Locking threaded fasteners

Abstract

This specification discloses a locking fastener comprising a first threaded fastener (22) axially positioned within an axial through-hole (44) of a second threaded fastener and captured in the axial through-hole by a rotating engagement (26) that allows the first and second threaded fasteners to rotate relative to each other about a common thread axis. In one or more embodiments, the helix direction of the first threaded fastener thread (34) is opposite to that of the second threaded fastener thread (42). A screw driver tool is also disclosed, configured to simultaneously engage the first and second threaded fasteners into a mating member and rotate them in opposite directions. The mating member has a first mating thread and a second mating thread configured to receive the first and second threaded fasteners respectively, the first and second threaded fasteners being driven with the same axial advance distance for each turn. The locking fastener of the present invention prevents loosening once tightened and provides tamper-proof control.

Description

[0001] Pursuant to 35 USC § 119(e), this application claims the benefit of priority to, and is entitled to, the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 036,774, filed June 9, 2020. The contents of that U.S. Provisional Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. background

[0002] The subject matter of this patent application generally relates to threaded fasteners having locking structures and features for preventing loosening after tightening and for preventing tampering.

[0003] As background, standard threaded fasteners, such as screws, bolts, and nuts, loosen over time due to vibration. Thread-locking compounds are applied to standard fasteners, but they are not clean and must be reapplied every time the fastener is removed. Nuts and bolts with nylon patches must be properly positioned, and if the fastener needs to be removed, they may lose their locking effectiveness. Essentially, many existing locking systems suffer permanent damage in one or two of the tightening and loosening processes. Furthermore, existing locking fasteners do not provide sufficient tamper-proof features to prevent unauthorized removal. Therefore, what is needed is a fastener system that can be tightened and loosened multiple times without causing substantial permanent damage to the fastener's locking features that would reduce locking effectiveness.

[0004] The aspects of the present invention satisfy these needs and provide additional related advantages, as described in the following overview.

[0005] Overview

[0006] Various aspects of the present invention teach several benefits in terms of construction and use, which produce the exemplary advantages described below.

[0007] This specification discloses a locking threaded fastener, including a first fastener, a second fastener, and a rotating joint axially connecting the first fastener within the second fastener. The first fastener includes a first cylindrical body portion extending along a first cylindrical axis, and a first thread is formed on the outer surface of the first cylindrical body portion. The second fastener includes a second cylindrical body portion extending along a second cylindrical axis, a through-hole formed along the second cylindrical axis through the second cylindrical body portion, and a second thread formed around the second cylindrical axis on the second cylindrical body portion. The rotating joint captures at least a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener within the through-hole of the second fastener component, such that the first thread is located within the through-hole, and the first cylindrical axis and the second cylindrical axis are substantially coaxial to form a rotation axis. The rotating joint restricts substantial axial movement between the first fastener component and the second fastener component along the rotation axis and allows axial rotation between the first fastener component and the second fastener component about the rotation axis. Furthermore, the first thread is configured to have a first thread direction of rotation, and the second thread is configured to have a second thread direction of rotation opposite to that of the first thread.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of various aspects of the invention. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosed subject matter in at least one exemplary embodiment, which are further defined in detail in the following description. According to one or more embodiments, features, elements, and aspects of this disclosure are referenced in different drawings by reference numerals having similar reference numerals that represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather focus on illustrating exemplary embodiments of the invention in accordance with the principles described and provided herein. In these drawings:

[0010] Figure 1 This is a top front perspective view of an assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the locking threaded fastener disclosed herein;

[0011] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front cross-sectional view of the assembly of a locking threaded fastener;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional side view of the assembly of the locking threaded fastener;

[0013] Figure 4This is a top front perspective view of the cross-section of the second fastener;

[0014] Figure 5 This is the top front perspective view of the first fastener.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Top front perspective view of the cross-section of the first fastener;

[0016] Figure 7 This is a top front perspective view of the assembly of another exemplary embodiment of the locking threaded fastener disclosed herein;

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A front cross-sectional view of the assembly of a locking threaded fastener;

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional side view of the assembly of the locking threaded fastener;

[0019] Figure 10 This is a top front perspective view of the cross-section of the second fastener;

[0020] Figure 11 This is the top front perspective view of the first fastener.

[0021] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Top front perspective view of the cross-section of the first fastener;

[0022] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional side view of the assembly of a locking threaded fastener, shown in alignment with and ready to be threaded onto the mating component.

[0023] Figure 14 This is a top front perspective view of an exemplary screwdriver tool, illustrating the internal gear train; and

[0024] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A top-front perspective view of a cross-section of a screw driver tool.

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028] Detailed description

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the system provides a locking fastener comprising a first threaded fastener axially positioned within an axial through-hole of a second threaded fastener and captured within the axial through-hole of the second threaded fastener by a rotatable engagement that allows the first and second threaded fasteners to rotate relative to each other about a common thread axis. In one or more embodiments, the thread direction of the first threaded fastener is opposite to that of the second threaded fastener. A screw driver tool is also disclosed, configured to simultaneously engage the first and second threaded fasteners into a mating component and rotate them in opposite directions. The mating component has a first mating thread and a second mating thread configured to receive the first and second threaded fasteners, respectively, which are driven to advance the same axial distance for each turn. Once tightened, the locking fastener of the present invention prevents loosening and provides a tamper-resistant hold because removing the first and second threaded fasteners from the mating threads requires simultaneous rotation at the same rate but in opposite directions.

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of the locking threaded fastener 20 (which may also be referred to herein as a fastener) of the present invention is configured for assembly in Figures 1-3 As shown in the figure. In one or more embodiments, the locking threaded fastener 20 includes a first fastener 22, a second fastener 24, and a swivel engagement 26.

