IP Library Granted Patent US 7,246,980
Granted Patent B2
US 7,246,980 · App. 10/533,495 · Granted Jul 24, 2007

Fixing member comprising an integrity control system

Assignee: European Community
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,246,980
App. No.
10/533,495
Granted
Jul 24, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention concerns a fastening member comprising a threaded part ( 150 ) and a head ( 100 ) with which the threaded part can be turned in order to tighten the fastening member in a corresponding element. The head ( 100 ) is formed of a plate ( 110 ) in one piece with the threaded part ( 150 ) and a cap ( 120 ) covering said plate. The cap ( 120 ) comprises a recessed portion ( 121 ) in which an offset is provided to form a housing ( 128 ). The plate ( 110 ) comprises a guide finger ( 111 ) located inside the housing ( 128 ) to form a stop against which the cap presses in order to impart a rotational movement to the plate in the tightening direction. The cap ( 120 ) further comprises a remotely interrogatable electronic component ( 130 ) comprising a data storage means ( 132 ). Said component is held in the recessed portion ( 121 ) with its end ( 133 ) protruding into the housing ( 128 ) so as to strike against the guide finger ( 111 ) and cause the fracture of the component when any attempt is made to unscrew or untighten the fastening member.

Claims (16)

1. A fastening member comprising a threaded part and a head by which said threaded part can be turned in order to tighten said fastening member in a corresponding element,

said head being formed of a plate in one piece with said threaded part and a cap covering said plate, said cap comprising a recessed portion in which an offset is provided to form a housing,

said cap further comprising a remotely interrogatable electronic component which comprises a data storage means,

wherein said plate comprises a guide finger extending vertically from the side opposite said threaded part, said guide finger being arranged inside said housing to form a stop against which said cap presses in order to impart a rotational movement to said plate in a tightening direction, and

wherein said component is held as a protrusion in said recessed portion in said housing so as to come to a stop against said guide finger during untightening of said fastening member.

2. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said plate comprises a first groove and said cap comprises a second groove, said first and second groves being in alignment when said cap covers said plate, wherein said fastening member comprises a ring cooperating with said first and second grooves to hold said cap axially in position on said plate.

3. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein it further comprises a holding element for holding said electronic component in said housing.

4. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said cap further comprises a shearable pin arranged in said housing between the end of said component protruding into said housing and said guide finger.

5. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said plate displays a slightly elliptical shape to prevent said cap from rotating when no tightening or untightening force is applied.

6. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said cap is made of PVC.

7. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said threaded part and said plate are made of stainless steel.

8. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is a transponder of passive type.

9. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said electronic component is a transponder comprising power supply means.

10. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said data storage means of said electronic component comprises data encryption means.

11. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein said data storage means of said electronic component is of the programmable or multi-page type.

12. The fastening member according to claim 1 , wherein it further comprises a second remotely interrogatable electronic component, said second electronic component being located in said cap outside said recessed portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2005
From: AZZALIN, GRAZIANO; KORN, CHRISTOPHE; POUCET, ANDRE; SIRONI, MARCO
To: EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Reel/Frame 016817/0038 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 02292700 · Oct 30, 2002 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060198713A1 · Sep 7, 2006