Elastic Gripping Action Patents (Class 411/324)
  • Patent number: 9603643
    Abstract: A system includes and implant and an elongate device. The implant includes a first bone engaging portion and a flexible portion coupled to an end of the first bone engaging portion at an engagement portion. The flexible portion is configured to be compressed toward a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible portion. The elongate device includes an engagement end that is sized and configured to engage the engagement portion of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Reed, Dinesh V. Koka
  • Patent number: 8662808
    Abstract: The invention provides a type of elastic nut, primary comprising first and second compression slots allowing for compression and connecting strips at the bottom of the retaining nut, with the connecting strips in alternate positions, so that when the retaining nut is used to hold a plug in place on the bolt, and further torque is applied to the retaining nut, the nut is held in place on top of the plug with elastic force, effectively holding the plug in place more tightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 8382411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-locking nut (1) having an upper threaded collar (3) provided with longitudinal slots (7), being V or U shaped, also with sharp edge, defining in the collar a plurality of circular arc segments (9) compressed by an external helical spring (5), and in which the collar slots have such a width as not to allow the mutual contact of the circular arc segments (9) compressed by the spring. The spring of the self-locking nut is made of precipitation hardening stainless steel whereby it shows high constancy of braking torque features even for repeated screwing/unscrewing cycles. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Gally S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Dezzani
  • Publication number: 20120243959
    Abstract: The invention provides a type of elastic nut, primary comprising first and second compression slots allowing for compression and connecting strips at the bottom of the retaining nut, with the connecting strips in alternate positions, so that when the retaining nut is used to hold a plug in place on the bolt, and further torque is applied to the retaining nut, the nut is held in place on top of the plug with elastic force, effectively holding the plug in place more tightly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ching-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20100074711
    Abstract: An adjusting screw arrangement comprising an adjusting screw (8) and a screwthread receiving means in which the adjusting screw (8) is displaceable in the axial direction by rotation, for providing a self-arresting action and for avoiding a lock nut and an anti-slackening securing means, has a toothed ring (10) connected to the adjusting screw (8) on the same axis, and a coil spring (11) which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the adjusting screw, wherein at least one end of the coil spring (11) is fixed so that the turns thereof mesh with the teeth of the toothed ring (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Horst Moshammer
  • Patent number: 7338247
    Abstract: A releasable fastener for releasably engaging a bolt body has a generally cylindrical sleeve member having an inner surface closely spaced from an outer surface of the bolt body. A latch member having a contact surface is mounted on the sleeve member for movement between a first position wherein the contact surface is in engagement with the bolt body and a second position wherein the contact surface is not in engagement with the bolt body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Steven J. Ateca
  • Patent number: 7165925
    Abstract: A fastener system and method of inserting it, that includes a screw or bolt having two interleaved helical threads, which brackets or forms a groove for a helicoil. The helicoil expands and torques by various means to maintain hold and purchase between the screw coil combination and the substrate into which the screw and helicoil are inserted even when the substrate recedes a significant distance from the screw and helicoil combination. The fastener system includes means for latching the tilt of the coil so as to minimize the constraining forces and optimize the motion of the helicoil, that results in the screw or bolt being pushed into the substrate. The fastener may be actuated after it has been partly or completely turned into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: John D. Unsworth, Thomas C. Waram
  • Patent number: 6883998
    Abstract: A connector for connecting elongate members, such as pile sections, in an end-to-end relationship. A housing is fitted to each end of a reinforcing bar in the elongate member. The housing has a first attachment socket at one end, the first attachment socket having an internal thread for accommodating helical protrusions formed on an outer surface of a standard reinforcing bar. A second attachment socket having a circular cross section is provided at the other end of the housing. Protrusions having a saw tooth cross section project inwardly from the second socket walls. The connector also includes an initially separate joining member which comprises a hollow cylinder having a short central portion with no protrusions therefrom and serrated sections extending from each end thereof, each having protrusions of a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the protrusions from the second attachment socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Global Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Roger A. Bullivant
  • Patent number: 6880295
