LIGHTWEIGHT FASTENER AND CUSTOMIZED DRIVE APPARATUS THEREOF

Abstract

A lightweight fastener is designed for use in a variety of industries, especially in the automotive industry, such as construction, machine manufacturing, building and railway, and a drive apparatus compatible with said fastener that applies the torque required for its tightening and loosening is provided.

Claims

1. A fastener, comprising: a threaded shaft, a flange part, and a head part comprising a center, a periphery, at least three support elements, and at least three groove parts, wherein each of the groove parts are located between two successive support elements and separates the support elements from each other; wherein a height of each of the support elements, whose longitudinal axes intersect at the center of the head part increases while extending radially from the periphery of the head part to the center of the head part, and side walls on both sides of each support element and intermediate walls connecting the side walls of the two successive support elements facing each other form surfaces in which a drive apparatus is engaged to the fastener for tightening and loosening and a torque is transferred to the fastener.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein each side wall of the support elements comprises an upper edge and a lower edge.

3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge of the side wall are axially aligned.

4. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge move away from each other while the side wall extends radially from the periphery of the head part towards the center.

5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein a width of each of the support elements gradually decreases from the periphery of the head part towards the center.

6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the flange part comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and the upper surface extends radially inclined from the periphery of the flange part to the center.

7. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein an angle of a lower edge on each side wall of the support elements with a horizontal axis is between 0? and 45? while extending radially from the periphery of the head part to the center.

8. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein an angle of an upper edge on each side wall of the support elements with a horizontal axis is between 5? and 75? while extending radially from the periphery of the head part to the center.

9. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the side walls of any two successive support elements facing each other is between 50? and 105?.

10. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein at least two of angles between the longitudinal axes of any two successive support elements are equal to each other.

11. The fastener according to claim 10, wherein angles between the longitudinal axes of the support elements are equal to each other.

12. A drive apparatus, configured to be engaged to a fastener, and comprising: a holding part, a neck part, and a head part comprising a center, a periphery, at least three protrusions, and at least three slots, wherein each of the slots are located between two successive protrusions and separate the protrusions from each other; wherein a depth of each of the slots, whose longitudinal axes intersect at the center of the head part, increases while extending radially from the periphery of the head part to the center, and side walls on both sides of each protrusion and intermediate walls connecting these side walls form surfaces in which the drive apparatus is engaged to the fastener for tightening and loosening and a torque is transferred from the drive apparatus to the fastener.

13. The drive apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the protrusions on the head part extend inclined from the periphery of the head part towards the center.

14. The drive apparatus according to claim 12, wherein an angle between the side walls of the protrusions on the head part is between 50? and 105?.

15. The drive apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a width of each of the slots decreases while extending radially from the periphery of the head part to the center.

16. The drive apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least two of angles between the longitudinal axes of the two successive slots are equal to each other.

17. A combination of a fastener and a drive apparatus, comprising: the fastener comprising a threaded shaft, a flange part and a first head part comprising a first center, a first periphery, at least three support elements and at least three groove parts, wherein each of the groove parts are located between two successive support elements and separates the support elements from each other, and the drive apparatus comprising a holding part, a neck part and a second head part comprising a second center, a second periphery, at least three protrusions, and at least three slots, to which at least three support elements are engaged when the fastener and the drive element are coupled with, wherein each of the slots are located between two successive protrusions and separate the protrusions from each other; wherein a height of each of the support elements, whose longitudinal axes intersect at the center of the first head part, increases while extending radially from the periphery of the first head part to the center of the first head part, and side walls on both sides of each support element and the intermediate walls connecting the side walls of the two successive support elements facing each other form surfaces in which the drive apparatus is engaged to the fastener for tightening and loosening and a torque is transferred to the fastener.

18. The combination of the fastener and the drive apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a depth of each of the slots in the drive apparatus increases while extending radially from the periphery of the head part towards the center.

19. The fastener according to claim 2, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge of the side wall are axially aligned.

20. The fastener according to claim 2, wherein the upper edge and the lower edge move away from each other while the side wall extends radially from the periphery of the head part towards the center.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] References to the following figures and detailed descriptions are intended to provide a better understanding of the invention and have no purpose limiting the scope of the invention. The components in the figures were not scaled, only the description of the principles of the invention was emphasized. Different modifications of the parts of the figures represented by references are also possible within the scope of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 1: The perspective view of the fastener in accordance with the invention is given.

[0062] FIG. 2: A front vertical view of the fastener in accordance with the invention is given.

[0063] FIG. 3: A side view of the head of the fastener according to the invention is given.

