Threaded flanged bushing for fastening applications

Abstract

A fastening system includes a first material having a first hole, a second material having a second hole, a bushing, and a threaded bolt. The bushing is located in the second hole and has a first end abutting the first material and a flanged second for securing the bushing to the second material. A threaded bolt extends through the first hole and into the bushing to secure the first material flush against the second material.

1 . A method for fastening, the method comprising:
 aligning a first material having a first hole and a second material having a second hole so that the first hole and the second hole are coaxial and the first material and the second material are flush against one another;   inserting an internally threaded bushing into the first hole so that a first end of the bushing abuts the second material surrounding the second hole and a flanged second end extends out of the first hole to contact the first material surrounding the first hole;   securing the flanged second end of the bushing to the first material surrounding the first hole; and   inserting a threaded bolt through the second hole into the bushing, thereby fastening the first material flush against the second material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the flanged second end of the bushing to the first material surrounding the first hole includes using sufficient force to deform the first material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein inserting the threaded bolt through the second hole into the bushing includes inserting the threaded bolt all the way through the bushing so that the bolt extends out an opening in the second end of the bushing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 threadingly engaging the internally threaded bushing with external threads of a threaded insert; and   threadingly engaging the threaded bolt with internal threads of the threaded insert.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 inserting at least one stake between the insert and the bushing to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the bushing.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the bushing is closed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first hole is larger than the second hole such that the first end of the bushing abuts a second surface of the second material located around the second hole. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a counterbore located in the second surface of the first material and extending around the first hole.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a neat resin thermoplastic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a composite laminate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing is formed of metal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing is formed of nickel-alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flange has an oval shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threaded bolt extends out through the second end of the bushing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes at least one thread-locking ring.