Abstract: A limiting spring washer includes a main body portion and a side portion, which may be a frustoconical, extending from the main body portion. The main body portion defines a washer aperture therethrough. The main body portion is thicker than the side portion. A bolt assembly includes a part defining a part aperture therethrough. A limiter is disposed within the part aperture. A bolt is configured to attach the part to an item. In the bolt assembly, the limiting spring washer is disposed in contact with the limiter, the bolt, and the part. The bolt is configured to apply a total load, a first portion of the total load being absorbed by the part, and a second portion of the total load being absorbed by the limiter.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a fuel rail to a cylinder head of a combustion engine may include: a fuel injector cup coupled to the fuel rail and facing the cylinder head, a first fastening element facing the fuel injector cup and fixedly coupled to the cylinder head, at least one first spring element arranged between the first fastening element and the fuel injector cup and/or between the fuel injector cup and the cylinder head, a support element arranged between the fuel rail and the cylinder head and fixedly coupled to the fuel rail, a second fastening element engaged with the support element and fixedly coupled to the cylinder head, and at least one second spring element arranged between the second fastening element and the support element and/or between the support element and the cylinder head. The first spring element(s) may comprise metal, and the second spring element(s) may comprise plastic.

Abstract: It has become apparent that the dimensions of inbuilt-collar driving means of the same nominal size may vary according to the method of manufacture. The dimensions of the collar must therefore be adapted to suit the mode of manufacture, at the expense of its strength or mass. Moreover, the transmissible torque for tightening and loosening operations varies according to a useful wrenching height. In order to have a useful height identical to the height of the shank (7), the idea underlying the invention involves pushing the frustoconical collar (152) of a driving means (151) in towards its center along the extension of the sides of the shank. The inbuilt-collar driving means proposed by the invention is suited to all modes of manufacture, and can be manufactured without adversely affecting the dimensions of the driving means or its installation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of an assembly made up of at least two components that are made of, for example, a flat material such as sheet steel and which are clamped together at a predetermined distance using: a clamping nut; a clamping bolt that engages in the clamping nut; and an adjustable spacer formed of a threaded sleeve and a drum nut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a washer (10), screw or nut having an end surface (12) which faces toward a workpiece, wherein the end surface (12) is provided with a concentric, annularly encircling web (14), and that region (18) of the end surface (12) which is situated outside the encircling web (14) tapers conically toward the web (14) from the outside, with the inclination from the outside to the inside being directed away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A joint construction includes first and second conduit sections having coaxially overlapping end areas. A coupling member has a first end received within the end of the first conduit section and a second end with external threads. A bore of the coupling member receives the second section end area. A plurality of protrusions are formed on an outer surface of the coupling member. The plurality of protrusions engage a plurality of complimentary features formed on the end area of the first conduit section. A gland nut has threads configured to engage the external threads of the second end of the coupling member. A washer is disposed on the second conduit section between the second end of the coupling member and the gland nut. The washer is configured to engage the end area of the second conduit section to resist relative axial movement between the first and second conduit sections.

Abstract: An isolating connector between a first work piece and a second work piece each defining a hole therein includes first and second spring members that capture the first work piece between flanges of the spring members and establish a column between the second work piece and a head of a bolt extending through the first and second spring members and anchored in the second work piece.

Abstract: A load indicating fastener comprising a load indicator and a fastener body. The load indicator comprises an annular body defining a through hole having a minimum diameter and a plurality of protuberances integral with a first face of the annular body and a corresponding plurality of indentations in a second face of the annular body opposite from the first face. The fastener body comprises a series of threads, a head defining a contact surface, and a shank depending from the contact surface. The shank includes a first portion having a first outside diameter less than the through hole minimum diameter such that the load indicator is received on the shank first portion and a second portion including at least one radially extending member having a second outside diameter greater than the through hole minimum diameter such that the load indicator is retained on the fastener body thereby.

Abstract: Several embodiments of reactive biasing fasteners utilized in place of jam nuts and Belleville washers, providing for the storage of a pre-load and effectively providing a locking function to prevent unintended loosening of an associated bolt. The embodiments resiliently deform under load to store pre-load or live load energy. Further, the fasteners are adapted to interface with a self-reacting tightening power tool—thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for backup or secondary wrenches. Additionally, several embodiments, through the incorporation of a threaded bore, effectively act to minimize side loading on the portion of a bolt located in the bolt hole of a workpiece when in use. The resilient deformation of the biasing fasteners permits the live load to be stored therein. Accordingly, the risk of loosening of the bolted joint due to exteriorly applied forces such as, but not limited to, vibration and thermal expansion and contraction, is lessened.