    Abstract: A snap lock device is disclosed for hingedly securing an extension to a downspout. The device includes a first member having a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank extends through a first hole defined by the extension and through a second hole defined by the downspout. A second member cooperates with the first member and the second member defines an aperture for the locking reception therein of the shank for locking the extension and downspout together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventor: Scott Frey
  • Patent number: 6808348
    Abstract: A threaded locking beam nut having a plurality of locking beams configured such that the inside edge surface of each locking beam has a radially inwardly angled surface thereby forming substantially a V-shaped channel between adjacent beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Global Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Cosenza, Luke L. Haylock
  • Patent number: 6517543
    Abstract: A bone connector system includes first and second connector members, at least one and preferably both, of which carries an external bone screw thread to permit securance within a bone. One of the connector members defines a boss having an outer end with at least one slot therein to form flexible fingers, the boss having flanges which may be formed by an external screw thread adjacent to the outer end, and an external hexagonal engagement surface spaced from the outer end. The other of the connector members defines a bore having grooves which may formed by an internal screw thread proportioned to engage the flanges on the boss, and a hexagonal engagement portion proportioned to mateably receive and engage the hexagonal engagement surface when the connectors are brought together. Each of the flanges and grooves may have first and second flanks respectively disposed at relatively small and relatively large acute angles to the longitudinal axis of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg A. Berrevoets, Thomas S. Kilpela, Francis J. Korhonen
  • Patent number: 6454504
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internally threaded prevailing-torque type self-locking fastener which employs a patch of fused thermoplastic material as the locking element and which satisfies the functional torque requirements of both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987). In accordance with the present invention the fastener comprises a metal body having a bore extending to its opposing ends, the bore having a threaded surface; a patch of polymeric material applied and fused to a portion of the threaded surface; and the fastener meeting the prevailing-torque characteristics specified in both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Duffy, Eugene D. Sessa
  • Patent number: 6371707
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention relates to an assembly system with fastening stud as well as to a method of forming an assembly system. The assembly system comprises a fastening stud (1) and an assembly part (20) mounted on the fastening stud (1). The assembly part (20) has a receiving space (21) for receiving the fastening stud (1). When the assembly part (20) has been mounted, the inner surfaces of the receiving space (21) and the outer surface of the fastening stud (1) are frictionally connected to one another. The fastening stud (1) has a frontal opening. The fastening stud (1) is radially resilient at least in the region of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Harald Schaty
  • Patent number: 6276883
    Abstract: A fastener system includes a screw or bolt which can be attached in a helicoil. The helicoil expands and torques by various means to maintain hold and purchase between the screw coil combination and the substrate into which the screw and helicoil are inserted even when the substrate recedes a significant distance from the screw and helicoil combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: John Unsworth, Thomas Waram
  • Patent number: 6241442
    Abstract: To form a welded joint between a fastening means (1) and a structure (2), a fastening means (1) with a holder (3) and a connecting element (4) is proposed. The holder (3) essentially consists of an electrically insulating material. The connecting element (4) consists of a substantially electrically conductive material. The holder (3) substantially surrounds the connecting element (4). The connecting element (4) has a contact face (5) located inside the holder (3). The holder (3) has a through-orifice (6) at least partially overlapping the contact face (5). A contact piece (7) of an electrically operated welding device is introduced through the through-orifice (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Harald Schaty, Dieter Mauer
  • Patent number: 6210091
    Abstract: A lock nut for engagement with a thread of a bolt, in which a thread block is arranged in the body thereof for engaging with the thread of the bolt and is made eccentric with respect to the axis of the nut body so that an initial tightening force of the nut on the bolt can be held for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Rikio Ono, Shigenobu Takata, Keiji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6168361
    Abstract: A locknut according comprises a C-shaped nut with a radial gap cut through one side. The locknut functionality is provided by making the threads of the nut undersize, by deforming the C-shape inward such that the internal threads are out of round until the nut is assembled on a screw, or by twisting the nut so as to axially displace the threads on opposite sides of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Alan J. Adler
  • Patent number: 6017136
    Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for the reflector in an automotive lamp assembly has a screw, a mounting clip for mounting the adjusting apparatus to the reflector, and a retainer clip for positioning the adjusting apparatus such that it can properly adjust the reflector. The adjusting apparatus can be installed as a unitary piece through the lens, or through the support from of the automotive lamp assembly. The adjusting apparatus reduces the labor required to assemble the automotive lamp assembly and the number of parts the assembler must keep in inventory. Thus, the overall cost to produce a completed automotive lamp assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 5988965
    Abstract: A quick-operating locking fastener assembly for use in connecting members together, the fastener assembly comprising a fastener having a threaded shank, and a lock nut assembly receivable on the shank. The lock nut assembly includes a retainer having a passage for receiving the shank, and a seat formed in the retainer. An insert is held in the passage and has internal threads formed thereon for mating with threads of the shank. The insert is radially contractible and expandable between an engaged position in which the insert is threadably engaged with the shank and a disengaged position in which the insert is free to move axially along the shank without engagement of the insert with the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Fiorell, Rahmat F. Toosky
  • Patent number: 5947669
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system with a fastening stud and a mounting part which can be applied to the fastening stud and has a receiving space for receiving the fastening stud, wherein the internal surface of the receiving space and the external peripheral surface of the fastening stud are frictionally connected to one another when the mounting part is applied and wherein the external peripheral surface has a structure with at least one substantially peripherally extending crest-like relief of dimensionally stable material and the internal surface has a structure with at least one relief of plastically deformable material extending substantially transversely to the peripheral direction. The radial elasticity of the fastening stud which is provided in any case by a slot is preferably increased by an additional axial aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Harald Schaty
  • Patent number: 5842822
    Abstract: The new fastener has a shank which is resiliently compressible along an axis perpendicular to the shank push-in axis and has teeth protruding from the shank along the axis of resilient compressibility. The teeth are inclined in the push-in direction and in the pull-out direction. When the shank is pushed into an existing screw hole, then inclines of teeth just past the far side of the screw hole are increased to resist motion in the pull-out direction so that the shank is secured in the screw hole and so that the fastener can be pulled out without damage. The shank is configured to increase the compressibility and to increase the elastic force opposing compression. The shank can be a monolithic part of a first structure fastened to a second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Everett Industries Inc
    Inventors: Gerald W. Everett, Ralph R. Trimnell
  • Patent number: 5829936
    Abstract: A resin flush-mounted plug (11) for insertion into an internally threaded hole (1) with a countersink (2) formed in a pallet of a machine tool has a head (12) for filling the countersink (2) of the threaded hole (1) and a pair of legs (13) formed integrally with the head (12) for fitting into an internally threaded portion (3) of the threaded hole (1). The head (12) has a tapered under surface (12a) for filling the countersink (2) of the threaded hole (1). Also provided in the head (12) is a slot (12b), a hexagonal hole, or some other recess for accommodating a screwdriver blade, a wrench, or some other appropriate tool used to remove the flush-mounted plug (11). The legs (13) project outward radially from the underside of the head (12). The outer peripheral surfaces of the fixed ends of the legs (13) to the head (12) are arranged on a circumference whose diameter is smaller than the inner diameter C of the internally threaded portion (3) (A<C with A the diameter of the circumference).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Omori, Eiji Inoue, Takuya Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5779413
    Abstract: A fastening system comprising a bolt having a threaded shaft portion with a major thread diameter and a member having an aperture formed therein, said aperture being threaded over a portion thereof, a locking element having a preformed thread configuration being positioned within said aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Fairchild Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Frank J. Cosenza
  • Patent number: 5741102
    Abstract: The new fastener has a shank which is resiliently compressible along an axis perpendicular to the shank push-in axis and has teeth protruding from the shank along the axis of resilient compressibility. The teeth are inclined in the push-in direction and in the pull-out direction. When the shank is pushed into an existing screw hole, then inclines of teeth just past the far side of the screw hole are increased to resist motion in the pull-out direction so that the shank is secured in the screw hole and so that the fastener can be pulled-out without damage. The shank can be integrally part of a first structure being fastened to a second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Everett Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Everett, Ralph R. Trimnell
  • Patent number: 5736912
    Abstract: A frequency adjustment mechanism for a dielectric resonator in which a change of a unloaded Q is small by adjustment of a resonating frequency, a tuning rod may be stably fixed in place after the adjustment without using any adhesives or the like and it is possible to readily perform the re-adjustment. A hole 14 is provided at an axially central portion of the dielectric resonator 11 and the tuning rod 15 is threadingly inserted into the hole 14. A female screw thread 14a is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the hole 14, and a male screw thread 15a is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the tuning rod 15. Resin layers 16 and 17 are formed on surfaces of the female screw thread 14a and the male screw thread 15a, respectively. The tuning rod 15 is made of dielectric material having a low loss and a high dielectric constant. The resin layers 16 and 17 are made of resin material having an elasticity and a low loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Mikami, Hirotsugu Abe, Yukio Higuchi
  • Patent number: 5627610
    Abstract: A self-locking nut for eye glasses excellent in assembling efficiency into which a male screw is fitted to secure a material between the head of the male screw and the self-locking nut itself, comprising a first member having a female thread portion formed with a female thread in which the male screw is screwed and a pressing end face for pressing the material when the male screw is screwed in, a second member which is continuously formed on the other end face of the first member away form the material and which has a self-locking hole concentric with and connected to the threaded hole, and a third member continuously formed on the end face of the first member closer to the material and having a bushing portion which can be inserted into a hole in the material and which is formed with a through hole connected to the threaded hole of the first member; a moisture-proof nut comprising a sealing element having one end closed to bring the other end into contact with the material to waterproof the main body of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Nitto Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koreto Marui, Ryuichi Ohtsuki, Masahiro Ohara
  • Patent number: 5586854
    Abstract: A connector fastening nut for a bolt-nut fastened connector comprises: a nut member (A, B, C, D) fixed to a first connector housing (M) and formed with a female threaded portion (1) engaged with a male threaded portion (5) of a fastening bolt (4) fitted to a second connector housing (F); and an elastic portion (3c, 7c, 8c, 10a) formed integral with the nut member, for urging an end of the fastening bolt in an engagement direction between the female threaded portion of the nut member and the male threaded portion of the fastening bolt, when the male threaded portion has been passed through the female threaded portion after full engagement of the two connector housings (M, F) by fastening the fastening bolt to the fastening nut. The connector fastening nut can engage/disengage the two connector housings smoothly, while preventing the damage of the threaded portions thereof and improving the water-tightness of the fastening nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sakai, Kazuto Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 5538380
    Abstract: A nozzle guide vane assembly has ceramic components therein having a conventional thread thereon including a preestablished pitch and having a preestablished rate of thermal expansion. The nozzle guide vane assembly has a metallic components therein having a preestablished rate of thermal expansion being greater that the rate of thermal expansion of the ceramic components is positioned in a gas turbine engine. The metallic component, a nut, has a thread therein including a plurality of crests being spaced on a pitch equal to that of the ceramic component and has a pair of contacting surfaces extending from the plurality of crests. A notch spirally extends intermediate adjacent ones of the plurality of crests and has a preestablished depth which is at least twice the size of the conventional pitch. Furthermore, the pair of contacting surfaces are in contact with only a portion of the threaded surface of the ceramic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul F. Norton, James E. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5482417
    Abstract: The present invention entails a self-locking mechanism (10) for locking a rotatable member such as a screw, bolt, lock rod, etc. In the case of a lock rod (50) that secures a tool holder (126) within a tool block (122), the self-locking mechanism (10) of the present invention includes at least one cam surface (52) connected between the lock rod (50) and a rotating carrier (14) having at least one wedge surface (26). The rotating carrier (14), wedge surface (26), and cam surface (52) are shaped and disposed such that they can be rotated by a driver (16) in unison as the lock rod (50) is rotated between locked and unlocked positions. However, the rotating carrier (14), wedge surface (26) and cam surface (52) are disposed and shaped such that the cam surface (52) and wedge surface (26) will ,under the influence of the lock rod, move to a wedged self-locking position after the lock rod (50) has assumed a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5362185
