Fastener embodiments of the invention comprise a freely translatable collet body, which at least partially translates within an auxiliary structure, and further comprise a captive threaded screw for rotationally engaging with the collet body to transform rotational movement into translational movement through substantial arresting of collet body rotation by way of an anti-rotation means. The screw comprises a free-spin feature that functionally, but not physically, decouples a drive tool from the collet body.

Two piece tack rivets and method of forming holes for permanent fasteners. The tack rivets have a stem with a head on one end and a grooved region adjacent the other end, and a locking collar for fitting over the grooved region of the stem for deforming into the grooved region of the stem on applying a setting force between the locking collar and the stem. The head includes cutouts formed therein. The cutouts prevent the head from forming large chips or strips when drilled.

A locking device (100) is operable to lock a tool (150) in an opening. The locking device includes a base (104) positionable with respect to a lifting member (152) of the tool when a first end of the lifting member is positioned within the opening. The locking device also includes a lift (106) coupled to the base for movement relative to the base. The lift includes an interface portion (110) coupleable to the lifting member such that the lifting member is moveable with the interface portion in an extraction direction of the opening when the lift is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the base.

A fastener comprising a body having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The first and second body portions are adjustably connected such that the distance between the first body portion and the second body portion is adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the body. A first flange is arranged on the first body portion and a second flange is arranged on the second body portion. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the first and second body portions together while permitting adjustment of the distance between the first and second body portions in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Fastener embodiments include a housing body, a collet body and a central body. The housing body receives a first portion of the collet body, which has internal threads and an external anti-rotation feature, as well as a first portion of the central body. A second portion of the collet body and an exterior portion of the housing body provide work piece contacting surfaces. The central body, which occupies an inner portion of the housing body, is threadably coupled to the collet body and displaces and/or converges radially displaceable portions of the collet body at the second portion thereof. Interaction between the collet body anti-rotation feature and the housing body, which may be a pair of extending pins engaging a pair of slots, prevents rotation of the collet body within the housing body during rotation of the central body, while axial movement thereof remains unaffected within intended operation parameters.

A spring-loaded locking bolt with a guide sleeve and an adjusting pin movably mounted axially in the guide sleeve. The adjusting pin can be brought into a locked position protruding axially out of the guide sleeve against the actuating force of an axial compression spring and a retracted neutral position which does not protrude axially from the guide sleeve. The adjusting pin has a locking end and an actuating end in conjunction with an actuator knob. The actuator knob has an outer sleeve with which the actuator knob is movably mounted axially on a sleeve section of the guide sleeve. The actuator knob includes an inner locking projection which in the locked position lockingly engages into a corresponding recess in the side wall of the sleeve section, and fixes the actuator knob, which is engaged under spring tension, against an axial rotation about the center axis of the locking bolt, and in the neutral position the actuator knob is rotatable about the center axis.

A method is provided for assembling an apparatus. During this method, a circuit element is arranged with a circuit board. The circuit element includes an element aperture. The circuit board includes a board aperture. A plunger is moved in a first direction to pass a distal end of the plunger through the element aperture and the board aperture and into a volume adjacent the circuit board. A retainer is pivoted within the volume. The retainer is pivotally mounted to the plunger at the distal end of the plunger. The plunger is moved in a second direction to clamp the circuit board between the retainer and the circuit element.

A fastener system shifting shear stresses away from a collet body and provides clamping action to targeted structures. The fastener system includes feet in the collet body that mate with openings in a sleeve at least partially surrounding the collet body. The sleeve or the collet body includes interior threads that engage with a stud that is configured to extend through the collet body and bend the feet such that they project outward from the sleeve openings in an engaged configuration.

The present invention provides a removable blind fastener 2 having a first tubular element 4 comprising an arm portion 24, 26, 28, a second tubular element 6 comprising an arm portion 30, 31, 32, and an elongate screw member 8. The elements are arranged in telescoping relationship one with the other and which fastener, when in use as a temporary fastener, is caused to secure the component parts of an airframe by causing telescoping movement of the elements towards each other when the screw member is turned in one direction and is caused to release the component parts of the airframe by causing telescoping movement of the elements away from each other when the screw member is turned in an opposite direction. The arm portions of the elements are located in mutual juxtaposition for telescoping movement upon rotation of the screw member as aforesaid with end portions of elongate arms of the arm portions being brought into engagement with tapered sills 34, 36 of the first tubular element whereby the arms are caused to splay outwardly to bring the end portions into engagement with an underside of the component and moving the component into secure temporary relationship with the component of the airframe.