[0031] Also refer to Figures 5-6 The first fastener 22 includes a first head portion 28, and a first cylindrical body portion 30 extending axially from the first head portion 28, the first cylindrical body portion 30 defining a path along a common axis of rotation 72 (e.g., ...). Figure 2The first cylindrical axis is collinear with the first cylindrical body portion 30. The first head portion 28 includes a first screw drive feature 32, which in this exemplary embodiment is an internal hexagon screw drive portion 64. A first thread 34 is formed on the outer surface 50 of the first cylindrical body portion 30, defining a thread axis collinear with a common axis of rotation 72. The first thread 34 includes a first thread directionality, which is either a right-hand thread or a left-hand thread. The illustrated embodiment also includes an annular flange 46 extending laterally (e.g., radially) from the outer surface 50 of the first cylindrical body portion 30; or, in the illustrated example, the annular flange 46 extends from the first head portion 28. The exact position of the annular flange along the length of the first fastener 22 can be varied depending on the application requirements. However, in many embodiments, the annular flange 46 is located above the first thread 34, and all or at least a portion of the first head portion 28 protrudes above the annular flange 46. In one or more embodiments, the annular flange 46 is flush with the top of the first head portion 28. The use of the annular flange 46 will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the rotary joint 26.

[0032] Now refer to Figure 4 The second fastener 24 includes a second head portion 36, and a second cylindrical body portion 38 extending axially from the second head portion 36, the second cylindrical body portion 38 defining a path along a common axis of rotation 72 (e.g., Figure 2 The second cylindrical axis is collinear with the second cylindrical axis shown. The second head portion 36 includes a second screw drive feature 40, which in this exemplary embodiment is a wrench screw drive portion 58. The wrench screw drive portion 58 includes more than one wrench head pin hole 60 formed into the annular top surface 62 of the second head portion 36. The wrench head pin hole 60 is arranged in a circular pattern around the annular top surface 62 and configured to receive a mating tip of a screw driver tool. A second thread 42 is formed on the outer wall surface 56 of the second cylindrical body portion 38, and the second thread 42 defines a thread axis collinear with the common axis of rotation 72. An axial through hole 44 is formed through the second fastener 24, and the axis of the axial through hole 44 is along the cylindrical axis collinear with the common axis of rotation 72. The axial through hole 44 defines the inner wall surface 54 of the second fastener 24, wherein the axial through hole 44 is larger in diameter than the first cylindrical body portion 30, such that there is an annular gap between the first thread 34 of the first cylindrical body portion 30 and the inner wall surface 54, so as to leave a gap for the first thread 34 to be screwed into the mating component.

[0033] Although the above description and illustrated embodiments of the fastener 20 of the present invention describe a second fastener 24 having a second thread 42 formed on the outer wall surface 56 of the second cylindrical body portion 38, in an alternative embodiment, the second thread 42 may be formed on the inner wall surface 54 of the second cylindrical body portion 38.

[0034] The first thread 34 of the first fastener 22 includes a first thread direction of rotation, which is either right-hand or left-hand, and in one or more embodiments, this first thread direction of rotation is opposite to the second thread direction of rotation of the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24. For example, if the first thread direction of rotation is right-hand (e.g., clockwise rotation would result in axial advance into the mating thread), then the second thread direction of rotation would be left-hand (e.g., counterclockwise rotation would result in axial advance into the mating thread). In another exemplary embodiment, if the first thread direction of rotation is left-hand, then the second thread direction of rotation would be right-hand. In this exemplary embodiment, the first thread 34 is left-hand, such that the torque that generates movement along the first rotation direction 68 (counterclockwise when viewed from above) will cause the first fastener 22 to advance axially into its corresponding mating thread (refer to in more detail). Figure 13 (Description). Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24 is right-handed, such that the torque generating movement along the second rotational direction 70 (clockwise when viewed from above) will cause the second fastener 24 to advance axially into its corresponding mating thread. Although, in the illustrated embodiment of the fastener 20 of the invention, the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 are threaded oppositely, they can be threaded similarly, where both have the same thread direction.

[0035] In one or more exemplary embodiments, such as Figures 2-3As shown, the rotary engagement 26 includes an annular flange 46 extending from the first fastener 22 and an annular groove 52 formed in the inner wall surface 54 of the second fastener 24. A peripheral edge portion 48 of the annular flange 46 lies within the annular groove 52 within a through-hole 44 of the second fastener 24. In one or more embodiments, the width of the annular groove 52 is just sufficient to prevent substantial axial movement or axial clearance of the first fastener 22, but wide enough to allow a sliding fit, wherein the edge portion 48 of the annular flange 46 is allowed to rotate and slide through the annular groove 52 without having an unacceptable level of binding that prevents the fastener 20 of the present invention from being tightened. In one or more embodiments, the width of the annular groove 52 is generally wider than the thickness of the annular flange 46 to limit axial movement of the first fastener 22 by a predetermined distance or to have axial clearance of a predetermined distance less than one-quarter, half, three-quarters, or a single first pitch of the first thread 34. Although axial clearance may not be necessary or desirable in many cases, it can sometimes be advantageous to allow slight axial clearance so that the first thread 34 of the first fastener 22 can be aligned with the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24, allowing both to be screwed in smoothly and simultaneously without engaging, and to loosen tolerances for mass production.

[0036] Although the above description and illustrated embodiments of the fastener 20 of the present invention depict a flange rigidly extending from the first fastener 22, other arrangements may also provide the swivel engagement 26. For example, annular grooves may be formed on the outer surface 50 of the first fastener 22 and the inner wall surface 54 of the second fastener 24. A retaining ring may be sized to span between two aligned annular grooves to form the swivel engagement 26. If at least one of the annular grooves is deep enough, the retaining ring (mounted within one of the annular grooves) may deform inward or outward within the deeper annular groove and quickly return to its original position when aligned with the other annular groove.