[0064] FIG. 4: A cross-sectional view of the head of the fastener according to the invention is given.

[0065] FIG. 5: The top view of the fastener according to the invention is given.

[0066] FIG. 6: A perspective view of the drive apparatus in accordance with the invention is given.

[0067] FIG. 7A: A view of the longitudinal section of the holding apparatus according to the invention located vertically on the horizontal plane (Y) is given.

[0068] FIG. 7B: A view of section A-A shown in FIG. 7A of the holding apparatus according to the invention located vertically on the horizontal plane (Y) is given.

[0069] FIG. 8: A top view of a drive apparatus according to the invention is given.

[0070] FIG. 9: A view of the combination of the fastener and drive apparatus in accordance with the invention is given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0071] The present invention relates to a lightweight fastener that can be applied with a uniquely designed drive apparatus, and that can be fastened at the desired safety and performance. The present invention also relates to a drive apparatus that applies the torque required for effective tightening and loosening of this fastener and to a combination of said fastener and this drive apparatus.

[0072] The fastener (10) according to the invention mainly comprises the head (11), flange (12) and shaft (13) as seen in FIG. 1. The shaft part (13) is located adjacent to the flange part (12) and extends along the axis of the fastener (10) from the base of the flange part (12) to the end (13a) of the shaft. The end (13a) of the shaft part is preferably flat but can also be in different shapes. There is a threaded part (13b) that extend helically around the shaft part (13) of the fastener (10). The threaded part (13b) helps the torque applied fastener (10) to engage and stay properly in the workpiece. According to an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the head part (11) above the flange part (12) of the fastener (10) consists essentially of a periphery (11a), a center (20), three support elements (14, 15, 16), and grooves (17, 18, 19) between two successive support elements. The support elements (14, 15, 16) are separated from each other by the grooves (17, 18, 19). There is a groove (17, 18, 19) between the three successive support elements (14, 15, 16) as can be seen from the view of the fastener in FIG. 1. The longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of the support elements intersect at the center part (20) of the head extend radially from the center (20) of the head of the fastener. The longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of the support elements are defined as the lines extending radially from the center of the head (20) through the center of the support element (14, 15, 16) along the support element (FIG. 5). FIG. 2 shows a front vertical view of the fastener (10) through which the longitudinal axis (X) of the fastener passes through the center (20) of the head.

[0073] The head (11) comprising the support elements (14, 15, 16) and the grooves (17, 18, 19) between the two successive support elements has a circular periphery (11a), and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flange (12) on which the head is located is also circular, and the periphery (12a) of the flange is in line with the periphery (11a) of the head. The support element (14, 15, 16), which extends from the center of the head (20) radially towards the periphery (11a) of the head decreasing in height, ends when it is aligned with the periphery (11a) of the head as seen in FIG. 2. There is a side wall (14a, 14b; 15a, 15b; 16a, 16b) on both sides of the support elements (14, 15, 16), as shown in FIG. 1. These side walls form the boundary between the adjacent groove (17, 18, 19) and the support elements (14, 15, 16). However, the side walls (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) on both sides of the support elements (14, 15, 16) have upper edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) and lower edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b). The upper edge and the lower edge (14a, 14a; 14b, 14b; 15a, 15a; 15b, 15b; 16a, 16a; 16b, 16b) in each side wall (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) extend axially in line from the periphery (11a) of the head to the center (20). The upper edge and the lower edge (14a and 14a; 14b and 14b; 15a and 15a; 15b and 15b; 16a and 16a; 16b and 16b) on any side wall of each support element (14, 15, 16) are closest to each other in line with the periphery (11a) of the head and gradually move away from each other towards the center (20), so that the height of the support element increases from the periphery (11a) of the head towards the head center (20). It is shown in the side walls of the two support elements (14, 15) seen in FIG. 2 that the upper and lower edges (14a and 14a; 15b and 15b) on each side wall are closest to each other in line with the periphery (11a) of the head, move away each other towards the center (20), and thus the height of the support element increases from the periphery (11a) of the head to the head center (20). The situation described by example in FIG. 2 applies to the upper and lower edges (14a and 14a; 14b and 14b; 15a and 15a; 15b and 15b; 16a and 16a; 16b and 16b) of each side wall of all the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head, respectively.

