Fastener for application to a threaded stud

Abstract

A fastener includes a sleeve-like clamping element having a cavity extending in the direction of its longitudinal axis which accommodates a threaded stud. At least one clamping region is deformable into the cavity forming at least one clamping ramp inclined toward the longitudinal axis on an outside of the clamping element. A clamping sleeve pushed onto the clamping element in an installed state grips around the clamping element. A clamping sleeve inner surface cooperates with the clamping ramp so the clamping region reaches a clamping position deformed into the cavity to hold the threaded stud. The clamping element has a forward end flange in an installation direction. Coupling elements and mating coupling elements arranged on the flange and a clamping sleeve end facing the flange interlock in the installed state, preventing rotation between the clamping sleeve and clamping element.

1 . A threaded element engagement fastener, comprising: 
 a tubular clamp having first and second ends and a cavity created through the clamp, the cavity extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the clamp and operable to accommodate a threaded element;    at least one cantilevered clamping member integrally connected to the clamp at a second end of the clamp and freely extending away from the clamp to operably create a clamping ramp angled with respect to the longitudinal axis; and    a sleeve slidably engageable with the clamp;    wherein in an installed position of the sleeve having the sleeve surrounding the clamping ramp, the sleeve is operable to deflect the clamping member such that the clamping member is elastically deformed into the cavity to engage the threaded element.    
   
   
       2 . The threaded element engagement fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange integrally joined to the clamp and extending radially outward from the first end of the clamp, the clamping member extending freely away from the clamp and the flange, and the cavity extending through both the clamp and the flange.  
   
   
       3 . The threaded element engagement fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one frangible element connecting the sleeve to the second end of the clamp in an initial state, the at least one frangible element being broken by an axial force acting on the sleeve operable to reposition the sleeve toward the installed position.  
   
   
       4 . A method for engaging a threaded fastener with an engagement fastener, the engagement fastener having a tubular clamp, a flange integrally joined to the clamp having a plurality of apertures, a sleeve having a plurality of projections slidably engageable with the clamp, and a cavity created through both the clamp and the flange, the method comprising: 
 sliding the engagement fastener onto the threaded fastener;    applying an axial force to the sleeve to axially displace the sleeve onto the tubular clamp;    sliding the sleeve over the tubular clamp to deflect the clamp members into the cavity and into contact with the threads of the threaded fastener; and    engaging the projections of the sleeve into the apertures of the flange to prevent rotation of the sleeve relative to the flange.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising extending a latching finger from the sleeve.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising creating a catch on the latching finger.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising engaging the catch of the latching finger with the flange.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising engaging a plurality of ribs of the clamp members with a plurality of threads of the threaded fastener.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising frangibly joining the sleeve to the clamp.