Long barrel T-nut

Abstract

An elongated T-nut fastener is formed from a single piece of material. The fastener includes a barrel and a flange, with a threaded portion in the barrel and an unthreaded portion beyond the threaded portion. Fastening sites are provided at spaced locations along the length of the fastener.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An elongated fastener for attachment to a supporting structure comprising: 
 a monolithic body including a flange and a barrel formed from a single piece;    said barrel having a bore therethrough and first and second ends, said first end being adjacent said flange;    said barrel having a threaded portion in said bore near one of said ends and a non-threaded portion from said threaded portion to the other of said ends; and    first and second attachment sites spaced from each other along said body for attaching said fastener to said supporting structure.    
     
     
         2 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by drawing from a single piece.  
     
     
         3 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second attachment sites are spaced from each other along said barrel.  
     
     
         4 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , said threaded portion being near said first end.  
     
     
         5 . The elongated fastener of  claim 4 , said bore having a first inner diameter in said threaded portion and a second inner diameter in said non-threaded portion, and said second inner diameter being greater than said first inner diameter.  
     
     
         6 . The elongated fastener of  claim 5 , said barrel having a first outer diameter along said threaded portion and a second outer diameter along said non-threaded portion, and said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter.  
     
     
         7 . The elongated fastener of  claim 6 , said barrel having a tapered tip at said second end.  
     
     
         8 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , said bore having a first inner diameter in said threaded portion and a second inner diameter in said non-threaded portion, and said second inner diameter being greater than said first inner diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The elongated fastener of  claim 8 , said barrel having a first outer diameter along said threaded portion and a second outer diameter along said non-threaded portion, and said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter.  
     
     
         10 . The elongated fastener of  claim 8 , said barrel having a tapered tip at said second end.  
     
     
         11 . The elongated fastener of  claim 10 , said barrel having a first outer diameter along said threaded portion and a second outer diameter along said non-threaded portion, and said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter.  
     
     
         12 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , said barrel having a first outer diameter along said threaded portion and a second outer diameter along said non-threaded portion, and said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter.  
     
     
         13 . The elongated fastener of  claim 12 , said barrel having a tapered tip at said second end.  
     
     
         14 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , said barrel having a tapered tip at said second end.  
     
     
         15 . The elongated fastener of  claim 1 , said flange defining a tapered entrance to said threaded portion of said barrel.  
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a monolithic T-nut having a barrel and a flange, said method comprising steps of; 
 providing a disk shaped blank of material;    cupping the blank to form a cup;    drawing a portion of the cup and forming a pre-barrel and a pre-flange from the cup;    redrawing the cup to achieve a desired barrel length with a flange at an end thereof;    piercing an end of the barrel; and    threading at least a portion of the barrel.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , including bulging a non-threaded end portion of the barrel.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , including cutting the flange to a desired shape.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , said redrawing step including multiple steps of redrawing.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , said threading preformed inside of said barrel.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , including cutting the flange to a desired shape.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , said redrawing step including multiple steps of redrawing.