Combined screw and rivet

Abstract

The invention discloses a fastener combining a screw and a rivet. The fastener connects a cover plate to a ratchet head. The fastener is inserted into the ratchet head and then screwed into the hole of the cover plate. Thereafter, the end of the fastener opposite the fastener head deforms during the riveting operation.

Description

[0001] Divisional application statement

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application filed on May 14, 2019, entitled "Combined Screw and Rivet", application number 201910399481.0. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to fasteners. More specifically, this invention relates to a combined screw and rivet used with, for example, a ratchet wrench cover. Background Technology

[0004] Ratchet wrenches are widely used to fasten fasteners to substrates or other rigid components such as nuts. A ratchet wrench allows the user to rotate the wrench handle in a first rotational direction to apply torque, and then rotate the handle in a second rotational direction to return it to its initial position without applying reverse torque to the workpiece. This process is then repeated until the desired amount of torque is applied to the workpiece.

[0005] Ratchet wrenches and other tools typically include a cover plate. In the case of a ratchet wrench, the cover plate encloses the ratchet head housing, which contains a ratchet component such as a ratchet gear. For example, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the cover plate is typically fastened to the ratchet head housing by screws. As illustrated, screw 500 connects the ratchet head 505 to the cover plate 510. Screw 500 is typically inserted into an opening 515 on the ratchet head 505 and then screwed into a hole 520 on the cover plate 510. In doing so, screw 500 connects the cover plate 510 to the ratchet head 505; however, screw 500 is prone to loosening or falling out, resulting in debris and opening the ratchet head 505. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention broadly includes a fastener combining a screw and a rivet to attach a cover plate to a ratchet head. The fastener is first inserted into a threadless clearance hole, and then screwed into an opening in the cover plate until the head of the fastener is approximately flush with the ratchet head. The end of the fastener opposite the head is then deformed during the riveting operation to more securely attach the cover plate to the ratchet head.

[0007] For example, in one embodiment, the invention broadly includes a ratchet wrench comprising: a ratchet head having a clearance hole extending therein; a cover plate connected to the ratchet head and closing the contents of the ratchet head, the cover plate including an opening; and a fastener having a fastener head at a first end, an end at a second end opposite to the first end, a shaft extending between the fastener head and the end, and threads disposed around the shaft. The fastener is connected to the cover plate at the threads, and the end deforms during a riveting operation.

[0008] A method for assembling a ratchet wrench is also disclosed, the method comprising: providing a fastener having a fastener head at a first end, an end at a second end opposite to the first end, an axis extending between the fastener head and the end, and a thread disposed around the axis; inserting the fastener into and through a clearance hole in the ratchet head; connecting the fastener to an opening in a cover plate by screwing the fastener into an opening in the thread; and performing a riveting operation at the end to secure the fastener to the cover plate and the ratchet head. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To facilitate understanding of the subject matter sought, embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. Examining these embodiments, and considering them in conjunction with the following description, the subject matter sought, its construction and operation, and its many advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a side view of at least some of the fasteners according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 The fastener is a side cross-sectional view of at least some of the fasteners in the embodiments of this disclosure, the fastener being located in a ratchet head and connected to a cover plate, wherein the end of the fastener is in an undeformed position.

[0012] Figure 3 The fastener is a side cross-sectional view of at least some of the fasteners in the embodiments of this disclosure, the fastener being located in a ratchet head and connected to a cover plate, wherein the end of the fastener is in a deformed position.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for assembling a ratchet head according to at least some of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the fastener, ratchet head, and cover plate assembly in the prior art.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a side cross-sectional view of the fastener, ratchet head, and cover plate assembly in the prior art. Detailed Implementation

[0016] While the invention is permissible in various forms of embodiment, the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein should be understood as exemplary of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the illustrated embodiments. As used herein, the term "invention" is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, but is used only for purposes of explanation to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0017] This invention broadly includes a fastener that combines screws and rivets. In other embodiments, the invention broadly includes a method of securing a cover plate to a ratchet head using the fastener that combines screws and rivets. The fastener may be inserted into the ratchet head and then screwed into an opening in the cover plate until the head of the fastener is substantially flush with the surface of the ratchet head. Then, a riveting operation is performed at the end opposite the head of the fastener to more securely attach the cover plate to the ratchet head.

[0018] refer to Figure 1 A fastener 100 with a fastener head 105 is shown, the fastener head having a top side 105a and a bottom side 105b opposite to the top side 105a. The fastener head 105 also includes a slot 110 located on the top side 105a for receiving a screwdriver or other tool, thus allowing the fastener 100 to be rotated and attached to a cover plate, as described in detail below. A shaft 115 extends from the fastener head 105 and includes a thread 120. An end 125 extends from the shaft 115 at the end of the fastener 100 opposite to the fastener head 105. A recess 130 may be located at the end of the end 125 to facilitate deformation of the end 125 during riveting operations, as described in detail below.

[0019] As shown, the fastener head 105 can be a circular screw head with a slot 110 for a flathead screwdriver. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the fastener head 105 can be replaced with any shape or size, such as flat, oval, circular, disc-shaped, button-shaped, hexagonal, truss-shaped, hexagonal washer-shaped, or fillister head. The slot 110 is also not limited to a conventional slot and can be replaced with a Phillips head, a straight slot, a combination of a Phillips head and a straight slot, a hexagonal opening, or any other shape or size of slot that allows a tool to clamp the slot and rotate the fastener 100.

[0020] Shaft 115 serves as the structural backbone of the fastener and can be of any size and shape to provide such structural support. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the thread 120 on shaft 115 can also be any type of thread, such as a right-hand thread or a left-hand thread.

