Self-sealing fasteners and associated building panels, systems, and methods are provided. In one aspect, a fastener includes an elongated fastener body with an external surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating material disposed on at least a portion the external surface. In another aspect, a fastener includes an elongated fastener body with an external surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a polymer annulus surrounding at least a portion of the external surface of the of the elongated fastener body at or adjacent the head of the fastener.

This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of Merlin™ family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include shear pins and may also include: interlocked thread systems, dog-clutch teeth, keys and splines, all used in isolation or in arbitrary combinations. Static and fatigue bending load capacities of the connectors remain high, while the axial load capacities may or may not be high, depending on the design requirements. Connectors according to this invention can be built as new, carefully optimized designs. In some cases upgrading existing Merlin™ family connector designs to increase they torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.

A seal-cover assembly for a structure including a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The seal-cover assembly includes a cap defining a recess, and an insert fixed to the cap within the recess to form a cover unit. The cover unit is configured to be secured to the first side of the structure. The seal-cover assembly includes a fastener configured to be disposed through the structure from the second side of the structure. The fastener is attached to the cover unit relative to the second side without accessing the first side of the structure. Additionally, an aircraft includes the structure and the seal-cover assembly as discussed above. Furthermore, a method of assembling the seal-cover assembly to the structure includes the cover unit secured to the first side of the structure such that an interior of the cover unit is inaccessible from the first side.

The invention relates to an insert for connecting an electric connection to a wall (10), having a pin (1) with a shaft (4), which has a first connection means (5), and an electrically conductive ring (2) with a through-opening (6) for receiving the pin (1), wherein the shaft (4) of the received pin (1) protrudes out of a contact surface (11) of the ring (2). For protection purposes while working, for example while painting, the insert comprises a protective cap (20, 20′) with a holding portion (21, 21′) comprising a second connection means (26), which can be connected to the first connection means (5) of the pin (1), and a flange section (22, 22′) which rests against the contact surface (11) of the ring (2) when the protective cap (20, 20′) is connected.

A device is configured to be mounted to a planar mounting panel, including, for example, a wall or ceiling of a home or other building. The device includes a housing, a fastener, a dogleg tab and a friction inducing member. The housing is configured to be received in an aperture in the mounting panel and includes a housing aperture. The fastener is disposed in the housing aperture. The dogleg tab is operatively coupled to one end of the fastener. The dogleg tab is configured to be disposed in a retracted position and to be disposed in an engagement position, in which engagement position the dogleg tab is disposed to engage an inside surface of the mounting panel. The friction inducing member is fixedly attached to the housing adjacent the housing aperture and friction-fit to the fastener.

A spark prevention cap is disclosed. The cap forms a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a surface of a structure, for example, an aircraft structure. The cap has a cap body with an annular base terminating at a rim. The rim surrounds an opening into a central cavity for receiving the end of the fastener. The annular base has an external circumferential surface extending from the base rim, and a mating feature on the external circumferential surface configured to contact a sealant material applied externally to the cap.

A cap system for enclosing a metallic fastener assembly extending through a structure, which includes a first securement mechanism positioned about a periphery of a nut member of the metallic fastener assembly, wherein the first securement mechanism comprises a plurality of continuous grooves which extend about the periphery of the nut member. The cap system further includes a cap member which includes a sidewall having an inner surface which defines a cavity dimensioned to receive the nut member and defines a second securement mechanism complementary configured to engage the first securement mechanism positioned about the periphery of the nut member. The cap system also includes an end of the sidewall of the cap member defines an opening which provides the nut member to have access into the cavity.

An exemplary door closer includes a body, a regulation screw, and an indicator. The body includes a surface and a cavity extending from the surface into the body, and the cavity includes an internal threading. The regulation screw is mounted in the cavity and includes an external threading engaged with the internal threading. The indicator is engaged with the regulation screw and positioned at least partially within the cavity. The indicator is positioned to project beyond the surface when the regulation screw is withdrawn to a reference position relative to the body.

A spark containment cap for forming a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a structure is disclosed having a cap body with an annular base terminating at a rim which surrounds an opening into an air cavity arranged to enclose the end of the fastener. An annular sealing volume extends around the rim arranged to receive an annular bead of a curable sealing material around the opening into the cavity to provide a seal between the cap body and the structure to seal a volume of gas within the cavity. An engaging feature is configured to engage with the end of the fastener to prevent rotation of the fastener relative to the cap when the end of the fastener is received by the cap. A fastening system, a joint, an aircraft and a method of securing a fastener and a spark containment cap to a structure are also disclosed.

A spark containment cap forms a sealed cavity around an end of a fastener protruding from a structure. The cap has a cap body defining an air cavity enclosing the end of the fastener. The cap body includes an annular base (210) terminating at a base rim (211) surrounding an opening into the air cavity. An annular skirt of the cap provides an annular sealing volume extending around the base rim to receive an annular bead of a curable sealing material around the opening into the cavity to provide a seal between the cap body and the structure to seal a volume of gas within the cavity. The cap body includes a cap upper to receive the end of the fastener. The cap upper (220) is positionable so that an axis of the cap upper is offset from an axis of the annular skirt (230).