[0074] However, it is seen in FIG. 2, where different view of the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head (11) of the fastener in accordance with the invention that the support elements (14, 15, 16) extend towards the center (20) with a certain inclination. However, it is clearly seen in FIG. 2 that the upper edge and the lower edge (14a and 14a; 15b and 15b) of each side wall of the two support elements (14, 15) are axially aligned. The upper edges (14a and 14b; 15a and 15b; 16a and 16b) of each side wall on both sides of the support elements (14, 15, 16) gradually approach each other from the periphery (11a) of the head towards the center (20), while the lower edges (14a and 14b; 15a and 15b; 16a and 16b), which are axially aligned with each other, are gradually approaching each other towards the center (20), and thus the width (w) of the support element (14, 15, 16) decreases as it extends from the periphery (11a) of the head towards the center (20) as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0075] The side walls (14b, 15a) of the two successive support elements (14, 15) are connected to each other by an intermediate wall (21). As the side walls (14b, 15a) of the two successive support elements (14, 15) facing each other extend radially towards the center (20), they begin to bend towards the opposite side wall (14b, 15a) after a certain point to form an arc of a circle. It is seen in FIG. 3 that as a result of bending and orientation of both side walls (14b, 15a) towards each other to form an arc of a circle, they form an arc-shaped wall (21) by joining at the closest point to the center (20). The part where the side walls (14b, 15a) facing each other of the two successive support elements (14, 15) begin to bend towards the opposite side wall while extending radially is shown in FIG. 3 by dashed lines. These dashed lines represent the boundary of each side wall (14b, 15a) with the intermediate wall (21). The intermediate wall (21) extends between these boundaries on the side walls (14b, 15a) facing each other of two successive support elements. The bending of the side walls (14b, 15a) facing each other of the two successive support elements (14, 15) to form the intermediate wall (21) as described above also takes place between the opposite side walls (14b and 15a; 15b and 16a; 16b and 14a) of all successive support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head part (11) of the fastener of the invention (FIG. 1).

[0076] However, the support elements (14, 15, 16) extending radially inclined from the periphery (11a) of the head to the center (20) have a minimum height (h.sub.1) in line with the periphery (11a) of the head and reach the maximum height (h.sub.2) in the center (20) where all three support elements (14, 15, 16) meet. The maximum height of the support elements (14, 15, 16) is equal to the maximum height of the intermediate walls (21, 22, 23). According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the minimum and maximum heights of all the support elements (14, 15, 16) are equal to each other.

[0077] The side walls (14b and 15a; 15b and 16a; 16b and 14a) of both successive support elements facing each other and the intermediate walls (21, 22, 23) connecting these side walls respectively form the active surfaces in which the drive apparatus (40) contacts the fastener (10) for tightening and loosening the fastener (10) and transfers the torque required for performing these operations in the fastener in accordance with the invention. Active surfaces are critical for effective transfer of the torque applied by the drive apparatus (40) to the fastener (10) and for tightening and loosening without encountering any problems such as stripping, deformation, locking.

[0078] According to another embodiment of the invention, it is seen in FIG. 4 that while the lower surface (12c) of the flange part (12) under the head (11) of the fastener is located in a horizontal plane, the upper surface (12b) is radially inclined towards the center (20). The support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head part (11) of the fastener are located on the upper surface (12b) of the flange part. The boundaries of the groove part (17) between the two successive support elements (14, 15) are determined by the side walls (14b, 15a) of the support elements (14, 15) and the intermediate wall (21) that allows these side walls (14b, 15a) to merge, and the depth of the groove increases inclined with the height of the side walls (14b, 15a) and the intermediate wall (21) as clearly seen in FIG. 3. Meanwhile, since the support elements (14, 15) are located on the upper surface (12b) of the flange part, the part on the upper surface (12b) of the flange part bounded by the side walls (14b, 15a) and the intermediate wall (21) also forms the base of the groove part (17). Accordingly, the upper surface (12b) of the flange part and the base of the groove part (17) are actually the same surface. Therefore, while the upper surface (12b) of the flange part extends radially inclined from the periphery (12a) of the flange to the center (20) of the head, the base of the groove part (17) extends radially to the center (20) of the head with the same inclination.

[0079] However, since the support elements (14, 15, 16) are located on the upper surface (12b) of the flange, the lower surface of the support elements (14, 15, 16) and thus the lower edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the side walls on both sides of each support element are also seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 to extend radially towards the center of the head with the same inclination as the upper surface of the flange. Accordingly, the angles (?) of the upper surface (12b) of the flange, the base of the groove (19) and the lower edge (14a) of the support element with the horizontal plane (Y) as they extend radially towards the center are identical as clearly seen in the left part of FIG. 4. This situation explained with the example in FIG. 4 is also the same for the lower edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the side walls of the other support elements and the base of the grooves (17, 18, 19) between the two successive support elements, and the angle (?) of all the lower edges and the angle (?) of the bases of groove parts (17, 18, 19) with the horizontal plane as they extend radially from the periphery of the head (11a) to the center (20) is the same as the angle (?) of the upper surface of the flange with the horizontal plane.

