An assembly to connect a panel to a support member. The assembly may include a saddle fitting configured to connect to the support member and including first and second plates. A back fitting may be positioned between the second plate of the saddle fitting and a second face of the panel. An index fitting includes a flange that may be positioned between the first plate of the saddle fitting and a first face of the panel, and a boss that extends outward from the flange and through the opening in the panel. The index fitting is wider than the panel and sized to fit within the gap of the saddle fitting with a first end of the index fitting contacting against the first plate and a second end of the index fitting contacting against the second plate. One or more fasteners may connect the saddle fitting to the index fitting.

A sandwich component comprising: (i) a first main surface with a first cover layer and a second main surface with a second cover layer, the first cover layer and/or second cover layer having an opening, weakening, or marking in a lateral region and/or is provided with the same, (ii) at least one intermediate layer positioned between the first and second cover layers, and (iii) a polymer composition which is arranged between the first and the second cover layers substantially within the intermediate layer and/or in the region of the opening, weakening, or marking. A mechanical connection mechanism is fixed, or can be fixed, directly in the polymer composition through the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and/or in the lateral region in the region of the opening, weakening, or marking so as to pass through the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and/or the lateral region.

A sandwich component comprising: (i) a first main surface with a first cover layer and a second main surface with a second cover layer, the first cover layer and/or second cover layer having an opening, weakening, or marking in a lateral region and/or is provided with the same, (ii) at least one intermediate layer positioned between the first and second cover layers, and (iii) a polymer composition which is arranged between the first and the second cover layers substantially within the intermediate layer and/or in the region of the opening, weakening, or marking. A mechanical connection mechanism is fixed, or can be fixed, directly in the polymer composition through the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and/or in the lateral region in the region of the opening, weakening, or marking so as to pass through the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and/or the lateral region.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.

In implementations of a pressure lock retention fastener, the fastener assembly includes an insert sized for insertion into a fastener hole in a first panel. The fastener assembly has a threaded collet sized to slide in the insert and has expandable flanges that extend below the insert. The expandable flanges are sized for insertion into an aligned hole in a second panel. The fastener assembly also includes a screw installable through the insert to engage the threaded collet. The screw exerts a force that pushes the expandable flanges outward as screw rotation drives the screw into the threaded collet, and ridge locks of the expandable flanges seat up against the second panel effective to fasten the panels together. In implementations, a plate is installable between the panels with slotted holes having anti-rotation tabs that prevent a fastener assembly from spinning in the panel holes.

A honeycomb sandwich panel insert includes a housing defined by two identical halves which when joined together form a distal flange having opposed potting holes, and a central internal bore, integrally formed laterally extending member when joined forms a tight closed distal end of said bore. The honeycomb sandwich panel insert further includes a nut disposed within the internal bore of the housing and configured to float therein.

A honeycomb sandwich panel insert includes a housing defined by two identical halves which when joined together form a distal flange having opposed potting holes, and a central internal bore, integrally formed laterally extending member when joined forms a tight closed distal end of said bore. The honeycomb sandwich panel insert further includes a nut disposed within the internal bore of the housing and configured to float therein.

A penetrated floating nut includes: a first retaining member including a cylindrical first cylindrical section and a first flange section provided at one end portion of the first cylindrical section; a second retaining member including a cylindrical second cylindrical section and a second flange section provided at one end portion of the second cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section being joined to the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member; and a nut housed in the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member with a gap therebetween and including a third flange section at one end portion of the nut and further including rotation stopping means between the nut and the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member, the third flange section being housed in the second cylindrical section of the second retaining member with a gap therebetween and being capable of contacting an end surface of the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member. A bolt fastened to the nut is capable of penetrating through the penetrated floating nut from the first retaining member side to the second retaining member side.

A penetrated floating nut includes: a first retaining member including a cylindrical first cylindrical section and a first flange section provided at one end portion of the first cylindrical section; a second retaining member including a cylindrical second cylindrical section and a second flange section provided at one end portion of the second cylindrical section, the second cylindrical section being joined to the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member; and a nut housed in the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member with a gap therebetween and including a third flange section at one end portion of the nut and further including rotation stopping means between the nut and the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member, the third flange section being housed in the second cylindrical section of the second retaining member with a gap therebetween and being capable of contacting an end surface of the first cylindrical section of the first retaining member. A bolt fastened to the nut is capable of penetrating through the penetrated floating nut from the first retaining member side to the second retaining member side.