Abstract: An organic-coated, chrome-plated fastener includes a fastener body having one or more friction regions that are adapted to slidably engage another structure when the fastener is used for fastening. Some or all of the fastener body may be chrome-plated, including at least one of the friction regions. The at least one chrome-plated friction region may be coated with an organic composition that is selected to control a coefficient of friction of the at least one chrome-plated friction region.

Abstract: A manhole security cover includes a manhole cover body comprising a non-metallic RF signal transmissive material. The manhole cover body is seatable on a manhole frame to cover a manhole opening. In the seated position, the first side is accessible from outside the manhole, the second side is disposed within the manhole, and the peripheral edge portion engages a manhole cover support surface on the manhole frame. A manhole cover tamper sensor is responsive to a predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. A transmitter is operatively connected to the manhole cover tamper sensor and configured to generate a radio frequency manhole cover tamper signal when the manhole cover tamper sensor detects the predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. An antenna is operatively coupled to the transmitter to radiate radio frequency energy through the manhole cover body to a receiver located outside of said manhole.

Abstract: An organic-coated, chrome-plated fastener includes a fastener body having one or more friction regions that are adapted to slidably engage another structure when the fastener is used for fastening. Some or all of the fastener body may be chrome-plated, including at least one of the friction regions. The at least one chrome-plated friction region may be coated with an organic composition that is selected to control a coefficient of friction of the at least one chrome-plated friction region.

Abstract: A manhole security cover includes a manhole cover body comprising a non-metallic RF signal transmissive material. The manhole cover body is seatable on a manhole frame to cover a manhole opening. In the seated position, the first side is accessible from outside the manhole, the second side is disposed within the manhole, and the peripheral edge portion engages a manhole cover support surface on the manhole frame. A manhole cover tamper sensor is responsive to a predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. A transmitter is operatively connected to the manhole cover tamper sensor and configured to generate a radio frequency manhole cover tamper signal when the manhole cover tamper sensor detects the predetermined movement of the manhole security cover body. An antenna is operatively coupled to the transmitter to radiate radio frequency energy through the manhole cover body to a receiver located outside of said manhole.

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 noncircular-based undulating key-receiving configuration, opposed undulating side walls in said configuration, a centerline within said side walls, with the centerline of the configuration lying within inner and outer noncircular perimeters. A key-receiving configuration containing a first undulating configuration within a second undulating configuration. A key having a first body insertable within a second body with both bodies having undulating key configurations thereon. A key-receiving groove having chamfered edges.

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 lock including a lock housing, a lock bolt rotatably mounted in the lock housing, an undulating end on the lock housing, a torque plate mounted on the lock bolt for rotation therewith, an undulating face on the torque plate, and a spring mounted on the lock bolt and biasing the torque plate into engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing with the undulating face of the torque plate in meshing engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing. A bracket is mounted on the lock housing, first wings on the bracket, and a key having second wings for engagement with the first wings when the lock is in an unlocked condition.

Abstract: A vehicle spare wheel lock construction including a lock body having a funnel guide mounted on one end thereof and a multi-fingered spring-type retaining washer mounted on the other end thereof for biting engagement with the internal surface of a handle receptacle of the winch. The lock body has a key-receiving groove in the end thereof and a key adapter is mounted on the end of a winch handle and has a curvilinear ridge on the end thereof which is guided into the curvilinear groove of the lock body by the frustoconical funnel guide and an adjacent internal frustoconical surface within the lock 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 multi-tier security fastener in the nature of a nut or bolt having a body with a first tier having a lobed drive surface, and second and third cylindrical tiers on opposite sides of the first tier, with all three tiers having different effective diameters. The second and third cylindrical tiers can have irregularities in the nature of a lobe or a depression.

Abstract: A fastener including a fastener body having a drive configuration thereon, and a separate security cap mounted on the drive configuration by an interconnecting structure which can be a snap ring or a flexible spring ring. A security cap which is mountable on a drive configuration of a fastener including a body, a socket in the body, and an interconnecting member such as a snap ring or a spring ring mounted in a groove in the wall of the socket.

Abstract: A fastener member in the nature of a nut or bolt which bears against an external member which is softer than the fastener member including a body portion having first and second ends, a spin washer mounted on the first end of the body portion, internal and external surfaces on the spin washer, a first surface on the external surface for bearing the external member with a first frictional force, and a second surface on the internal surface of the spin washer for bearing against the first end of the fastener member with a second frictional force which is less than the first frictional force to thereby permit relative rotation between the first end of the fastener member and the internal surface of the spin washer while the spin washer remains in nonrotatable engagement with the external member.

Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a shroud permanently or removably rotatably mounted on the packing nut in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a configuration on the hydrant nut actuating body between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.

Abstract: A wrench for selectively turning a either conventional polygonal nut or a locknut having a key-receiving configuration onto a threaded stud including a wrench body, a polygonal bore in the wrench body, a rectilinearly slidable bit in the bore and biased to an outwardly extending position by a spring, a nose on the bit for mating engagement with the key-receiving configuration of the locknut, a first shoulder within a counterbore of the wrench body for engaging an end of the locknut, the bit being retractable against the bias of the spring when the polygonal nut is inserted into the polygonal bore for mating engagement therewith, and a second shoulder on the wrench body for engaging a shoulder on the polygonal nut. A wrench for turning a polygonal nut having a bore therein including a plunger having a tip thereon for entering the bore in stable supporting relationship, a spring for holding a polygonal nut in encircling relationship and an internal configuration in the wrench for turning the polygonal nut.

Abstract: A wrench for selectively turning a either conventional polygonal nut or a locknut having a key-receiving configuration onto a threaded stud including a wrench body, a polygonal bore in the wrench body, a rectilinearly slidable bit in the bore and biased to an outwardly extending position by a spring, a nose on the bit for mating engagement with the key-receiving configuration of the locknut, a first shoulder within a counterbore of the wrench body for engaging an end of the locknut, the bit being retractable against the bias of the spring when the polygonal nut is inserted into the polygonal bore for mating engagement therewith, and a second shoulder on the wrench body for engaging a shoulder on the polygonal nut.

Abstract: A capped nut including a metal nut body, first threads on the outside of the metal nut body, a cap including a metallic shell and a non-metallic insert, dimples in the shell, a shoulder on the insert in contiguous relationship to the dimples for preventing the insert from being removed from the shell, second threads on the insert for mounting on the first threads of the metal nut body, and a rachet arrangement between the insert and the dimples for permitting the shell to override the insert when a turning force is applied to the shell which tends to overtighten the second threads on the insert with the first threads on the nut body but which provides positive engagement between the shell and the insert when a force is applied to the shell for unthreading the cap from the nut body.