Abstract:
A tee-nut fastener which includes a nylon locking ring located distally from the entrance to a passageway ensures proper fastening upon coupling with a threaded stud. The tee-nut is used use in combination with a track for efficient delivery. The track comprises an upper guide spaced apart relatively farther than a lower guide. The process for making the tee nut uses a cold heading process. The tee-nut includes a flange having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shank extends perpendicularly from the upper portion and a head extends oppositely from the shank and perpendicularly from the lower portion. The flange includes at least two teeth extending in the direction of the shank and a passageway through the shank, flange and head. The passageway includes a bore countersunk at both ends thereof, a cavity, and threads therein. A locking ring resides in the cavity and is relatively thin compared to the length of the teeth to ensure that the tee-nut is not extricated from a substrate in which the prongs or teeth are embedded upon coupling with a threaded stud.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is in the field of tee-nuts having locks or locking rings to secure a threaded screw or bolt therein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,461 to McKarge, Jr. discloses a locking tee-nut (T-nut)  10  for securely fastening a threaded element such as a threaded bolt to a structure.  FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art tee-nut illustrated in combination with a caster  50 . The tee-nuts  10  are used to secure the frame of the caster to the substrate. The device includes a cylindrical nut body  20  with a threaded bore  22  extending therethrough. The bore  22  has at least one resilient locking ring  40 ,  42  mounted within an annular groove  25  provided on the inner surface of the bore. A radial flange  30  extends radially from one end of the nut body and includes at least one securing tooth  32  extending therefrom toward the other end of the nut body. Reference numeral  21  denotes the outer surface of the body and reference numeral  28  is an annular lip.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the prior art tee-nut of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0003]    The McKarge, Jr. tee-nut is not easily fed through a track delivery system due to the geometry of the teeth  32 . It is, therefore, desirable to have a tee-nut which is reliably guided by a track and which includes the feature of a nylon locking ring for securing a stud which interengages the tee-nut. 
         [0004]    Additionally, the tee-nut of McKarge has the disadvantage in that it may be dislodged from the substrate during assembly when a threaded member is inserted into the tee-nut because of the location of the resilient locking ring  40 . In other words as the bolt  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  is inserted into the tee-nut the teeth  32  may come loose by the force of the bolt pushing the locking ring  40  and the entire tee-nut out of the substrate  2 . Additionally, the McKarge tee-nut has the disadvantage of short teeth or prongs  32  which are easily extracted from the substrate  2 . In other words the teeth or prongs  32  are relatively short in relation to the locking ring  40 . The other locking ring  42  does not solve the problem of pushing the tee-nut out of the substrate because the locking ring  40  is engaged by the bolt  1  before the bolt ever reaches the locking ring  42 . Additionally, locking ring  42  also does not solve the problem even if locking ring  40  is not used because the teeth of McKarge are not long enough to prevent extraction of the tee-nut from the substrate. The locking ring  42  of McKarge is about the same length as the teeth  32  of McKarge. 
         [0005]    The tee-nut of McKarge will require an external force to hold the tee-nut in engagement with the substrate. 
         [0006]    These and other problems are solved by the instant invention as set forth hereinbelow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A tee-nut for use in combination with a track is disclosed and claimed. The track comprises an upper guide and a lower guide. The upper guide is spaced apart relatively narrower than the lower guide. 
         [0008]    The tee nut comprises a flange which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the tee nut slide within the guides. The tee nut includes a shank or barrel extending perpendicularly from the upper portion of the flange and a head extending perpendicularly from the lower portion of the flange. The flange includes four elongated teeth which extend perpendicularly from the flange and which are inserted deeply into a wooden substrate. A passageway extends through the barrel, flange and head. The passageway includes a stepped bore, a cavity, and female threads within the bore for interengagement with a stud. The passageway includes a first-counterbored entranceway for reception of a threaded stud. The first counterbore accommodates misalignment of the threaded stud with respect to the entranceway to the passageway so as to guide the threaded stud into the female threaded portion of the passageway. A locking ring resides in the cavity in the passageway. 
