Abstract: An improved lock nut adapted for repeated use in locking onto a series of bolts, each time compressively gripping the bolt with substantially the same high compressive force. In one embodiment, the locking is achieved by a plurality of resilient locking beams that flex radially outwardly to accommodate the bolt, while in another embodiment, the locking is achieved by a generally oval-shaped sleeve that flexes into a more circular shape when the bolt is threaded into it. In both embodiments, the flexing is made to occur at multiple locations along the beam's (or sleeve's) length by providing a stepped radial thickness, such that the total amount of elastic flexing can be maximized. In another feature of the invention, usable in the embodiment that includes the multiple locking beams, the axial slots separating the beams are defined by beam side walls that diverge from each other by an amount that increases from substantially zero at the bases of the beams to a maximum at the remote tips of the beams.

Abstract: An installation and swaging tool for installing and swaging a portion of an insert into a parent material, includes a drawbar having an end for carrying an insert. A moveable swaging member is disposed about and guided longitudinally by the drawbar for swaging an insert at the end of the drawbar. A sleeve and other moving means are provided for moving the swaging member longitudinally along the drawbar, wherein the sleeve comprises a guide surface for moving relative to the drawbar. A pin is placed between the drawbar and the guide surface for limiting the relative magnitude of displacement between the drawbar and the sleeve.

Abstract: A captive screw assembly for impeding the removal of a screw from a housing or other part. The assembly includes a housing having a hole and an annular flange projecting inwardly in the hole at a location spaced from the hole's two ends. A screw encircled by a coil spring extends through the housing hole with the spring being retained between the screw head and the inwardly-projecting flange. A stopnut, which is sized to be freely received in the housing hole, is threaded to a selected location on the screw. The screw is urged longitudinally upwardly from the housing by the coil spring, to a point where the stopnut abuts against the inwardly-projecting flange. A full removal of the screw from the housing is thereby impeded.

Abstract: A retainer apparatus for conveniently installing and retaining a printed circuit board within a housing. The apparatus includes a lever mounted on the board and a cooperating gear assembly carried by the board and the housing for use in manually installing the board in, or removing the board from, the housing. A conventional locking wedge assembly can be manually operated by the same lever, to retain the printed circuit board within the housing after its installation.

Abstract: An elongated, generally cylindrical fastener engagable with a retaining ring to secure the fastener to a panel. The fastener includes a first set of uniformly-spaced splines extending along its external surface and terminating at an end of the fastener opposite an enlarged head. A second set of longitudinal splines is interleaved with the first set, these second splines being closed at their opposite ends. A separate crossover slot connects together each associated pair of open-end and closed-end splines. A retaining ring having inwardly-projecting tabs is slid onto the fastener with its tabs engaging the first set of open-end splines and the retaining ring is thereafter rotated to slide the tabs across the crossover slots to the closed-end splines. The depth of the crossover slots is less than the depth of the closed-end splines, such that the retaining ring must expand or flex outwardly when the tabs are slid across the slots.

Abstract: A key for locking a threaded insert in a carrier material is provided with an improved tang portion. The improved tang portion includes spring retention means for reducing the friction required to position and hold the key within an insert slot prior to final installation and provide superior driveability over known prior art keys. The spring retention means includes a flexure area and a pair of protrusions which are held by spring force against the walls of the insert slot. The flexure area is centrally located on the tang portion and includes an aperture therein.

Abstract: A barrel nut fastener apparatus that includes a nut loosely retained in a prescribed position by a retainer that is adapted to be slidably received in a cylindrical bore formed in a panel. The nut is carried loosely on a seat formed in the retainer and is positioned to threadedly receive a bolt projecting through aligned transverse holes in both the panel and the retainer. A spring is interposed between the nut and the seat, to bias the nut outwardly to a position where a cylindrical extension of the nut projects outwardly into engagement with the panel's transverse hole. This ensures that the fastener apparatus remains in its desired position within the panel's cylindrical hole for proper engagement by a bolt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low profile latch for joining two members of an aircraft having a keeper mounted upon one member. The latch is rotatably mounted about a mounting bushing at one end of a pair of compression links whose opposite end pivotally mounts a hook that engages the keeper. Mounted at the pivot point between the hook and compression links is a first part of a two part handle whose second part is attached from the first handle part to a pair of side plates that form a further linkage. The side plates rotate about the mounting bushing, while the opposite ends thereof are connected by control links to the hook. The further linkage formed by the cover, side plates, and control links stabilizes the handle and hook and provides a smooth, controlled movement of the hook as the handle is opened and closed.

Abstract: A connecting member is disclosed for connecting a hydraulic tube to a base material such as a housing or to another hydraulic tube. The connecting member has an annular body formed from a first material extending a substantial length of the connecting member. The body has an interior surface defining a passageway. The body includes threads on a first portion of the body for connecting to the connecting member of a hydraulic tube and threads on a second portion of the body for connecting the connecting member to the base material or a second hydraulic tube through a coupling nut. A sleeve is made from a second material and extends through the passageway substantially the length of the connecting member. The sleeve has an internal surface and has a pair of ends, wherein each end of the sleeve extends radially outwardly from the sleeve relative to a central longitudinal axis of the sleeve over a respective end of the body. The body may be plastic and the sleeve may be titanium.

Abstract: An adjustable keeper mechanism is provided having an adjusting assembly which permits the keeper mechanism to be mounted over a greater range of depths than conventional star-wheel adjusting mechanisms. The adjusting assembly includes a driver 14 and a drive unit (15) which translates rotational movement of the driver (14) into linear movement of a connecting element (10), allowing infinitely small, non-incremental adjustment of the position of the connecting element (10) relative to the structures joined by the mechanism.