Abstract: A fastener assembly has a through hole, a first element and a second element. The through hole is defined through the fastener assembly. Each of the first element and the second element has a lower part and an upper part. The upper part is mounted on the lower part. The lower part of the second element is mounted detachably on the upper part of the first element. The upper part of the second element is mounted detachably and pivotally to the lower part of the first element. The fastener assembly is mounted around an article via pivoting the first element relative to the second element without extending one end of the article through the through hole.

Abstract: A conical washer having a crush zone wherein the inner annular projection comprises a top and bottom elevation where the top elevation lies at an approximately 100 to 165 degree angle to the inner annular wall of the washer and the bottom elevation is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the washer. The inner annular projection forms a crush zone, which collapses and crushes when an attachment device passes through the washer and is tightened down by a user. The crush zone provides a tight engagement of fastener to the bearing surface, and one which eliminates looseness in the fastener upon thermal expansion of the metal of the elements.

Abstract: A self-locking fastening device which includes a screw or nut for fastening at least one first part to a second part and a shim (10) which is provided with a central borehole (11). The two surfaces of the shim (10) include rib profiles (12,14) which are fixed within or to the surfaces of the first part and the screw or nut no later than the time that the fastening device is tightened such that self-actuated unscrewing is prevented. The shim (10) is configured in a resilient manner such that the shim (10) can be compressed counter to the resilience thereof during tightening of the fastening device.

Abstract: A coated center disk wheel produced from sheet metal for a motor vehicle, which has a wheel-center disk (1) provided with a plurality of connecting eyes (3) which are distributed over a hole circle (2) and have in each case a through-hole (4). Around the hole is a countersink (7) against which rests, in the mounted state of the center disk wheel, the head (9) of a wheel bolt (6) projecting through the respective through-hole (4). Fastened to the wheel hub, at least a part (10) of the surface of each countersink (7) is structured by elevations (11) and indentations (12) located side by side. In the mounted state of the center disk wheel, the wheel bolt heads (9) are in contact only with the elevations (11) on those surfaces (13) which are substantially free of paint (14) with which the remaining surface of the center disk wheel is coated. The paint is removed from the contact surfaces (13) of the elevations (11) on tightening the wheel bolts (6).

Abstract: An assembly of an internally threaded fastener and a stemmed washer is provided, such as for applications in which a standoff is desired between a washer and a mating externally threaded fastener. The stemmed washer includes a washer portion, a retaining portion and a standoff portion. The washer portion is angled relative to the standoff portion. The angle of the washer portion to the standoff portion may be varied to change the effective length of the standoff portion. The retaining portion interfaces with the internally threaded fastener to retain the fastener in the assembly. The stemmed washer may include a skirt that is plastically deformed to capture the fastener. The fastener may include a skirt which similarly plastically to mate with a retaining lip on the stemmed washer. The fastener and washer may be secured in the assembly to permit relative rotation of the fastener with respect to the washer.

Abstract: A drill bit is assembled to the makeup end of a drill string by means of a breakable washer comprising a ring-shaped body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A radially extending first surface of the ring-shaped body is planar and substantially perpendicular to a centerline axis through the body. A second radially extending surface has an angle with reference to the first surface that results in a radially diverging configuration.

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: A bowed snap-disc includes inner and outer perimeters that provide the disc with operating characteristics not found in comparably sized discs. At certain points along its circumference, the inner perimeter extends farther from the disc's center than certain other points of the disc's outer perimeter. This provides the disc with a unique combination of spring constant, compressive force, deflection and coefficient of compliance. The disc is particularly useful as a small, flat compression spring; a shaft or bar locking element; tightness indicator for a threaded fastener; or a lock washer.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for attaching a cushion member for an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface is disclosed. The attachment assembly is particularly useful for attaching curtain type cushion members, as for a side impact airbag system. The attachment assembly may include a protrusion with a rod and a knob larger than the rod. A compressible spring washer is affixed to the rod. A hole formed in a mounting portion of the cushion member is then fitted around the rod, outside the washer. A cap is affixed to the rod to keep the cushion member in place. The protrusion, with the attached cushion member, may then be affixed to the vehicle surface through the use of a keyhole formed in the vehicle surface. The knob is pushed longitudinally into a larger, clearance portion of the keyhole, such that the spring washer is compressed. Then, the protrusion is moved transversely into an engaged configuration, in which the knob and the spring washer engage the interference portion.

