Howmet Sues Stanley Over Patented Fastener Used in Solar Work

Howmet Aerospace Inc. accused Stanley Black & Decker Inc. subsidiaries of infringing its patent for a one-sided “blind” fastener whose uses include solar-panel installations.

Stanley Engineered Fastening LLC and its Avdel affiliates copied Howmet’s design and installation method with their Avbolt ECO product line, infringing US Patent No. 11,885,358, Howmet said in a complaint docketed Monday in the US District Court for the District of Delaware.

• The Avbolt ECO uses the same pin-and-sleeve design as Howmet’s BOMTail fastener and, like that product and as covered by the ‘358 patent, doesn’t break off its internal pin but instead secures materials ...