Abstract:
An assembly improving, lower mass fastener head that is easier to handle and reduces the amount of material that is required in manufacturing the fastener comprises three lugs at multiples of 60 degrees around an axis of a threaded body. Those portions of a hex head that are not necessary for application and transmission of torque, nor necessary to resist axial loading, nor necessary to axially stabilize the fastener head within current driving tooling may be removed. Compatibility with existing hex head tools is maintained while improving handling of the fastener by an assembler and reducing material used in the fastener head.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/085,219; filed Jul. 31, 2008; entitled “Assembly Improving, Low Mass, Fastener Head,” by Michael Garver; and is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to threaded fasteners, and more particularly, to an low mass fastener head having a relatively lower amount of material that is required in manufacturing the fastener, and having a fastener head geometry that is easier to handle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Currently in the fastener industry, the most common type of fastener head styles are the “Flanged hex head” and the “Hex head.” Referring to  FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ), the “flanged hex head” and the “hex head are generally represented by the numerals  100   a  and  100   b,  respectively. These head styles both utilize a hex shaped head  102  for application of driving torque. The flanged hex head utilizes an integrated flange  104  at the base of the hex shaped head  102  to enhance application and distribution of the clamp-load of the fastener  100  caused by the engagement of the threads  106  with the internal threads of the work piece (not shown). 
         [0004]    With common hex heads, only a very small portion of each facet of the hex may be utilized for torque application. This is due to the fact that the tool utilized to drive the hex head is also hex-shaped (some are twelve-sided or other variations). Because the tool&#39;s internal hex may be slightly larger dimensionally than the hex of the fastener (in order to slip over it freely), during initial driving the tool rotates slightly before it contacts the fastener hex (see  FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b )). 
         [0005]    When such contact is made, there may only initially be a “point” contact  208  between the corners  210  of the fastener hex  102  and the internal facet of the tool, viewed down the axis of the fastener as shown in  FIG. 2 . As torque application continues, local deformation of the fastener&#39;s hex corners  210  may result in this contact expanding to be more of a rectangular contact point between the internal facet of the tool and the deformed facet  314  of the fastener hex  102  shown in  FIG. 3 . A rectangular area  312  of the facet  316  varies in size and shape depending on fastener metallurgical properties, the amount of taper in the fastener  100 , and the initial gap between the tool  220  and the facets  316  of the hex head  102 . The area of this contact may be no more than ten percent of the surface area of each facet  316 , and it may not extend beyond approximately ten percent from any corner of the hex head  102  (where facets  316  join together). 
         [0006]    Similar contacts may be made during loosening of the fastener  100 , e.g., rotational direction opposite tightening direction, except that this contact may occur on an area  314  of the opposite end of each hex facet  312 . Therefore, the contact area  314  for loosening of the fastener  100  may be the mirror image of the tightening area  312 , but is located at the opposite end of each facet  316  adjacent to each corner (where the facets  316  intersect). During installation and removal, the tool  220  may not contact the centers of the facets  316 , and the area around the centers. Therefore, most of the surface areas of the hex head facets  316  may never be utilized and may not be necessary for either tightening or loosening the fastener  100 . 
         [0007]    The purpose of the application of torque to a hex-shaped fastener head is to revolve the fastener  100  axially, thus causing the thread helixes of the mating parts to engage. Ultimately, the loading thusly applied is transmitted through the fastener  100  to its bearing surface, creating a spring-load in the fastened joint. Since only a small portion, e.g., facet portions  312  and  314  of the fastener hex head  102 , are required, present technology fastener hex heads  102  contain much more material than required for this purpose, with that material located in places that are hardly ideal. For example, in many fastener usages, the fastener  100  is presented to its mating internally threaded part (not shown) by holding it in the fingers of one hand. Usually, this is accomplished by gripping it between the tips of the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger. The surfaces of a hex are not ideally suited for this purpose. 
