And Element Maintaining Member In Operative Engagement With Bolt Head Or Nut Patents (Class 411/120)
  • Patent number: 6305627
    Abstract: A fishing reel including a crank handle retained to a threaded end of a crankshaft by an attachment which comprises a nut for threadedly fixing the crank handle to the crank shaft, wherein one end of the nut has a hexagonal cross section and the other end includes an outward flare, and a plastic retainer for the nut comprising: a first inside cavity shaped to receive the hexagonal portion of the nut such that the nut is nonrotatably captivated relative to the retainer; a second inside compartment shaped to receive the outward flare of the nut such that when matably received, the retainer is secured to the nut; a pin protruding from the retainer to be received by a hole in the crank handle to prevent rotation of the retainer relative to the crank handle; and a smooth outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Roy E. Stiner, Saburo Nose, Robert D. Bagby
  • Patent number: 6296316
    Abstract: A headrest guide for receiving a headrest rod including a collet having an adjustable inner diameter positioned within a sleeve. A lock member for maintaining a constant inner diameter ofthe collet is engaged once the inner diameter of the collet is properly sized relative to the headrest rod. A method for fitting the headrest guide with the headrest rod includes sizing the inner diameter of the collet and then molding additional headrest guides so that the lock member is only functional when the inner diameter is at the desired size or within the desired range of sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Hann
  • Patent number: 6290442
    Abstract: A highly adjustable free spinning positively locking fastener assembly for threaded joints such as automotive or truck wheel assemblies includes a nut having a flange with a retainer washer captured on the nut flange via a locking bolt. The washer includes a tab received in a slot of a wheel spindle to permit the washer to move axially and prevent the washer from rotating. Bolt holes are located at unequally spaced opposed locations in the flange of the nut. A plurality of locking bolts locking the nut to the washer to prevent relative rotation so that neither the nut nor the washer can rotate relative to the spindle. The locking bolts are torsionally inserted into the locking bolt holes located in the nut. At least one locking bolt extends through at least one of the corresponding locking teeth of the washer. When the locking bolts are inserted into the locking bolt holes, the locking bolts engage the teeth of the washer to prevent the nut from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Okabe Corporation, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Peterkort
  • Patent number: 6286774
    Abstract: A handle fixing structure including a nut member which is received inside of a recess of a handle and couples the handle with a driving shaft, a nut lock member aligned inside of the recess by being in close contact with the nut member for prevention of looseness thereof the nut member, and a cover for shielding the recess and limiting movement of the cut lock member through contact therewith during shielding. The nut lock member has a polygonal groove on an internal peripheral surface thereof for receiving the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Chul Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 6254141
    Abstract: An adjustable-length closet fastener (1) has a fastener shank (2, 32) with an anchor-ridge head (3, 33) which is sized and shaped for positioning side walls of the anchor-ridge head against walls (5) of a predetermined retainer cavity (6) to arrest rotation of the fastener shank and which is sized and shaped for positioning a fastener shank-side surface (9) of the anchor-ridge head against a ceiling (10) of the predetermined retainer cavity at opposite sides of a shaft orifice in the predetermined retainer cavity to prevent exit of the adjustable-length closet fastener from the predetermined retainer cavity. A length-adjustment sleeve (11) with internal machine threads (12) is attached to the fastener shank for extension a predetermined distance towards a predetermined fastening position (13). A length-adjustment bolt (16) with external machine threads (17) that match the internal machine threads of the length-adjustment sleeve is screwed a desired length-adjustment distance into the length-adjustment sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Leroy C. Piper
  • Patent number: 6241441
    Abstract: A securing fixture for a screw or a nut includes a holding device for holding the head of the screw or the nut and is provided with a projection which comprises a parting location which can be parted by means of a chisel. The projection also has a projection end which can be welded or adhesively bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Alstom Power (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Erb
  • Patent number: 6224167
    Abstract: An axle assembly for supporting wheels is provided that has a spindle defining an axis of rotation with a threaded end portion. A hub assembly is supported by the spindle and is adapted to support the wheels. A bearing assembly is arranged adjacent to the threaded end portion and is interposed between the spindle and the hub assembly for permitting low friction rotation of the hub assembly relative to the spindle about the axis. An end nut is secured to the threaded end portion of the spindle for retaining the bearing assembly and the hub assembly on the spindle. A washer is interposed between said bearing assembly and the end nut wherein the washer secures the end nut to the spindle for preventing rotation of the end nut about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew John Riley
  • Patent number: 6213441
