Friction mechanism

Abstract

A fastening mechanism including: a head a shaft fixed to one end of the head wherein at least part of the shaft is effectively threaded, and at least part of the shaft has no anchoring base for the thread, wherein at least part of the shaft and at least part of the thread are together formed from at least one unbroken wound spiral.

1 . A fastening mechanism comprising:
 a head;   a shaft fixed to one end of the head;   at least part of the shaft is effectively threaded;   at least part of the shaft has no anchoring base for the thread; and   at least part of the shaft and at least part of the thread are together formed from at least one unbroken wound spiral.   
   
   
       2 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material from which the shaft is made is of a type and construction that possesses a material memory. 
   
   
       3 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , which is in the form of a spring bolt. 
   
   
       4 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is formed from a flat spring spiral. 
   
   
       5 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes an aperture which passes through the head and along the shaft of the fastening mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , which includes a removable inner plug which can fit within the central aperture. 
   
   
       7 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , which includes a inner plug configured to threadably engage with a distal element to alter the external dimensions of the outer part of the mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the threads are formed in groups. 
   
   
       9 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the threads are formed by the off axis twisting of a strip of material that forms a shaft. 
   
   
       10 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the threads are formed by the overlapping of the material that forms the shaft. 
   
   
       11 . The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , configured for use with a threaded aperture which has a pitch detail different to that of the fastening mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . A kitset comprising:
 a fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , and   a threaded aperture of a configuration that can substantially cooperate with the fastening mechanism.   
   
   
       13 . The kitset as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the threaded aperture has a pitch detail different to that of the fastening mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a) forming at least part of a shaft from a preformed expanded helix; and   b) compressing the helix to create by shortening the linear length thereof to create the final form of the shaft.   
   
   
       15 . The method of manufacturing a fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising:
 c) fastening a head to the shaft formed by steps a) and b).   
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled)