A structure for fastening vehicle components with adjustable steps includes a weld nut configured to be fixed to a vehicle floor panel, an inner bolt positioned above and fixedly inserted into the weld nut, and an assembly bolt inserted through the inner bolt and fastened to one end of the weld nut, wherein the inner bolt is configured to move in a height direction for step adjustment.

A clinch fastener that includes a plurality of ribs disposed under a head of the clinch fastener, wherein the ribs are specifically configured to displace host material more evenly than conventional clinch fasteners. To that end, in cross section, along a line, arc, or combination, going from a central axis of the clinch fastener to an outer periphery of the head of the clinch fastener, each rib preferably provides a curved surface that is formed of multiple sections, wherein different radii define at least two of the sections. The configuration of the ribs allows for a vented escape of host material beyond the rib outside diameter and provides for radially focused material displacement, thereby releasing stress within the host material and reducing warping during clinching.

A threaded insert with a replaceable nut element allows a user to replace only the nut element of the threaded insert rather than the entire threaded insert. The threaded insert includes an insertable housing, a replaceable nut, a retaining mechanism, and an attachment mechanism. The insertable housing allows the threaded insert to be engaged within a wall structure and is used to contain the replaceable nut. The replaceable nut allows the threaded insert to be engaged by a fastener such as a screw or bolt. The attachment mechanism allows the replaceable nut to be attached within and detached from the insertable housing. The retaining mechanism further secures the replaceable nut within the insertable housing and also prevents the replaceable nut from rotating within the insertable housing.

A releasable fastening device for boards, comprising an anchor configured for insertion between two adjacent boards and abutment with an underside of the boards. The releasable fastening device further comprises a rod in threaded connection with the anchor and a rotation element connected to the rod. The rotation element is configured for positioning on a topside of the boards and configured for being rotated by a user. The rotation element is configured for rotating the rod to thereby screw the anchor towards the rotation element.

A VVT includes: a cylindrical case to rotate synchronously with a crankshaft; a rotor housed in the case and to rotate synchronously with a camshaft; a first cover that has a first through hole and closes one opening of the case; a second cover that has a second through hole and closes another opening of the case; a first fastening member that fixes, in a state of passing through the first through hole, the first cover and the case; and a second fastening member that fixes, in a state of passing through the second through hole, the second cover and the case.

A fastening system for aerospace vehicles including a dielectric nut retainer strip formed of dielectric material and having at least one fastener thru hole and at least one cap receiver portion. Also included are an anti-rotation nut retainer portion integrally formed in the dielectric nut retainer adjacent to the at least one fastener thru hole, a cap configured to mate with the at least one cap receiver portion, a fastener covered in a conductive coating, and an anti-rotation nut configured to fit in the anti-rotation nut retainer portion and couple with the fastener.

A storage drive riser may comprise a riser board. The riser board may include an edge connector, a storage drive connector to operably engage with a storage drive, and a retention aperture. The retention aperture may be longitudinally aligned with the storage drive connector. The storage drive riser may also include a storage drive retainer to insertably engage with the retention aperture and to retain the storage drive to the riser board with a retention protrusion.

Methods and apparatus for retaining a fastener receiver are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a retainer to retain a nut assembly adjacent an object. The retainer includes a first plate defining a first opening. The first plate is to couple to the object. The first opening is to receive a portion of the nut assembly when the retainer is coupled to the object. The retainer includes a second plate defining a second opening and including a first deflectable tab adjacent the second opening. The second plate is to couple to the first plate opposite the object. The deflectable tab of the second plate is to cover a portion of the first opening of the first plate. The first deflectable tab is to deflect to receive and retain the portion of the nut assembly in the first opening when the retainer is coupled to the object.

A longitudinal end of the nut has: at least one blocking face forming a means for blocking a rotation of the nut along a longitudinal axis of the nut, and at least one transmission face forming a means for transmitting a force directed along the axis. The blocking face or at least one of the blocking faces and the transmission face or at least one of the transmission faces have at least one common edge, and the blocking face or at least one of the blocking faces is concave.

A connector having a male component and a female component. The male component has a first tubular section, a second tubular section, and a midsection between the first tubular section and the second tubular section. The female component is connected to the second tubular section of the male component upon relative rotational movement between the male component and the female component and disconnected from the second tubular section of the male component upon relative rotational movement between the male component and the female component in a direction opposite to the direction when the male component and the female component are being connected. The female component has a bearing surface bearing against the midsection of the male component in a first position of the bearing surface and is spaced from the midsection of the male component in other positions of the female component.