Removable shoulder screws

Abstract

To provide a removable shoulder screw and a removable shoulder.SOLUTION: A screw assembly comprises: a first screw shaft portion; a second screw shaft portion; a first threaded portion; a first shaft edge between the first screw shaft portion and the second screw shaft portion, and a removable shoulder screw. The second screw shaft portion is between the first screw shaft portion and the first threaded portion, and the diameter of the second screw shaft portion is smaller than the diameter of the first screw shaft portion. A first removable shoulder includes a first removable shoulder opening and a first removable shoulder edge. The first removable shoulder opening has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first screw shaft portion and is configured to engage the second screw shaft portion, and the first removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the first shaft edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to removable shoulder screws and removable shoulders. [Background technology]

[0002] Various mechanical systems are assembled using screws, bolts, and nuts. An example of such a system is a cooling fan mounted to a cooling fan fixture and a cooling fan mounted to an enclosure or equipment. When mechanical systems are assembled, they should be assembled in a way that reduces stress and deflection through the use of mounting hardware. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A summary of various exemplary embodiments is provided below.

[0004] Various embodiments relate to a screw assembly comprising a removable shoulder screw including a first threaded shank, a second threaded shank, a first threaded portion, and a first shank edge between the first threaded shank and the second threaded shank; and a first removable shoulder, wherein the second threaded shank is between the first threaded shank and the first threaded portion, and the second threaded shank has a diameter smaller than that of the first threaded shank, and the first removable shoulder includes a first removable shoulder opening and a first removable shoulder edge, the first removable shoulder opening having a diameter smaller than that of the first threaded shank and configured to engage the second threaded shank, and the first removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the first shank edge.

[0005] Various embodiments are described, further including a screw head, the diameter of the screw head being greater than the diameter of the first screw shank.

[0006] Various embodiments are described, further including a spring configured to receive the first screw shank and engage the screw head.

[0007] Various embodiments are described in which the clip is configured to engage a clip groove in the first threaded shank.

[0008] Various embodiments are described, further including a driver portion adjacent to the first shank, the driver portion having a diameter that is about the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first shank.

[0009] Various embodiments are described, further including a driver portion and a second threaded portion between the driver portion and the first shank, wherein the diameter of the driver portion is about the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first shank.

[0010] Various embodiments are described, including a driver section having a diameter approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of a first threaded shank section, a second threaded section, a third shank section, a second shank edge section between the first threaded shank section and the third shank section, and a second removable shoulder section including a second removable shoulder opening and a second removable shoulder edge, wherein the second threaded section is between the driver section and the third shank section, the third shank section is between the second threaded section and the second shank edge, the second removable shoulder opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank section and configured to engage the third shank section, and the second removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the second shank edge.

[0011] Various embodiments are described, further including a nut configured to engage the second threaded portion.

[0012] Various embodiments are described, further comprising a first mechanical assembly and a second mechanical assembly, wherein the removable shoulder screw is configured to pass through an opening in the first mechanical assembly and an opening in the second mechanical assembly, and the first removable shoulder is configured to engage the first mechanical assembly and clamp a portion of the first mechanical assembly between the second mechanical assembly and the first removable shoulder.

[0013] Various embodiments are described, further comprising a screw head, the diameter of the screw head being greater than the diameter of the first screw shank, and a spring configured to receive the first screw shank and engage the screw head and a second machine assembly.

[0014] Various embodiments are described, further including a clip, the clip configured to engage the clip groove of the first threaded shank and engage the first mechanical assembly.

[0015] Various embodiments are described in which the first mechanical assembly is a fan and the second mechanical assembly is a fan mounting assembly.

[0016] Further various embodiments relate to a fan assembly configured to engage a rack, the fan including a first opening in a first flange on a front side of the fan and a second opening in a second flange on a rear side of the fan, a fan mount assembly configured to engage the fan and including a first threaded shank, a second threaded shank, a threaded portion, a shank edge between the first threaded shank and the second threaded shank, and a removable shoulder screw, the second threaded shank being between the first threaded shank and the threaded portion, and the second threaded shank having a diameter equal to or larger than the diameter of the first threaded shank. a removable shoulder screw having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank and configured to engage the second threaded shank, the removable shoulder opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank and configured to engage the second threaded shank, the removable shoulder edge being configured to engage the shank edge, the removable shoulder screw being configured to extend through the first opening and the second opening, the removable shoulder screw being configured to engage the second flange.

