Patent Description:
Hex bolts, nuts, screws, and other similar threaded devices are used to secure and hold multiple components together by being engaged to a complimentary thread, known as a female thread. The general structure of these types of fasteners is a cylindrical shaft with an external thread and a head at one end of the shaft. The external thread engages a complimentary female thread tapped into a hole or a nut and secures the fastener in place, fastening the associated components together. The head receives an external torque force and is the means by which the fastener is turned, or driven, into the female threading. The head is shaped specifically to allow an external tool like a wrench to apply a torque to the fastener in order to rotate the fastener and engage the complimentary female threading to a certain degree. This type of fastener is simple, extremely effective, cheap, and highly popular in modern construction.

One of the most common problems in using these types of fasteners, whether male or female, is the tool slipping in the head portion, or slipping on the head portion. This is generally caused by either a worn fastener or tool, corrosion, overtightening, or damage to the head portion of the fastener. The present invention is a fastener design that virtually eliminates slippage, when used in conjunction with the appropriate matching tool. The design uses a series of segmented portions that bite into the head of the fastener and allow for efficient torque transfer between the driving bit and the head portion of the fastener. The present invention eliminates the need for the common bolt extractors as they require unnecessary drilling and tools. With the development of electric screwdrivers, and drills, people have been using, power tools to apply the required torsional forces and remove various fasteners. Most driver end bits have a standardized one fourth inch hex holder and come in various configurations including but not limited to, square end, hex end, or star end.

From <CIT> there is known a screw-in fixture component for screwing tools having work end polygonal in cross-section.

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention generally relates to fasteners such as screws and bolts. The present invention is an anti-slippage fastener that utilizes a specific head design to ensure that there is no slipping in between a torque tool device and the present invention. Resultantly, a significant amount of torque may be applied to the present invention for tightening or loosening purposes without causing damage. This is especially useful for extraction as the traditional means of extracting a seized fastener include damaging the fastener.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the present invention comprises a fastener head <NUM>, a shank <NUM>, and an external threading <NUM>. The fastener head <NUM> acts as the interface portion of the present invention that receives a torque force from an external torque tool. Specifically, the fastener head <NUM> comprises a rotation axis <NUM>, a plurality of engagement walls <NUM>, a first base <NUM>, and a second base <NUM>. Each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> interlock and grip the external torque tool to efficiently receive and transfer a torque force from the external torque tool to the shank <NUM>. The plurality of engagement walls <NUM> is radially distributed about the rotation axis <NUM>; wherein, the number within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> is subject to change. Additionally, each of the engagement walls comprises a first transversal line <NUM>, a second transversal line <NUM>, and a partially-circular portion <NUM>. The first transversal line <NUM> and the second transversal line <NUM> make up the straight and flat portion for each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. The partially-circular portion <NUM> is a semi-circular line that acts as the interlocking feature for the each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> to prevent slippage and increase the amount of torque force the fastener head <NUM> may receive without damage and slippage. The curvature, size, and location of the partially-circular portion <NUM> is subject to change. In one embodiment, the partially circular portion <NUM> may be different shape including, but not limited to, triangular, rectangular, or square shaped. A rounded profile is used to decrease the number of potential high stress points, thus decreasing potential points where the fastener head <NUM> might break or slip. Specifically, the first transversal line <NUM> is terminally connected to the partially-circular portion <NUM>. Opposite the first transversal line <NUM>, the second transversal line <NUM> is terminally connected to the partially-circular portion <NUM>. It is preferred that the first transversal line <NUM> and the second transversal line <NUM> are colinearly aligned with each other and, therefore, are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the partially-circular portion <NUM> is configured such that a center <NUM> of the partially-circular portion <NUM> is oriented away from the rotation axis <NUM>. The first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM> are positioned parallel and opposite to each other, across the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. Additionally, the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM> are oriented perpendicular to each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. Resultantly, the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>, the first base <NUM>, and the second base <NUM> delineate a prism shape for the fastener head <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> comprises an arbitrary engagement wall <NUM> and an adjacent engagement wall <NUM>. The arbitrary engagement wall <NUM> is any feature within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> and the adjacent engagement wall <NUM> is the feature directly next to the arbitrary engagement wall <NUM>. In relation to each other the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>, the second transversal line <NUM> of the arbitrary engagement wall <NUM> is terminally connected to the first transversal line <NUM> of the adjacent engagement wall <NUM>, opposite the partially-circular portion <NUM> of the adjacent engagement wall <NUM>. As mentioned above, the present invention may be designed to fit a variety of torque-tools. This is achieved by varying the number of engagement walls within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> to compliment different types of torque-tools. The number within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> corresponds to the number of sides of the fastener head <NUM>. For instance, for a pentagon shaped fastener head <NUM>, there are five engagement walls within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. A hexagon shaped fastener head <NUM> requires six engagement walls within the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>, an example is seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. In one embodiment, the fastener head <NUM> is implemented as a square prism. For this, a quantity for the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> is four. Additionally, for this, the second transversal line <NUM> of the arbitrary sidewall is terminally connected to the first transversal line <NUM> of the adjacent sidewall at right angle as seen in <FIG>.