[0037] During assembly, the first fastener 22 is configured to be captured within the through-hole 44 of the second fastener 24 via a swivel joint 26, which substantially restricts movement between the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 along a common axis of rotation 72. Furthermore, the swivel joint 26 allows the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 to rotate relative to each other about the common axis of rotation 72. Therefore, when the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 are not tightened, they are allowed to rotate relative to each other in the same or opposite directions.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the first thread 34 of the first fastener 22 and the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24 have the same pitch, such that the first rotational speed of the first fastener 22 is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the second rotational speed of the second fastener 24, because the lead or axial distance traveled per revolution is the same for both the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24. Therefore, the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 can be driven at the same rotational rate.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the first thread 34 of the first fastener 22 and the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24 have dissimilar pitches, such that the first rotational speed of the first fastener 22 is not equal in magnitude to the second rotational speed of the second fastener 24. This is because the lead or axial distance traveled per revolution is different for the first fastener 22 compared to the second fastener 24. If the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 rotate simultaneously at the same rotational speed but in opposite directions, the first thread 34 and the second thread 42 will quickly engage in their respective mating threads.

[0040] When the first thread 34 of the first fastener 22 and the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24 have different pitches (where for a single-start thread, the lead and pitch are the same), the relationship between the angular velocities at which the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 must rotate can be expressed in one or more embodiments as follows: ,in and These indicate the leads of the first thread 34 and the second thread 42, respectively. and The first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 are respectively indicated by the angle of rotation in degrees. Indicates and (opposite angle), and The total time for applying two rotations is indicated. Therefore, in order to smoothly and simultaneously screw the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 into the mating parts, the lead of both the first thread 34 and the second thread 42 must be considered when designing the screw driver tool.

[0041] Now go to Figures 7-12 The illustration shows a second exemplary embodiment of the locking fastener 120. Figures 11-12 As shown, the first fastener 122 includes a first head portion 128, and a first cylindrical body portion 130 extending axially from the first head portion 128. The first cylindrical body portion 130 defines a path along a common axis of rotation 172 (e.g., ...). Figure 8The first cylindrical axis is collinear with the first cylindrical axis shown. The first head portion 128 includes a first screw drive feature 132, which in this exemplary embodiment is an internal hexagon screw drive portion 164. A first thread 134 is formed on the outer surface 150 of the first cylindrical body portion 130, and the first thread 134 defines a thread axis collinear with a common axis of rotation 172. The first thread 134 includes a first thread directionality. Instead of an annular flange, the illustrated embodiment includes an annular groove 152 formed in the first head portion 128 or the first cylindrical body portion 130.

[0042] Reference Figure 10 The second fastener 124 includes a second head portion 136, and a second cylindrical body portion 138 extending axially from the second head portion 136, the second cylindrical body portion 138 defining a path along a common axis of rotation 172 (e.g., Figure 8 The second cylindrical axis is collinear with the second cylindrical axis shown. The second head portion 136 includes a second screw drive feature 140, which in this exemplary embodiment is a wrench screw drive portion 158. The wrench screw drive portion 158 includes more than one wrench head pin hole 160 formed into an annular top surface 162 of the second head portion 136. The wrench head pin hole 160 is arranged in a circular pattern around the annular top surface 162 and configured to receive a mating tip or pin of a screw driver tool. A second thread 142 is formed on the inner wall surface 154 of the second cylindrical body portion 138, and the second thread 142 defines a thread axis collinear with a common axis of rotation 172. An axial through hole 144 is formed through the second fastener 124, and the axis of the axial through hole 144 is along a cylindrical axis collinear with the common axis of rotation 172. The axial through hole 144 defines the inner wall surface 154 of the second fastener 124, wherein the axial through hole 144 is larger in diameter than the second cylindrical body portion 138, such that there is an annular gap between the first thread 134 of the first cylindrical body portion 130 and the inner wall surface 154, so as to leave a gap for the first thread 134 to be screwed into the mating component.

[0043] Although the above description and illustrated embodiments of the fastener 120 of the present invention describe a second fastener 124 having a second thread 142 formed on the inner wall surface 154 of the second cylindrical body portion 138, in an alternative embodiment, the second thread 142 may be formed on the outer wall surface 156 of the second cylindrical body portion 138.

[0044] The first thread 134 of the first fastener 122 includes a first thread direction of rotation, which is either right-hand or left-hand, and in one or more embodiments, this first thread direction of rotation is opposite to the second thread direction of rotation of the second thread 142 of the second fastener 124. For example, if the first thread direction of rotation is right-hand (e.g., clockwise rotation would result in axial advance into the mating thread), then the second thread direction of rotation would be left-hand (e.g., counterclockwise rotation would result in axial advance into the mating thread). In another exemplary embodiment, if the first thread direction of rotation is left-hand, then the second thread direction of rotation would be right-hand. In this exemplary embodiment, the first thread 134 is left-hand, such that the torque that generates movement along the first rotation direction 168 (counterclockwise when viewed from above) will cause the first fastener 122 to advance axially into its corresponding mating thread (refer to in more detail). Figure 13 (Description). Additionally, in this exemplary embodiment, the second thread 142 of the second fastener 124 is right-handed, such that the torque generating movement along the second rotational direction 170 (clockwise when viewed from above) will cause the second fastener 124 to advance axially into its corresponding mating thread. Although, in the illustrated embodiment of the fastener 120 of the invention, the first fastener 122 and the second fastener 124 are threaded oppositely, they can be threaded similarly, where both have the same thread direction.