[0017] Various embodiments are described, further including a screw head, the diameter of the screw head being greater than the diameter of the first screw shank.

[0018] Various embodiments are described, further including a spring configured to be received through the first screw shank and engage the screw head and the fan mounting assembly.

[0019] Various embodiments are described, further including a clip, the clip configured to engage the clip groove of the first threaded shank and to engage the first flange.

[0020] Various embodiments are described, further including a driver portion adjacent to the first shank, the driver portion having a diameter that is about the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first shank.

[0021] Various embodiments are described in which the threads are configured to engage threads in the rack.

[0022] Various embodiments are described in which the removable shoulder applies a clamping force to a portion of the fan mounting assembly of the second flange when the threads engage the threads of the rack.

[0023] Various embodiments are described in which the diameter of the threaded portion is equal to or less than the diameter of the second threaded shank.

[0024] The foregoing has outlined broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages are set forth below. The concepts and examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The nature of the concepts disclosed herein, both their organization and methods of operation, together with associated advantages, may be better understood by considering the following description in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

[0025] So that the above-enumerated features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description briefly summarized above can be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope, as the description may allow for other equally valid embodiments. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an axial fan. [Figure 2A] 10 illustrates the attachment of the fan assembly to the fan mounting assembly using bolts and nuts. [Figure 2B] 10 shows the attachment of the fan assembly to the fan mounting assembly using bolts and nuts using both the forward and aft fan flanges. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates the bending that can occur in the fan flange when this mounting approach is taken. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates one embodiment of a shoulder bolt. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the fan assembly. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the fan assembly. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of the fan assembly without the removable shoulder screws inserted. [Figure 4D] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of a fan assembly with a removable shoulder screw inserted. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a removable shoulder screw and removable shoulder along with a C-clip and spring. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a removable shoulder screw and removable shoulder along with a C-clip and spring. [Figure 6A] 1A-1C show various perspective views of a removable shoulder screw. [Figure 6B]1A-1C show various perspective views of a removable shoulder screw. [Figure 6C] 1A-1C show various perspective views of a removable shoulder screw. [Figure 7A] 1A and 1B show a top perspective view and a top view of a removable shoulder. [Figure 7B] 1A and 1B show a top perspective view and a top view of a removable shoulder. [Figure 8A] 1 shows a headless removable shoulder screw and its associated removable shoulder. [Figure 8B] 1 shows a headless removable shoulder screw and its associated removable shoulder. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates the application of a headless, removable shoulder screw to a mechanical assembly. [Figure 10] 10 shows another embodiment of a removable shoulder screw and a removable shoulder. [Figure 11] 10 shows another embodiment of a removable shoulder screw and two removable shoulders. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently or in combination with any other aspect of the present disclosure. For example, a device can be constructed or a method can be practiced using any number of the aspects described herein. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods implemented using other structure, functions, or structure and functions in addition to or other than the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein can be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0028] Several aspects of an assembled mechanical system using a removable shoulder screw are presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques are described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0029] Axial fans are commonly used in the telecommunications industry to cool various electronics racks, subracks, enclosures, or equipment (hereinafter referred to as equipment). These axial fans typically have a plastic housing with flanges on the inlet and outlet sides of the fan. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an axial fan. Fan assembly 100 includes a housing with a fan flange 112. Fan flange 112 also includes a front mounting opening 102 and a rear mounting opening 104. The housing and fan flange 112 may be made of plastic, metal, or some other material. As a result, fan flange 112 may be flexible and may bend when fan assembly 100 is attached to fan mounting assembly 110. As a result, to ensure proper function and prevent housing deformation, manufacturers recommend using only one fan flange 112 when securing fan assembly 100 to fan mounting assembly 110. FIG. 2A illustrates the attachment of fan assembly 100 to fan mounting assembly 110 using bolts 106 and nuts 108. 2A , bolts 106 extend only through forward mounting apertures 102 and fan mount assembly 110. Nuts 108 are placed on bolts 106 so that only the forward flange is used to attach fan assembly 100 to fan mount assembly 110. Alternatively, bolts 106 and nuts 108 may be used to connect the rear flange of fan assembly 100 to fan mount assembly 110. This attachment approach does not cause any bending of fan flange 112.