    Abstract: An arrangement for positioning components such as die or mold plates in shaping machinery, in which a positioning element is inserted into matching bores in the components to be positioned. The positioning element or device is provided with a cylindrical jacket around an axial bore and a continuous through-going slot. An elastic rod is inserted into the axial bore and is subjected to force from at least one end, for the purpose of increasing the thickness of the elastic rod and widening the cylindrical jacket so as to position the component. The components have, thereby, an elastic connection through the elastic rod. The continuous through-running slot provides elasticity by widening in accordance with the force that is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Connex AG
    Inventor: Johannes Haack
  • Patent number: 5312214
    Abstract: A spiral member for improving the grip of screws in wooden or other receptive substrates is disclosed. The spiral member has a central axial drive pin by which it can be driven into a thread in the receptive substrate, and it has an improved cross section providing wings or protuberances extending out past the side surfaces of the cross section. The spiral member also has an outwardly facing triangular apex which bites into the old thread while the wings bear upon the flanks of the screw thread of the screw that inserted into the spiral member, thereby improving the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Multiclip Company Limited
    Inventor: Reginald F. Morton
  • Patent number: 5292217
    Abstract: Disclosed is a quick fastening quick releasing nut-and-bolt assembly in which the bolt has finger elements disposed along the bolt's longitudinal axis. The finger elements have sets of accurate thread segments matable with complimentary sets of radially inward facing arcuate thread segments on the inner diameter of a nut. The nut's inner diameter includes smooth semi-cylindrical surfaces circumferentially alternated with the nut's sets of thread segments. The nut has a central core body sliding upon radially inner surfaces of the finger elements so as to keep the finger elements in bearing relation with the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a first, unlocked configuration in which the bolt's thread segments face the smooth surfaces on the nut's inner diameter. The assembly has a second, fastening configuration where the bolt's thread segments are engaged with the nut's thread segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: John G. Korpi
  • Patent number: 5176483
    Abstract: A threaded connection structure for rotatably connecting and disconnecting adjoining members including a female member having annular internal pitched threads and a male member for threading into the female member having outer threads complemental to the threads of the female member with raised areas along the axial faces of the threads of one of said members to cause areas of concentration of unit pressure between the threads so that unwanted rotation and unwanted unthreading is prevented. A flange is provided on one member to engage a shoulder on the other member for continued axial surface pressure of the raised areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Inq. Walter Hengst GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Baumann, Christian Boehnke
  • Patent number: 5169270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressible screw-type locking mechanism including an oversized locking screw and a tool for compressing and rotatively driving the oversized locking screw through a threaded bore. Formed about the top of the locking screw is a head portion and extending downwardly from the head portion is a threaded shaft. At least one longitudinal slot extends through the head and at least partially through the shaft to form a locking screw with plural resilient segments. The locking screw assumes a normal expanded state with its threaded pitch diameter being oversized with respect to its companion bore. The locking screw is compressed by engaging the head thereof with the tool. In one embodiment, the compression of the locking screw is achieved through a torquing action. In a second embodiment, the compression is achieved by the axial movement of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5160227
    Abstract: In a self-locking nut including a threaded upper collar equipped with longitudinal slots in U-shape defining in collar a plurality of circular arc segments compressed by a helical external spring, the spring is subjected to a hot-galvanizing treatment and is provided in harmonic spring steel if it operates below 250.degree. C., while it is provided in stainless spring steel if it operates above 250.degree. C., and the nut, provided in stainless steel if it operates at high temperatures, is subjected to an electrolytic coppering treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Alian International Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Giancarlo Tramezzani
  • Patent number: 5143499
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive, deformable cylinder locknut for use in high temperature applications associated with the operation of a gas turbine engine provides a secure fastener lock which resists torsional and vibrational stresses which may otherwise act to unseat and disengage the bolt. The locknut includes an undeformed threaded portion, an unthreaded transitional cylindrical sleeve portion, and a deformable unthreaded cylindrical portion. A threaded shaft contacts the cylindrical sleeve with reduced surface engagement to minimize frictional interaction and define a spiral volume therebetween to ensure the establishment of a non-permanent lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Melvin Bobo, Peter W. Mueller, Thomas F. McClure
  • Patent number: 5133631
    Abstract: This invention provides a temperature responsive self-locking fastener which includes a threaded shank and a threaded mating element both having approximately equal coefficients of thermal expansion and a temperature responsive locking member having a coefficient of thermal expansion different than that of the threaded shank and the mating element. The locking member expands relative to the threaded shank and the mating element at the operating temperature to prevent disengagement of the locking fastener. At the installation temperature, the locking fastener can be easily installed or removed even after one or more cycles between the operating and the installation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Verlin R. Beach
  • Patent number: 5123793
    Abstract: A locking nut is provided by forming a straight cylindrical bore through a body, forming a tap with uniform teeth, the tips of which taper at a shallow angle toward one end of the tap, and tapping said bore with said tap so as to produce a thread having a pitch diameter and a root diameter which taper from one of the thread to the other, and a crest which is of constant diameter and increasingly truncated from one end to the other, said thread at said one end having substantially a full profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Deutsch Fastener Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Bonstein
  • Patent number: 5078562
    Abstract: A self-locking fastening arrangement includes a member having a substantially planar surface intersected by a blind threaded bore adapted to receive a complimentary threaded bolt or shank. The tapped bore terminates a predetermined distance from the planar surface in a closed end. A resilient substantially cylindrical insert is disposed within the bore adjacent the closed end and is configured to establish a space between the insert and the closed end of the tapped bore. The insert is compressed upon insertion of a threaded shank into the bore a predetermined distance so as to effect self-locking axial loading between the interengaging male and female threads. An annular lip is formed adjacent at least one end of the insert for engaging the tapped bore to prevent inadvertent release of the insert from the bore. In one embodiment, the fastening member takes the form of a self-locking acorn or cap nut having a blind taped bore which receives the resilient insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Abbott-Interfast Corporation
    Inventor: Lon DeHaitre
  • Patent number: 5041026
    Abstract: A ship-open pressure type wiring terminal for electrical apparatus wherein a threaded hole in the terminal is disposed immediately adjacent and aligned with a clearance opening in a plastic housing part overlying the terminal. One or more thin plastic webs integral with the housing part project transversely into the clearance opening and are deflected into the threaded hole upon insertion of a screw through the clearance opening, the web or webs being compressed between associated threaded walls of the screw and terminal hole to provide frictional resistance to rotation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Norbert Hansel
  • Patent number: 5004389
    Abstract: A self-locking, externally threaded locking nut the outer periphery of the nut adjacent the threaded portion thereof having an annular groove in which is positioned an elastic ring. Portions of the outer periphery of the elastic ring are deflected outwardly by the nut to form protuberances for effecting increased frictional resistance to turning between the locking nut and a threaded cylindrical body to produce a locking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Industrial Nut Corp.
    Inventors: J. William Spinger, Eugene Schlett
  • Patent number: 4907924
    Abstract: A backward starting locknut comprises a polygonal-shaped metal nut having a threaded axial bore extending from a front end face normal thereto toward a recess formed in an opposite or backside of the nut body. A locking insert of resilient plastic material having a threaded bore aligned with that of the nut is seated in the recess and includes an annular, thick wall portion secured within the recess and an annular, thin wall portion integrally joined to the thick wall portion and extends outwardly from the recess and is provided with a threaded bore. The metal nut includes an annular wall section defining the recess and the wall section is deflected radially inwardly to compress the thick wall portion of the plastic insert and thereby constrict an inner portion of the threaded bore in order to establish a prevailing torque when a threaded rod is fully engaged in the bore of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Keith Hellon
  • Patent number: 4895469
    Abstract: A transmission shift yoke (3) (see FIG. 2) has to slide over the shift bar (1) and then be anchored accurately in the desired position by a fastener, i.e., set screw or bolt (8). The set screw must be locked to prevent its loss or more seriously its falling into machinery. A expansible snap ring (10) is arranged on a spotface (11) in a recess (12) in the bar; it is expanded by the tapered shank (14) of the fastener (8) and then snaps into a waist (19) of the fastener to prevent its being readily unscrewed more than half a turn or so. A really robust torque, however, on the head (9) by means of a spanner/wrench will forcibly expand the snap ring out of the waist (19) and over the widest part of the tapered shank (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques R. Coueron
  • Patent number: 4890964
