HOLLOW METAL SCREW AND METHOD OF MAKING

摘要

A hollow screw and related process of making is provided, wherein the hollow screw is formed from a generally circular corrosion resistant stainless steel disk cut from flat roll stock. The hollow screw includes a head and an elongated and hollow shaft having a wall thickness between about 0.2 to about 0.7 millimeters extending therefrom and defining a shank portion and a threaded portion having a plurality of threads thereon with a rotational drive mechanism configured to facilitate tightening via the threads. The process involves annealing to soften the stamped hollow screw, followed by thread rolling, and then age hardening the hollow screw. As such, the resultant hollow screw is relatively lightweight, about 50% the mass of a solid core screw made from the same material, with a sufficient thread strength to meet most aerospace applications and contributes to important aircraft fuel economy.

主权项

1. A hollow screw, comprising:
a head formed from a flat stock of metal material; an elongated and hollow shaft formed from the flat stock of metal material and integrally extending from the head, the elongated and hollow shaft including a shank portion and a threaded portion having a plurality of threads thereon; and a rotational drive mechanism integrally formed from the flat stock of metal material and coupled with the head or the elongated and hollow shaft, and configured to facilitate tightening of the hollow screw by way of the threads.