A split end tube connector connects fiber reinforced composite tubes, and in particular carbon fiber tubes. The tube connector end inserted into the carbon fiber tube is split lengthwise to alleviate peel stresses caused by thermal contraction of the connector as a result of temperature changes. In a preferred embodiment, the split end tube connector is made from a metal, such as aluminum, steel, or titanium.

A fastener for retaining a bolt in a hole in a structure, comprising a bushing integrally formed with and extending from the bottom surface of a retainer, the bushing being dimensioned for insertion into the hole in the structure and having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.030 inches, wherein the bushing is configured to be expanded within the hole, thereby securely coupling the expanded bushing within the hole of the structure and anchoring the retainer to the surface of the structure surrounding the hole. A tool for installing a fastener, comprising a tapered mandrel configured for insertion within a fastener situated within a hole of the structure, a drive mechanism configured to retract the mandrel through the fastener and thereby expand the fastener, and a force sensor configured for measuring a force applied by the drive mechanism to retract the mandrel through the fastener.

A chassis link for a motor vehicle having load introduction elements connected by a straight profile portion of fiber-reinforced plastic. The profile portion and load introduction elements are connected via an adhesive connection in a common connection portion in which an end portion of the load introduction element and an end portion engage another in positive engagement. On both sides of a profile portion neutral fiber plane, the adhesive connection has longitudinal adhesive layers extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile portion and parallel to one another in a vertical. In vertical direction of the profile portion the longitudinal adhesive layers have a cross-sectional area becoming larger with increasing distance from the neutral fiber plane so that a relief is brought about in regions of the adhesive connection which have a relatively large distance from the neutral fiber plane in vertical direction of the profile portion.

A connection between at least two joining partners includes an interlying joining gap, with opposite joining surfaces. At least one of the joining surfaces is wetted with an adhesive layer having incorporated and/or attached solids particles, and the remaining joining gap is filled with an inorganic and/or organic filler material.

A process for manufacturing a putter with a bi-material shaft is disclosed herein. The putter comprises a putter head, the bi-material shaft, a mass member and a grip. The bi-material shaft comprises a body with a tip end and a butt end. The body comprises a metal section extending from the tip end to a connection point, and a composite section extending from the butt end to the connection point. The mass member is positioned within an opening at the butt end of the shaft. Mass from the shaft is transferred to the club head and the mass member in the butt end of the shaft.

Connection system between at least a first and a second connection element by means of adhesive, said first connection element comprising a projecting cylindrical portion suitable for being inserted inside a cylindrical housing of said second connection element, said projecting cylindrical portion comprising a groove arranged on the outer surface thereof for placing an adhesive for connecting said projecting cylindrical portion inside said cylindrical housing, in which said first connection element comprises a through-hole connected linearly with said groove for inserting an adhesive by means of an adhesive injection tube, said groove extending along the outer surface of the projecting cylindrical portion without reaching the end of said projecting cylindrical portion.

A metal joint adapted to be fitted into a hole formed in a building component and fixed to the hole with an adhesive includes: a small diameter portion having an elongated shape and an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the hole; and two large diameter portions fixed to the small diameter portion individually at two locations spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the small diameter portion, each large diameter portion having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the hole. Furthermore, irregularities are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion in a section between the two large diameter portions.

An undercut anchor having an at least partially threaded rod portion having an outer thread diameter D.sub.ROD. The anchor having an expansion feature coupled to the rod portion and an expansion sleeve having an outer diameter D.sub.OUTER SLEEVE, an inner diameter D.sub.INNER SLEEVE and a wall thickness T.sub.SLEEVE. Furthermore, the expansion sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially distributed fingers which are configured to flex outwards when a ramp portion of length L.sub.RAMP of each of the respective fingers is forced against the expansion feature during installation of the undercut anchor. The fingers each having a length L.sub.FINGER and a distance therebetween of W.sub.SLOT.

For screw release, an apparatus includes a boss, a screw secured to the boss, and a force release component connected to one of the boss and the screw. The force release component releases a portion of the screw from the boss in response to a specified force.

Embodiments of this application relate to connectors configured for coupling to a hollow structure, for joining hollow structures together, and/or for joining a hollow structure to a functional element. A connector may be configured to couple to one or more hollow structures, and may be further configured to couple to one or more functional elements. Exemplary connectors comprise a shell and a plug.