[0080] The upper edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the support elements also extend in a radially inclined manner towards the center (20), by making a certain angle with the horizontal plane (Y) in the fastener (10) according to the invention. Accordingly, in the fastener (10) according to the invention, each of the upper edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the side walls of the support elements extends in a radially inclined manner towards the center (20) by making an angle (?) with the horizontal plane, as well as each of the lower edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the side walls of the support elements adjacent to the upper surface (12b) of the flange, thus the upper surface (12b) of the flange extends in a radially inclined manner towards the center by making an angle (?) with the horizontal.

[0081] The angle (?) of each upper edge (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) on the side walls of the support elements with the horizontal plane is the same, similarly, the angle (?) of each lower edge (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) on the side walls of the support elements with the horizontal plane is the same. As shown in FIG. 4, the angle (?) of the upper edge (15b) of the side wall of the support element (15) with the horizontal plane is greater than the angle (?) of the lower edge (14a) of the side wall of the support element (14) with the horizontal plane.

[0082] Considering that the drive apparatus (40) transfers the torque by contacting the active contact surfaces formed by the side walls (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the support elements and the intermediate walls (21, 22, 23) that enable the joining of the side walls, besides the number of the support elements, the angle of the upper edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) and the lower edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the side walls with the horizontal plane which affects the size of the area of the active contact surfaces is of critical importance. While the weight of the fastener is significantly reduced, the active contact surface areas are optimized in such a way that the required torque is effectively transferred by the drive apparatus (40) and the removal and fastening processes are carried out repeatedly without any problems such as stripping, deformation and locking in the design of the fastener (10) in accordance with the invention.

[0083] In the fastener (10) according to the invention, the angle (?) of the upper surface (12b) of the flange, and thus of each lower edge (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) on the side walls of each support element located above the upper surface (12b) of the flange, while radially extending from the periphery of the head (11a) to the center (20), with the horizontal plane is 0? to 45?, preferably 1? to 30?, more preferably 2? to 20?.

[0084] In the fastener according to the invention, the angle (?) of each upper edge (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) on the side walls of each support element extending radially from the periphery of the head (11a) to the center (20) with the horizontal plane is 5? to 75?, preferably 10? to 60?, more preferably 12? to 45?, most preferably 15? to 35?.

[0085] The shapes of the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head part of the fastener of the invention as described above as well as the number of the support elements (14, 15, 16) and their positions relative to each other are among the factors to be considered for self-aligning and performing an assembly or a disassembly process at the desired performance while applying torque by the drive apparatus (40).

[0086] There are 2 to 6, preferably 2 to 4, more preferably 3 support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head part (11) of the fastener according to the invention.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the fastener (10) of the invention, it is shown in FIG. 5 that the longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of the support elements extend radially from the center (20) of the head along the support element (14, 15, 16). The angles between the longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of the support elements can be equal or different from each other. According to another embodiment of the invention, at least two of these angles are equal to each other and the other may be different from them. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, there are three support elements (14, 15, 16) in the head part of the fastener, and the angles between the longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of any successive support element are equal to each other. In more detail, when we refer to the support elements as the first support element (14), the second support element (15) and the third support element (16), the angle (?.sub.1) between the longitudinal axis (14) of the first support element and the longitudinal axis (15) of the second support element, the angle (?.sub.2) between the longitudinal axis (15) of the second support element and the longitudinal axis (16) of the third support element, the angle (?.sub.3) between the longitudinal axis (16) of the third support element and the longitudinal axis (14) of the first support element is equal to each other and all are 1200 (?.sub.1=?.sub.2=?.sub.3).

