Fastener system

Abstract

A flush mounting fastener system for threadably attaching a threaded member to a plate or shell structure is described which comprises in one representative embodiment an internally threaded bushing flanged on a first end for attachment to the housing within a hole of preselected size in the housing, a plurality of circumferentially spaced crenelations of preselected size and spacing on the second end of the bushing, an insert threaded on the outer surface for threadably engaging the bushing and on the inner surface for threadably attaching a threaded member to the housing structure, and a plurality of tangs on one end of the insert corresponding in size and spacing with the spaced crenelations in the bushing and being radially outwardly bendable into spaces between the crenelations to lock the insert within the bushing. In a second representative embodiment, an annular flange is defined on the end of the bushing opposite the crenelations and a ball nut is disposed within the bushing and supported on the annular flange, the ball nut having a threaded diametric hole for receiving the threaded member and a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed protrusions, and wherein the threaded insert has two diametrically opposed axial slots near the first end for engaging the protrusions of the ball nut and restraining the ball nut from rotation about its threading axis but permitting rotation within predetermined limits about an axis containing the protrusions and an axis orthogonal thereto, whereby a threaded member having a threading axis non-coaxial with the axis of the insert may be threadably received by the ball nut.