[0030] FIG. 2B shows the attachment of the fan assembly 100 to the fan mount assembly 110 using bolts 106 and nuts 108 that use both the front and rear fan flanges 112. FIG. 2C shows the bending that can occur in the fan flange 112 when this attachment approach is taken. If the bolts 106 are overtightened, this can cause bending of the fan flange 112, as shown in the bent region 114. The bent region 114 could lead to cracking of the fan flange 112 or cause the fan blades of the fan assembly 100 to collide with the fan inner housing during operation. As a result, this attachment approach should be avoided to prevent these problems. While the approach of FIG. 2A does not have this problem, it may be more difficult to assemble and may not provide a secure attachment between the fan assembly 100 and the fan mount assembly 110. Furthermore, it limits the use of this location for further securing the fan assembly 100 and the fan mount assembly 110 to equipment as fan assembly (400).

[0031] One way to solve this problem is to use a shoulder bolt. Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt 300 may include a shoulder bolt head 302, a driver opening 304, a shoulder 306, a shoulder edge 308, and threads 310. The shoulder bolt head 302 may include a driver opening 304 that receives a driver to drive the shoulder bolt 300. In this case, the driver opening 304 is shown as a hexagonal opening, but it may have other shapes, including a slot or a Phillips head-compatible opening. The shoulder 306 extends from the shoulder bolt head 302 to the shoulder edge 308 and the threads 310. The threads 310 have a smaller diameter than the shoulder 306. As a result, the threads 310 fit into an opening with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the shoulder 306. In this situation, the shoulder edge 308 engages the area around the opening. When properly sized, shoulder 306 prevents excessive compression and / or bending of fan flange 112 .

[0032] There are several issues with using shoulder bolts 300. Components fastened by shoulder screws require a larger opening than would normally be required for a standard screw of the same thread size. The larger opening is required to remove the shoulder of the larger-diameter screw. The larger shoulder diameter bottoms out and is subjected to the torque-induced reaction load of a fully seated screw, which is typically achieved by the screw head of a standard screw. The opening to accommodate the threads of shoulder bolt 300 must be smaller than the shoulder diameter, which means that the openings on both sides of the fan have different sizes. This means that a single version of the fan cannot be used for intake and exhaust applications because the openings on both sides are different.

[0033] On the flip side, if a shoulder is selected to fit into an existing opening (such as in a fan housing), the threaded end must be undersized so that the shoulder has a surface to engage. A smaller thread diameter allows for a weaker screw that is more susceptible to breakage.

[0034] The shoulder length is typically tightly toleranced for precise spacing. This allows the screw to be fully torqued but not overly compress the parts being assembled. For example, when used to assemble a fan, the shoulder length is selected to be slightly longer than the fan assembly. The tolerances of the fan's plastic housing can result in the fan assembly being too loose or too tight, depending on the tolerances of the fan assembly. The size variation due to this loose tolerance is greater for the fan housing than for the screw shoulder.

[0035] Next, an embodiment of a removable shoulder screw will be described. Figures 4A and 4B show top and bottom perspective views of a fan assembly 400. Figure 4C shows a side view of a portion of the fan assembly 400 without a removable shoulder screw yet inserted. Figure 4D shows a side view of a portion of the fan assembly 400 with a removable shoulder screw inserted. The fan assembly 400 includes a fan 412 and a fan mounting assembly 410. The fan 412 is attached to the fan mounting assembly 410 using a conventional shoulder screw (not shown in Figures 4C and 4D, but visible in Figure 4B). The fan mounting assembly 410 is secured to the equipment using a removable shoulder screw 402 and a removable shoulder 404.

[0036] 5A and 5B show perspective views of removable shoulder screw 402 and removable shoulder 404, along with C-clip 406 and spring 408. Spring 408 biases removable shoulder screw 402 outward or away from fan mounting assembly 410 when removable shoulder screw 402 is not threaded into the mounting rack. C-clip 406 provides a stop for removable shoulder screw 402, limiting the distance (based on the views of FIGS. 4C and 4D) that spring 408 can bias removable shoulder screw 402 upward.

