US 12,234,854 B2
Foreign material exclusion plug for structural threads with breakaway tab
Robert N. Cole, Knoxville, TN (US); Kevin P. Shay, Knoxville, TN (US); and Austin L. Renfro, Knoxville, TN (US)
Assigned to Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed on Jun. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/206,704.
Application 18/206,704 is a division of application No. 16/988,846, filed on Aug. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,802,584.
Prior Publication US 2023/0375031 A1, Nov. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B23P 11/00 (2006.01); F16B 23/00 (2006.01); F16B 31/02 (2006.01); F16B 37/12 (2006.01); F16B 37/14 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 37/125 (2013.01) [B23P 11/00 (2013.01); F16B 23/0015 (2013.01); F16B 31/021 (2013.01); F16B 31/025 (2013.01); F16B 31/028 (2013.01); F16B 37/14 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49963 (2015.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for coupling a foreign material exclusion plug to a structural threaded coupler, comprising:
providing the structural threaded coupler including an internally threaded portion comprising an internally-threaded cylindrical structure;
providing the foreign material exclusion plug comprising a cylindrical body comprising an externally-threaded cylindrical structure having a top surface, a slot formed in the top surface of the cylindrical body extending into the cylindrical body, and a breakaway tab removably coupled to the top surface of the cylindrical body and extending outwards from the top surface of the cylindrical body, the breakaway tab being integrally formed with the cylindrical body as a unitary structure, wherein the breakaway tab is oriented such that the breakaway tab crosses over the slot and is integrally connected to the cylindrical body on opposing sides or ends of the slot; and
threading the cylindrical body into the internally threaded portion by applying a force to the breakaway tab such that the foreign material exclusion plug turns relative to the structural threaded coupler.