[0045] refer to Figures 8-9 The rotary engagement 126 includes an annular flange 146 extending from the inner wall surface 154 of the second fastener 124 and an annular groove 152 formed into the first fastener 122 (first head portion 128, as shown, or first cylindrical body portion 130). An exemplary annular flange 146 forms a washer-like protrusion into the through-hole 144 of the second fastener 124. A peripheral edge portion 148 of the annular flange 146 lies within the annular groove 152. In one or more embodiments, the width of the annular groove 152 is just sufficient to prevent substantial axial movement or axial play in the first fastener 122, but wide enough to allow a sliding fit, wherein the edge portion 148 of the annular flange 146 is allowed to rotate and slide through the annular groove 152 without having an unacceptable level of engagement that prevents the tightening of the fastener 120 of the present invention.

[0046] Although the above description and illustrated embodiments of the fastener 120 of the present invention depict a flange rigidly extending from the second fastener 124, other arrangements may also provide the swivel engagement 126. For example, annular grooves may be formed on the outer surface 150 of the first fastener 122 and the inner wall surface 154 of the second fastener 124. A retaining ring may be sized to span between the two aligned annular grooves to form the swivel engagement 126. If at least one of the annular grooves is deep enough, the retaining ring (mounted within one of the annular grooves) may deform inward or outward within the deeper annular groove and quickly return to its original position when aligned with the other annular groove.

[0047] Check Figure 11 As can be seen as the dotted line, the joint 174 is formed at the top of the annular groove 152 into the first head portion 128 of the first fastener 122. To aid assembly, the first fastener 122 or the second fastener 124 can be divided into two parts. Here, the concave portion 176 of the first head portion 128 engages with the top of the threaded portion 178 of the first cylindrical body portion 130, the concave portion 176 defining the top of the annular groove 152. To assemble the fastener 120, the threaded portion 178 can be inserted through the through-hole 144 from the underside of the annular flange 146; and the concave portion 176 can mate with the threaded portion 178 from the top side of the annular flange 146. These two parts can be screwed together, joined, welded (i.e., spot welded, friction welded, brazed, etc.), or connected by some other process to capture the annular flange 146 within the annular groove 152 and provide a connection sufficient to withstand the expected torque for insertion and / or extraction of the fastener 120.

[0048] Instead of forming a two-part first fastener 122 as described above, the first fastener 122 may be designed to have an extendable first head portion 128, which may be bent or compressed in a riveting process or in other processes that may form an annular groove 152 or provide similar functionality to the first head portion. Another exemplary manufacturing method may require molding or printing the fastener 122, with an annular flange 146 injection-molded or printed within the annular groove 152. The annular flange 146 can then be released by twisting the first fastener 122 and the second fastener 124 relative to each other (if any thin edge or similar material connects the annular flange 146 to the annular groove 152).

[0049] Although this document illustrates specific screw drive systems for the first fasteners 22, 122 and the second fasteners 24, 124, many types of screw drives are compatible with the locking threaded fasteners 20, 120 of this invention, such as slotted, cross-shaped (i.e., Phillips screw drives, etc.), externally polygonal (i.e., hexagonal screw drives, etc.), hexalobular socket screw drives (i.e., Torx screw drives), and other screw drives. For example, the outer surfaces 66, 166 of the second head portions 36, 136 can be shaped into external hexagons to receive internal hexagons.

[0050] View now Figure 13 The mating fastener 200 (which may also be referred to as a nut in this exemplary embodiment, as it functions somewhat like a binding barrel nut) can be seen aligned and ready to be engaged with the locking fastener 20 of the present invention. The mating fastener 200 includes a body portion 202 extending from an optional head portion 204. A stud 210 defines a central threaded hole 206, and a threaded ring 208 is defined by the stud 210 and the body portion 202 such that the threaded ring 208 surrounds and is concentric with the central threaded hole 206. A first female thread 214 is formed therein in the central threaded hole 206. The first female thread 214 is formed on the inner surface of the stud 210 and is configured to receive a first fastener 22 therein, with a first thread 34 threadedly engaging with the first female thread 214. A second female thread 216 is formed on the surface of the defining threaded ring 208 of the body portion 202, and the second female thread 216 is configured to receive a second fastener 24 therein, with a second thread 42 threadedly engaged with the second female thread 216. The direction of rotation of the first female thread 214 matches the direction of rotation of the first thread 34 of the first fastener 22. The direction of rotation of the second female thread 216 matches the direction of rotation of the second thread 42 of the second fastener 24. Therefore, the directions of rotation of the first female thread 214 and the second female thread 216 are opposite to each other in this exemplary embodiment. As described above, the first fastener 22 and the second fastener 24 must rotate simultaneously in opposite directions to be screwed into their respective threaded receiving portions (e.g., the central threaded hole 206 and the threaded ring 208, respectively).

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the mating fastener 200 is manufactured by milling a large blind hole in the body portion 202 and tapping the hole to provide a second female thread and an outer nut. The inner nut is formed by milling a stud and tapping the stud, and by attaching the stud concentrically to the bottom 212 of the large blind hole using a mating process, a male thread on the stud, or other known attachment means.

[0052] Although not shown, the mating fastener 200 may be configured to engage with the locking fastener 120 of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the threaded ring 208 forms a second female thread 216 on the surface of the defining threaded ring 208 of the stud 210, and the second female thread 216 is configured to receive the second fastener 124 therein, and the second thread 142 is threadedly engaged with the second female thread 216.