         [0009]    The cavity is formed by a second counterbore at an end opposite the first counterbore and is enclosed by a lip which is deformed so as to assist in retaining a thin nylon locking ring in the bore or passageway of the tee-nut. The nylon locking ring is thin relative to the length of the four elongated teeth so as to ensure that the tee-nut will not be extricated from (pushed out of) the wooden substrate when a stud interengages the females threads of the passageway of the tee-nut. When a bolt or other threaded member is inserted into the first counterbore and is threaded into the female threaded portion of the passageway, it should be noted that the nylon locking ring is located relatively far from the entrance to the barrel shaped portion of the tee-nut. Thus, as the bolt is threaded into the tee-nut it interengages the nylon locking ring and tends to push the entire tee nut in the direction of travel of the bolt. However, since the nylon locking ring is not very thick or deep the prongs or teeth of the tee nut cannot escape (longitudinally, i.e., in the direction of travel of the bolt) from the substrate thus enabling the bolt to be completely threaded into the tee-nut resulting in a secure fastening device. It will be noticed that the nylon locking ring in the longitudinal or axial direction is not very thick compared to the length of the teeth of tee-nut. This means that the prongs or teeth remain embedded in the member or bolt to completely engage the nylon locking ring. To the extent a gap is created during coupling of a threaded member with the tee nut, the gap is closed and the tee-nut is drawn back into the substrate as the threaded member is screwed further into the tee nut. 
         [0010]    The bore or passageway of the tee-nut extends completely through the tee-nut. 
         [0011]    The head resides between the lower guide and the teeth reside between the upper guide and the tee nuts are thus guided by the track. 
         [0012]    The stud interengages the locking ring which is preferably made of nylon. Since the nylon is relatively inelastic the stud cannot be loosened from the tee-nut as a result of vibration and similar forces and thus ensures a secure fastener. 
         [0013]    A method of manufacturing a tee-nut is disclosed comprising the steps of: cold heading steel to form a flange having a solid barrel portion and a solid head portion; cold heading a bore through the solid barrel portion and the solid head portion; cold heading and forming a first counterbore in the bore of the barrel portion; cold heading and forming a second counterbore in the head portion for receiving a nylon locking ring; threading a portion of the bore; inserting the nylon locking ring into the second counter bore; crimping the nylon locking ring in place. The step of zinc plating may be added to the process. Additionally, the step of crimping the nylon locking ring may be performed by crimping the lip portion. The step of forming prongs or teeth may be added to the process as well. 
         [0014]    Accordingly it is an object of the instant invention to provide a tee-nut which does not separate from the substrate in which it is lodged upon the entry of a threaded stud within the tee-nut. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a tee-nut which includes prongs or teeth which extend from a flange in combination with a nylon locking ring positioned such that the tee-nut will not be forcefully separated from a substrate in which it is embedded. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a hopper fed tee nut having a first counterbore and a nylon lock. 
         [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tee-nut having an enlarged head portion and a nylon lock within the enlarged head portion. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tee-nut having a nylon lock residing within a second counterbore located within the enlarged head. 
         [0019]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a tee-nut having a head on one side of the flange with the head accommodating a nylon locking ring which is relatively thin. 
         [0020]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a tee-nut having relatively long teeth or prongs extending from a flange and wherein the length of the teeth or prongs exceeds the axial length (thickness) of the nylon locking ring. 