Abstract: A shear wall system comprises stucco fasteners consisting of an elongated first portion that is driven into a wood frame wall, and an elongated second portion that is completely embedded in a stucco wall panel. In one embodiment, the fasteners consist of an assembly having a first element that is driven into the wood frame wall, and a second annular element receiving a portion of the first element and that is embedded rigidly into the cement stucco wall. Ductile movement of the fastener components with respect to wood frame wall and the stucco wall provides energy dissipation.

Abstract: A nut includes an extended flange and a center hole. A shoulder is formed onto the edge of the center hole to achieve an easier and faster assembly. The shoulder has an essentially tubular shape and is provided with a thread on its inside wall.

Abstract: A cooking surface that is made of glass or glass ceramic and at least one atmospheric gas burner and arrangement for attachment of a gas burner to an opening for guiding the burner includes an attachment arrangement that is used in the cooking area which comprises a burner with a circumferential collar that is molded onto burner body above the cooking surface for tight seating on the cooking surface top side. The connection is made by friction or tension of the burner body with at least one spring element disposed below the cooking surface. Cooking areas with this arrangement require fewer components and less time for assembly and are easy to clean.

Abstract: A flexible disk for securely holding insulation to an air duct made from a resilient material, and having a convex upper surface and a diameter of from 1.5 inches to 4.0 inches. A washer for receiving a disk fastener is centrally positioned in the disk top, which is thicker than the top. A rim is located at the circumference of the top which has a planar bottom for contacting the insulation. When the disk is properly attached to an air duct by a fastener, it deforms to a concave configuration by which it resiliently exerts force on the underside surface of the disk and the rim which in turn presses downward on the insulation, securely holding the insulation in place without crushing the insulation.

Abstract: A Belleville spring washer (15) having an annular relief (25) depending from in its top surface (24). The relief (25) is disposed adjacent the circumferential wall (27) forming a centrally disposed opening (18) for the washer (15), the circumferential wall (27) not physically engaging the shank (37) of a fastener (39) when mounted and torqued thereon. The washer (15) includes a series of radially-extending serrations (23), each beginning adjacent the relief (25) and extending outwardly through the span (21) of the annular body (17) forming washer (15). In its mounting to a fastener (39) to be applied to a bearing surface (45), the serrations (23) face the undersurface (40) of the fastener's head (42), and the head (42) is torqued to a proper setting. The serrations (23) efficaciously bite into the head's undersurface (40), providing a tight engagement of fastener (39) to the bearing surface (45), and one which eliminates looseness in the fastener (39) upon a thermal expansion of the metal of the elements.

Abstract: A pre-assembled workpiece fastenable to a mounting surface of a second workpiece, and in one application a pre-assembled plastic component fastenable to a metal automotive engine component. The pre-assembled workpiece includes an opening extending therethrough between an outer surface and a mounting surface thereof. A sleeve member is retainably disposed in the opening through the pre-assembled workpiece, and a fastener having a threaded shank portion and a head is retainably disposed through the sleeve member. The fastener is axially and laterally positionable relative to the pre-assembled workpiece, whereby the pre-assembled workpiece is mountable and alignable on the mounting surface of the second workpiece without interference from the fastener.

Abstract: A mine roof bearing plate having a planar member having a topside, an underside and an elastically deformable domed portion extended downwardly from the underside. A central section at the outer extremity of the domed section defines a bolt hole. The outer extremity of the domed portion includes a downwardly facing beveled annular bearing surface which mates with a spherical washer. A method of tensioning a cable bolt including the steps of placing a spherical washer over a first end of a cable bolt having a bolt head on the other end, placing the inventive mine roof bearing plate over the end of the cable bolt, inserting the cable bolt into a mine roof bolt hole, exerting pressure on the bolt head whereby the bolt head presses on the spherical washer and elastically deforms the domed portion, installing the cable bolt in the bolt hole and releasing pressure from the other end of the cable bolt whereby the domed portion substantially reforms to its original configuration to exert tension of the cable bolt.

Abstract: Radio noise in an automotive vehicle is suppressed by grounding the hood of the automotive vehicle with a conductive washer. The conductive washer is concave and is disposed around a rivet used to pivot a hood hinge component to a body hinge component. When the rivet is set, the hinge components compress the washer so as to permanently load the washer to thereby ensure continuous grounding of the hood to the body. Preferably, the rivet is coated with a dry lubricant, such as TEFLON.RTM., which does not flow away from the rivet to interfere with electrical contact between the washer and hinge components.