[0088] As shown in FIG. 5, in the fastener (10) of the invention, the side walls (14b and 15a; 15b and 16a; 16b and 14a) facing each other of the two successive support elements (14 and 15; 15 and 16; 16 and 14) and the intermediate wall (21, 22, 23) connecting these side walls limit the region of the grooves (17, 18, 19) between the two support elements. The width (w) of the support elements also narrows towards the center (20) starting from the periphery (11a) of the head. Each of the support elements (14, 15, 16) extends radially from the periphery (11a) of the head to the center (20) of the head and intersect in the center (20). While the width (w.sub.1) of each support element (14, 15, 16) in line with the periphery (11a) of the head is maximum, its width gradually decreases as it extending from the periphery (11a) of the head to the center (20) (w.sub.2<w.sub.1). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximum width (w.sub.1) of the support elements (14, 15, 16) at the level of the head periphery (11a) and the width (w.sub.2) of the support elements (14, 15, 16) extending towards the center (20) at a certain distance from the center (i.e. a certain radius from the center) are also identical. Accordingly, the side walls (14a and 14b; 15a and 15b; 16a and 16b) of each support element are farthest from each other in line with the periphery (11a) of the head, and the side walls (14a and 14b; 15a and 15b; 16a and 16b) are gradually approaching each other while the support elements (14, 15, 16) extending radially towards the center (20). However, FIG. 5 shows that the upper edge and lower edges (14a and 14a; 14b and 14b; 15a and 15a; 15b and 15b; 16a and 16a; 16b and 16b) on each side wall of the support element are vertically aligned and extending radially in an aligned manner towards the center.

[0089] In the fastener (10) of the invention, the angles (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) between the side walls (14b and 15a; 15b and 16a; 16b and 14a) of any two successive support elements may vary depending on the angle (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) between the longitudinal axes of said support elements and the width (w) of the support elements, but are equal to each other according to the preferred embodiment of the invention (?.sub.1=?.sub.2=?.sub.3) and are 50? to 105?, preferably 60? to 100?, more preferably 70? to 95?. The angles (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) between the side walls (14b and 15a; 15b and 16a; 16b and 14a) of the two successive support elements facing each other are shown in FIG. 5, respectively.

[0090] It is seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 that the support elements (14, 15, 16) start from the line with the head periphery (11a), which is the farthest edge to the center (20) of the head, and extend towards the center (20) by narrowing and increasing in height. Within the scope of the present invention, the head periphery (11a) may be in any particular shape, but it is circular according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one end of the support elements (14, 15, 16) comprised in the fastener is in the form of an arc since it starts from the same line as the head periphery, and at this end, the support elements (14, 15, 16) have a minimum height (h.sub.1) and their height increases as the support elements (14, 15, 16) extend radially towards the center (20). The support elements (14, 15, 16) reach their maximum height (h.sub.2) at the point where all the support elements meet (20). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the minimum height (h.sub.1) and the maximum height (h.sub.2) of each support element (14, 15, 16) in the head part of the fastener are the same for each support element. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the center of the upper and lower edge of the intermediate walls (21, 22, 23) is also axially in the same vertical line.

[0091] In the lightweight fastener (10) of the invention, the shape, features and positions of the support elements (14, 15, 16) and the grooves (17, 18, 19) in the head part are designed to ensure a homogeneous transfer of the torque applied by the drive apparatus (40) during the disassembly and assembly of the said fastener (10) to the workpiece. The drive apparatus applies torque from certain points where it contacts the fastener by engaging externally the fastener whose weight is reduced by using traditional methods including leaving the parts where only the drive apparatus contacts and transmits the torque and removing the other parts in certain proportions in order to make it possible to use a standard drive apparatus. However, the disassembly and assembly of the lightweight fastener (10) according to the invention, which is specifically designed to make it possible to transfer the torque applied to the head part in a homogeneous manner, is carried out by the drive apparatus (40) specially designed for the fastener (10).

[0092] The drive apparatus (40), which is compatible with the lightweight fastener (10) in accordance with the invention and provides a homogeneous transfer of the torque applied during the tightening and loosening by contacting the active contact surfaces on the head (11) of the said fastener, is shown in FIG. 6. The drive apparatus of the invention comprises mainly the head (41), the neck (42) and the holding (43) parts. The neck (42) of the drive apparatus is located between the head (41) and the holding (43) part, which provides a transition between the two parts. The head (41) of the drive apparatus is uniquely designed in such a way that the torque it applies by engaging tightly to the lightweight fastener (10) of the invention is effectively transferred homogeneously to the said fastener (10) and makes it possible for the fastener (10) to be self-centered. Accordingly, the slots (44, 45, 46) in the head part of the drive apparatus are formed to match the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the fastener and to engage tightly to the corresponding support element. There is a center (47) that overlaps the center (20) of the fastener when it engages with the fastener (10) to apply torque in the middle of the head part (41) of the drive apparatus. It has been shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7B that, while the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the fastener according to the invention extend radially inclined from the periphery of the head (11a) to the center (20) by increasing in height, the slots (44, 45, 46) through which these support elements in the head part (41) of the drive apparatus extend radially inclined from the periphery of the head (41a) to the center (47) by increasing in depth. Accordingly, the height of the support elements (14, 15, 16) of the fastener extending radially towards the center is minimum (h.sub.1) while it is in line with the periphery (11a) of the head and it increases towards the center (20) while the depth of the slots (44, 45, 46) extending radially towards the center in the drive apparatus is minimum (d.sub.1) while it is in line with the periphery of the head and it is the highest in the center (d.sub.2) for a exactly compatible coupling with the support elements (14, 15, 16). The slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus start from the periphery (41a) of the head and extend radially to the center (47) and meet in the center (47) of the head. It is clearly seen in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B that the slots (44, 45, 46) and protrusions (48, 49, 50) are inclined from the periphery of the head (41a) towards the center (47), where the vertical view of the drive apparatus (40) located on the horizontal plane (Y) so that the outer edges of the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the drive apparatus contact the horizontal plane (Y). As seen in FIG. 7B, the depth of the slots (44, 45, 46) also increases from the periphery (41a) of the head to the center (47).