    Abstract: This invention is a fishing rod holder mount comprising a base unit which can be secured or affixed to a supporting surface such as the upper rail or gunwale of a boat; a shaft which is received by the base unit and therefore secured to the supporting surface; and an interlocking mechanism between the base and shaft which prevents the shaft and therefore the fishing rod holder from rotating about the shaft axis. The fishing rods held by the fishing rod holder are prevented from rotating across the boat or supporting surface. Therefore, the fishing rod is prevented from striking a boat occupant, tangling with other rods or objects, and prevented from complicating reeling in of a fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: D. Calvin Baynard, David A. Baynard
  • Patent number: 6070913
    Abstract: A connector plug housing for an electrical connector assembly includes a plug body having a male end, a tubular shroud having a female end adapted to be received on the male end of the plug body, first and second complementary threads respectively formed on the male end of the plug body and the female end of the tubular shroud for providing a threaded connection therebetween by screwing the female end of the tubular shroud relative to and on the male end of the plug body, and a releasable self-locking clip arrangement provided on the plug body and tubular shroud in an interfacing relationship with the first and second threads thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Hubbel Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hopper, Michael W. Miller
  • Patent number: 5971686
    Abstract: A fastener assembly and a method for making the same wherein a non-fanged fastener is affixed to a retainer by the interaction of a tab and a stake. The fastener assembly preferably includes a retainer having a face with an opening and a tab positioned adjacent to the opening. The tab protrudes from the face and extends over the fastener. A staking die forms a stake which extends into engagement with the retainer such that the fastener is retained to the retainer by the interaction of the tab and the stake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: MSD Stamping, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Carl Lewis
  • Patent number: 5967721
    Abstract: A loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use includes a washer that is axially movable on a threaded stud, a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud, and a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis. One of the washer and the nut may include a plurality of protrusions while the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents. The protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions. Rotating the nut on the stud while in contact with the washer results in distinct, audible clicks which may be counted to obtain a pre-determined tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Giachinta, Eugene W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5967722
    Abstract: A locking washer arrangement which includes two (2) washer members fabricated from a hardened steel material, a thicker one on the bottom and a thinner one on the top. The top surface of the top washer member and the bottom surface of the bottom washer member preferably have a relatively high coefficient of friction and may be grooved, embossed or otherwise roughened so they will grip the surfaces they come into contact with while the bottom surface of the top washer member and the top surface of the bottom washer member have a relatively low coefficient of friction to facilitate relative movement therebetween. Relatively long flexible tabs project radially outward from the periphery of the top washer member and distal ends are bent downwardly to engage and interlock between corresponding relatively short stiff tabs projecting radially outward from the periphery of the bottom washer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Fett
  • Patent number: 5964559
    Abstract: A locking assembly that mechanically locks an attachment bolt, such as one used to secure a missile launcher to an aircraft, for example, thus preventing the bolt from vibrating loose as a result of vibration experienced during flight. The locking assembly has a spring loaded locking nut that mechanically engages a hex head of an extension shaft that is coupled to the attachment bolt. Transverse pins permit axial movement of the locking nut but prevent rotation thereof. A socket is used to push the locking nut away from the hex head of the extension shaft, so that the attachment bolt can be loosened or tightened. When the socket is removed, a spring pushes the locking nut over the hex head of the extension shaft, locking the attachment bolt and preventing it from turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Larimore, Kenny J. Hanzlick
  • Patent number: 5954466
    Abstract: An anti-rotation clip for preventing rotation of a nut-like member (nut or bolt head) of a flanged connection to facilitate tightening or loosening of the nut-like member and eliminate the need to use two wrenches for tightening or loosening a nut or bolt. The clip is a generally L-shaped member having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion at one end thereof extending generally perpendicular thereto. A polygonal opening extending vertically through the horizontal portion has a plurality of discrete angled sides configured to surround and engage the sides of the nut-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Muskegon Tools, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eugene M. Coffey, Robert B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5897277
    Abstract: An obturating device including a body (11) with a recess (8) at one end engageable by a spanner, and a screw thread (2) at the other end for engaging a complementary screw thread (7) in an opening (6) of a housing (3). A locking ring (31) biased by a spring in the obturating device (1) and a complementary locking ring (47) in the opening have asymmetrical teeth which interlock when screwing-in is complete and snap together to prevent loosening of the rings. The tooth flanks that engage one another on loosening are nevertheless sufficiently angled to enable forced unscrewing using a spanner. A skirt (14) protects the mechanism and acts as an abutment in the fully screwed-in position. The obturating device enables locking and unlocking, requires no direct manual operation and is particularly suitable for endoscope insertion openings in aircraft engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: JPB Systeme
