A functional element having a section that has a flange, that projects away from a side of the flange, and is adapted for an aperture-free punching into a sheet metal part and having a shaft part that projects away from a side of the flange opposite the first side, that satisfies a function and that is provided with a longitudinal axis. The flange and the section are arranged at least substantially coaxially to the shaft part. The section is formed as a hollow cylinder that has notches extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction at at least one of its outer jacket surface and its inner jacket surface. The section has a diverging frustoconical shape that runs out at least substantially at the free end at the inner side of the section in the region of its free end and that serves for the widening of the section on the punching in the sheet metal part. A component assembly and a method of producing the latter is also claimed.

Fasteners are disclosed herein which resist loosening even when used in applications and environments where the fastener is exposed to vibration. In one form, a two piece fastener is used for connecting multiple workpieces. In another form, a simplified fastener is disclosed for quickly and easily connecting items. In yet another form, a plug type fastener is disclosed. Other fasteners and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Fasteners are disclosed herein which resist loosening even when used in applications and environments where the fastener is exposed to vibration. In one form, a two piece fastener is used for connecting multiple workpieces. In another form, a simplified fastener is disclosed for quickly and easily connecting items. In yet another form, a plug type fastener is disclosed. Other fasteners and related methods are also disclosed herein.

A clamp device for clamping a boom hinge rail 12 of gantry crane in-situ comprises a cap portion 14 slidably mounted on a base portion 13 and secured together by a Locking bolt 15, the cap portion 14 comprising a body 18 and a nose 19 which extends laterally outwardly from the body 18 along a nose axis. The clamp portion 13 and the body 18 of the cap portion 14 comprise complementary opposed arcuate mating surfaces 21, 22 which permit rotational movement to the cap portion 14 relative to the base portion 13 about an axis P which extends perpendicular to the 10 nose axis. The base and cap portions 13, 14 of the clamp always engage each other regardless of the position of the nose of the clamp, so that forces applied to the nose 19 of the clamp 10 by the rail 12 are directly applied to the base portion 13 of the clamp 10, thereby providing a clamp which is less prone to failure.

A clamp device for clamping a boom hinge rail 12 of gantry crane in-situ comprises a cap portion 14 slidably mounted on a base portion 13 and secured together by a Locking bolt 15, the cap portion 14 comprising a body 18 and a nose 19 which extends laterally outwardly from the body 18 along a nose axis. The clamp portion 13 and the body 18 of the cap portion 14 comprise complementary opposed arcuate mating surfaces 21, 22 which permit rotational movement to the cap portion 14 relative to the base portion 13 about an axis P which extends perpendicular to the 10 nose axis. The base and cap portions 13, 14 of the clamp always engage each other regardless of the position of the nose of the clamp, so that forces applied to the nose 19 of the clamp 10 by the rail 12 are directly applied to the base portion 13 of the clamp 10, thereby providing a clamp which is less prone to failure.

A blind nut assembly including a bush and nut. The bush includes a short cylindrical collar, which has a polygonal outer surface on the outer surface thereof, and a flange, the outer surface of which is polygonal. The nut consists of a female screw member, on which a female screw to be mated with a male screw on a bolt is formed; and a nut cylindrical member, which is formed adjacent to the female screw member, which has a polygonal inner surface on the inner surface thereof aligning with the polygonal outer surface of the collar, of which the outer surface is also a polygonal outer surface, and which has a wall thickness that is thinner than the female screw member. The nut head has an outer diameter which is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the nut cylindrical member, is formed above the nut cylindrical member.

A blind nut assembly including a bush and nut. The bush includes a short cylindrical collar, which has a polygonal outer surface on the outer surface thereof, and a flange, the outer surface of which is polygonal. The nut consists of a female screw member, on which a female screw to be mated with a male screw on a bolt is formed; and a nut cylindrical member, which is formed adjacent to the female screw member, which has a polygonal inner surface on the inner surface thereof aligning with the polygonal outer surface of the collar, of which the outer surface is also a polygonal outer surface, and which has a wall thickness that is thinner than the female screw member. The nut head has an outer diameter which is larger than the maximum outer diameter of the nut cylindrical member, is formed above the nut cylindrical member.

Improved mechanical fasteners, such as improved bolts and screws, are disclosed. The mechanical fasteners include a shaft portion configured to be disposed into a substrate; a head portion located at a top side of the shaft portion; and a means for securing the head portion to a substrate (and/or surrounding surfaces). The means for securing the head portion to the substrate is configured to operate independent of the shaft portion and independent of a nut used in connection with the fastener. The means for securing the head portion to the substrate may include restraining caps, channel and pin combinations, spring-loaded wedges, malleable staples, nestable wedges, and other components that are configured to secure the head portion of the fastener to the substrate (and to prevent unwanted rotation and loosening of the fastener from the substrate).

Improved mechanical fasteners, such as improved bolts and screws, are disclosed. The mechanical fasteners include a shaft portion configured to be disposed into a substrate; a head portion located at a top side of the shaft portion; and a means for securing the head portion to a substrate (and/or surrounding surfaces). The means for securing the head portion to the substrate is configured to operate independent of the shaft portion and independent of a nut used in connection with the fastener. The means for securing the head portion to the substrate may include restraining caps, channel and pin combinations, spring-loaded wedges, malleable staples, nestable wedges, and other components that are configured to secure the head portion of the fastener to the substrate (and to prevent unwanted rotation and loosening of the fastener from the substrate).

An anti-rotation mechanism for a sacroiliac screw that is designed to prevent screw backout. The sacroiliac screw includes a screw head cap coupled to a screw implant. The anti-rotation mechanism includes geometric features on the screw head cap and/or screw implant that allows rotation in a first direction and prevents rotation in a second or opposite direction. The geometric anti-rotation mechanism for the sacroiliac screw is unique due to the self-contained mechanism within the screw assembly. There are no extra components or process steps required to achieve rotational fixation between the screw body and the screw head cap. The screw allows for the reduction in operating process time compared to other devices that connect the screw head cap directly to the screw body