[0093] The protrusions (48, 49, 50) formed in the drive apparatus are shown in FIG. 6 so that they engage the grooves (17, 18, 19) formed between two successive support elements in the fastener (10) in accordance with the invention. The shape of these protrusions (48, 49, 50) is such that they engage tightly in the grooves (17, 18, 19) of the fastener in accordance with the invention. Accordingly, while the base of the grooves (17, 18, 19) in the fastener according to the invention extending radially towards the center (20) rises towards the center (20) by making a certain angle (?) with the horizontal plane, the upper surface (48c, 49c, 50c) of the protrusions coupling with these grooves (17, 18, 19) and extending radially towards the center (47) in the drive apparatus also extends towards the center (47) by making the same angle (?) with the horizontal plane (Y) (FIG. 7B). The angle of the base of the slots (44, 45, 46) in the head of the drive apparatus according to the invention in FIG. 7B with the horizontal plane is equal to the angle of the upper edges (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) of the support elements in the head of the fastener according to the invention with the horizontal plane (?) according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0094] However, when the fastener (10) and the drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention are engaged each other, the side walls (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) and the intermediate walls (21, 22, 23) forming the active contact surfaces in the fastener correspond to the side walls (48a, 48b, 49a, 49b, 50a, 50b) on both sides of the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the drive apparatus and the intermediate walls (51, 52, 53) connecting these side walls. It is seen in FIG. 6 that the side walls (48a, 48b; 49a, 49b; 50a, 50b) on both sides of each protrusion (48, 49, 50) on the head of the drive apparatus form arc-shaped intermediate walls (51, 52, 53) by bending and being directed towards each other to form an arc of circle similar to the fastener (10) according to the invention. It is clearly seen in FIG. 6 that the side walls (48a, 48b) on both sides of one of the protrusions (48) form the intermediate wall (51) by bending towards each other to form a circle arc while extending straight towards by approaching each other. The parts where the two side walls (48a, 48b) begin to bend towards each other to form the intermediate wall (51) are shown in dashed lines. These dashed lines represent the boundary of each side wall (48a, 48b) with the intermediate wall (51). The intermediate wall (51) extends between these boundaries on the side walls (48a, 48b) of the protrusion. The side walls (48a and 48b; 49a and 49b; 50a and 50b, respectively) on both sides of each of the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the head part of the drive apparatus form the intermediate wall (51; 52; 53, respectively) in that protrusion by bending towards each other as described above.

[0095] In the drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention, the side walls (48a, 48b; 49a, 49b; 50a, 50b) and the intermediate walls (51; 52; 53) in each protrusion as mentioned above form the active contact surfaces of the drive apparatus (40), which is in contact with the fastener (10) and provides effective transfer of the torque required during the disassembly and assembly of the fastener (10). When the fastener (10) and the drive apparatus (40) are engaged in order to perform the tightening and loosening processes, the active contact surfaces in the fastener and the active contact surfaces in the drive apparatus correspond to each other. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the area size of the active contact surfaces in the drive apparatus (40) is at least the area of the active contact surfaces in the fastener (10) or is relatively likely to be larger for the purpose of effectively transferring the torque applied by the drive apparatus to the fastener and performing the tightening or loosening operations as required and properly.