         [0021]    These and other objects will be best understood when reference is made to the Brief Description Of The Drawings and Description Of The Invention which follow hereinbelow. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art tee-nut illustrated in combination with a caster. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the prior art tee-nut of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a bottom-side perspective view of the hopper fed tee-nut of the instant invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is a top side (gripping side) perspective view of the hopper fed tee-nut of the instant invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a top side view of the tee-nut. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the tee-nut as viewed from the perspective of line  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the tee-nut taken along the line  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of the tee-nut as viewed along the line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view of the tee-nut and stud coupling two wooden substrates together. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4E  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 4D  illustrating the stud interengaging the nylon ring. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4F  is a view similar to  FIG. 4E  without the nylon locking ring in the counterbore. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tee-nut guided within a track. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5A  is an end view of the tee-nut illustrated within the track. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of the process steps for manufacturing the tee-nut of the instant invention. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    The drawings will be better understood when reference is made to the Description of the Invention and Claims which follow hereinbelow. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art tee-nut  1  illustrated in combination with a caster and was described above in connection with the Background Of The Invention above.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the prior art tee nut of  FIG. 1  with the Background Of The Invention above. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a bottom-side perspective view  300  of the hopper fed tee-nut of the instant invention. The hopper fed tee-nut includes head  320  which is used to guide the tee-nut in a feed track which leads from a hopper (not shown). Head  320  resides within a slot in the hopper feed. Locking ring  309  resides within a lip  320  to the head  302 . Head  302  extends perpendicularly away from the bottom side  301 A of flange  301 . The tee-nut includes teeth  304 ,  305 ,  306 , and  307  which extend perpendicularly in a direction opposite of the head  302 . Teeth  304 ,  305 ,  306  and  307  are deformed and extend downwardly away from the flange  301 . Reference numeral  301 B is used to denote the top side of flange  301 B and shank  303  extends perpendicularly away from the top side  301 B of the flange  301 . 
         [0039]    Generally the material of construction of the tee nut is C 1006  to C 1010  carbon steel with a zinc plate finish. The locking ring  309  is preferably nylon but may be made of any suitable hard plastic capable of gripping exterior threads of a stud which non-elastically deform the, suitable hard plastic. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3A  is a top side (gripping side) perspective view  300 A of the hopper fed tee-nut of the instant invention. The tee-nut includes a passageway comprised of inner surfaces  309 A,  308 ,  321  and  320 . Surface  308  is a threaded surface which interengages corresponding threads  401 A on stud  401 . See,  FIG. 4D  which is a cross-sectional view  400 D of the tee-nut interengaging a substrate made of wood  403  and coupled with a stud  401 . Stud  401  secures two substrates such as those denoted by reference numerals  402  and  403  together. Reference numeral  309 A is used to denote a cavity in which nylon locking ring  309  resides. However, the passageway through the tee nut includes the second entranceway  302  to the cavity  309 A, the cavity  309 A, the interior threaded portion  308  and the first counterbore or opening  321 . The first counterbore  321  extends approximately 0.13 inches into the bore in the barrel portion of the tee-nut. The first counterbore enables alignment and coupling with a stud having exterior threads thereon. 
         [0041]    Locking ring  309  is a nylon or other hard polymer which interengages threads  401 A of stud  401  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4D and 4E . As threads  401 A enter the locking ring  309  deformation  309 B of the ring  309  occurs and threads  401 A interengage the locking ring  309  and prevent the extraction of the stud  401  from the tee-nut. Locking ring  309  prevents the stud  401  illustrated in  FIG. 4D  from becoming loose so that the wood substrate pieces  402  and  403  remain joined together. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a top side view  400  of the tee-nut and illustrates the bore or passageway  321 ,  308  and the top of the flange  301 B. Inner walls  309 A and  322  are not visible in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4A  is a side view  400 A of the tee nut viewed from the perspective of line  4 A- 4 A of  FIG. 4 . Teeth or prongs  304 ,  305 ,  306 , and  307  are bent upwardly from flange  301 , are formed therefrom, and are of the same thickness as the flange  301 . One such flange thickness which may be used is  0 . 06  inches; however, different flange thicknesses may be used depending on the application of the tee nut and the loads on the parts or substrates secured thereby. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view  400 B of the invention taken along the line  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates the inner surfaces  321 ,  308 ,  309 A and  322  which form a passageway which receives a threaded stud  401  illustrated in  FIG. 4D .  FIG. 4C  is a side view of the tee nut as viewed along the line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view  400 D of the tee nut interengaging the first substrate  403  which may be wood or plywood coupled to a second substrate  402  which also may be wood or plywood. A stud  401  is used which has threads  401 A which interengage reciprocal threads  308  of the tee nut. As stud  401  is threaded into the reciprocal threads  308  of the tee nut threads  401 A interengage and deform nylon ring  309 . Reference numeral  309 B is used to denote the deformation of nylon ring  309  by threads  401 A. See,  FIG. 4E . 
