The invention relates to an aircraft structure, the aircraft structure comprising a first component and a second component. A fastening device fastens the first component to the second component, wherein the fastening device comprises a clamping member, and a fastening member. The fastening member has a longitudinal axis, and the clamping member is associated with the first component such that the clamping member is movable in a first direction and is fixed in position in a second direction, the first direction being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastener, wherein the fastener extends through the second component into engagement with the clamping member and holds the clamping member against the second component. The fastening device may hold the first component and second component in a fixed position relative to one another, in at least one direction, without applying a clamping force between the first component and second component.

A nut plate assembly includes a plate member comprising an aperture defined therethrough. The nut plate assembly also includes a shell member having a first end joined to the plate member and a second end opposite the first end. The nut plate assembly further includes a bias member disposed within the shell member and a nut comprising a shoulder portion configured to receive a portion of the bias member. The nut is disposed within the shell member and moveable between a first position proximate the shell member first end and a second position proximate the shell member second end. The bias member is configured to bias the nut toward one of the first position and the second position. The nut plate assembly also includes a retention member configured to retain the nut within the shell member.

The inventive nut plate fastener includes a nut plate base comprising a flat elongated base plate. The base plate has each of a first and a second planar base face arranged parallel to each other. A cylindrical plate bore diameter is selected to be greater than the diameter of the threaded hole but lesser than the diameter of the nut body. A nut cage holds the nut in contact with the nut flange face such that the threaded hole and the plate bore rest in substantial coaxially alignment. The nut cage includes a first and a second nut cage bridge oriented about the plate bore in opposed symmetric relationship. Each bridge includes a center post positioned to engage the respective nut tang notch.

A fastening structure according to the present invention includes a bolt member, a nut member, and an anti-rotation member, wherein one of the bolt member and the nut member is attached so as to permit its displacement toward the other member side, and the one member or the anti-rotation member is formed to allow a maximum engaging width to be reduced as the one member is displaced toward the other member side.

Nut plate grippers, end effectors that include nut plate grippers, robots that include end effectors, installation systems that include robots, and related methods are disclosed herein. The nut plate grippers are configured to grip a nut plate and include an attachment region, a first resilient projecting region, and a second resilient projecting region. The first resilient projecting region extends from the attachment region and defines a first nut plate-contacting end. The second resilient projecting region extends from the attachment region and defines a second nut plate-contacting end. The first resilient projecting region and the second resilient projecting region are configured to resiliently deflect toward one another to facilitate insertion of the first nut plate-contacting end and the second nut plate-contacting end between a pair of opposed plate flanges of a base plate of the nut plate. The methods include methods of gripping a nut plate utilizing the nut plate grippers.

A nut plate assembly includes a plate member, a shell member, a nut, and a bias member. The plate member includes a retention tab. The shell member includes a first end coupled to the plate member by the retention tab and a second end opposite the first end. The nut is disposed within the shell member and is moveable between a first position proximate the shell member first end and a second position proximate the shell member second end. In addition, the bias member is disposed within the shell member and is configured to bias the nut toward one of the first position and the second position.

A nut plate assembly includes a plate member comprising an aperture defined therethrough. The nut plate assembly also includes a shell member having a first end joined to the plate member and a second end opposite the first end. The nut plate assembly further includes a bias member disposed within the shell member and a nut comprising a shoulder portion configured to receive a portion of the bias member. The nut is disposed within the shell member and moveable between a first position proximate the shell member first end and a second position proximate the shell member second end. The bias member is configured to bias the nut toward one of the first position and the second position. The nut plate assembly also includes a retention member configured to retain the nut within the shell member.

A drain rod system for connecting at least two rods together and/or to a peripheral device, said rods and/or devices connected or coupled together by one or more connection means which including a first male portion at least part of which includes a non-circular member and a second female portion at least part of which is configured to receive at least part of the non-circular member extending from an adjacent male portion. The connection means further including first and second threaded engagement members, said first threaded member including a thread or threaded portion and at least part of the second threaded member adapted to receive at least part of the thread or threaded portion, wherein at least one or both of said threaded members includes a grip portion to enable the user to engage or disengage the male and female portions and/or the first and second threaded members by hand.

The present invention relates to a functional element that is configured for attachment to a workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part, said functional element comprising a head part having a contact surface that contacts the workpiece in a fastened state of the functional element, A fastening section extends in an axial direction from the head part, in particular a rivet section, for fastening the functional element to the workpiece. The fastening section comprises a wall that bounds a hollow space in a peripheral direction and that has a free edge at a side facing away from the head par. The wall has opposing curved sections terminating at the free edge. The free edge lies along a peripheral curved line that has curved peaks and valleys which is endless and continuous. The peaks and valleys may be axially or radially extending, or both.

A riveting tool configured to install a plurality of fasteners simultaneously is provided including a body having a generally central cavity. A strike surface is arranged at a first end of the body and a plurality of contactors extends generally outwards from a second, opposite end of the body. Each contactor includes an engagement surface configured to contact a surface of an adjacent fastener when a force is applied to the strike surface. A biasing mechanism is arranged within the cavity adjacent an upper cavity surface. A dowel is positioned within the cavity adjacent the biasing mechanism. The dowel is configured to engage a portion of an adjacent nut plate and translate within the cavity.