Anti-cross threading device

Abstract

The present invention permits a screw or male member to align prior to entering a threaded section and being driven. This alignment can avoid cross threading of the screw and the internal threads as often happens with power driven screws. The present invention generally includes a device with an unthreaded section and a threaded section. A screw or male member passes through the unthreaded section prior to entering the threaded section and causes the screw or male member to be aligned before being driven.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An anti-cross threading insert comprising: 
 a housing having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and a second end;    a gripping section disposed on at least a portion of said exterior surface;    an unthreaded section formed on said interior surface at said first end; and    a threaded section formed on said interior surface, said threaded section extending away from said unthreaded section and said first end.    
     
     
         2 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said gripping section comprises a plurality of knurls.  
     
     
         3 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of knurls comprises three knurls.  
     
     
         4 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said unthreaded section includes a chamfer adjacent said first end.  
     
     
         5 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 4 , wherein said chamfer is cut at an angle of approximately forty five degrees.  
     
     
         6 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said unthreaded section is at least as great as the outer diameter of the threads of said threaded section.  
     
     
         7 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 1 , wherein said second end defines an aperture therein such that said threaded section and said unthreaded section together define an open bore from said first end through said second end.  
     
     
         8 . An anti-cross threading insert configured to facilitate screw alignment, said insert comprising: 
 a housing having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and a second end;    an unthreaded section formed on said interior surface adjacent said first end, said unthreaded section comprising an outer diameter at least as great as the outer diameter of threads on said screw; and    a threaded section formed on said interior surface adjacent said unthreaded section.    
     
     
         9 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 8 , wherein said unthreaded section has a length corresponding to 2 to 3 threads of said threaded section.  
     
     
         10 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 8 , wherein said unthreaded section has a length of approximately 0.100 inches, and said threaded section has a length of approximately 0.270 inches and contains 10-32 threads.  
     
     
         11 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 8 , wherein said exterior surface is at least partially defined by a gripping section.  
     
     
         12 . An anti-cross threading insert according to  claim 8 , wherein said second end defines an aperture therein such that said threaded section and said unthreaded section together define an open bore from said first end through said second end.