[0096] When the fastener (10) and the drive apparatus (40) of the invention are engaged each other, the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the fastener and the slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus; and the grooves (17, 18, 19) in the fastener and the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the drive apparatus are engaged to each other. In other words, the upper surface of the support element (14, 15, 16) in the fastener is overlapped with the base of the slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus; and the base of the grooves (17, 18, 19) in the fastener is overlapped with the upper surface of the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the drive apparatus. Accordingly, when the fastener (10) and the drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention are engaged each other, the longitudinal axis (14, 15, 16) of each support element in the head part of the fastener and the longitudinal axis (44, 45, 46) of the slot in which this support element corresponds and engages are overlapped. The longitudinal axes (44, 45, 46) of the slots in the head of the drive apparatus are defined as the lines extending radially from the center of the head (47) through the center of the slot (44, 45, 46) along the slot. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle between the longitudinal axes (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) of any two successive support elements in the head of the fastener and the angle between the longitudinal axes (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) of any successive slots in which these support elements correspond and engage when the drive apparatus (40) and the fastener (10) are engaged is equal to each other (?.sub.1=?.sub.1; ?.sub.2=?.sub.2; ?.sub.3=?.sub.3). According to the invention, the angles between the longitudinal axes of two successive support elements can be equal to each other or different from each other. Similarly, the angles between the longitudinal axes of the slots in the drive apparatus can be equal to each other or different from each other. Accordingly, the angle between the longitudinal axes of any two successive support elements is equal to the angle (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) between the longitudinal axes of the two successive slots through which the said support elements couple with in the drive apparatus in accordance with the invention, since the slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus and the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the fastener should engage tightly together in order to effectively transfer the torque applied by the drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention to the fastener (10). According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, there are three support elements in the head part of the fastener and the angles between the longitudinal axes (14, 15, 16) of any successive support element (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3, respectively) and the angles (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3, respectively) between the longitudinal axes (44, 45, 46, respectively) of the corresponding two slots in the drive apparatus are shown in FIG. 8. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the angles between any two of the longitudinal axes of the slots in the head of the drive apparatus are equal to each other (?.sub.1=?.sub.2=?.sub.3) and are 120?.

[0097] When the protrusions (48, 49, 50) on the head of the drive apparatus in accordance with the invention are coupled with the grooves (17, 18, 19) on the head of the fastener in accordance with the invention, the side walls on the sides of a groove in the fastener face the side walls of the corresponding protrusion in the drive apparatus (14b and 15a with 48a and 48b; 15b and 16a with 50a and 50b; 14a and 16b with 49a and 49b). The angles between the side walls of the protrusions in the drive apparatus (?.sub.1, ?.sub.2, ?.sub.3) are shown in FIG. 8. The angle between the side walls of each protrusion in the drive apparatus may be different from the angles between the side walls of the other protrusions, or the angle between the side walls of the at least two protrusions may be the same. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the angle between the side walls of each protrusion is equal to the angles between the side walls of the other protrusions (?.sub.1=?.sub.2=?.sub.3) and is 50? to 105?, preferably 600 to 100?, more preferably 700 to 95?.

[0098] However, as clearly depicted in FIG. 8, the width of the slots (44, 45, 46) in which the support elements (14, 15, 16) in the fastener are engaged decreases as the slots (44, 45, 46) extend radially from the periphery of the head towards the center (w.sub.2<w.sub.1). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximum width (w.sub.1) of the slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus at the level of the head periphery (41a) and the width (w.sub.2) of the slots (44, 45, 46) extending towards the center (47) at a certain distance from the center (47) (i.e. a certain radius from the center) are also the same.

[0099] The drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention is compatible with the fastener (10) described within the scope of the invention and can be used to apply torque in the tightening and loosening of any fastener that can be tightly engaged with the drive apparatus.

[0100] The view of the combination of the fastener (10) in accordance with the invention and the drive apparatus (40) in accordance with the invention as described above is given in FIG. 9. The fastener (10) can be self-centered to the drive apparatus (40), and the problems such as stripping, locking, deformation of the system during assembly and insertion are eliminated and the assembly or disassembly process is carried out properly thanks to the easy and tight engagement of the abovementioned support elements (14, 15, 16) in the original design of the fastener (10) to the slots (44, 45, 46) in the drive apparatus and the protrusions (48, 49, 50) in the drive apparatus to the grooves (17, 19, 18) in the fastener.