[0053] This specification also discloses a screw driver for tightening or loosening the locking fasteners disclosed herein (e.g., locking fasteners 20, 120). Now see Figures 14-15 The diagram schematically illustrates the internal working principle of a screw-driven tool 300. An input shaft 302 includes a sun gear 306 axially mounted thereon. A first drive portion 318 is formed on or attached to the input shaft 302. An outer ring 312 concentrically carries a gear ring 310, forming a bearing, with ball bearings 314 captured between the outer ring 312 and the gear ring 310 (where the gear ring 310 acts much like an inner ring), allowing the gear ring 310 to rotate relative to the outer ring 312, which is directly or indirectly secured by one-handed tool operation and to prevent rotation of the outer ring 312. A carrier 316 extends inwardly from and is mounted on the outer ring 312. A planetary gear 308 is rotatably mounted to the carrier 316 and positioned between the sun gear 306 and the gear ring 310. The planetary gear 308 transmits torque from the sun gear 306 to the gear ring 310. When the input shaft 302 rotates in the first rotation direction 322, the gear train 304 converts the first rotation direction 322 into the opposite second rotation direction 324. Depending on the gear ratio within the gear train 304, the rotational speed of the input shaft 302 and the rotational speed of the gear ring 310 can be configured to be the same or different. The gear train 304 is designed to produce a difference in the rotational speed of the input shaft 302 and the rotational speed of the gear ring 310 to match the difference in the pitch of the first threads 34, 134 and the second threads 42, 142, such that for each revolution, the first axial advance distance of the first threads 34, 134 is the same as the second axial advance distance of the second threads 42, 142. Although the screw driver tool 300 is shown somewhat schematically, it can be seen that the input shaft 302 directly drives the first fastener 22 via the first driver portion 318 and drives the second fastener 24 via the second driver portion 320 that moves with the gear ring 310. In this way, the first fasteners 22 and 122 and the second fasteners 24 and 124 can rotate in opposite directions at different or the same speeds.

[0054] The locking fasteners of the present invention (e.g., locking fasteners 20, 120) provide a means for locking threads within mating parts and for quick removal of the locking fastener without causing substantial permanent damage to the threads or requiring an adhesive coating. A locking fastener disclosed herein, such as locking fasteners 20, 120, prevents loosening due to vibration because it requires coaxial fastener components to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions to produce similar axial advance distances per turn. Therefore, although vibration may tend to cause one of the two threaded fastener components to rotate in one direction of rotation, loosening is not permitted because the rotating engagements disclosed herein (e.g., rotating engagements 26, 126) prevent axial advance of the threaded fastener component to be loosened. Furthermore, some vibrations that may tend to cause loosening in one direction of rotation may also cause tightening in fasteners that are being tightened in the opposite direction.

[0055] Various aspects of this specification can also be described through the following examples:

[0056] 1. A fastener comprising a first fastener, a second fastener, and a rotating engagement portion. The first fastener component includes a first head portion, a first cylindrical body portion extending from the first head portion along a first cylindrical axis, and a first thread formed on the first cylindrical body portion around the first cylindrical axis, wherein the first thread has a first thread direction of rotation. The second fastener component includes a second head portion, a second cylindrical body portion extending from the second head portion along a second cylindrical axis, a through hole formed along the second cylindrical axis through the second head portion and the second cylindrical body portion, and a second thread formed on the second cylindrical body portion around the second cylindrical axis, wherein the second thread has a second thread direction of rotation opposite to that of the first thread, and at least a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener is located within the through hole such that the first thread is located within the through hole, and the first cylindrical axis and the second cylindrical axis are substantially coaxial to form a rotation axis. The swivel joint captures a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener within the through-hole of the second fastener component to restrict substantial axial movement between the first and second fastener components along the axis of rotation, and to allow axial rotation between the first and second fastener components about the axis of rotation.

[0057] 2. The fastener according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first head portion of the first fastener component includes a first screw drive portion, and the second head portion of the second fastener component includes a second screw drive portion.

[0058] 3. The fastener according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first head portion is configured to be engaged by a first screw drive portion to cause the first fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in a first rotation direction, and the second head portion is configured to be engaged by a second screw drive portion to cause the second fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in a second rotation direction, the second rotation direction being opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0059] 4. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the first screw drive portion is configured to engage with the first drive portion of the screw drive tool to cause the first fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in a first rotational direction, and the second screw drive portion is configured to engage with the second drive portion of the screw drive tool to cause the second fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in the first rotational direction.

[0060] 5. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the first fastener component is configured to rotate at a first rotational speed in a first rotational direction by a first torque applied by a first drive portion of the screw driver tool, and the second fastener component is configured to rotate at a second rotational speed in a second rotational direction by a second torque applied by a second drive portion of the screw driver tool, wherein the first drive portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second drive portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train such that a single torque input provides a first torque and a second torque.

[0061] 6. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the first magnitude of the first rotational speed is different from the second magnitude of the second rotational speed.

[0062] 7. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the rotating engagement includes an annular flange having an edge portion that inserts into an annular groove, allowing relative rotation between the annular flange and the annular groove.

[0063] 8. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein an annular flange is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and an annular groove is formed in the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

[0064] 9. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein an annular groove is formed in the outer surface of the first fastener component, and an annular flange is formed on the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

[0065] 10. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein a first thread is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and a second thread is formed on the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

[0066] 11. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-10, wherein a first thread is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and a second thread is formed on the outer wall surface of the second cylindrical body portion of the second fastener component.

[0067] 12. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the first rotational speed of the first fastener component is configured to be different from the second rotational speed of the second fastener component when the first fastener component and the second fastener component are simultaneously screwed onto the mating component.

[0068] 13. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the first lead distance of the first thread of the first fastener component is different from the second lead distance of the second thread of the second fastener component, and wherein the first rotational speed of the first fastener component is configured to be different from the second rotational speed of the second fastener component when the first fastener component and the second fastener component are simultaneously screwed into the mating component, such that the first axial advance distance of the first fastener component is substantially equal to the second axial advance distance of the second fastener component.

