A method of producing a sealed structural joint between two components (23, 24) and such a sealed joint are provided. The method includes the steps of applying a layer of sealant (27) to the first component (23), applying liquid shim (28) to the second component (24), inserting an intermediate layer (29) between the sealant (27) and the liquid shim (28), the intermediate layer (29) having a series of raised structural features (31) to engage the first component (23). The features (31) are positioned to allow the sealant (27) to extend across the joint between the raised features (31) to form a continuous seal. The joint is then closed and cure of the liquid shim (28) and sealant (27) takes place to solidify the shim (28) to the desired thickness within the joint.

A sealant application system for applying sealant to a surrounding surface into which an associated fastener extends includes a source of sealant and a concentrator. The concentrator includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The housing includes an inner chamber for receiving sealant. One of the housing walls has inlet port in communication with both the source of sealant and the inner chamber for delivery of sealant into the inner chamber. The top wall has formed therein an open basin in communication with the inner chamber. An applicator tool separate from the concentrator receives the sealant from within the basin.

A pin having a tool engagement portion and a resiliently deformable cover arranged over the tool engagement portion. The resiliently deformable cover is operable to deform from a first position to a second position to allow for the engagement of the tool engagement portion with a tool. The tool engagement portion is substantially concealed when the cover is in the first position, reducing the opportunities for dirt ingress. A tool may be used to deform the cover and allow the tool to engage with the tool engagement portion such that rotation of the tool causes co-rotation of the pin.

A connection assembly adapted to join a surface element to an underlying support structure while maintaining a substantially zero gap abutting relation between the surface element and the support structure. The connection assembly includes a press-in retainer with a circumferential seal having a sealing foot. The sealing foot flexes about a living hinge while maintaining continuous sliding contact with the support panel without interfering with downward movement of the retainer.

A design is provided for a component and for an opening in a wall of a product which is to receive the component. The component has a barrel for passing through the opening with a set of lugs at the end of the barrel. Each lug has a clamping surface facing a head part of the component, and the region between the clamping surface and the head part forms a clamping zone. The opening is for example circular. A stepped thickness portion of the wall follows an arc from a locally thinnest portion to a locally thickest portion. The steps and/or the lugs are sloped upwardly towards the locally thickest end of the arc. To fit the component, it is inserted through the opening (for example with the lugs deforming inwardly) and then twisted. The twisting engages the lugs with the stepped thickness portion, providing a progressive ratcheted clamping function.

The invention relates to a device for fastening a first object to a second object, said device comprising a first load section having a first load-engaging means, a driving section defining a driving direction and a sealing element for creating a seal between the device and the second object, the sealing element having a width perpendicular to the driving direction and a height in the driving direction.

A sealant application system for applying sealant to a surrounding surface into which an associated fastener extends includes a source of sealant and a concentrator. The concentrator includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall. The housing includes an inner chamber for receiving sealant. One of the housing walls has inlet port in communication with both the source of sealant and the inner chamber for delivery of sealant into the inner chamber. The top wall has formed therein an open basin in communication with the inner chamber. An applicator tool separate from the concentrator receives the sealant from within the basin.

A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

A blind rivet, for connecting workpieces, comprising a hollow, deformable rivet body with a bearing collar and a sleeve attached thereto, a rivet mandrel in the sleeve and extending through the bearing collar, having a tool holder head, and a sealing ring. The sealing ring is arranged between the bearing collar and the tool holder head and is made of a curable and not fully cured sealing material. During contraction of the blind rivet, the sealing ring is pressed axially towards the bearing collar by a tool that can be connected to the tool holder head or by a section of the rivet mandrel. The sealing ring is designed to flow radially and axially into gaps and spaces on the bearing collar and between the bearing collar and the workpieces while the sealing ring is compressed, and to adhere there.

A connection between at least a first component A and a second component B with an attachment arrangement with tolerance compensation between the first component A and the second component B. The entire connection is fixated via a blind rivet which is not non-destructively detachable while a compensating sleeve spans a distance between the first component A and the second component B.