REFERENCE NUMBERS GIVEN IN THE FIGURES

[0101] 10 Fastener [0102] 11 Head [0103] 11a Periphery of the Head [0104] 12 Flange [0105] 12a Periphery of the Flange [0106] 12b Upper Surface of the Flange [0107] 12c Lower Surface of the Flange [0108] 13 Shaft [0109] 13a Shaft End [0110] 13b Threaded Part of the Shaft [0111] 14 Support Element [0112] 14a Support Element Side Wall [0113] 14a Upper Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0114] 14a Lower Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0115] 14b Support Element Side Wall [0116] 14b Upper Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0117] 14b Lower Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0118] 14 Longitudinal Axis of the Support Element [0119] 15 Support Element [0120] 15a Support Element Side Wall [0121] 15a Upper Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0122] 15a Lower Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0123] 15b Support Element Side Wall [0124] 15b Upper Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0125] 15b Lower Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0126] 15 Longitudinal Axis of the Support Element [0127] 16 Support Element [0128] 16a Support Element Side Wall [0129] 16a Support Element Side Wall Upper Edge [0130] 16a Support Element Side Wall Lower Edge [0131] 16b Support Element Side Wall [0132] 16b Upper Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0133] 16b Lower Edge of the Support Element Side Wall [0134] 16 Longitudinal Axis of the Support Element [0135] 17 Groove [0136] 18 Groove [0137] 19 Groove [0138] 20 Head Center [0139] 21 Fastener Intermediate Wall [0140] 22 Fastener Intermediate Wall [0141] 23 Fastener Intermediate Wall [0142] 40 Drive Apparatus [0143] 41 Head Part of the Drive Apparatus [0144] 41a Periphery of the Head Part of the Drive Apparatus [0145] 42 Neck of Drive Apparatus [0146] 43 Holding Part of Drive Apparatus [0147] 44 Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0148] 44 Longitudinal Axis of the Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0149] 45 Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0150] 45 Longitudinal Axis of the Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0151] 46 Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0152] 46 Longitudinal Axis of the Slot in the Head Part of Drive Apparatus [0153] 47 Center of the Head Part of the Drive Apparatus [0154] 48 Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0155] 48a Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0156] 48b Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0157] 48c Upper Surface of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0158] 49 Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0159] 49a Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0160] 49b Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0161] 49c Upper Surface of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0162] 50 Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0163] 50a Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0164] 50b Side Wall of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0165] 50c Upper Surface of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0166] 51 Intermediate Wall of the Drive Apparatus [0167] 52 Intermediate Wall of the Drive Apparatus [0168] 53 Intermediate Wall of the Drive Apparatus [0169] (X) Longitudinal Axis of the Fastener [0170] (w) Width of the Support Element [0171] (w.sub.1) Maximum Width of Each Support Element (14, 15, 16) Aligned with the Periphery of the Head (11a) [0172] (w.sub.1) Maximum Width of Slots (44, 45, 46) in Drive Apparatus Aligned with the Periphery of Head (41a) [0173] (w.sub.2) The Width of the Support Elements (14, 15, 16) Extending Towards the Center (20) at a Certain Distance from the Center (20) Radially [0174] (w.sub.2) The Width of the Slots (44, 45, 46) Extending Towards the Center (47) at a Certain Distance from the Center (47) Radially [0175] (d.sub.1) Minimum Depth of Slots in Drive Apparatus [0176] (d.sub.2) Maximum Depth of Slots in Drive Apparatus [0177] (h.sub.1) Minimum Height of the Support Element [0178] (h.sub.2) Maximum Height of the Support Element [0179] (Y) Horizontal Plane [0180] (?) Angle of Each Lower Edge on the Side Walls of Support Elements with Horizontal Plane [0181] (?) Angle of Each Upper Edge on the Side Walls of Support Elements with Horizontal Plane [0182] (?.sub.1) Angle between Longitudinal Axis (14) of First Support Element and Longitudinal Axis (15) of Second Support Element [0183] (?.sub.1) The angle of Longitudinal Axes (44 and 45) of the Slots in the Head Part of the Drive Apparatus with each other [0184] (?.sub.2) Angle between Longitudinal Axis (15) of Second Support Element and Longitudinal Axis (16) of Third Support Element [0185] (?.sub.2) The angle of Longitudinal Axes (45 and 46) of the Slots in the Head Part of the Drive Apparatus with each other [0186] (?.sub.3) Angle between Longitudinal Axis (16) of Third Support Element and Longitudinal Axis (14) of First Support Element [0187] (?.sub.3) The angle of Longitudinal Axes (46 and 44) of the Slots in the Head Part of the Drive Apparatus with each other [0188] (?.sub.1) The Angle between the Side Walls (14b and 15a) of the Two Support Elements Facing Each Other [0189] (?.sub.1) The Angle between the Side Walls (49a and 49b) of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0190] (?.sub.2) The Angle between the Side Walls (15b and 16a) of the Two Support Elements Facing Each Other [0191] (?.sub.2) The Angle between the Side Walls (50a and 50b) of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus [0192] (?.sub.3) The Angle between the Side Walls (16b and 14a) of the Two Support Elements Facing Each Other [0193] (?.sub.3) The Angle between the Side Walls (48a and 48b) of the Protrusion in the Drive Apparatus