Abstract: A fixing structure is provided for an outer ring in an one-way clutch. The fixing structure includes a ring-shaped leaf spring having angular waviness, interposed between an outer side wall of the outer ring and an opposing inner wall of a housing and integrally assembled on a stepped outer peripheral portion of the outer ring. The ring-shaped leaf spring has plural tabs on an inner peripheral edge portion thereof and is fixed by spring forces of the tabs immovably in the direction of an axis of the outer ring. The stepped outer peripheral portion of the outer ring preferably defines a circumferential slot therein and the tabs of the ring-shaped leaf spring are fitted in the circumferential slot, whereby any axial movement of the ring-shaped leaf spring is limited.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of this invention, a fastener having a flat thin body with sharp profusions thereon is anchored in a workpiece so that relative rotation is prevented between the anchored fastener and the workpiece. The sharp protrusions form anchoring legs which cut into the softer material of the work piece. These legs may be spike or tack shaped, and may be forced into the workpiece by pressing or hammering in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the workpiece. For sandwich applications between pairs of workpieces, the anchoring legs may be disposed on both sides of the body. In addition, individual anchoring legs may include a sharp edge which will cut into the work piece in the rotational direction. In a second embodiment, the thin surfaces of the body may be curved so that the body of the anchoring legs is deformed by the compression of a nut being tightened on a bolt. This elastic deformation provides an axial retention force in a manner similar to a lock washer.

Abstract: A spring washer for the securing of screws, nuts and the like is provided with an essentially ring-shaped washer body of a determined thickness having a washer top side and a washer under side, the washer under side being subdivided into an outer ring surface and an inner ring surface. The washer in an unstressed state rests with the outer edge of the outer ring surface on a flat base and the outer ring surface and the inner ring surface forms an acute angle with this base. The washer under side (2) is subdivided by a circular groove (3) into the outer ring surface (4) and the inner ring surface (5) and the spring washer is shaped in such a way that the outer ring surface (4) is arched inwards and forms a smaller acute angel (.alpha.) with the flat base (7) than the inner ring surface.

Abstract: A slotted conical (non-flat) spring washer with an encircling ring provides improved spring washer performance. A split or slotted conical spring washer is encircled by a retaining ring that prevents the ends of the washer adjacent to the slot from expanding as the washer is compressed. The ends of the washer on both sides of the slot move to prevent the washer material from exceeding its yield strength. The ring restricts the radial movement of said outside diameter of the washer strip away from a center axis of the washer bore. The ring can be a counter bore in a member to be clamped, a retaining washer having an outside annular washer to act as the ring, or can be integral with the spring washer such that the slot appears not to pass completely through the washer strip.This slotted conical spring washer greatly increases the elastic spring travel available during repeated clamping cycles and during movement of clamped members due to differences in rates of thermal expansion and thermal gradients.

Abstract: A ring-shaped washer (10) especially for wood screws (28) has an external circumferential edge area, which is directed downwards and cuts the wood (26) when the washer is being driven into it. At the same time the wood below the washer is compressed. This primarily serves to avoid a splitting up of the wood when screwing in the wood screw (28) and at the same time to increase the strength of the screwed connection.

Abstract: A directional backing plate and threaded nut for securing the traction device relative to a flexible rotatable track. The backing plate and nut define noncircular curvilinear peripheries defined by a major axis and a minor axis, wherein the major axis is greater than the minor axis. The backing plate and threaded nut cooperatively engage the stud relative to the track, such that the major axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the track, and the minor axis is substantially parallel to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: An insulative and resilient spacer member to be mounted between a heated manifold and a cooled clamp plate in an injection molding system. The spacer member has a plurality of V-shaped concentric rings. It has a uniform cross section with a number of web portions extending diagonally between alternate forward and rearward ridge portions. The outer surfaces of the alternate ridge portions are aligned to provide forward and rearward sides of the spacer member which extend parallel a predetermined distance apart. Some of the outer surfaces have an inwardly extending insulative circular groove. The spacer member is formed of steel to have a predetermined combination of strength, resilience and reduced thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A washer for securing screws, nuts or the like has substantially ring-shaped inner and outer washer bodies as well as a transitional region between the bodies. Each washer body has a conical surface at the supported side of the washer and the outer body continuously merges into the inner body in the transitional region at the supported side. The transitional region has a smaller cross section than the adjoining parts of the inner and the outer bodies.

Abstract: A locking nut assembly in which a dished washer (16) has a cylindrical bore (19) which is a close runner fit on the external cylindrical face (15) of a spigot (12) formed under the head (11) of the nut (10). In use the washer (16) is flattened, the bore (19) contracts and grips the spigot (12) which is thereby deformed inwardly so that the thread (14) within the spigot is forced into close contact with the complementary thread on a bolt with which the nut is used.