    Inventors: Bernard Barre, Jean-Pierre Marc
  • Patent number: 5846042
    Abstract: A fastener/shaft locking and adjustment apparatus and locking system which precisely positions, positively locks and avoids slippage of a positive locking nut along an elongated element. The positive locking nut includes a locking spline, an outer knurled cylinder, a rotatable spline, a return spring and a threaded nut. The locking spline includes a key member extending into the passage thereof which is engaged in the channel of the elongated element such that the locking spline does not rotate with respect to the elongated element. The locking spline further includes a first gear along an outer surface thereof which is capable of meshing engagement with a second gear provided along an inner circumferential cavity of the rotatable spline to lock the locking nut at its desired position along the elongated element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Iannuzzi
  • Patent number: 5772373
    Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device are disclosed for securing the nut on a spindle in a non-rotative position relative to the spindle. The assembly comprises the spindle nut, an antirotation spring and a spring backup plate mounted on the spindle. The antirotation spring and spring backup plate may be formed as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Cronin, II, Lonnie G. Williams, Jr., Thomas F. Dunlap, David C. Wood, Jon A. Bigley, Stuart Miller, James D. Hensley
  • Patent number: 5765117
    Abstract: A down-shift acceleration resistance and a down-shift target acceleration are compared, and only when a deceleration intent by the driver is detected, is a down-shift to a gear ratio which is one step higher than a gear ratio which will produce deceleration in excess of that indicated necessary by the comparison, permitted. In the absence of any detected deceleration intent by the driver, a forcible downshifting is inhibited. The shifting is controlled through computation which does not rely on large amounts of prestored table data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Masanobu Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 5683216
    Abstract: Spring latching mechanisms for preventing relative rotation or relative displacement of assembled components during operation of a nuclear reactor. The first type of mechanism prevents rotation of a threaded fastener which fastens a first component to a second component. The fastener has a multiplicity of longitudinal recesses formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The spring latching mechanism has a cantilever beam supported at one end by the first component. The other end of the cantilever beam is displaceable between first and second positions as the cantilever beam flexes. An interlocking member connected to the second end of the cantilever beam fits engages one of the longitudinal recesses in the fastener, whereby rotation of the fastener can be blocked. The second type of mechanism positively locates and prevents vibration-induced wear of first and second components assembled with play therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Geddes Erbes
  • Patent number: 5681136
    Abstract: Corrosion, loosening, safety and reusability problems incurred with prior art lock washers are eliminated in a lock washer having a planar washer body (6) formed of a thin sheet of resilient metal. A central aperture (12) is located in the body (6) and is adapted to receive the shank (24) of a bolt which a nut (22) is to be attached and locked. A lock fold (8) is formed in the body (6) radially outward of the central aperture (12). The lock fold (8) has a radially inward facing curved edge (18) displaced to one side of the plane of the body (6). The edge (18) is transverse to the radius of the body (6) and a lock fold (8) resiliently, lockingly engages with a flat of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: James F. L. Blair
    Inventor: James F. L. Blair
  • Patent number: 5674034
    Abstract: Locking nut assembly for use on a shaft such as the bearing hub of four wheel drive vehicle. The shaft is externally threaded and has a longitudinally extending slot, with a nut threadedly mounted on the shaft. A first lock part is mounted on the shaft beneath the nut with a tab which extends into the slot to prevent rotation of the first lock part relative to the shaft. A second lock part is mounted over the nut with a noncircular opening in which the nut is received so that the nut cannot rotate relative to the second lock part. The two lock parts are locked together so that the second lock part cannot rotate relative to the first. In the disclosed embodiments, the two lock parts are locked together by a lug which extends from one part to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Bruce A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5649797
    Abstract: A nut and bolt securing device is disclosed to prevent loosening of the assembly due to environmental conditions. In a first version of the invention the two piece device is fitted over a nut and a portion of a bolt extending from the nut, the two sections of the device being secured together with set screws, with serrations within the device, and one or more set screws engaging the front end of the device. In a second version of the device a shelf like planar projection on the front end of the device engages a planar surface on a nut, again combining with the serrations within the device to prevent fastener loosening. The device is particularly described in use in conjunction with refrigerant system flare nuts so as to prevent loss of refrigerant at these flare nut unions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Lenwar, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Warren, John Lennon
  • Patent number: 5618143
    Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device for securing the nut in a rotative position on a spindle. An anti-rotation spring and a back up plate are mounted on the spindle in a non-rotative manner with the back up plate in abutment with the bearings that rotatively mount the hub to the spindle. The back up plate has multiple grooves aligned with and arranged to receive multiple resilient tabs on the periphery of the anti-rotation spring. The tabs of the anti-rotation spring are formed to project axially from the spring. A flange of the nut has multiple slots around its periphery that are sized to receive a tab of the anti-rotation spring. A tool having extending ears that fit in the slots of the nut is utilized to install the nut on the spindle. The extending ears prevent the tabs of the spring from entering a slot of the nut until the tool is removed. As the nut is rotated by the tool, the nut abuts the anti-rotation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Cronin, II, Lonnie G. Williams, Jr., Thomas F. Dunlap, David C. Wood
  • Patent number: 5606753
    Abstract: A fixing device with a locking mechanism includes a bolt having a hexagonal head, a seat attached to the bottom face of the bolt head, and a washer to be fit onto the threaded shaft of the bolt. The seat has an engagement portion which is raised from an outer edge of the seat along a side face of the bolt head to restrain the free rotation of the bolt with respect to the seat, and an elastic engagement pawl outwardly extending from a lateral end of the engagement portion. The washer has a plurality of engagement grooves which are engagable with the engagement pawl, and an antislipping means provided on the side which contacts the surface of a member to be fastened. When the bolt is fastened, the engagement pawl engages with one of the engagement grooves of the washer. This prevents the hexagon-head bolt from turning in a loosening direction. A locking function can be added to the fixing device without additionally machining the bolt or a member to be fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hashimoto Shinwa Setsubi, Limited
    Inventor: Toyoji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5597278
    Abstract: A free spinning positively locking fastener assembly for threaded joints such as automotive or truck wheel assemblies includes a flanged nut with a retainer washer captured on the nut flange. The washer includes a tab received in a slot of a wheel spindle to permit the washer to move axially and prevent the washer from rotating. A pair of resilient locking clips normally lock the nut to the washer to prevent relative rotation so that neither the nut nor the washer can rotate relative to the spindle. The locking clips are released by engagement of a wrench socket with the wrenching structure of the nut so that the nut can be threaded to a desired position. When the wrench is removed, locking fingers on the clips engage the washer to prevent the nut from rotating. The clips are located at diametrically opposed wrenching flats of the nut, spaced from the corners of the wrenching structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Steven D. Peterkort
  • Patent number: 5582356
    Abstract: In a fishing reel in which a rotor is fixed onto a rotary quill with a nut, a securing member is non-rotatively fitted on the nut in such a manner that an engagement portion of the securing member is engaged with a projection formed on the rotor, in order to prevent the nut from rotating relative to the rotor. It is possible to prevent the nut from loosening from the rotary quill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Daiwa Seiko, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikiharu Kobayashi, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5533849
    Abstract: A self-locking nut for application to a threaded shaft, especially a wheel bearing nut. The shaft has a spline groove along its thread. A cup-like thrust washer fits on the shaft with a tang in the spline grove to prevent its rotation. It has retention grooves in its wall. A lock ring is slidably retained in the washer with tangs in the retention grooves. A bias spring is fitted between the washer and the lock ring. An internally threaded nut is threaded to the shaft and has a depending neck passing through the lock ring having a bearing surface to bear against the washer, and an outward deformation which prevents removal of the nut from the lock ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hi-Shear Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Burdick
  • Patent number: 5524936
    Abstract: A locking device for preventing relative rotation of pretorqued compression nuts used in face seal mechanical fittings includes an inner member having a cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the male or first nut of the fitting, an outer member having a first cavity sized to rotatably receive the inner member and a second cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the female or second nut of the fitting, and at least one set screw projecting inwardly through a threaded borehole in the outer member to non-rotatably engage and lock the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Barr, Christopher V. Barr, James C. Elliott, Dirk A. Frew
  • Patent number: 5462269
    Abstract: A lock structure which automatically locks the screw drive upon deactivation of the screw drive and automatically unlocks the screw drive upon activation of the screw drive. The locking structure is responsive to the attaching and detaching of a driver such that the detaching of the driver from an input of the screw drive automatically locks the screw drive and attaching the driver to the input of the screw drive automatically unlocks the screw drive. This is achieved by providing an outer locking surface on the screw drive and a locking plate whose axial position is controlled by the position of the drive and having an aperture for mating with the outer locking surface and locking the screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Porter Athletic Equipment Company
    Inventors: Edward A. Schroeder, James Gallicchio
  • Patent number: 5460351
