IP Library Granted Patent US 11,639,035
Granted Patent B2
US 11,639,035 · App. 17/571,027 · Granted May 2, 2023

Spacer for use in precision bonding applications that provides enhanced shear strength

Inventors: Ryan J. McKinney (Parkville, MO); Kyle E. Hoffmann (Saint Joseph, MO); Jace Hegg (St. Joseph, MO)
Assignee: ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.
B29C66/87B29C65/48B29C65/7826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,639,035
App. No.
17/571,027
Granted
May 2, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spacer-locator with integrated locator pins and spacer tabs for use in joining applications. The spacer-locator provides consistent and accurate spacing between mating surfaces and the locator pins provide enhanced location control of the joining components while providing a mechanical advantage to the shear strength at the joint. Also, a spacer-locator for joining at least two objects along mating surfaces, the spacer-locator constraining at least two degrees of freedom for the objects to be joined.

Claims (38)

1. A system for spacing at least two surfaces, comprising:

a first object with a first mating surface;

a second object with a second mating surface; and

at least one spacer tab with at least one locator pin;

wherein the first mating surface includes at least one locator positioning hole;

wherein the at least one locator pin is operable to prevent rotation in at least one dimension; and

wherein the at least one spacer tab includes at least one fluid channel.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator pin includes at least one cross section operable to prevent rotation in the at least one dimension.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator pin includes a non-circular cross-section.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator pin constrains movement of the first mating surface and the second mating surface in at least two dimensions.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first mating surface and the second mating surface are planar or non-planar.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator pin is non-perpendicular to the first mating surface and the second mating surface.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one locator pin further includes at least two locator pins connected by the at least one spacer tab.

8. A system for spacing at least two surfaces, comprising:

a first object with a first mating surface;

a second object with a second mating surface; and

at least one locator pin;

wherein the first mating surface includes at least one locator positioning hole and at least one spacer tab, and wherein the at least one spacer tab is integral with the first mating surface;

wherein the at least one locator pin is operable to prevent rotation in at least one dimension; and

wherein the at least one locator pin further includes at least two locator pins connected by the at least one spacer tab.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one locator pin includes at least one cross section operable to prevent rotation in the at least one dimension.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one locator pin includes a non-circular cross-section.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one locator pin constrains movement of the first mating surface and the second mating surface in at least two dimensions.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one locator pin is integral with the second mating surface.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the first mating surface and the second mating surface are planar or non-planar.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one spacer tab includes at least one fluid channel.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one locator pin is non-perpendicular to the first mating surface and the second mating surface.

16. A system for spacing at least two surfaces, comprising:

a first object with a first mating surface;

a second object with a second mating surface; and

at least one spacer tab with at least one locator pin;

wherein the first mating surface includes at least one locator positioning hole;

wherein the at least one locator pin is operable to prevent rotation in at least one dimension; and

wherein the at least one locator pin is non-perpendicular to the first mating surface and the second mating surface.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one locator pin includes a non-circular cross-section.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one spacer tab includes at least one fluid channel.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one locator pin further includes at least two locator pins connected by the at least one spacer tab.

20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one locator pin constrains movement of the first mating surface and the second mating surface in at least two dimensions.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2022
From: MCKINNEY, RYAN J.; HOFFMANN, KYLE E.; HEGG, JACE
To: ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 058609/0498 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16663034 · Oct 24, 2019
Continuation In Part 15722718 · Oct 2, 2017
Provisional Application 62403418 · Oct 3, 2016
Related Publication 20220126526A1 · Apr 28, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,240,187