Abstract: A fastener is embodied as a bolt having a shank with a threaded portion for introduction through an aperture in a work piece is disclosed. The fastener is divided into exposed and unexposed portions when used in the work piece. The fastener comprises a first coating formed on the exposed portion and a second coating formed on the unexposed portion. The first and second coatings are mechanically distinct from each other and substantially non-overlapping. The first coating provides a decorative coating on the fastener. The second coating provides a proper torque-tension relationship between the work piece and the unexposed portion. The second coating deposits relatively uniformly to ensure the unexposed portion will not become oversized. An auxiliary coating may further be applied to all or a portion of the unexposed portion, beneath the second coating. The fastener may also be embodied as a nut, a bolt-lock structure, or a lock nut.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a separate seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge. The separate seating configuration can be mounted on a knurled surface with which it has an interference fit. A decorative cap can be mounted on the first end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a separate seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge. The separate seating configuration can be mounted on a knurled surface with which it has an interference fit. A decorative cap can be mounted on the first end of the elongated body.

Abstract: A fastener comprising an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface and first and second ends, a seating configuration on the first end, a ridge extending circumferentially about the body adjacent to the seating configuration, a plurality of splines on the outer surface extending from the second end toward the first end and terminating at the ridge, and grooves between the splines extending from the second end toward the first end and through the ridge.

Abstract: A locking construction for addition to an existing valve having a valve body, a flange on the valve body, a valve member in the valve body, a valve stem coupled to the valve member and extending through the flange for moving the valve member between various positions, the locking construction including a locking plate securely locked to the flange by bolts which can be removed only with a specialized kay, a plurality of tapped bores in the locking plate, an operating plate slidably mounted on the locking plate and keyed to the valve stem, bores in the operating plate for alignment with the tapped bores in the locking plate, and locking bolts extending through the bores in the operating plate and received in the tapped bores in the locking plate for locking the valve stem in position, the last-mentioned locking bolts capable of being manipulated only by a specialized key.

Abstract: A decorative and protective cap for mounting on a threaded stud to conceal and protect a locknut threadably mounted therein, the cap including a shell having a cylindrical portion for providing a close fit with the outer surface of the locknut, a hexagonal wrench-receiving portion on the shell, and a plastic insert retained within the shell. The plastic insert has a portion with depressions therein for receiving internal lugs of the shell to thereby permanently mount the insert within the shell. An annular longitudinally slotted portion of the insert has an internal thread for mating engagement with the thread of the stud.

Abstract: A combination of a locknut and key therefor, the locknut including a body portion having a face thereon and a curvilinear groove of predetermined configuration in the face, a thread on the body portion, the thread including a frustoconical lead-in portion terminating at an extremely short cylindrical helical thread portion, a key housing having an internally threaded end portion which can be centered on the lead-in portion and thereafter threaded onto the cylindrical threaded portion of the locknut, the key having a key head with a flange of curvilinear configuration for mating engagement with the groove in the locknut, the key head being mounted on a shank on which the housing is rectilinearly slidable, a spring in the housing for biasing the key head toward the locknut when the housing is centered on the the locknut and which forces the flange into the groove as the housing is threaded onto the locknut, and a wrench-receiving head on the shank for turning the key head after the housing is securely mounted o

Abstract: An operating nut construction for a fire hydrant including a body member having a lower tapped portion for threadably receiving a fire hydrant valve rod, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the body member against axial movement, a cap rotatably mounted on the body member against axial movement, a narrow gap between the sleeve and the cap, and a plurality of shallow depressions in the body member aligned with the gap for reception of a specialized wrench having narrow shoulders thereon to turn the body member. The rotation of the sleeve or the cap or both will not turn the body member because they are rotatably mounted thereon.

Abstract: A locknut having a body portion with an outer surface and first and second ends, a thread extending inwardly into the body portion from the first end, a depression in the second end, an inwardly tapered lobed curvilinear surface defining the periphery of the depression for receiving a mating key, and an external thread extending from the second end onto the outer surface for receiving the internally threaded surface of a sleeve mounted on a key for attaching the key to the locknut. The locknut as described above including a rotatable sleeve mounted thereon with a shroud located radially outwardly of the external thread. A locknut as described above wherein the outer surface extending from the first end is frustoconical and terminates at an annular shoulder which is located radially outwardly of the external thread.

Abstract: A bolt type of lock structure including an elongated bolt member, first and second externally threaded ends on the bolt member, first and second nuts of frustoconical configuration threadably mounted on the first and second threaded ends, first and second faces on the nuts for receiving key members for tightening and loosening the nuts, an anaerobic thread locking compound on the threads, the bolt member being relatively soft throughout to withstand impact and having a hardened zone in a central area wherein it is exposed to chiseling or sawing. A nut of the type described above including a threaded bore in the face which receives a screw for securing the key member thereto. A stud having oppositely threaded ends and an irregular axial bore in one end for receiving a wrench and a hardened surface portion between the threaded ends.

Abstract: The disclosure shows an arrangement for locking wheel discs, wheel covers or hubcaps to vehicle wheels to prevent theft or accidental removal. The locking element consists of a rod or shaft member which extends through the wheel disc with a head formation at the outside of the wheel disc and a nut at the inside of the wheel disc for retaining the rod against axial movement while permitting rotation thereof. The inner end of the rod is bent more or less at right angles and in assembling the disc with respect to the wheel this terminal portion is disposed along a generally circumferential line with respect to the disc and the wheel and projects through an opening in the wheel proper. After the wheel disc is thus applied the locking rod is rotated so that its terminal inner end engages behind a portion of the web of the wheel structure to lock the disc to the wheel. A pair of diametrically opposite locking devices are employed so that the balance of the wheel is not disturbed and for more secure locking.