    Abstract: A threaded fastener apparatus that self-locks onto a threaded bolt only during the very last stage of threading and that provides a predetermined self-locking force that remains substantially constant despite multiple repeated uses. The fastener apparatus includes a nut carried loosely within a locking sleeve that is secured to a workpiece. Threading a bolt into the nut draws the nut's enlarged cylindrical rearward section into compressive engagement with the sleeve's smaller-sized cylindrical forward section, to deform the nut radially inwardly into locking engagement with the bolt. Longitudinal through-slots in the nut's rearward end facilitate the inward deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Q. Lindley, Frank J. Cosenza
  • Patent number: 4880343
    Abstract: A lock nut comprising a lock member prepared from a shape memory alloy and serving as a backup member for a fastening nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Matsumoto Kokan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 4850778
    Abstract: A molded plastic, push-on fastener for connection to threaded studs or the like comprises first and second cylindrical collar members. The first collar has a resilient side wall and threads are formed on the interior thereof in a form and size for positive engagement with the threads on the associated threaded stud. The second collar member has a relatively rigid side wall with an open interior diameter which is greater than the diameter of the first collar member to permit the second member to be received over and surround the first member. A thin frangible, connecting web is provided for temporarily connecting the collar members in axial alignment. Cooperating interengaging thread forms are formed on the exterior of the first collar member and the interior of the second collar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: TRW, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvyn J. L. Clough, Stephen P. Mackowiak, Jeffrey C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4832550
    Abstract: In a device for bringing about rotational braking in a screw and nut device incorporating a nut, which is rotatable and displaceable relative to a threaded bar, and a helical spring enclosing the bar, which spring at braking is clamped against the bar, for effecting a big braking moment and a small wear in the thread of the bar, there is arranged a helical element with a loose fit in the thread groove of the bar, which element extends radially outside the thread flank tip. The helical spring is futhermore arranged with radial pretension of the thread flank tip between the winding turns of the helical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: SKF Nova AB
    Inventor: Sven W. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 4832551
    Abstract: A fastener for releasably securing an object to a panel having a hole therethrough comprises a screw having a screw head attached to the object and having a threaded screw shank insertable through the hole in the panel. The fastener further comprises a flexible resilient plastic push-on/screw-off nut having a bore therethrough which is slidably mountable onto the threaded screw shank into engagement with the panel. The nut has a resilient flexible concave nut head which operates to seal the panel hole and has a nut shank defining two resilient flexible legs, each of which has internal nut threads for engaging the threaded screw shank. The nut also comprises webs, each connected between the nut head and the outer side of a leg, which operate to force the nut threads tightly against the screw thread in locking engagement when the nut head is forced against the panel. The nut is removable from the screw by rotation in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Phillips Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Burnell Wollar
  • Patent number: 4797045
    Abstract: Formation of a screw thread in a mounting hole in furniture hardware made by the stamping and pressing process from thin sheet metal, which can be fastened to the furniture wall by means of mounting screws driven through the mounting hole into a furniture wall. The shaft of the mounting screw has at its head end a threadless section with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the thread. The mounting hole has a free passage cross section which is smaller than the outside diameter of the thread spirals of the mounting screw, and a ring-like section of the material surrounding the free passage cross section is bent to form a thread spiral extending over more than 180.degree., preferably more than 270.degree., but no more than 360.degree., with a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the mounting screw thread, a portion of the section of material forming the thread spiral being cut free from the surrounding material of the hardware piece along an arcuate boundary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Karl Lautenschlager GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Lautenschlager, Jr., Gerhard Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 4790703
    Abstract: A tri-lobular section of a bolt receives a mating tri-lobular bore of a washer to prevent the washer from rotating. Roll formed male threads on the tri-lobular section of the bolt receive a cooperating nut. The nut has a base shaped for wrench engagement, a thin walled barrel, a spring temper, and a threaded bore. The thread of the nut has two thread diameters: a large diameter thread in the base and a smaller diameter thread in the barrel continuing from the base thread; both thread sections have the same pitch. The barrel thread is substantially circular when relaxed. The barrel elastically flexes in response to the lobes of the nut as the lobes turn in the barrel, and when rotation stops, the barrel generally conforms to the tri-lobular shape of the bolt to form a thread lock, but the base does not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Inventor: George S. Wing