[0037] 6A, 6B, and 6C show various perspective views of the removable shoulder screw 402. The removable shoulder screw 402 may include a removable shoulder screw head 414, a driver slot 416, a first shank 418, a shank lip 420, a second shank 422, a removable shoulder thread 424, and a clip groove 426. The removable shoulder screw head 414 includes a driver slot 416 that can be used to drive and torque the removable shoulder screw 402. Drive structures other than the driver slot 416 may also be used, including, for example, hexagonal, square, or Phillips-shaped openings. The clip groove 426 can accept a C-clip 406. The clip groove 426 is sized to allow the C-clip 406 to be securely engaged with the removable shoulder screw 402. Other types of clips may be used in place of the C-clip 406.

[0038] The removable shoulder screw 402 includes a first threaded shank 418. The first threaded shank 418 extends to a shank lip 420. The second threaded shank 422 extends from the shank lip 420 to a removable shoulder thread 424. The diameter of the second threaded shank 422 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank 418. This difference in diameter forms the shank lip 420. The second threaded shank 422 is configured to receive a removable shoulder 404. The removable shoulder 404 can be slid onto the second threaded shank 422 over the removable shoulder thread 424 and over the end of the removable shoulder screw 402. The inner diameter of the removable shoulder 404 is selected to be substantially the same as the diameter of the second threaded shank 422 but smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank 418. As a result, the shank lip 420 acts as a stop for the removable shoulder 404, limiting its movement along the removable shoulder screw 402. Furthermore, when the removable shoulder screw 402 is tightened, the shank lip 420 drives the second threaded shank 422 into contact with the fan 412, and the removable shoulder threads 424 engage the threads of the equipment. This tightens the fan 412 and fan mounting assembly 410 to the equipment without causing any bending of the flange of the fan 412 when the removable shoulder screw 402 and removable shoulder 404 are properly sized.

[0039] 7A and 7B show a top perspective view and a top view of the removable shoulder 404. The removable shoulder 404 includes a removable shoulder opening 428 that extends through the removable shoulder 404, slides over the removable shoulder screw 402, and is configured to engage the second screw shank 422. The removable shoulder 404 also includes a removable shoulder edge 430 at each end of the removable shoulder 404. The removable shoulder edges 430 are configured to engage with the shank edges 420 when the removable shoulder screw 402 slides through the removable shoulder 404. This allows the shank edges 420 to apply a clamping force to the fan 412, securing the fan 412 and the fan mounting assembly 410. The diameter of the removable shoulder opening 428 is selected (taking into account mechanical tolerances) to be substantially the same as the diameter of the second threaded shank 422 and smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank 418. This allows the shank edge 420 to engage the removable shoulder edge 430 of the removable shoulder 404.

[0040] FIG. 4C shows the fan 412 assembled with the fan mounting assembly 410 with the removable shoulder screw 402 not yet engaged. In this position, the spring 408 biases the removable shoulder screw 402 upward (according to FIG. 4C ) until the C-clip 406 engages the underside of the fan 412. As a result, the removable shoulder thread 424 does not extend through the flange of the fan 412 to engage a mounting support in a rack (not shown). Note further that the removable shoulder 404 is captured between the flange of the fan 412 and the shaft edge 420. FIG. 4D shows the fan 412 and fan mounting assembly 410 assembled to a mounting support (not shown) in equipment (not shown) with the removable shoulder screw 402 in the engaged position. When the removable shoulder screw 402 is tightened, the removable shoulder thread 424 enters the mounting support (not shown) of the equipment. The removable shoulder screw 402 is advanced until the shank edge 420 contacts the removable shoulder edge 430 of the removable shoulder 404, and the removable shoulder 404 contacts the flange of the fan 412. As a result, the flange of the fan 412 is not bent, but the fan 412 and fan mounting assembly 410 are securely attached to the housing, and the clamping force acts on the fan flange and is not transmitted through the body of the fan 412.