[0069] 14. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-13, wherein a first head portion of a first fastener component includes a first screw drive portion, and a second head portion of a second fastener component includes a second screw drive portion; the first screw drive portion is configured to engage with a first drive portion of a screw driver tool to cause the first fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in a first rotational direction, and the second screw drive portion is configured to engage with a second drive portion of a screw driver tool to cause the second fastener component to rotate about a rotation axis in a second rotational direction, wherein the first drive portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second drive portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train such that a single torque input provides a first torque to the first screw drive portion and a second torque to the second screw drive portion.

[0070] 15. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein the first lead distance of the first thread is the same as the second lead distance of the second thread.

[0071] 16. The fastener according to any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein the axial clearance distance between the first fastener component and the second fastener component is limited by the rotatable joint to be less than one-quarter of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than half of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than three-quarters of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than a single first pitch of the first thread.

[0072] 17. A fastener comprising a first fastener, a second fastener, and a swivel joint. The first fastener includes a first cylindrical body portion extending along a first cylindrical axis and a first thread formed on an outer surface of the first cylindrical body portion. The second fastener part includes a second cylindrical body portion, a through hole, and a second thread, the second cylindrical body portion extending along a second cylindrical axis, the through hole formed along the second cylindrical axis through the second cylindrical body portion, and the second thread formed around the second cylindrical axis on the second cylindrical body portion. The swivel joint captures at least a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener within the through hole of the second fastener part, such that the first thread is located within the through hole, and the first cylindrical axis and the second cylindrical axis are substantially coaxial to form a rotation axis, wherein the swivel joint restricts substantial axial movement between the first fastener part and the second fastener part along the rotation axis, and the swivel joint allows axial rotation between the first fastener part and the second fastener part about the rotation axis.

[0073] 18. The fastener according to embodiment 17, wherein the first thread is configured to have a first thread direction of rotation, and the second thread is configured to have a second thread direction of rotation opposite to the first thread direction of rotation.

[0074] 19. A method for driving a threaded fastener, comprising:

[0075] A first threaded fastener is provided, positioned within an axial through-hole of a second threaded fastener. The first threaded fastener is connected to the second threaded fastener via a rotatable joint, the rotatable joint being configured to restrict substantial axial movement between the first and second fastener components along a common axis of rotation, and to allow axial rotation between the first and second fastener components about the common axis of rotation. A first torque is simultaneously applied to the first threaded fastener and a second torque is applied to the second threaded fastener. The first torque is configured to rotate the first threaded fastener about the common thread axis in a first rotational direction, and the second torque is configured to rotate the second threaded fastener about the common thread axis in a second rotational direction, wherein the common thread axis and the common axis of rotation are substantially collinear.

[0076] 20. The method according to embodiment 19 further includes providing a screw driver tool having a first driver portion and a second driver portion, wherein the first driver portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second driver portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train such that a single torque input provides a first torque and a second torque, wherein the gear train is configured to rotate the first driver portion in a first rotational direction and to rotate the second driver portion in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

[0077] Finally, for purposes of illustration and description, the foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented. It should be understood that although various aspects of the invention have been emphasized with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that these described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles constituting the invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Accordingly, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are by no means limited to the specific elements, compounds, compositions, components, articles, devices, methods, uses, schemes, steps, and / or limitations described herein, unless so expressly stated.

[0078] Furthermore, the grouping of alternative embodiments, elements, steps, and / or limitations of the invention should not be construed as limiting. Each such group may be referenced and claimed individually or in any combination with other groups disclosed herein. It is contemplated that one or more alternative embodiments, elements, steps, and / or limitations of a group may be included in or removed from the group for convenience and / or patentability reasons. When any such inclusion or removal occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the modified grouping to satisfy the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0079] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, arrangements, alterations, additions, reductions, and sub-combinations can be made based on the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is intended that the appended claims and the claims described below be construed as encompassing all such changes, modifications, arrangements, alterations, additions, reductions, and sub-combinations within their true spirit and scope. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited to what is precisely shown and described in this specification.

[0080] This document describes certain embodiments of the invention, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations of these described embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect those skilled in the art to use these variations appropriately, and the inventors intend that the invention be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described herein. Therefore, the invention includes all modifications and equivalents to the subject matter set forth in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Furthermore, any combination of the above embodiments in all possible variations is included in the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise obviously contradicted by the context.

[0081] The words, language, and terminology used in this specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, elements, steps, and / or limitations only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the claims. Furthermore, these words, language, and terminology are to be understood not only in their ordinary sense but also in the specific definitions within the structure, materials, or behavior of this specification that extend beyond their ordinary meaning. Therefore, if an element, step, or limitation can be understood to include more than one meaning in the context of this specification, its use in the claims must be understood to apply universally to all possible meanings supported by the specification and the words themselves.

[0082] Therefore, this specification defines and means the elements, steps, or limitations set forth in the following claims in order to include not only combinations of elements, steps, or limitations literally stated, but also all equivalent structures, materials, or behaviors used to perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to obtain substantially the same result. Thus, in this sense, it is conceivable that any of the elements, steps, or limitations in the claims set forth below can be replaced by two or more equivalent elements, steps, or limitations, or in such claims, a single element, step, or limitation can be replaced by two or more elements, steps, or limitations. Furthermore, although elements, steps, or limitations may be described above as functioning in certain combinations and even initially claimed in this way, it should be clearly understood that in some cases one or more elements, steps, or limitations from the claimed combination may be removed from that combination, and the claimed combination may involve sub-combinations or variations thereof. Therefore, although the elements, steps, and / or limitations of the claims are set forth below in some combination, it must be clearly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more, or different elements, steps, and / or limitations than those disclosed above, even when not initially claimed in such combinations. Non-substantial modifications to the claimed subject matter (now known or hereafter designed) as observed by one of ordinary skill in the art are expressly considered equivalent to those within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now known or hereafter known to one of ordinary skill in the art are defined as within the scope of the defined elements. Thus, the claims should be understood to include those specifically illustrated and described above, those that are conceptually equivalent, those that can be obviously substituted, and those that essentially contain the basic ideas of the invention.

