Turnlock Bolt Helix Design to Prevent Free Spinning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fastener designs, such as carriage bolts and hex head bolts, often experience free spinning or slipping during the fastening process, requiring additional assistance to maintain stability.
Innovation Solution
A fastener design featuring a turnlock bolt with a tapered helix section below the head, allowing for counter-clockwise insertion and locking, preventing free spinning and enabling single-sided installation without additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a carriage bolt with a square section is used, then single-sided installation is enabled, but the bolt may rotate or slip out during fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener body is divided into distinct functional segments: a head portion for single-sided engagement, a grip portion with enhanced friction surfaces, and a threaded portion for nut engagement. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally, preventing rotation while enabling easy installation from one side.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener employs asymmetric design elements including a non-circular head profile for directional insertion, and a grip portion with asymmetric friction surfaces that engage differently depending on rotation direction. This asymmetry prevents free spinning while maintaining single-sided installation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hex head bolt is used, then various materials can be fastened, but additional assistance is required to prevent free spinning
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener incorporates a grip portion with friction surfaces that automatically engage with the material being fastened, providing self-holding capability during assembly. The asymmetric profile allows the fastener to self-align and prevent rotation without requiring a second tool or assistant, making the system self-sufficient during installation.
3Ease of operation
If a carriage bolt with shallow domed head is used, then installation from single side is possible, but the bolt does not hold well enough
Solution Approach 1:
The grip portion is designed to create preliminary mechanical engagement with the material before the nut is fully tightened. The friction surfaces and geometric profile establish initial holding strength that prevents slippage during the fastening process, ensuring the bolt holds securely throughout assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener incorporates curved and tapered surfaces in the grip portion that conform to the material geometry, increasing contact area and friction. The rounded transition zones between head and grip portions distribute stress more evenly, enhancing overall fastening strength while maintaining single-sided installation capability.
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
The turnlock bolt effectively prevents free spinning and slipping, allowing for secure fastening and freeing up both hands after installation, with applications in various industries including industrial, commercial, construction, and home use.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one secondary helical thread may be associated with a second handedness. Further, the secondary handedness may be reverse of the primary handedness.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fastener for preventing free spinning action during the fastening process, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the fastener may include a fastener head and a fastener body. Further, the fastener head may include a top head surface and a bottom head surface. Further, the bottom head surface may be characterized by a bottom surface area. Further, the fastener body attached to the fastener head. Further, a first body end of the fastener body may be attached to the bottom head surface. Further, a first end cross-sectional area of the first body end may be less than the bottom surface area. Further, the fastener body may include a first body portion and a second body portion. Further, the first body portion is proximal to the first body end. Further, the second body portion proximal to a second body end of the fastener body.