Threaded Fastener with Retainer and Method of Making Such Fastener

Abstract

A fastener element ( 16 ) has a head section ( 18 ), a threaded shank section ( 17 ) with threads ( 20 ) at a pitch and a distal end section ( 22 ). A retention device ( 24 ) is secured to the distal end section and is engageable with a fastener receiving member ( 14 ).

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A reusable fastener assembly comprising:
 a fastener element having a threaded shank section with threads at a pitch, a head section, and a distal end section;   said distal end section having an undercut section spaced from an end;   a retention device member engaged to said undercut section with at least one radially extending flange sized to engage internal threads in a hole of a fastener receiving member; said at least one flange being tapered radially outwardly and axially toward said head section and being flexible in one direction to snap fit into said internal threads with an axial directed entry force onto said fastener assembly but resist greater axially directed exiting forces; and   said at least one flange having a pitch corresponding with the pitch of the threads on said threaded shank section and with said internal threads of said hole such that said retention device member can be threaded out of said hole for reuse with said fastener element.   
   
   
       12 . A method of manufacturing a fastener assembly comprising the steps of:
 roll forming a headed blank to form a threaded fastener member with threads on a shank portion and a distal end with a retaining shaped end;   placing said threaded fastener member in a mold; and   adheredly molding a retention device on said distal end with said retaining shaped end.   
   
   
       13 . A method as defined in  claim 12  further comprising:
 said roll forming forms a retaining groove in said distal end; and   said adheredly molding includes molding said retention device in said retaining groove.   
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 12  wherein said threads and said retainer shaped end are formed simultaneously by said roll forming. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A roll die for manufacturing a fastener comprising:
 a threaded roll section for rolling threads into a headed blank; and   a contour section at the bottom of the thread roll section with an apex downstream from an open beginning to roll form a groove in said headed blank below a formed threaded section.   
   
   
       17 . A roll die as defined in  claim 16  further comprising:
 said contour having its apex near a mid-point of said roll die.