Sps Technologies, LLC

Ismael Pacheco

Nilesh Patel

James Richardson

Kevin Proschold

A method of installing an insert in an aperture of a panel includes inserting a sleeve central portion into the aperture so that a sleeve flange opposes a first side of the panel. The sleeve central portion extends from the sleeve flange. The method further includes inserting a plug central portion into the aperture so that a plug flange opposes a second side of the panel. The plug central portion extends from the plug flange. The method also includes pressing at least one of the plug and sleeve into sliding engagement with the other until the plug and sleeve are installed. When installed, a distal end of the plug is received into a sleeve cavity and resilient beams defined by an extension of the sleeve central portion are elastically deflected by a wall of the plug central portion. The plug flange defines an aperture extending into a plug cavity.

Robust adjustable panel insert

A self-locking plug assembly is provided that includes a plug, a lower clutch disposed around the plug and defining engagement features, an upper clutch disposed around the plug and defining mating engagement features, a resilient member and a cap surrounding the resilient member and disposed around a proximal end portion of the plug. The mating engagement features are configured to apply higher torque to the engagement features in one direction than in an opposite direction. In one form, the engagement features of the lower clutch and upper clutch comprise a plurality of teeth arranged around a central aperture.

Self-locking plug assembly

A ferrule for connecting two adjacent components is provided, wherein the ferrule defines an exterior wall portion having a plurality of asymmetrical dimples. Each asymmetrical dimple has at least two sidewalls, and one sidewall defines a first ramp angle, and the other sidewall defines a second ramp angle that is steeper than the first ramp angle. At least one feature of one of the adjacent components engages the plurality of asymmetrical dimples such that the sidewall with the first ramp angle provides less force in an engaging direction and the sidewall with the second ramp angle provides more force in a disengaging direction.

Variable friction coupling assembly

An insert for use in a panel and method of installation is provided by the present disclosure. The insert includes a plug having an outer flange, a central portion having a wall extending from the outer flange, and a distal end portion having a rollover. A cavity extends through the central portion, and an aperture extends through the outer flange and into the cavity. A sleeve is configured for sliding engagement with the plug, the sleeve having an outer flange, a central portion defining an extension having a plurality of resilient beams, and a cavity extending through the central portion, the cavity adapted for receiving the distal end portion of the plug. A retaining plate is secured to the plug by the rollover, and a threaded insert is disposed within the cavity of the plug and adapted to float therein.

An insert for use in a sandwich-type structure, such as a honeycomb panel, is provided that includes a plug and a sleeve. The sleeve includes a plurality of resilient beams, and when the plug is inserted into the sleeve, the resilient beams are elastically deflected by an exterior surface of a wall of the plug such that the insert is adjustable in height and can be positioned properly in an axial/insertion direction to accommodate sandwich-type structures of varying thickness. The result is an insert that maintains a flush profile with both opposing face sheets of the sandwich-type structure, thus reducing discontinuities in surface profile of the overall assembly.

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Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

Ismael Pacheco