THREAD INSERT WITH FLOATING NUT

Abstract: A threaded insert comprises an externally threaded housing (12) with an internally unthreaded floating nut (17) therein. Diametrically spaced ears (50) on the nut are engaged in diametrically spaced grooves in the housing, respectively, to limit relative rotation between the nut and the housing yet permit radial movement of the nut relative to the housing. A single split ring (40) locks the nut into the housing.

Description: THREAD INSERT WITH FLOATING NUT This invention relates to an improved thread insert and, more particularly, to a thread insert having floating nut that facilitates assembly with an associated bolt. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thread inserts are often inserted in relatively soft or weak material to facilitate attachment of a fastener, for example a bolt, to said material. However, it is often difficult to position the thread insert so as to assure alignment with an opening in a part through which the bolt is to pass. While it is known to provide a floating nut in a thread insert to accommodate such misalignment, such known thread inserts have exhibited problems in the field. Specifically, the torque resisting interface between the floating nut and the insert housing often distorts at maximum offset and bolt clamp-up. Moreover, the relatively small bearing surface of said interface between the floating nut and the insert housing of known floating nut thread inserts limits tensile load capability. Yet another problem of known floating nut thread inserts is that when the multiple split retaining rings thereof are in the maximum offset condition, coupled with the splits therein being oriented in the same direction, the nut may not seat properly in the housing and can disengage under fully loaded conditions. In addition, manufacturing and assembly problems are present in known floating nut thread inserts. For example, both the nut and housing of most known inserts have milled or sheared surfaces which are difficult and costly to deburr. Moreover, multiple retaining rings of differing size must be installed in the correct sequence for proper retention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid problems are solved by the floating nut thread insert of the present invention. Specifically; (1 ) the torque resisting elements of the insert are located at the bolt entry side of the insert; (2) the torque resisting elements of the thread insert are not subjected to radial forces thereby eliminating the possibility of disengagement under torque-out loads; (3) the bearing surface of the floating nut on the insert housing is relatively large thereby maximizing tensile load capability; (4) the floating nut of the thread insert is of substantially cylindrical configuration so as to maximize flex for thread lock; (5) simplified design of all milled features reduces or eliminates deburring operations; (6) a single retaining ring is utilized, alleviating the need for critical assembly sequence and reducing costs by one item; and (7) the nut can no longer disengage due to misalignment of the retaining ring thereby increasing load capacity of the thread insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of an assembled thread insert with floating nut in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevational view partially in section, of the insert housing. Fig. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation view, partially in section of the floating nut. Fig. 5 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 1 a thread insert with floating nut 10 in accordance with a preferred constructed embodiment of the invention, comprises a housing 1 2 and a coaxially disposed floating nut 14. The housing 1 2 is of generally cylindrical configuration having external threads 1 6. The nut 14 is also of generally cylindrical configuration and is provided with internal threads 18. The housing 1 2 has an annular recess 20 on a radially inner surface 21 intermediate the axially spaced ends thereof defining a pair of radial shoulders 22 and 24. The shoulder 24 extends radially inwardly relative to the surface 21 to define a load accepting seating surface for the nut 14, as will be described. As best seen in Fig. 4, the nut 14 has an annular recess 26 on a radially outer surface 27 thereof defining a pair of radial shoulders 28 and 30. As seen in Fig. 1 , the shoulder 22 on the housing 1 2 in conjunction with the shoulder 30 on the nut 1 4 position a split ring 40 which, when in position, locks the nut 14 into the housing 1 2. In accordance with one feature of the invention, a pair of torque resisting ears 50 and 52 on the nut 14 are accepted in complimentary slots 54 and 56 in the housing 1 2 in radially and axially slidable relationship. Thus, torque on the nut 14, in and of itself, does not result in radially or axial loading thereof or of the housing 1 2. In accordance with another feature of the invention, axial load on the nut 1 4 is transferred to the shoulder 24 on the housing 1 2 by a radially extending end face 58 of the nut 14. Assembly of the thread insert 10 is accomplished by assembling the split ring 40 into the annular recess 26 in the nut 14, radially compressing the split ring 40, and inserting the nut 1 4 and split ring 40 into the housing 1 2 from the left as seen in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The split ring 40 expands radially outwardly into the groove 20 in the housing 1 2 to lock the nut 1 4 into the housing 1 2. The thread insert 1 0 may then be screwed into a desired structure (not shown) in the conventional manner. When the thread insert 10 reaches the desired installed position, conventional keys (not shown) may be driven axially of the housing 1 2 to deform the threads 1 6 thereof and lock the thread insert 10 in position. A bolt (not shown) may then be screwed into the nut 14, from the right as seen in Fig. 1 , during which assembly operation, the nut 14 is free to shift laterally relative to the housing 1 2 to effect self-alignment of the nut 14 with the bolt. It is to be noted that the ears 50 and 52 retain nut 1 4 against rotation relative to the housing 1 2 but are not required to transmit axially outward loads on the nut 1 4 to the housing 1 2. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it should be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of modifications without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims: I CLAIM 1 . A thread insert having a floating nut comprising: an externally threaded generally cylindrical housing having a radially outwardly extending annular recess on a radially inner wall thereof and intermediate the ends thereof; one end of said housing having a radially inwardly extending annular flange defining a radially extending seating surface for a floating nut, said flange having a pair of diametrically spaced radially extending grooves therein. a generally cylindrical internally threaded floating nut having an annular groove on a radially outer surface thereof intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said nut having an annular radially outwardly extending flange thereon engageable with the radially inwardly extending flange on said housing in load transfer relationship, said nut having a pair of axially outwardly diametrically spaced ears on the one end thereof disposed in the diametrically spaced grooves in said housing, respectively, to limit relative rotation between said nut and said housing; and a locking ring extending between the annular groove in said housing and the annular groove in said nut to lock said nut within said housing yet permit radial movement of said nut relative to said housing. 2. A thread insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ears on the floating nut are disposed at the bolt entry end of said nut. 3. A thread insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ears on the floating nut are movable relative to said housing so as to preclude radial loading thereof. 4. A thread insert in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing and said nut have: radially aligned opposite opening grooves, respectively, and a single split ring disposed in the grooves of said housing and nut to preclude disassembly thereof.

Inventors: OUDMAYER WILLY, OUDMAYER, WILLY
Applicants: KAYNAR TECH INC, KAYNAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F16B37
IPC codes: F16B5, F16B37