of the material from occuring, and, accordingly, allows a perfect forming of the thread to be obtained. From further carried out tests, the Applicant has arrived at the conclusion that a screw having a small-angle thread has a maximum tearing strength as the angle between the screw thread front portion and stem approaches as far as possible to 90°. The sole accompanying drawing figure shows schematically the screw thread profile according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the screw thread defines an ideal angle between the thread front portion 1 and stem 2 of 90°, and an ideal angle of the thread of 25°, or even smaller if permitted by the screw making method. As stated, it has been found that such a thread pattern is the most suitable for screws for plastics and the like materials, included soft metals, since it provides a minimum compression of the material while assuring an optimum tearing strength.

Claims: A self-threading screw for plastic and the like materials, including soft metals, characterized in that said screw has a screw thread with a thread angle not greater than 25°, an optimum value of said angle corresponding to the minimum value which can be obtained by at present available methods. A self-threading screw according to Claim 1, characterized in that said screw thread defines an angle between the thread front portion and screw stem of 90°, or having a value near as possible to 90°.

Inventors: SALA, CARLO
Applicants: SALA, CARLO
Application year: 1990
Main classification: F16B25
IPC codes: F16B25