         [0008]    Further, the shape of the fastener head may be important to the ease with which the head is handled by an operator. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , depicted is a schematic plan diagram of a hex head fastener being grasped by representations of fingers of a hand. The hex head  402  may be grasped (e.g., gripped) by the thumb  404 , forefinger  406 , and middle finger  408  of one hand (not shown). During the gripping of any small object with the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408 , the surfaces of the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408  presented to the hex head  402  are essentially convex curved surfaces of variable size. These surfaces are normally presented to grip the hex head  402  in a manner such that they are essentially equally distributed about the hex head  402  at approximately  120  degrees apart. As the hex head  402  is grasped, the convex curved surfaces of the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408  may deform to match the contour of the surfaces being grasped so that it may be relatively more “finger friendly.” 
         [0009]    These problems, among others, result in fasteners which are heavier, more costly than necessary, and ill-suited for both hand and tool assembly. While some other prior technologies have addressed the phenomena of inefficient load application by creating special tools and driving surfaces, and other technologies have addressed material reduction by hollowing out the center of the hex head  102  through various means, while still other technologies have created three-cornered heads with special driving tools, none of these technologies have addressed the hex head  102  as a whole, considering the real current shape of the hex-head production part, as well as its interaction with tools in the industry. Current technology hex heads contain much more material than may be required for its intended purpose, and with material located in places that are hardly ideal for handling, and cost and weight reduction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    According to the teachings of this disclosure, a fastener head may need only enough material, placed in the appropriate positions, such that it is capable of resisting the applied torque without failure, and transmitting this torque to resist an axial load. 
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the invention, ahead configuration that is easier to grip with the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of one hand for hand insertion is provided, while maintaining the performance seen with hex-type heads in current assembly tooling. Such design may reduce the cost (material is roughly 50-60-percent of fastener cost) of current fastener head technologies. According to the teachings of this disclosure, surfaces may be created that may be more friendly to contact with the human hand, while removing those portions of a hex head that may not be necessary for application and transmission of torque, nor may they be necessary to resist axial loading, nor may they he necessary to axially stabilize the fastener head within current driving tooling. 
         [0012]    According to a specific example embodiment of the disclosure, a fastener comprises: a threaded portion; a load-bearing platform attached to a proximal end of the threaded portion; three lugs attached to and positioned on the load-hearing platform at approximately 0, 120 and 240 degrees around a longitudinal axis through the threaded portion; and concave surfaces between the three lugs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) are schematic orthogonal diagrams of a prior technology flanged hex head and hex head fasteners; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2(   a ) and  2 ( b ) are schematic plan diagrams of a prior technology hex head and tool used for rotation of the hex head; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic orthogonal diagram of a prior technology hex head fastener showing contact areas for tightening and loosening the fastener; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic plan diagram of the interrelationship between a hex head fastener and fingers of a hand; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are schematic plan diagrams of a three-point fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a schematic orthogonal diagram of the fastener head shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8(   a ),  8 ( b ),  9  and  10  show schematic orthogonal and plan diagrams of a three-point fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a schematic elevational diagram of a load-hearing platform attached to the threaded portion of the fastener, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a schematic elevational diagram of a three-point fastener head in combination with an anti-cross threading body, according to another specific example embodiment of this disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a plan diagram of a six-point fastener head of the present invention, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure 
           [0024]      FIG. 14(   a ) is a plan diagram of a three-point fastener head of the present invention, wherein the fastener head does not have a platform; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14(   b ) is a orthogonal view of the fastener of  FIG. 14(   a ); 
           [0026]      FIG. 15(   a ) is a plan diagram of a three-point fastener head of the present invention, wherein the fastener head does have a platform with a radius smaller than a circle encompassing the points of the fastener head; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15(   b ) is a orthogonal view of the fastener of  FIG. 15(   a ); 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of a three-point fastener head of the present invention, wherein the facets between the points or corners comprise flat surfaces; 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a two-point fastener head of the present invention, wherein the facets between the points or corners comprise convex surfaces; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a four-point fastener head of the present invention, wherein recesses and concave facets extend between the points or corners. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  shows a schematic orthogonal diagram of a three-point fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the upper surfaces of the corners define a cone shape. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  shows a schematic orthogonal diagram of a three-point fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the hallowed out portion of the head has a triangular or trilobular shape. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific example embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific example embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed herein, but on the contrary, this disclosure is to cover all modifications and equivalents as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Referring now to the drawing, the details of specific example embodiments are schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings will be represented by like numbers, and similar elements will be represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix. 
