Fastener for fiberglass and other composite structures

Abstract

A threaded fasteners combines two or more of (a) a self-drilling tip that is long enough and/or sufficiently distanced from the threads to assure that drilling action is complete before the first thread engages the surface of the work piece, (b) high-low threads, and (c) a factory pre-applied adhesive/sealant. Such fasteners are especially advantageous in applications where connections to fiberglass are needed, and especially in applications such as boats or other transportation vehicles where leaks resulting from drilled cavities are problematic.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of using a composite material, comprising: 
 providing a self-drilling fastener having high-low threads, and wherein the fastener has a drill tip point that is distanced at least 2 mm from the threads; and    screwing the fastener into the composite material.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill tip point is distanced at least 5 mm from the threads.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill tip point is distanced at least 10 mm from the threads.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill tip point is distanced at least 15 mm from the threads.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill tip point is distanced at least 5 mm from the threads and the drill tip point is milled.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a 300 series steel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a 304 stainless steel and a 316 stainless steel.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a 18/8 stainless steel.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite comprises a fiberglass reinforced plastic.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fiberglass reinforced plastic has a gelcoat and the fastener is screwed into the fiberglass reinforced plastic through the gelcoat.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite comprises a fiberglass reinforced plastic panel.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite comprises a section of a transportation vehicle.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composite comprises a section of a boat.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the fastener to attach an object to the composite.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the fastener to attach an object to the composite through a gelcoat.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the fastener to attach together two pieces of the composite.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying an adhesive/sealant to the fastener.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener has a pre-applied, self-curing adhesive/sealant.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill tip point is distanced at least 5 mm from the threads, and the fastener comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a 300 series stainless steel and a 18/8 stainless steel, the composite comprises a fiberglass reinforced plastic with a gelcoat, and the fastener is screwed into the fiberglass reinforced plastic through the gelcoat.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the fiberglass reinforced plastic is part of a boat.