Abstract: A bracket is provided that may be welded to the interior surface of a vehicle fascia. The bracket has a flange and a mounting boss. The flange is slotted to form flexible fingers that conform to the interior surface of the fascia. The fingers are welded to the fascia to attach the bracket to the interior surface of the fascia. A vehicle component, such as an impact sensor, is attached to the mounting boss to secure it to the fascia.

Abstract: A locking fastener is provided that may be automatically unlocked and locked by sliding a wrench onto the nut and removing the wrench. The fastener includes a biased arm extending outward from a wrench bearing surface that presses against a pawl. The pawl includes ratchet teeth that engage ratchet teeth of a retainer to lock the fastener. The fastener is unlocked by compressing the arm with a wrench.

Abstract: A capped fastener is provided with two outer flanges and a groove therebetween. The cap is crimped around the first outer flange without covering the second outer flange. The end of the cap is crimped in a groove between the first and second outer flanges. A crimping tool and method of crimping are also provided for crimping the end of a cap into a groove between two outer flanges.

Abstract: Capped nuts are provided with an polymer in the top portion of the capped nut. The polymer may be disposed between the inner surface of the cap and a nut body. The polymer may extend into a top opening in the nut body and contact an inner wall of the opening in the nut body.

Abstract: Fasteners are provided with a polymer layer covering a body. The polymer layer may improve the aesthetics of the fastener and may be colored to provide various color options. The polymer layer covers at least part of a wrench bearing surface.

Abstract: A piling is provided with a pipe provided with a generally cylindrical shape, a first end, and a second end. A first end fitting is located at the first end of the pipe and a second end fitting is located at the second end of the pipe. The first end fitting is provided with an out-of-round shape that transmits torque and is dimensioned so that at least a portion fits within the second end fitting, and the second end fitting is provided with an out-of-round shape that transmits torque with at least a portion that fits about a portion of the first end fitting.

Abstract: A hood bumper assembly for automotive vehicle hoods is provided that can manage impact energy from a collision with a pedestrian. The hood bumper assembly may have a bumper with a cushion that is threaded to a retainer attached to the vehicle frame. The threaded engagement between the bumper and the retainer may have a percentage of thread engagement that is less than industry standards so that the threads skip without substantially deforming when an impact load is applied to the vehicle hood.

Abstract: A nut fastener is provided for locking the nut to prevent inadvertent loosening of the nut. The nut fastener is particularly useful for tightening a wheel onto an axle. The nut fastener includes a nut, a collar and a retaining ring. The nut is unlocked by pushing on an engagement surface of the collar. When the collar is released, the collar locks against the nut.

Abstract: Improved fasteners are provided for minimizing deformation in the corner region of the bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces have a primary bearing surface and a recessed bearing surface. The primary bearing surfaces may be oriented in a hexagonal shape with opposing surfaces parallel to each other. The recessed bearing surface is disposed inwardly from the primary bearing surface and extends from the primary bearing surface to the end of the bearing surface.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly comprising a nut and a washer. The nut and washer each have opposed load bearing surfaces which include a series of annularly extending, slightly inclined faces forming shallow undulations around each surface. The load bearing surface on the nut is generally spherically convex and the load bearing surface on the washer is generally spherically concave. The nut rotates as it is installed while the washer is prevented from rotating so that the undulating bearing surface on the nut slides over the undulating bearing surface on the washer against ever increasing resistance until the assembly is properly seated and the nut is effectively prevented from counter-rotating by interference between opposed, inclined faces. A concave clamping surface is formed on the outer end of the washer on a radially extending flange. The flange flexes when the assembly is installed and resiliently urges the washer against the nut.

Abstract: Captive fasteners are provided that may be used with guards that cover particular areas of a machine. The fasteners are attached to the guards so that they remain with the guard when the guard is removed from the machine. In order to make it easier to reinstall the guard onto a machine when the guard is misaligned, the fasteners can move along a slotted opening in the guard.

Abstract: A nut fastener is provided for locking the nut to prevent inadvertent loosening of the nut. The nut fastener is particularly useful for tightening a wheel onto an axle. The nut fastener includes a nut, a collar and a retaining ring. The nut is unlocked by pushing on an engagement surface of the collar. When the collar is released, the collar locks against the nut.

Abstract: Improved fasteners are provided for minimizing deformation in the corner region of the bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces have a primary bearing surface and a recessed bearing surface. The primary bearing surfaces may be oriented in a hexagonal shape with opposing surfaces parallel to each other. The recessed bearing surface is disposed inwardly from the primary bearing surface and extends from the primary bearing surface to the end of the bearing surface.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a composite cross arm for use with a utility structure and a program for selecting a cross arm. The cross arm includes a composite member, a hardware plate, and a mounting bracket. The program includes a data subroutine where the user selects the type of cross arm and inputs the required data. Thereafter, the program provides the appropriate cross-arm for the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical fuse cutout comprising: (i) an insulator having a composite body and at least two connectors, wherein a first connector couples the composite body to a fuse assembly and a second connector couples the body to a utility structure; (ii) a housing containing the composite body; and (iii) a fuse assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener assembly, comprising a nut provided with a plurality of threads, a torque transmitter shaped to transmit torque to the nut, and an annular surface that is undulating in shape, a washer provided with a clamp surface and a bearing surface that is undulating in shape and axially opposed to the annular surface on the nut, and a spring member located between the annular surface on the nut and the bearing surface on the washer.

Abstract: A wheel hub with clutch where power is transferred through a drive, such as a chain that is linked between a peddle arrangement and a gear or gears splined onto the hub. The hub provides free-wheeling when torque is not applied thereto and will instantly engage, transferring an applied torque therethrough and into a wheel connected to the hub when torque is applied as through a peddle arrangement. For locking, the hub includes, as a radial load bearing component, a sleeve whereon a gear or gears are splined, with the splined gear sleeve mounting a thick ring for fitting into an end of a hub body. The thick ring contains spaced sloping slots, each containing a ball bearing. The hub body includes an annular ring that receives the thick ring fitted there and has spaced steps, or the like, formed therein to engage the ball bearing surfaces, transferring torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupler stem assembly including a coupler and a stem, the coupler includes a polymer material that has been molded to a predetermined shape, an outer surface that is threaded and provided with a coupler axis, and an inner surface that defines a cavity and that includes a retaining member, the stem includes an outer stem surface that is provided with a stem axis and that is shaped to fit within the cavity defined by the inner surface of the coupler; and a retaining surface that is located on the outer stem surface and shaped to cooperate with the retaining member of the inner surface of the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a U-nut comprising, a substrate including a flex area wherein the substrate and the flex area include a polymer, a first substrate segment, a second substrate segment, and a flex area, wherein the first substrate segment and the second substrate segment are located adjacent to the flex area; a retainer located on the first substrate segment; and an acceptor located on the second substrate segment.