         [0045]    Nylon ring  309  is trapped in a cavity  309 A of the head portion  302  of the tee nut. Specifically, nylon ring  309  is trapped in a space defined generally by inner annular wall  309 A and lip  322 . The nylon ring  309  is non-elastically deformed when a threaded stud is forcibly engaged therewith. Reference numeral  309 B represents the deformation of the nylon ring  309 . As the stud is forcibly rotated into and through a portion of the nylon ring  309 , a helical path matching the helical geometry of the stud is formed within the nylon ring. Referring to  FIG. 4B , nylon ring  309  is annularly shaped with an inner diametrical surface  309 D which extends radially inwardly. The nylon ring is essentially shaped like a washer. 
         [0046]    Threaded portion  308  of-the passageway includes an inner diameter  308 D which represents the diameter of the threaded bore at the mean diametrical extent of the threads. Inner diametrical surface  309 D (inner diameter surface  309 D) of the locking ring  309  extends radially inwardly further than the inner diameter  308 D of the threaded portion  308  which results in threads  401 A interengaging the locking ring  309 . See,  FIG. 4F . Since the nylon ring  309  is retained within the head portion  302  of the tee nut, stud  401  does not loosen with respect to the threads  308  as the nylon ring  309  and the stud cannot move. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4D  is a cross-sectional view  400 D of the tee nut interconnecting first substrate  403  and second substrate  402  together. The shank or barrel  303  of the tee nut is press fit into a corresponding bore  405  in the first substrate  403 . In one example the shank or barrel of the tee-nut is approximately 0.33 inches long. Alternatively, barrel  303  of the tee-nut may snugly fit into bore  405  or the tee-nut may even be inserted with a gap between the barrel  303  and the bore  405 . Teeth  304 ,  306  are pressed into the first substrate  403  until the top  301 B of the flange  301  of the tee-nut is flush with respect to the surface  403 A of the first substrate  403 . It will be noticed that the teeth  304 ,  306  of the tee-nut are relatively long and are shown in phantom in  FIG. 4D  as substantially engaging substrate  403 . In one example the teeth are approximately 0.25 inches long. Therefore, as the stud  401 A enters the passageway it interengages threads  308  which are female interior threads of the tee-nut. As the stud progresses through and in engagement with threads  308  it engages nylon locking ring  309  where it is met with some resistance as nylon locking ring is not threaded. In one example the nylon locking ring is approximately 0.10 inches thick. In one example the overall length of the tee-nut is approximately 0.50 inches. The thickness of the nylon locking ring is relatively small in comparison to the length of the teeth so as to ensure that the teeth remain engaged with a wooden substrate in which the teeth of the tee-nut are embedded. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4D , as bolt  401  interengages nylon ring  309  it tends to push the teeth  304 ,  306  (and the other teeth not shown in  FIG. 4D ) out of engagement with the wooden substrate  403 . However, since the thickness of the nylon ring is relatively thin (small) as compared to the length of the teeth  304 ,  306 , the threads  401 A of the stud forcibly interengage the nylon ring  309  and inelastically deforms nylon ring  309  so as to secure the stud  401  to the nylon ring  309  and hence to the tee nut. While the threads  401 A of the stud are interengaging the nylon ring  309  the top surface  301 B of the flange of the tee-nut may separate slightly from the surface  403 A of the wooden substrate creating a temporary gap. However, during this time the tee-nut will not rotate because the teeth are long enough to prohibit the rotation and the thickness of the nylon ring is approximately 0.10 inches. As the stud  401  is completely tightened the tee-nut and the teeth of the tee-nut are drawn completely back into the wooden substrate into the position indicated in  FIG. 4D . 
