Blind Mechanical Fastener With Conical Nut for One-Sided Heavy-Duty Joining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fastening systems are limited by accessibility and design constraints, particularly in industries requiring blind fastening solutions for connecting members where aesthetic and structural compartmentalization restrict tool access, and existing blind fasteners lack sufficient tensile strength and alignment flexibility for heavy-duty applications.

Innovation Solution

A blind fastening system comprising a conical nut and threaded rod with a driven gear mechanism, anchor plates with springs, and a friction collar, allowing for one-sided installation and alignment compensation, with a retractable key and aligning guides for secure connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional fastening systems are used, then tool access is required from both sides, but accessibility is limited in compartmentalized structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoidapplicability to compartmentalized structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into two separate parts: a conical nut with threaded rod that can be inserted from one side, and anchor plates that engage from the opposite side. This segmentation allows the fastening operation to be completed through a single access point while still achieving secure connection between members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring tools to access both sides of the connection, the system inverts the approach by having the actuating mechanism (conical nut and threaded rod) inserted from one side only, while the anchor plates passively engage from the other side, reversing the conventional two-sided access requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If blind fasteners with expanding anchors are used, then one-sided access is enabled, but tensile strength is insufficient for heavy-duty applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-sided access capabilityVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The conical shape of the nut and the conical end of the threaded rod create a geometric progression of force distribution. The curved conical surfaces enable progressive engagement and distribution of tensile loads across the anchor plates, significantly increasing the fastening system's load-bearing capacity compared to conventional expanding anchors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the advantages of blind fastening with heavy-duty structural connection by combining the one-sided access capability of blind fasteners with the high tensile strength of threaded rod and conical nut mechanisms, creating a hybrid solution that achieves both accessibility and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If conventional blind fasteners are used, then one-sided installation is possible, but alignment accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-sided installationVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric conical geometry of the nut and threaded rod provides inherent self-alignment capabilities. The tapered surfaces guide the components into proper alignment during insertion, compensating for minor misalignments and ensuring accurate engagement without requiring high-precision pre-alignment of the member holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables secure, one-sided fastening and loosening of members with enhanced tensile strength and alignment flexibility, suitable for heavy-duty applications and environments with limited access.

Implementation Method 1

anchor plates with springs and spring supports to act on and retain the conical nut of the first part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the conical nut has a friction surface on the retaining side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250237247A1A blind mechanical fastening system for connecting members to one another

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 STRANG ALAN

AI summary

According to the present invention, a blind fastening system for connecting members to one another comprises two parts; a structure containing a conical nut, matched to a threaded rod engaged to a lineal guide and a driven gear meshed to a driving gear having a tooling interface as the first part and; a separate structure containing anchor plates with springs and spring supports to act on and retain the conical nut of the first part. The blind fastening system also has a friction collar, a drive shaft, a retractable mechanism, a funnel tool guide, dowels and aligning & restricting guides.