         [0035]    When a fastener head is held with the fingers of the human hand, the convex curved surfaces of the fingers may deform to match the contour of the surfaces being grasped, so that it may be more “finger friendly.” While a variety of shapes can thus be accommodated by this deformation, a shape for gripping may be determined by the rigid portion of the fingers  406  and  408 , or the thumb  404 , e.g., their respective phalanges bones. Each of these bones is essentially cylindrical in shape and the soft tissue of the fingers may tend to form a fairly uniform layer surrounding it. , A surface intended for contact with these fingers, therefore may mirror the finger shape, in order that load is more equally distributed about the finger/thumb surfaces. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , depicted is a schematic plan diagram of a fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. A fastener, generally represented by the numeral  500 , has a head with a surface shaped for contact by each finger  404 - 408  during hand assembly of the fastener  500 . The head of the fastener  500  may be provided with three surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506 , each having a concave curved surface that essentially mirrors the shape of the human fingers. Preferably, each of the concave curved surfaces are large enough that it will comfortably mate with the largest of human thumbs, in order that large fingers do not feel excess loading at the extremes of the curve. It is anticipated and within the scope of this disclosure that this curve may have any contour that is essentially concave, or may be comprised of any combination of curved surfaces and/or flats that form an essentially concave curved surface between the corners (points) of the fastener head. As two fingers and a thumb, arranged in a diametrically opposed pattern, may be utilized for grasping and driving during hand assembly of the fastener, e.g., for example but not limited to, the three surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506  are located at intervals of approximately 120 degrees about the axis of the fastener  500 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , depicted is a schematic plan diagram of a fastener head according to  FIG. 5 . The fastener  500  may preferably he configured wherein each of the concave surfaces of its head is such that the innermost point of any such curve may not reach a point closer to the axis of the head than a circle  606  centered at the axis, whose diameter (PD) is defined by the pitch diameter of the thread of the fastener  500  (See  FIG. 7 ). This configuration may allow ease in manufacturing at a lower cost, although it is anticipated and within the scope of this disclosure that said point may fall at any distance from the axis that defines a concave surface. 
         [0038]    A specific edge configuration on the top edge of each of the three surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506  may facilitate alignment of the phalanges bones of the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408  in such a way that each finger is directed toward the axis of the fastener  500  as they approach the base of each of the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408 . Thus, as force is applied with the fingers  404 ,  406  and  408  to drive (rotate) the above combination of surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506 , the phalanges bones may align therewith. This alignment may minimize point loading on any portion of the soft tissue covering the finger bones. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , depicted is a schematic orthogonal diagram of the fastener head shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A top edge of each of the three driving surfaces described above may be truncated in a smoothly curved edge as shown in  FIG. 7 , these smoothly curved edges being represented by the numerals  710 ,  712  and  714 . Each of these edges  710 ,  712  and  714  may form a relief whose curve traverses from a high point at a top end of a surface corner (e.g., corner  716 ) to a minimum height close to the center of the face (e.g., center  718 ) of the respective driving face surface, and back again to a similar high point on the opposite end of the top of an adjacent face surface (e.g., corner  720 ). It is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that such a relief curve may be made up of any combination of curves and flats that present an edge that may be “finger friendly,” e.g., comfortable for contact with the soft tissue of the fingers. 
         [0040]    As noted hereinabove, during fastening and unfastening of prior technology hex shaped fasteners  100  ( FIGS. 1-4 ), contact between the external tool  220  and the fastener hex head  102  may take place only on approximately ten percent of the area of the facet, in the area directly adjacent to the hex corner (e.g., rectangular areas  312  and  314 ). As such, only this portion of the original facet area may be needed to maintain the advantages and function of the present technology hex head fasteners. Thus, only the existing corners of the hex, plus a small additional area adjacent to each of the corners, (intended to compensate for material and dimensional variations), may be needed for tool contact. These areas are shown in  FIG. 3  for the current technology hex head fasteners and are represented by the number  312  for assembly (fastening) and the number  314  for removal (unfastening). 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( h ), likewise, the areas  812  and  814  are present on either side of the corners represented by the numerals  840 ,  842  and  844 . It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that such area(s) may take any shape that efficiently provides adequate contact areas for standard tools, and/or may be significantly larger. One having ordinary skill in the art of designing and manufacturing fasteners and having the benefit of this disclosure would understand the benefits of an unlimited variety of shapes of the facet surfaces that may be employed in reducing the amount of material necessary in manufacturing the fastener while still maintaining compatibility with existing driver tools. 