         [0049]    The passageway through the tee-nut includes a relatively larger diametrical region  321  than the mean diameter of the threaded region  308  to facilitate entry of the stud  401  into the threaded region. A bore  404  through the second substrate (wood/plywood)  402  permits passage of the stud  401  therethrough. An enlarged head portion (not numbered) of the stud engages the surface of the second substrate  402 . In this way, the stud  401  engages the wooden substrate  402  securing it forcibly against the wooden substrate  403  such that there is no movement therebetween. Nylon locking ring  309  locks stud  401  with respect to the tee nut and stud  401  cannot be loosened with respect to threads  308 . 
         [0050]    The cavity  309  is formed by a second counterbore at an end opposite the first counterbore and is enclosed by a lip  320  which is deformed so as to assist in retaining the nylon locking ring in the bore or passageway of the tee-nut. When a bolt  401  or other threaded member is inserted into the first counterbore and is threaded into the female threaded portion  308  of the passageway, it should be noted that the nylon locking ring  309  is located relatively far from the entrance to the barrel shaped portion of the tee-nut. Thus, as the bolt  401  is threaded into the tee-nut it interengages the nylon locking ring and tends to push the entire tee nut in the direction of travel of the bolt. However, since the nylon locking ring is not very thick or deep the prongs or teeth of the tee nut cannot escape (longitudinally, i.e., in the direction of travel of the bolt) from the substrate  403  thus enabling the bolt to be completely threaded into the tee-nut resulting in a secure fastening device. It will be noticed that the nylon locking ring in the longitudinal or axial direction is not very thick compared to the length of the teeth of tee-nut. The bore or passageway of the tee-nut extends completely through the tee-nut. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4E  is an enlargement  400 E of a portion of  FIG. 4D  illustrating the stud interengaging the nylon ring. Reference numeral  309 B is used to indicate the non-elastic deformation of the nylon ring  309  so as to secure the stud  401  to the tee-nut. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4F  is a view  400 F similar to  FIG. 4E  without the nylon locking ring  309  in the counterbore  309 A.  FIG. 4F  illustrates the internal geometry of the cavity  309 A which is formed by a second counterbore in the tee-nut. The second counterbore  430  is diametrically larger than the first counterbore in the tee-nut and is located within the head portion  302  of the tee-nut. A lip  322  is formed by mechanically bending the wall at the point of the second counterbore forming cavity  309 A. 
         [0053]    The track comprises an upper guide  501  and a lower guide  502 . The upper guide is spaced apart relatively narrower than the lower guide. The tee nut comprises a flange  301  which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the tee nut slide within the guides. The tee nut includes a shank or barrel  303  extending perpendicularly from the upper portion  30   1 B of the flange and a head  302  extending perpendicularly from the lower portion  301 A of the flange. The flange includes four teeth  304 ,  305 ,  306 ,  307  and a passageway  321 ,  308 ,  309 A,  322 , through the flange. The passageway includes a first counter bore  321  located within barrel  303 , a stepped bore portion or shoulder  321 A, a female threaded portion  308 , a cavity or annular wall  309 A, and an exit wall portion  322 . The female threaded portion  308  within the bore interengages stud  401 . 
         [0054]    The passageway includes a first counterbored entranceway  321  for reception of threaded stud  401 . The counterbore  321  accommodates misalignment of the threaded stud  401  with respect to the entranceway to the passageway so as to guide the threaded stud  401  into alignment with the female threaded portion  308  of the passageway. Shoulder  321 A reduces the diameter of the bore to that represented by reference numeral  308 D, the mean diameter of the threaded portion  308  of the bore through the tee nut. A locking ring  309  resides in the cavity  309 A in the passageway. The cavity  309 A is formed by a second counterbore  430  at an end opposite the first counterbore, i.e., at the head portion  302  of the tee-nut and is enclosed by a lip  320  which is deformed so as to retain the nylon locking ring  309  in the bore or passageway of the tee-nut. The bore or passageway of the tee-nut extends completely through the tee-nut. Lip  320  is created by mechanically deforming wall  309 W. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view  500  of the barrel portion  303  of the tee-nut guided within track  501 .  FIG. 5A  is an end view  500 A of the tee-nut illustrated within the track. The track includes upper guide  501  and lower guide  502  portions for routing head portion  302  of the tee nut within the lower guide portion  502  and for routing teeth  304 ,  305 ,  306  and  307  through the upper guide portion  501  of the track. The upper guide portion of the track  501  is necessarily narrower as the spacing between the teeth  304 ,  305  and  306 ,  307  is narrower than the outside diameter of the head portion  302  of the tee-nut. 