[0021] End 125 and recess 130 are provided at the end of fastener 100 opposite to fastener head 105. End 120 and recess 130 are constructed and manufactured to allow end 125 to deform during riveting operations, so end 125 and recess 130 can be of any size or shape, and fastener 100 can be any material that allows such operation.

[0022] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 First, the fastener 100 can be inserted into the ratchet head 135 of the ratchet wrench by placing the fastener 100 in the countersunk hole 140 of the ratchet head 135. Then, the shaft 115 can extend through the clearance hole 145 in the ratchet head 135 and screw into the opening 150 on the cover plate 155, as shown. For example, but not limited to, the fastener 100 can be inserted through the clearance hole 145 until the bottom side 105b of the fastener head 105 abuts against the bottom surface of the countersunk hole 140, or, if there is no countersunk hole 140, against the top surface of the ratchet head 135. More generally, in some embodiments, the fastener 100 can be inserted until the fastener head 105 is flush with the surface it rests on.

[0023] Once the fastener 100 is inserted into the ratchet head 135, the threads 120 of the fastener 100 can be screwed into the cover plate 155. Here, the threads 120 can be screwed into the opening 150 of the cover plate until, for example, the fastener head 105 is flush with the surface it rests on. Figure 2 As shown. Subsequently, the end 125 of the fastener 100 can be deformed, for example, during a riveting operation, as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for assembling a ratchet wrench according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, process 400 begins and proceeds to step 405, in which a fastener 100 is inserted into the ratchet head 105. Then, in step 410, the fastener 100 extends through the clearance hole 145, and in step 415, the fastener 100 is screwed into the opening 150 on the cover plate 155. Then, in step 420, a riveting operation is performed to deform the fastener 100 (e.g., the end 125 of the fastener 100) and secure the fastener 100 to the ratchet head 105, as shown. Figure 3 As shown. Then, process 400 ends.

[0025] As discussed herein, fastener 100 can be mounted in a ratchet wrench within ratchet head 105, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, fastener 100 can also be mounted on any other tool or any other application besides a tool.

[0026] As used herein, the term "connection" and its functional equivalents are not intended to be limited to a direct mechanical connection of two or more components. Rather, the term "connection" and its functional equivalents are intended to refer to any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, workpieces, and / or environmental elements. In some instances, "connection" also means the integration of one object with another.

[0027] The matters set forth in the above description and accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and not for limitation. While specific embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contributions. The actual scope of protection sought, when viewed from an appropriate perspective based on the prior art, is sought to be defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A fastener suitable for riveting at least two components together, the fastener comprising: A shaft having a first end and a second end opposite to each other; A thread that at least partially surrounds the shaft between the first end and the second end; Fastener head, which is located near the first end; as well as A non-threaded end is disposed near the second end, wherein the non-threaded end includes a recess extending into the non-threaded end, the recess being adapted to control the position of axial and radial deformation of the non-threaded end caused by a riveting operation, wherein the non-threaded end is adapted to radially deform during the riveting operation to circumferentially widen at the location to form a mushroom head, so that the fastener rivets the at least two components together.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener head includes a slot adapted to receive a hand tool and also adapted to be rotated by the hand tool.

3. A ratchet wrench, comprising: A ratchet head having a clearance hole extending through the ratchet head, wherein the clearance hole is not threaded; A cover plate adapted to be attached to the ratchet head to close the contents within the ratchet head, the cover plate including a threaded opening; and A fastener having a fastener head at a first end, a non-threaded end at a second end opposite to the first end, a shaft extending between the fastener head and the non-threaded end, and a thread disposed around at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the non-threaded end includes a recess extending into the non-threaded end, the recess being adapted to control the position of axial and radial deformation of the non-threaded end occurring during a riveting operation, and the end diameter of the non-threaded end being smaller than the shaft diameter of the portion of the shaft including the thread; The shaft extends through the gap hole, the thread is disposed in the threaded opening of the cover plate, and the non-threaded end deforms radially during the riveting operation to widen circumferentially at the location to form a mushroom head, so that the fastener rivets the cover plate to the ratchet head.

4. The ratchet wrench according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ratchet head includes a countersunk hole for receiving the fastener head.

5. The ratchet wrench according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fastener head is configured to be flush with the surface of the countersunk hole.

6. The ratchet wrench according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fastener head is configured to be flush with the surface of the ratchet head.

7. A method for assembling a ratchet wrench, comprising: A fastener is provided having a fastener head at a first end, a non-threaded end at a second end opposite to the first end, a shaft extending between the fastener head and the non-threaded end, and a thread disposed around at least a portion of the shaft, wherein the non-threaded end includes a recess extending into the non-threaded end, the recess being adapted to control the position of axial and radial deformation of the non-threaded end caused by a riveting operation, and the end diameter of the non-threaded end is smaller than the shaft diameter of the portion of the shaft including the thread; The shaft is inserted into a clearance hole extending through the ratchet head, wherein the clearance hole is not threaded; The fastener is connected to the threaded opening by threading the fastener into the threaded opening of the cover plate at the thread; and A riveting operation is performed on the non-threaded end to radially deform the non-threaded end to circumferentially widen it at the location to form a mushroom-shaped head, and to cause the fastener to rivet the cover plate to the ratchet head.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of inserting the fastener through the clearance hole includes inserting the fastener until the head of the fastener is flush with the surface of the ratchet head.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of inserting the fastener through the clearance hole includes inserting the fastener until the head of the fastener is flush with the surface of the countersunk hole defined in the ratchet head.

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