[0041] Because the clamping force is on the removable shoulder 404, it is possible to use a headless embodiment of the removable shoulder screw 802. FIGS. 8A and 8B show a headless removable shoulder screw 802 and its associated removable shoulder 804. The removable shoulder screw 802 does not have a removable shoulder screw head 414 like the removable shoulder screw 402. Rather, the removable shoulder screw 802 can have a first threaded shank 818 that extends to the drive end of the removable shoulder screw 802. The removable shoulder screw 802 may include a driver slot 816. Alternatively, the drive end of the removable shoulder screw 802 may be hexagonal, square, or some other shape that can be used to drive the removable shoulder screw 802. The removable shoulder screw 802 has a second threaded shank 822. The removable shoulder screw 802 minimizes the size of the access opening when product aesthetics are important. Another application for the headless removable shoulder screw 802 is where the screw is recessed deep into a cavity. In this case, the cavity diameter does not need to be larger than the screw diameter, as opposed to having the cavity diameter be the same size as the head diameter of a headed screw. This can be advantageous to prevent disassembly, increase security, prevent access with pliers, for example, and conceal the driver type required (i.e., flat, hex, cross, etc.).

[0042] The simplicity of the design makes the removable shoulder screw with a removable shoulder valuable and usable in many other designs. The concept of being able to achieve adequate strength in the threads and an appropriately sized shoulder opens the door to many more applications. This removable screw and removable shoulder can be used in the manufacturing industry to allow robotic installation of the screw with access to the head, preventing compression load failure while the clamping force is moved away in hard-to-reach areas.

[0043] DFMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) has shown value when assembly is possible from only one side. Bottom-to-top style assembly results in less movement of the system, less setup time, fewer fixtures, a faster assembly process, and reduced assembly costs. The use of removable screws and removable shoulders has many opportunities in many industries, such as automotive, medical, consumer products, and telecommunications. Thus, although the example of a cooling fan is used herein, removable shoulder screws can be applied to many other situations and assemblies.

[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates the application of a headless, removable shoulder screw 802 to a mechanical assembly. The mechanical assembly 900 may include a first assembly 902 and a second assembly 904 that are assembled together. The first assembly 902 and the second assembly 904 may be, for example, plastic parts of a consumer product. The first assembly 902 includes a thread cavity 908 that extends through the first assembly 902 to a removable shoulder cavity 910. The thread cavity 908 is shaped to receive the removable shoulder screw 802. The removable shoulder cavity 910 is shaped to capture and retain the removable shoulder 804. The second assembly 904 includes a thread opening 906 that engages the threads 824 of the removable shoulder screw 802. The removable shoulder screw 802 is inserted through the removable shoulder 804 and into the thread cavity 908, then engages the thread opening 906. In some embodiments, the removable shoulder 804 may be molded into the first assembly 902. When the removable shoulder screw 802 is tightened, the shank 820 of the removable shoulder screw 802 drives the removable shoulder 804 toward the second assembly 904, thus tightening the portion of the second assembly 904 between the removable shoulder 804 and the second assembly 904 and securing them together. Because the headless removable shoulder screw 802 does not have a screw head, the screw cavity 908 can have a smaller diameter. Additionally, the headless removable shoulder screw 802 can be long to provide access near the top surface of the first assembly 902, which would facilitate automated robotic assembly, or the headless removable shoulder screw 802 can be shorter for other reasons, allowing longer tools to be used with the headless removable shoulder screw 802.

[0045] 10 shows another embodiment of a removable shoulder screw 1002 and a removable shoulder 1004. The removable shoulder screw 1002 has a removable shoulder screw head 1014 that can be used to drive the screw. The removable shoulder screw 1002 has a first threaded shank 1018, a first thread 1024, and a removable shoulder 1004 similar to the removable shoulder screw 802, but adds a second thread 1025. The second thread 1025 may allow for further assembly of other components to the removable shoulder screw 1002 using the second thread 1025.

[0046] 11 shows another embodiment of a removable shoulder screw 1102 and a first removable shoulder 1104. The removable shoulder screw 1102 is similar to the removable shoulder screw 1002, but includes an additional shank edge adjacent to a second thread 1125, which allows for the use of a second removable shoulder 1105. The removable shoulder screw 1102 has a removable shoulder screw head 1114, a first threaded shank 1118, a first thread 1124, a first removable shoulder 1104, a second removable shoulder 1105, and a second thread 1125. The second removable shoulder 1105 can allow for multi-stage fixation of various components, all using a single screw at a single location. The second thread 1125 may also allow for further assembly of other components to the removable shoulder screw 1102 using the second thread 1125, for example, by using a nut 1132.