[0083] Unless otherwise indicated, all figures indicating features, items, quantities, parameters, properties, terms, etc., used in this specification and claims should be understood to be modified in all cases by the term "about." As used herein, the term "about" means that the feature, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term thus defined includes a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of said feature, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Therefore, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and appended claims are approximate values ​​that may vary. For example, since mass spectrometers may differ slightly in determining the mass of a given analyte, the term "about" in the context of ion mass or ion mass / charge ratio refers to atomic mass units of + / - 0.50. At least not attempting to limit the application of the equivalence principle to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should be interpreted at least based on the number of significant figures reported and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0084] Although the numerical ranges and values ​​used to illustrate the broad scope of the invention are approximate, the numerical ranges and values ​​illustrated in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. However, any numerical range or value inherently contains some errors, which are necessarily caused by the standard deviation found in their respective test measurements. The statements of numerical ranges herein are intended merely as a way of abbreviating each individual value falling within that range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of the numerical range is incorporated into this specification as if stated separately herein.

[0085] When referring to embodiments or aspects of embodiments, the use of the terms "may" or "can" also carries the alternative meaning of "cannot" or "cannot." Therefore, if this specification discloses an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment that may be part of or can be included as part of the subject matter of the invention, then a negative limitation or exclusionary clause is also explicit, meaning that an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment may not be part of or cannot be included as part of the subject matter of the invention. Similarly, the use of the term "optionally" when referring to embodiments or aspects of embodiments means that such an embodiment or aspect may be included as part of the subject matter of the invention, or may not be included as part of the subject matter of the invention. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary clause applies will depend on whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary clause is stated in the claimed subject matter.

[0086] The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar references used in the context of describing this invention (especially in the context of the appended claims) should be interpreted to cover both singular and plural forms unless otherwise indicated herein or the context clearly contradicts them. Furthermore, ordinal indicators used to identify elements—e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.—are used to distinguish elements once identified, and do not indicate or imply a need for or limitation on the number of such elements, nor do they indicate a necessary or limited number of such elements, nor do they indicate a particular location or order of such elements, unless specifically stated otherwise. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “suchas”) provided herein is merely for the purpose of better illustrating the invention and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the invention, unless otherwise claimed. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating that any unclaimed element is necessary for the practice of this invention.

[0087] When used in claims, whether submitted or added according to amendments, the open transitional term “comprising,” its variations (such as “comprise” and “comprises”) and its equivalent open transitional phrases (such as “including,” “containing,” and “having”) individually or in combination with unstated subject matter include all expressly stated elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features; named elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features are necessary, but other unnamed elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features may be added and still form a structure within the scope of the claims. The specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims by using the closing transitional phrase “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” (or variations thereof, such as “conssis of”, “consists of”, “consist essentially of”, and “consists essentially of”) instead of “comprising” or as a modification of “comprising”. When used in the claims, whether filed or added according to amendments, the closing transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, whole, or feature not expressly stated in the claims. The closing transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of the claims to the expressly stated elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features, as well as any other elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features that do not materially affect the essential and novel features of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the meaning of the open transition phrase “comprising” is defined as including all elements, limitations, steps and / or features of the specific statements, as well as any optional, additional unspecified elements, limitations, steps and / or features.The meaning of the closed transition phrase "consisting of" is defined to include only those elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features specifically stated in the claims, while the meaning of the closed transition phrase "consisting essentially of" is defined to include only those elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features specifically stated in the claims, as well as those elements, limitations, steps, wholes, and / or features that do not substantially affect the essential and novel features of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, as a limitation, the open transition phrase "comprising" (and its equivalent open transition phrases) includes, within its meaning, the claimed subject matter specified by the closed transition phrases "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of". Therefore, the embodiments described herein or claimed using the phrase "comprising" clearly and unambiguously provide description, implementability, and support for the phrases "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of".

[0088] All patents, patent publications, or other references cited and identified in this specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, compositions and methods described in such publications that may be used in conjunction with the present invention. These publications were provided only prior to the filing date of this application for their disclosure. Nothing in this regard shall be construed as, or should not be construed as, an admission that the inventor has no right to disclose such information prior to any prior invention or for any other reason. All statements regarding the dates or representations of the contents of these documents are based on information available to the applicant and do not constitute any admission of the accuracy of the dates or contents of these documents.

Claims

1. A fastener, comprising: A first fastener component has a first head portion, a first cylindrical body portion, and a first thread, wherein the first cylindrical body portion extends from the first head portion along a first cylindrical axis, and the first thread is formed on the first cylindrical body portion around the first cylindrical axis, and the first thread has a first thread direction. A second fastener component has a second head portion, a second cylindrical body portion, a through hole, and a second thread. The second cylindrical body portion extends from the second head portion along a second cylindrical axis. The through hole is formed along the second cylindrical axis through the second head portion and the second cylindrical body portion. The second thread is formed around the second cylindrical axis on the second cylindrical body portion and has a second thread direction opposite to that of the first thread. At least a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener component is located within the through hole, such that the first thread is located within the through hole, and the first cylindrical axis and the second cylindrical axis are substantially coaxial to form a rotation axis. as well as A rotating joint that captures a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener component within the through-hole of the second fastener component to prevent axial movement between the first fastener component and the second fastener component along the axis of rotation, and to allow axial rotation between the first fastener component and the second fastener component about the axis of rotation. The first fastener component is configured to rotate about the rotation axis in a first rotational direction, and the second fastener component is configured to rotate about the rotation axis in a second rotational direction, which is opposite to the first rotational direction.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The first head portion of the first fastener component includes a first screw drive portion, and the second head portion of the second fastener component includes a second screw drive portion.