         [0042]    Tool contact on six planes described in the prior hex fastener technology stabilizes the fastener such that it does not rock appreciably during installation with current assembly tools. The stability of the fastener relative to the tool may be influenced by the interaction of these planes with the tool. Instability may occur if the angle of a plane is dramatically changed, e.g., by five or more degrees, or reduced such that only point contact is possible. Thus, according to the teachings of this disclosure, such stability is not significantly degraded by reducing the number of contact planes from six to three, particularly if they remain spaced equally about the periphery of the fastener head. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ), the corners  840 ,  842 , and  844  are positioned about 120 degrees from each other. As such, three of the driving planes found in conventional hex head fasteners are eliminated. 
         [0043]    The removal of contact planes from conventional hex head fasteners may not necessarily require additional contact area(s) to be added to any of the remaining three planes, as the remaining surfaces are capable of transmitting the required torque without significant additional deformation. As such, according to the teachings of this disclosure, the use of the three diametrically opposed finger contact surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ), in combination with three corners  840 ,  842  and  844  (each corner having areas  812  and  814 ) described herein, may be sufficient to improve hand assembly while not degrading tool assembly performance. A further improvement for comfort in hand assembly may be the addition of the curved edges  710 ,  712  and  714 . These head configurations may also be manufactured with less material compared to conventional hex heads. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , in addition, the transmission of torque applied to the three remaining planes may not cause deformation or failure of the fastener head. Accordingly, creation of a plurality of localized structural ribs  950 ,  952 ,  954 ,  956 ,  958  and  960 , each rib located such that it opposes the loading applied to each of the rectangular areas  812  and  814  as described above, is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure. In each corner of the head, the combination of assembly (fastening) and removal (unfastening) areas  812  and  814 , and supporting structural ribs  950 - 960  shall be referred to hereinafter, for ease of description, as “lugs”  962 ,  964  and  966 . 
         [0045]    Each structural rib, e.g., rib  950 , may preferably be located between a tightening (fastening) area (plane)  812  of one lug  964  and the loosening (unfastening) area (plane)  814  from another lug  962 . A specific example configuration is shown, with the rib  950  may support the loosening (unfastening) area (plane)  814  of lug  962  integrated with the rib  952  intended to support tightening from lug  964 , etc., thus forming common ribs between each lug. It is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that the outermost surfaces of these integrated ribs may be concave, e.g., surfaces  502 ,  504  and  506  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    The innermost surfaces of the ribs  950 - 960  may take any shape that, in combination with the outermost concave surfaces, result in a rib that is capable of resisting the maximum assembly or removal torque applied to each of the lugs  962 ,  964  and  966 . It is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that, for example, rib  950  may also be totally separate from the adjoining rib  952 , so long as it adequately supports the resistance of torque applied to the areas  812  and  814  (planes) of its respective lug. In some cases, this specific example embodiment may be easier to manufacture than non-integrated rib embodiments. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , depicted is schematic plan diagram of a fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. Lugs  962 ,  964  and  966  preferably truncate at their top surfaces  1068 ,  1070  and  1072  in a convex curve essentially tangent to a plane substantially perpendicular to the thread axis, located at the top of the fastener, as well as essentially tangent to the lines  1074 ,  1076  and  1078  formed by the intersection of the pairs of assembly (fastening) area (planes)  812  and their respective adjacent removal (unfastening) area (planes)  814 . Such curves may aid insertion of the head into assembly tooling and it is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that such curves may take any essentially convex three-dimensional shape, according to the teachings of this disclosure. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , nine exterior surfaces  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  812  and  814  (times three) wherein any axial section through the fastener results in an intersection line which is essentially parallel to the axis. It is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that all such exterior surfaces described herein may be canted slightly inboard (toward the fastener axis) as they approach the top of the head, such as to create a draft angle on each, thus allowing more efficient manufacture. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, a center portion of the fastener head described herein may be evacuated of material not substantially contributing to the functions stated hereinabove and/or for structural purposes. This may be done by utilizing any geometric shape which hollows out a center of the head, thus saving material and weight. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , depicted is a schematic elevational diagram of a load-bearing platform attached to the threaded portion of the fastener, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. All of the above described features of the head, according to the teachings of this disclosure, may be placed onto the upper surface of a load-bearing platform attached to the threaded portion of the fastener. Such platform  1180  and adjacent threaded body  1182  are shown for illustrative purposes without the head as described hereinabove. In a specific example embodiment of this disclosure, construction of such a platform  1180  may have a substantially cylindrical shape, represented by the numeral  1184 , with a conical upper portion  1186  that intersects the fastener head, described more fully hereinabove. In a preferred construction, a lower surface  1188  of the cylindrically shaped platform  1180  may be slightly conical and may intersect with the thread body  1182  in a radius, represented by the numeral  1190 . It is contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure, that the contour and conical nature of the top surface  1192 , the shape of outer edge  1194 , the angularity and contour of the lower surface  1188 , and the means of intersection with the thread body  1182  may vary according to individually design requirements, as would be readily apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art of threaded fastener design and having the benefit of this disclosure. The diameter of the cylindrical platform  1180  may vary from a minimum determined by about a diameter of the fastener shank, to a maximum of about two times the circle&#39;s diameter, e.g., similar to the integrated flange  104  shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the diameter of the cylindrical platform  1180  may be larger than a circle circumscribed by the corners of the head (intersections of areas  812  and  814 ). 
         [0051]    The platform  1180  may be thick enough so as to be capable of resisting the design loads associated with the threaded body  1182  without failure, however, it is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that it may be much thicker as determined by individual design requirements. 
         [0052]    It is contemplated herein and within the scope of this disclosure that substantially all current thread designs and point styles may be used in combination with the fastener head disclosed hereinabove, particularly standard threads as described in international standards such as ISO and IFI. Of particular effectiveness in improving assembly efficiency is the integration of the head style, according to the teachings of this disclosure, with anti-cross thread designs  1296 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , and more fully described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,730,566; 5,791,849; 5,836,731; 5,997,231; and 6,162,001; all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes, and marketed under the trade names MAThread® and MATpoint® (Registered trademarks of MAThread, Inc., 28061 Grand Oaks Court, Wixom, Mich. 48393) and other similar designs. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , depicted is a schematic plan diagram of a fastener head, according to a specific example embodiment of this disclosure. This embodiment of the invention is a six-point or six-lug head having six corners  840 ,  841 ,  842 ,  843 ,  844 , and  845  for engagement with a conventional box-end wrench or socket tool. Between corners and opposite assembly (fastening) area (planes)  812  and removal (unfastening) area (planes)  814 , material does not exist compared to facets in conventional hex heads, such that recesses  825  are formed. Embodiments many have anywhere between one and six recesses  825 . Six-point head embodiments may or may not employ a platform  1180 . Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14(   a ) and  14 ( b ), plan and perspective views of a three-point or three-lug embodiment are illustrated. This embodiment is similar to those described relative to  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) comprising three points or corners  840 ,  842  and  844 , except that this embodiment does not comprise a platform  1180  (see  FIG. 11) . Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15(   a ) and  15 ( b ), plan and perspective views of a three-point or three-lug embodiment are illustrated. This embodiment is similar to those described relative to  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) comprising three points or corners  840 ,  842  and  844 , except that this embodiment comprises a platform  1180  that has a diameter between the pitch diameter and a circle circumscribed by the corners of the head (intersections of areas  812  and  814 ). Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a plan view of a three-point or three-lug embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to those described relative to  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) comprising three points or corners  840 ,  842  and  844 , except that this embodiment comprises a platform  1180  that has a diameter about equal to a circle circumscribed by the corners of the head (intersections of areas  812  and  814 ) and the facets ( 502 ,  504 ,  506 ) between the corners are substantially planar. However, in alternative embodiments, these surfaces may be straight or convex, or any combination of surfaces. Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a plan view of a two-point or two-lug embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment has only two corners  841  and  844 , wherein the corners  841  and  844  are positioned about 180 degrees from each other. Each corner  841  and  844  is formed by an intersection of areas  812  and  814 . Different two-point embodiments may have no platform at all and other embodiments may have a platform  1180  of any diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the facets extending between opposite areas  812  and  814  are planar, but in further embodiments, the facets may be any shape. Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 18 , a plan view of a four-point or four-lug embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment has four corners  840 ,  841 ,  843 , and  844 , wherein the corners  840 ,  841 ,  843 , and  844  are positioned at 0 degrees, 60 degrees, 180 degrees, and 240 degrees respectively. Each corner  840 ,  841 ,  843 , and  844  is formed by an intersection of areas  812  and  814 . Different four-point embodiments may have no platform at all and other embodiments may have a platform  1180  of any diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces extending between opposite areas  812  and  814  of a pair of relatively adjacent corners ( 840  and  841  as a first pair, and  843  and  844  as a second pair) form recesses  825  such that material does not exist compared to facets in conventional hex heads. In the illustrated embodiment, the surfaces  508  and  504  extending between opposite areas  812  and  814  of a pair of relatively opposite corners ( 840  and  844  as a first pair, and  841  and  843  as a second pair) are concave. However, in alternative embodiments, these surfaces may be straight or convex, or any combination of surfaces. Embodiments may or may not have material in a central portion of the head. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a perspective view of a three-point or three-lug embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to those described relative to  FIGS. 8(   a ) and  8 ( b ) comprising three points or corners  840 ,  842  and  844 . A particular feature of this embodiment is that the top surfaces  1900 ,  1902  and  1904  of the lugs are relatively more planar compared to those of the other illustrated embodiments, In particular, the top surfaces  1900 ,  1902  and  1904  shown in  FIG. 19  are somewhat conical, wherein they collectively define portions of a conical shape such that if one were to imagine a conical structure, like a lamp shade, placed on top of the head, it would contact all points of the top surfaces  1900 ,  1902  and  1904  of the lugs. Further, this embodiment has the material hallowed out of a central portion of the head. 
         [0060]    Referring now to  FIG. 20 , a perspective view of a three-point or three-lug embodiment is illustrated, wherein the hollowed out portion of the head has a somewhat triangular or trilobular shape. In particular, interior sides  2002 ,  2004  and  2006  of the hollowed out portion are somewhat parallel to the exterior facets  502 ,  504  and  506 . 
         [0061]    A process for manufacturing bolts, in particular bolt heads, involves pressing metal blanks into a die. As a metal blank is pressed into a die, the metal flows into the deepest crevices and corners of the die to form the most distal end portions of the lugs of the head which are farthest away from the platform. The hallowed out portions of the heads between the lugs illustrated in this disclosure may be formed by dies that displace metal from the center of the head outwardly toward the distal portions of the lugs. Of course, the shape of the central portion of the die defines in reverse the shape of the hallowed out central portion of the head. The shape of the central portion of the die, and thus the shape of the hallowed out central portion of the head may take any shape. As shown in  FIG. 19 , the shape is conical. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the shape is somewhat triangular or trilobular and the interior sides  2002 ,  2004  and  2006  of the hollowed out portion are somewhat parallel to the exterior facets  502 ,  504  and  506 . A hallowed out portion of this triangular or trilobular may be advantageous as it allows the metal from the blank to flow evenly and completely to form the most distal portions of the head extending from the platform  1180 . 
         [0062]    In different embodiments, the height of the head walls, formed by the interior sides  2002 ,  2004  and  2006  and the exterior facets  502 ,  504  and  506 , may be different than the height of the lugs. In some embodiments, the height of the head walls is shorter than the lugs, while in other embodiments, the head walls are taller than the lugs. In still further embodiments, the head walls are the same height as the lugs. 
         [0063]    While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted, described, and are defined by reference to example embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.