The shank <NUM> is an elongated cylinder that makes up the body of the present invention. The length and diameter of the shank <NUM> is subject to change to meet the needs and preferences of the user. The external threading <NUM> is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement. Additionally, the external threading <NUM> engages a complimentary female threading of an external structure to secure and attach the present invention to the external structure. The shank <NUM> is concentrically and terminally mounted to the fastener head <NUM>, similar to traditional screw designs. Specifically, the shank <NUM> is terminally and normally connected to the second base <NUM>. The external threading <NUM> extends along the shank <NUM> and is laterally connected to the shank <NUM>. The specific characteristics of the external threading <NUM>, such as lead, pitch, and start, are subject to change to meet the needs and preferences of the user.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the fastener head <NUM> may be implemented as a socket fastener. In this embodiment, the fastener head <NUM> is outwardly extending from the cross section <NUM> of each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. In other words, the body of the fastener head <NUM> is external to the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> and the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> delineate a tool-receiving cavity <NUM>. To engage and rotate this embodiment of the present invention, a torque-tool with a bit shank <NUM> is used and positioned within the tool-receiving cavity <NUM>; a complimentary profile matching the profile of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> is preferred, although, alternative profiles may be used as well. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> tapers the tool-receiving cavity <NUM> from the first base <NUM> to the second base <NUM>. The tapering feature allows for torque-tools of varying size to engage the fastener head <NUM>, thus increasing the versatility of the present invention. For the socket fastener embodiment of the present invention, an edge between each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> and the second base <NUM> may be chamfered or rounded.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the present invention further comprises a security pin <NUM>. The security pin <NUM> ensures that only specific torque-tools are capable of engaging the socket fastener embodiment of the present invention, thus restricting the tightening or extracting of the present invention to only personnel with the appropriate equipment. The security pin <NUM> is an elongated cylinder that length of the fastener head <NUM> from the first base <NUM> to the second base <NUM>. The security pin <NUM> is concentrically positioned within the rotation axis <NUM> and is mounted within the tool-receiving cavity <NUM>. Thus, to engage the present invention, a torque-tool with a complimentary cavity is required.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention may further comprise an annular flange <NUM> that acts similar to a washer to distribute the load of the present invention to the surface of the external structure that the present invention is attached to. The annular flange <NUM> is a disk with a central hole, wherein the central hole is sized to the outer diameter of the shank <NUM>. The annular flange <NUM> is concentrically positioned within the rotation axis <NUM> and positioned adjacent to the fastener head <NUM>. Additionally, the annular flange <NUM> is laterally connected to shank <NUM>. The outer diameter, thickness, and design of the annular flange <NUM> is subject to change. When the present invention is tightened into an external structure, the annular flange <NUM> sits directly against the external surface of the external structure and prevents the fastener head <NUM> from being driven into the external surface.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the fastener head <NUM> may be implemented as a standard screw head. The fastener head <NUM> is laterally delineated by the cross section <NUM> of each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. In this embodiment, the body of the fastener head <NUM> is within the cross section <NUM> of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> such that a torque-tool with a socket is required to engage the fastener head <NUM>. In this embodiment, the partially- circular portion for each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> is a cavity. In one embodiment, the fastener head <NUM> tapers from the second base <NUM> to the first base <NUM> to allow a range of socket size to fit over and interlock with the fastener head <NUM> of the present invention, thus increasing the versatility of the present invention. For the standard screw embodiment of the present invention, an edge between each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> and the first base <NUM> may be chamfered or rounded. Additionally, for the standard screw embodiment, a security recess may be used. The security recess is a cavity that is positioned concentric with the rotation axis <NUM>. Additionally, the security recess normally traverses into the fastener head <NUM> from the first base <NUM> to the second base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the plurality of engagement walls <NUM> may be implemented in a multitude of designs to create varying secure designs. In one embodiment, not according to the present invention, referring to <FIG>, a length <NUM> of the first transversal line <NUM> is equal to a length <NUM> of the second transversal line <NUM>. This outlines a symmetrical design wherein the partially-circular portion <NUM> is centrally located and provides equal traction for tightening and loosening of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the length <NUM> of the first transversal line <NUM> is greater than the length <NUM> of the second transversal line <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. Thus, the partially-circular portion <NUM> is positioned offset from the center of the corresponding wall from the plurality of engagement walls <NUM>. This ensures adequate torque force is transferred to the present invention in the clockwise rotation for tightening purposes. In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented for extracting purposes. In this embodiment, the length <NUM> of the first transversal line <NUM> is less than the length <NUM> of the second transversal line <NUM>. This ensures adequate torque force is transferred to the present invention in the counter-clockwise rotation for extraction purposes.

Claim 1:
An anti-slippage fastener comprising:
a shank (<NUM>);
a fastener head (<NUM>);
an external threading (<NUM>);
the fastener head (<NUM>) comprising a rotation axis (<NUM>) and a plurality of engagement walls (<NUM>);
the plurality of engagement walls (<NUM>) being radially distributed about the rotation axis (<NUM>);
a cross section (<NUM>) for each of the plurality of engagement walls (<NUM>) comprising a first transversal line (<NUM>), a second transversal line (<NUM>), and a partially-circular portion (<NUM>);
the first transversal line (<NUM>) being terminally connected to the partially-circular portion (<NUM>);
the second transversal line (<NUM>) being terminally connected to the partially-circular portion (<NUM>), opposite the first transversal line (<NUM>);
a center (<NUM>) of the partially-circular portion (<NUM>) being oriented away from the rotation axis (<NUM>);
a length (<NUM>) of the first transversal line (<NUM>) is greater than or less than a length (<NUM>) of the second transversal line (<NUM>);
the shank (<NUM>) being concentrically and terminally mounted to the fastener head (<NUM>);
the external threading (<NUM>) extending along the shank (<NUM>); and
the external threading (<NUM>) being laterally connected to the shank (<NUM>).