Abstract: A two piece fastener made up of a hex-on-hex nut and a diamond shaped steel plate with a countersink portion having a hex shaped hole to receive the reduced across flats portion of the hex-on-hex nut. The bottom of the nut sits above the thin metal bearing surface against which the steel plate is being clamped.

Abstract: A lock washer, a locking fastener assembly, and a method of providing a secure, inexpensive fastener joint. The lock washer has a convexly conical upper surface including circumferentially spaced cam surfaces separated by radial shoulders and a concavely conical undersurface. The washer is hardened relative to the associated nut so that as the washer and a nut are tightened together the upper face of the washer acts as a die which presses into the underface of the nut to form a mirror mating image of the conical upper surface of the washer on the underface of the nut. The fully torqued nut and washer define coacting ramp surfaces on the underface of the nut and the upper face of the washer which act upon any tendency of the nut to move in a loosening direction to increase the overall height of the nut and the washer so as to further tighten the joint. The washer is hardened to ensure that the surface of the washer cuts as a die into the lower surface of the nut.

Abstract: A wheel cover for a vehicle utilizing a mounting member including a first surface and opposite second surface. The mounting member also includes a multiplicity of openings of two types. The first type of larger opening fits over an existing lug bolt and nut of the vehicle wheel, while the second type of smaller opening merely fits over the lug bolt. Thus, removal of only certain nuts is required to hold the mounting member to a vehicle wheel. A multiplicity of resilient projections at least partially surround the second group of small openings. The resilient projections permit the normal seating of a lug nut with a lug bolt while employing the ramped portion of the lug nut to hold the mounting member and other wheel accessories to the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: The locking screw for the adjustable connection of a hinge strap to a base plate of a hinge has an external thread, with which the locking screw is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole in the hinge flap. The end face of the bolt portion of the locking screw abuts on the corresponding face of the base plate. In order to ensure a secure seating of the locking screw even under changing loads, a plate spring is attached to the end face of the locking screw and is spring-loaded axially, which abuts the base plate with its spring front face.

Abstract: Fastener assemblies for mounting a workpiece such as a hub centered wheel rim include a threaded fastener and a clamp washer. The fastener includes a body having a thread structure and a structure engageable by a tool for tightening of a threaded joint to urge the fastener assembly against the workpiece. The clamp washer includes a central aperture surrounding the thread structure and interposed between the fastener body and the workpiece. A pair of cooperating bearing surfaces are formed on the inner end of the workpiece and the outer side of the clamp washer, and a clamp surface is defined on the inner side of the clamp washer. When the fastener assembly is tightened against the workpiece, the bearing surfaces comprise continuous annular spherical zones having common centers and radii of curvature to the end that the bearing surfaces are in intimate wide area face-to-face contact and the clamp surface is in flat area contact with the workpiece regardless of the squareness condition of the threaded joint.

Abstract: A tension indicating and cone lock washer (10) for use in connection with a headed fastener (B) and a bearing surface (S) is provided. The washer has a generally annular body (12) with an aperture (14) therethrough. The body is of a generally frustoconical cross-section. A generally radially extending through slot (22) is provided and the remaining material aligned with the slots define at least one web (24 or 26). The washer is intended to crack along the webs at a first compression force and to act as a lock washer and not completely flatten until a second compression force, greater than the first compression force, is applied thereto.

Abstract: A helical conical spring lock-washer includes a lock-washer body having formed on one surface thereof a plurality of triangular pyramid-shaped depressions. Each of the depressions provides a triangular opening formed on the respective surface of the lock-washer body, with the base of the triangular opening positioned adjacent to the outer margin of the lock-washer body and the apex of the triangular opening directed toward the center of the lock-washer body.

Abstract: A washer for indicating the amount of load placed on a fastener joint. A disc-like body has a pair of arms extending outwardly and then upwardly from two elbow portions. These two arms will deflect toward one another and, when a predetermined load is reached, they will touch. Any loosening occurring within the joint will result in the arms disengaging contact presenting an immediate visual indication.

Abstract: A preassembled domed washer and fastener that can be snapped together after thread rolling and heat treatment. The inner periphery of the washer is reduced in thickness to provide flexibility and the fastener is provided with an interrupted annular ledge. The flexibility of the washer's inner periphery permits it to yield as it is pushed over the ledge and to snap back into engagement. The knurling or other interrupting of the ledge insures that large slivers from the case hardened fastener which cause handling problems and may reduce the amount of interference to the point the washer can fall off, are not formed.