Patent ID: 8033006

Claim:
A method for mounting a thread protecting element comprising a helical wire into receiving threads of a structural member, which method comprises the following steps: a) providing a helical wire having a geometry adapted to the receiving threads of the structural member, b) providing a mounting spindle having threads which are matingly shaped with respect to the geometry of the helical wire, c) fixing the helical wire on the mounting spindle by frictional engagement resisting a torque required for mounting the helical wire into the receiving threads, d) threading the mounting spindle including the helical wire fixed thereon into said receiving threads by rotation of the mounting spindle in a mounting direction, e) removing the mounting spindle from the helical wire by rotating the mounting spindle opposite to said mounting direction, wherein the helical wire having at least an end section of an internal diameter which is reduced as to that of any remaining section of the helical wire such that the reduced diameter is smaller than the diameter of the mounting spindle in order to provide said frictional engagement required for mounting the helical wire in the receiving threads, and the mounting spindle being of a diameter slightly exceeding that of a standard screw of substantially similar dimensions which is to be inserted into the helical wire, and said end section of the helical wire being of an internal diameter great enough to enable said standard screw to be threaded into the helical wire after having been mounted in said receiving threads.