3. The fastener according to claim 2, wherein, The first head portion is configured to be engaged by the first screw drive portion to rotate the first fastener component in the first rotation direction, and the second head portion is configured to be engaged by the second screw drive portion to rotate the second fastener component in the second rotation direction.

4. The fastener according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein, The first screw drive is configured to engage with the first drive portion of the screw driver tool to cause the first fastener component to rotate about the rotation axis in the first rotational direction, and the second screw drive is configured to engage with the second drive portion of the screw driver tool to cause the second fastener component to rotate about the rotation axis in the first rotational direction.

5. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein, The first fastener component is configured to rotate in the first rotational direction at a first rotational speed by a first torque applied by the first drive portion of the screw driver tool; The second fastener component is configured to rotate in the second rotational direction at a second rotational speed by a second torque applied by the second drive portion of the screw driver tool, wherein the first drive portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second drive portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train, such that a single torque input provides both the first torque and the second torque.

6. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein, The first magnitude of the first rotational speed is different from the second magnitude of the second rotational speed.

7. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-6, wherein, The rotating engagement includes an annular flange having an edge portion that inserts into an annular groove, allowing relative rotation between the annular flange and the annular groove.

8. The fastener according to claim 7, wherein, The annular flange is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and the annular groove is formed in the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

9. The fastener according to claim 7, wherein, The annular groove is formed in the outer surface of the first fastener component, and the annular flange is formed on the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

10. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first thread is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and the second thread is formed on the wall surface of the through hole of the second fastener component.

11. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first thread is formed on the outer surface of the first fastener component, and the second thread is formed on the outer wall surface of the second cylindrical body portion of the second fastener component.

12. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first rotational speed of the first fastener component is configured to be different from the second rotational speed of the second fastener component when the first fastener component and the second fastener component are simultaneously screwed onto the mating component.

13. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first lead distance of the first thread of the first fastener component is different from the second lead distance of the second thread of the second fastener component, and wherein the first rotational speed of the first fastener component is configured to be different from the second rotational speed of the second fastener component when the first fastener component and the second fastener component are simultaneously screwed into the mating component, such that the first axial advance distance of the first fastener component is substantially equal to the second axial advance distance of the second fastener component.

14. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first head portion of the first fastener component includes a first screw drive portion, and the second head portion of the second fastener component includes a second screw drive portion. The first screw drive portion is configured to engage with a first drive portion of a screw driver tool to rotate the first fastener component about the rotation axis in a first rotational direction, and the second screw drive portion is configured to engage with a second drive portion of the screw driver tool to rotate the second fastener component about the rotation axis in a second rotational direction. The first drive portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second drive portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train, such that a single torque input provides a first torque to the first screw drive portion and a second torque to the second screw drive portion.

15. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The first lead distance of the first thread is the same as the second lead distance of the second thread.

16. The fastener according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, wherein, The axial clearance distance between the first fastener component and the second fastener component is limited by the rotary joint to be less than one-quarter of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than half of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than three-quarters of the first pitch of the first thread, or less than a single first pitch of the first thread.

17. A fastener comprising: A first fastener component has a first cylindrical body portion and a first thread, the first cylindrical body portion extending along a first cylindrical axis, and the first thread formed on the outer surface of the first cylindrical body portion; The second fastener component has a second cylindrical body portion, a through hole, and a second thread. The second cylindrical body portion extends along a second cylindrical axis, the through hole is formed through the second cylindrical body portion along the second cylindrical axis, and the second thread is formed on the second cylindrical body portion around the second cylindrical axis. as well as A swivel joint that captures at least a portion of the first cylindrical body portion of the first fastener component within the through-hole of the second fastener component, such that the first thread is located within the through-hole, and the first cylindrical axis and the second cylindrical axis are substantially coaxial to form a rotation axis, the swivel joint restricting substantial axial movement between the first fastener component and the second fastener component along the rotation axis, the swivel joint allowing axial rotation between the first fastener component and the second fastener component about the rotation axis; The axial clearance distance between the first fastener component and the second fastener component is limited by the rotary joint to be less than the first pitch of the first thread.

18. The fastener according to claim 17, wherein, The first thread is configured to have a first thread direction of rotation, and the second thread is configured to have a second thread direction of rotation opposite to the first thread direction of rotation. The first fastener component is configured to rotate about the rotation axis in a first rotation direction, and the second fastener component is configured to rotate about the rotation axis in a second rotation direction, which is opposite to the first rotation direction.

19. A method for driving a threaded fastener, comprising: A first threaded fastener is provided, the first threaded fastener being positioned within an axial through-hole of a second threaded fastener, the first threaded fastener being coupled to the second threaded fastener via a rotatable engagement, the rotatable engagement being configured to restrict substantial axial movement between the first threaded fastener and the second threaded fastener along a common axis of rotation, the rotatable engagement being configured to allow axial rotation between the first threaded fastener and the second threaded fastener about the common axis of rotation. as well as Simultaneously, a first torque is applied to the first threaded fastener and a second torque is applied to the second threaded fastener. The first torque is configured to cause the first threaded fastener to rotate about a common thread axis in a first rotational direction, and the second torque is configured to cause the second threaded fastener to rotate about the common thread axis in a second rotational direction, wherein the common thread axis and the common rotation axis are substantially collinear.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: A screw driver tool is provided having a first driver portion and a second driver portion, wherein the first driver portion of the screw driver tool is coupled to the second driver portion of the screw driver tool via a gear train, such that a single torque input provides a first torque and a second torque, wherein the gear train is configured to rotate the first driver portion in a first rotational direction and to rotate the second driver portion in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

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