[0047] Various embodiments of removable shoulder screws and removable shoulders have been described that offer various benefits. In one example, the clamping force is on the fan flange and not through the fan housing. Furthermore, the diameter of the removable shoulder screw is the same size as the fan housing opening, and its thread size is not reduced. The removable shoulder may be made larger than a regular shoulder screw without impacting the threaded end or the fan mounting opening. Also, an oversized removable shoulder provides a larger support area for the resulting clamping force. Thickness tolerances in the fan housing in dual fan cases do not affect fan fixation. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein allow the fan assembly to be secured to the system through one or more of the fan housing openings. This benefits system design by minimizing the area required to secure the fan assembly. This results in better use of available space by allowing fan assemblies to be spaced closer together. This can lead to the use of more fans or more cooling capacity in a smaller space. Most fan housings have open flanges, and access to attach the removable shoulder is not an issue, as shown.

[0048] Additionally, the embodiments disclosed herein allow for a compact design. The fan assembly is secured through the fan opening in the fan envelope, so no spacers or additional space is required to accommodate the securing screws. This mounting method allows for the installation of parallel fan assemblies without the need for a dividing space, as is required in latch designs, for example. The fan assembly envelope is the same as the fan envelope. This allows for closer spacing, even more fans, and more flexibility in fan placement.

[0049] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments.

[0050] Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements that such terms describe, and as such, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate a temporal or other priority of such elements.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative hardware embodying the principles of the aspects.

[0052] Each of the embodiments is described above in terms of their structural arrangements, but it should be understood that the aspects also encompass associated methods of using the above-described embodiments.

[0053] Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Indeed, many of these features can be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. Although each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the claim set. Phrases referring to "at least one of" a list of items refer to any combination of those items, including single members. "As an example, a, b, or c" is intended to encompass a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other order of a, b, and c).

[0054] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or required unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "set" and "group" are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, etc.) and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the phrase "only one" or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms "has," "have," "having," etc. are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on," unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. a removable shoulder screw including a first threaded shank, a second threaded shank, a first threaded portion, and a first shank edge portion between the first threaded shank and the second threaded shank; a first removable shoulder; The second screw shaft portion is located between the first screw shaft portion and the first threaded portion, The diameter of the second screw shank is smaller than the diameter of the first screw shank, the first detachable shoulder includes a first detachable shoulder opening and a first detachable shoulder edge; the first removable shoulder opening has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first threaded shank and is configured to engage the second threaded shank; the first removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the first shaft edge; 10. The screw assembly, further comprising: a clip formed in the first screw shank and configured to engage a clip groove spaced from the first shank edge.

2. The screw assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a screw head, the diameter of the screw head being greater than the diameter of the first screw shank.

3. The screw assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a spring configured to receive the first screw shank and engage the screw head.

4. 2. The screw assembly of claim 1, further comprising a driver portion adjacent to said first shank, said driver portion having a diameter approximately the same as or smaller than a diameter of said first shank.

5. a driver portion, the diameter of the driver portion being approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank; a second threaded portion between the driver portion and the first threaded shank.

2. The screw assembly according to claim 1.

6. a driver portion, the diameter of the driver portion being approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter of the first threaded shank; a second threaded portion; a third shaft portion; a second shaft edge portion between the first threaded shaft portion and the third shaft portion; a second removable shoulder portion including a second removable shoulder opening and a second removable shoulder edge; the second threaded portion is between the driver portion and the third shank portion; the third shaft portion is located between the second threaded portion and the second shaft edge portion; the second removable shoulder opening has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first threaded shank and is configured to engage the third shank; The screw assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second removable shoulder edge is configured to engage the second shank edge.

7. The screw assembly of claim 6 further comprising a nut configured to engage the second threaded portion.

8. a first mechanical assembly; a second mechanical assembly; the removable shoulder screw is configured to pass through an opening in the first mechanical assembly and an opening in the second mechanical assembly; 2. The screw assembly of claim 1, wherein the first removable shoulder is configured to engage the first mechanical assembly and clamp a portion of the first mechanical assembly between the second mechanical assembly and the first removable shoulder.

9. a screw head, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the first screw shank; The screw assembly of claim 8, further comprising a spring configured to receive the first screw shank and engage the screw head and the second machine assembly.

10. The screw assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a clip configured to engage a clip groove in the first screw shank and to engage the first machine assembly.

11. 9. The screw assembly of claim 8, wherein said first mechanical assembly is a fan and said second mechanical assembly is a fan mounting assembly.

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