Tee-Nut Fastener with Distant Nylon Locking Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tee-nuts, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,461, face issues with being dislodged from substrates during assembly due to the geometry of their teeth and locking rings, making them difficult to guide through track delivery systems and insecurely fastened, requiring external forces for engagement.
Innovation Solution
A tee-nut design featuring elongated teeth and a thin nylon locking ring positioned within a counterbore, where the locking ring is located far from the entrance of the tee-nut, ensuring the tee-nut remains embedded in the substrate as a threaded stud is inserted, with the locking ring's inelasticity preventing loosening from vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a resilient locking ring is positioned near the entrance of the tee-nut, then the tee-nut can be easily engaged with the substrate, but the tee-nut may be dislodged from the substrate during assembly when a threaded member is inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the resilient locking ring at the far end of the bore, away from the entrance, so that it is engaged last during assembly. This preliminary positioning prevents the tee-nut from being pushed out during insertion, as the locking ring engages the threaded member before the tee-nut can be dislodged from the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the bore length and positions the locking ring in the axial dimension far from the entrance. This dimensional arrangement creates sufficient distance between the entrance and locking ring engagement point, allowing the threaded member to pass through and engage the locking ring without pushing the tee-nut out of the substrate.
2Device complexity
If the teeth of the tee-nut are made short, then the tee-nut structure is simpler, but the teeth are easily extracted from the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal teeth with a nylon locking ring to create a composite fastening system. The metal teeth provide structural support and initial engagement with the substrate, while the nylon locking ring provides additional friction and mechanical interlocking to prevent extraction, allowing the teeth to be shorter while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the locking mechanism from purely metal to include nylon. The nylon material provides high friction and elasticity, which compensates for the reduced length of the metal teeth, maintaining extraction resistance while simplifying the overall structure.
3Reliability
If a locking ring is positioned to prevent tee-nut dislodgement, then the tee-nut remains securely embedded, but the threading of the stud is incomplete due to gap formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the locking ring at the far end of the bore so that it engages the threaded member in advance, before the member is fully inserted. This preliminary engagement pulls the tee-nut firmly against the substrate, eliminating gaps and ensuring complete threading as the member is fully inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical push-to-engage system with a pull-to-engage system using the resilient locking ring. The locking ring engages the threaded member and pulls the tee-nut into firm contact with the substrate, eliminating gaps and ensuring precise alignment for complete threading.
Data Source
AI summary
A tee-nut fastener which includes a nylon locking ring located distally from the entrance to a passageway ensures proper fastening upon coupling with a threaded stud. The tee-nut is used use in combination with a track for efficient delivery. The track comprises an upper guide spaced apart relatively farther than a lower guide. The process for making the tee nut uses a cold heading process. The tee-nut includes a flange having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shank extends perpendicularly from the upper portion and a head extends oppositely from the shank and perpendicularly from the lower portion. The flange includes at least two teeth extending in the direction of the shank and a passageway through the shank, flange and head. The passageway includes a bore countersunk at both ends thereof, a cavity, and threads therein. A locking ring resides in the cavity and is relatively thin compared to the length of the teeth to ensure that the tee-nut is not extricated from a substrate in which the prongs or teeth are embedded upon coupling with a threaded stud.