         [0056]    A process for making the tee-nut of the invention is disclosed. See,  FIG. 6 , a schematic illustration  600  of the process steps for manufacturing the tee-nut of the instant invention. The steps of the process include: cold heading steel to form a flange having a solid barrel portion and a solid head portion,  601 ; cold heading a bore through the solid barrel portion and the solid head portion,  602 ; cold heading and forming a first counterbore in the bore of the barrel portion,  603 ; cold heading and forming a second counterbore in the bore of the head portion for receiving a nylon locking ring,  604 ; threading a portion of the bore,  605 ; forming prongs or teeth,  609 ; zinc plating the tee-nut,  608 ; inserting the nylon locking ring into the second counter bore,  606 ; and, crimping the nylon locking ring in place  607 . Additionally, the step of crimping the nylon locking ring may be performed by crimping the lip portion. The steps set forth herein may be performed in different sequences as desired. 
         [0057]    The second counterbore forms a shoulder  430  in the bore through the tee-nut. Cavity  309 A is bounded by the second counterbore and it is this second counterbore which interengages the locking ring  309  and secures it in place along with lip  320 . The instant invention includes a passageway having a bore therethrough with the first counterbore terminating in shoulder  321 A and the second counterbore terminating in shoulder  430 . The counterbores  321 A,  430  enable stud  401  to be inserted as indicated in  FIG. 4D  and to retain the locking ring  309 . 
         [0058]    A list of reference numerals follows. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 —threaded element 
           2 —structure such as a plate 
           10 —tee-nut 
           20 —nut body 
           21 —outer surface of the nut body 
           22 —bore 
           25 —annular groove 
           28 —annular lip 
           30 —radial flange 
           32 —securing teeth 
           40 —locking ring 
           42 —locking ring 
           50 —caster 
           301 —flange 
           301 A—bottom side of flange 
           301 B—top side of flange 
           302 —head of tee-nut 
           303 —shank 
           304 —tooth 
           305 —tooth 
           306 —tooth 
           307 —tooth 
           308 —threaded surface of passageway 
           308 D—thread diameter 
           309 —nylon locking ring 
           309 A—inner surface of passageway 
           309 B—non-elastic deformation of the locking ring caused by the threads of the stud 
           309 D—diameter of the inner surface of the locking ring  309   
           309 W—wall thickness of the second counterbore 
           320 —lip or opening 
           321 —first counterbore, opening of passageway 
           321 A—shoulder in bore 
           322 —wall of passageway trapping ring  309   
           401 —stud 
           401 A—threads on stud  401   
           402 —second substrate 
           403 —first substrate 
           403 A—surface of first substrate  403   
           404 —bore in second substrate  402   
           405 —bore in first substrate  403   
           430 —second counterbore 
           501 —upper portion of track 
           502 —lower portion of track 
           601 —cold heading steel to form a flange having a solid barrel portion and a solid head portion 
           602 —cold heading a bore through the solid barrel portion and the solid head portion 
           603 —cold heading and forming a first counterbore in the bore of the barrel portion 
           604 —cold heading and forming a second counterbore in the head portion for receiving a nylon locking ring 
           605 —threading a portion of the bore 
           606 —inserting the nylon locking ring into the second counter bore 
           607 —crimping the nylon locking ring in place 
           608 —plating the tee-nut with zinc or other material 
           609 —crimping the nylon locking ring may be performed by crimping the lip portion 
           610 —pressing or forming teeth or prongs. 
       
     
         [0112]    The dimensions given in ths specification are by way of example only and may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims which follow hereinbelow. 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 invention which has been set forth herein with particularity without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. For instance, changes to the length of the teeth or prongs may be made. Additionally, changes to the thickness or the axial length of the nylon locking ring can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.