A bolted joint for coupling two components that undergo thermal expansion and contraction includes a bolt having a head and a stem, the bolt configured to provide a clamping force between the two components. A first washer having a thermal resistant, low friction coating is configured to be disposed between one of the two components and the bolt head to enable the one component to slide relative to the bolt during the thermal expansion and contraction, while maintaining the clamping force, to facilitate preventing bending or shearing of the bolt.

A fastener structure configured to be locked slantingly so as to provide effective and stable electrical conduction can be used to lock a to-be-locked object in place. The fastener structure includes a rod body and at least two inclination adjustment units. The rod body has a thread portion. The at least two inclination adjustment units are offset from each other and are formed on different surface portions of the rod body that are at different heights of the rod body respectively, such that the thread portion is left with an exposed surface portion. The at least two inclination adjustment units allow the rod body to be locked slantingly in the to-be-locked object, with the exposed surface portion of the thread portion in close contact with the thread of the threaded hole of the to-be-locked object to enable effective and stable electrical conduction.

An optimized thread profile (140) for joining composite materials is presented. This thread profile (140) maintains a certain material strength when used as part of a composite threaded joint (101). The thread profile (140) comprises a repeating pattern of four components: a crest region (150), a first flank (162), a root region (170) and a second flank (164). The thread profile (140) is symmetrical, that is, the dimensions of the four components do not change throughout the length of the thread profile. The crest (152) has a flat profile and the root (172) has a rounded profile. When a shaft (120) is affixed to a joining shaft (110) using this optimized thread profile (140), the flat profiles of the crest (152) of the shaft (120) and corresponding rounded profiles of the root (172) of the joining shaft (110) create a gap to accommodate a substance such as an adhesive or a lubricant. Similarly, the flat profiles of the crest (152) of the joining shaft (110) and corresponding rounded profiles of the root (172) of the shaft (120) create a gap to accommodate a substance.

A method, process and machine to anchor objects to a surface using an encapsulated compound such as adhesive, expanding glue, hardening agent or other reactive and/or bonding substance intended for single use in a single anchor installation.

A fastener kit can securely affix a washing machine on a lightweight wall. The washing machine includes a rear panel for coupling to the wall through the fastener kit. A tub configured to contain washing water may be integrally formed with the rear panel. The fastener kit has an anchor rod with one end section forming tight contact with the inner surface of a fastening hole on the lightweight wall by using a chemical anchor. The other end section of the fastener kit is coupled to the rear panel.

A multi-patch threaded fastener includes a shank having a threaded portion and two or more polymer patches disposed on the shank. The two or more polymer patches are configured to wedge against a mating threaded component to promote contact between non-patched threaded portions of the shank and the mating threaded component to resist removal from the mating threaded component. A method of making the multi-patch threaded fastener includes positioning two or more nozzles for dispensing a patch material at locations corresponding to desired patch locations on the shank, conveying the shank past two or more nozzles, and dispensing the patch material from each nozzle onto the shank to form the two or more polymer patches on the shank.

A fastener sealing material for application to fasteners is formulated from an acrylate present in a concentration of about 90 to about 97 percent by weight of the sealing material and a nanostructured material present in a concentration of about 3 to about 10 percent by weight of the sealing material. The sealant is applied to the fastener as a liquid and is cured using an ultraviolet or LED light source and without the use of heat.

A method of making an assembly is disclosed. According to the method, a curable sealant is applied to a metal surface of a first article, and the curable sealant and first article are stored under conditions to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. The method further includes contacting the curable sealant on the first article metal surface with an electrically conductive surface of a second article, and curing the curable sealant.

A fastening system is configured to be securely fastened from one side of at least one component. The fastening system includes a fastener including a shaft having a distal end extending from a head. A first channel is formed through the fastener between the head and the distal end. A nut is configured to be connected to the fastener. The nut includes a second channel that is coaxially aligned with the first channel.

An optimized thread profile (140) for joining composite materials is presented. This thread profile (140) maintains a certain material strength when used as part of a composite threaded joint (101). The thread profile (140) comprises a repeating pattern of four components: a crest region (150), a first flank (162), a root region (170) and a second flank (164). The thread profile (140) is symmetrical, that is, the dimensions of the four components do not change throughout the length of the thread profile. The crest (152) has a flat profile and the root (172) has a rounded profile. When a shaft (120) is affixed to a joining shaft (110) using this optimized thread profile (140), the flat profiles of the crest (152) of the shaft (120) and corresponding rounded profiles of the root (172) of the joining shaft (110) create a gap to accommodate a substance such as an adhesive or a lubricant. Similarly, the flat profiles of the crest (152) of the joining shaft (110) and corresponding rounded profiles of the root (172) of the shaft (120) create a gap to accommodate a substance.