    Abstract: The invention provides a valve stem locking assembly for releasably locking a threaded fastener relative to a valve stem of a quarter-turn valve such as a ball valve. The assembly includes a handle defining an opening shaped to engage a corresponding shape of the valve stem to preclude relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative motion therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A standard nut engages the handle and is threaded onto the valve stem for movement relative to the valve stem along the axis. A spring biases the nut and the handle into relative rotation resisting engagement with each other. A camming mechanism, defined by the handle and the chamfer of the nut, is biased by the spring to prevent relative rotation therebetween until a desired torque about the axis is applied to the nut relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Parker & Harper Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Holloway
  • Patent number: 5460418
    Abstract: A safety retainer for preventing disengagement of a shackle bolt from a U-shaped shackle. The retainer includes a collar member and a pin member. The tubular collar member surrounds the head of the shackle bolt and is provided with a pair of holes through its walls, coaxially alignable with an aperture in the shackle bolt head, and a notch cut out of the wall of one end thereof for engagement with one arm of the shackle. The pin member is insertable through the pair of collar member holes and the shackle bolt aperture to prevent rotation and disengagement of the shackle bolt from the shackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Elwood S. Falls
  • Patent number: 5395192
    Abstract: Locking nut assembly for a bearing hub of a four wheel drive vehicle. The hub is externally threaded hub and has a longitudinally extending slot, and a nut is threadedly mounted on the hub. A retainer fits over the nut and has a multi-sided peripheral flange which surrounds the nut and a tang which extends into the slot in the hub to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the hub. A retaining ring mounted peripherally of the retainer extends through notches in the corner portions of the peripheral flange and the nut to hold the retainer on the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Bruce A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5360303
    Abstract: A nut lock or locking cap secures a nut on a bolt so that the nut cannot loosen itself and so that the nut cannot fall off the bolt. For this purpose the nut lock has a first ring section that at least partially surrounds the bolt and a second ring section that at least partially surrounds the nut. The two ring sections are interconnected by a radially extending flange, whereby the first ring section has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the second ring section. The first ring section has at least one through-hole that can be aligned with a cross-bore in the bolt for the insertion of a locking pin. The second ring section has radially inwardly facing profiled surfaces that enter into a form-locking, force-transmitting connection with the outer profile of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Behrens, Wilfried Ellmers
  • Patent number: 5312139
    Abstract: A detachable locking device is described which consists of a pair of standard box end wrenches with shortened handles having integral ears on the ends of the handles with openings therethrough. The wrenches are designed to be retrofittably placed behind the respective connecting nuts on the line termination point adapter assemblies which are to be joined. The preliminary connection and seal are made using conventional means and the connecting nuts are torqued to near their optimum value. The wrench heads of the locking device are then positioned on the nuts so that a connecting bolt can be passed through the openings in the ears on the handles, a nut attached thereto and then tightened to hold and secure the connecting nuts together and prevent the nuts from loosening or seal leaking during the operation of the fluid transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Marks, Willard L. Hofer
  • Patent number: 5297693
    Abstract: A closure member for sealing an opening for a cavity in a housing to prevent fluid from being communicated to the surrounding environment. The closure member has a shaft with an end member having a irregular radial surface thereon. A first torque is applied to the irregular surface to move threads into corresponding threads in the housing to join the closure member to the housing. A self locking fastener has as stem with threads that extend from a head that engages the housing when a second torque is applied to the head. A washer retained on the stem engages the irregular surface and deforms as the second torque is applied to the head. The deformation prevents relative rotation to thereafter occur between the closure member and housing to assure that the opening in the cavity remains sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Russell C. Perkey
  • Patent number: 5222768
    Abstract: A detachable locking device is described which consists of a pair of standard box end wrenches with shortened handles having integral ears on the ends of the handles with openings therethrough. The wrenches are first placed behind the respective connecting nuts on the line termination point adapter assemblies which are to be joined. The preliminary connection and seal is then made using conventional methods and the connecting nuts are torqued to near their optimum value. The box end wrenches of the locking device are then positioned on the nuts so that a connecting bolt can be passed through the openings in the ears on the handles, a nut attached thereto and then tightened to hold and secure the connecting nuts together and prevent the nuts from loosening or seal leaking during the operation of the fluid transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willard L. Hofer, Ernest E. Marks, Nathan P. Lee
  • Patent number: 5080544
    Abstract: An improved locknut assembly for mounting on a shaft includes a first member for engagement with the shaft to provide a predetermined torque force. A second member extends over both the shaft and the first member and can be removably mounted on the first member for fixing it to the shaft. The first and second members are complementarily configured to permit relative adjustment to accommodate the desired predetermined torque force and to accommodate a member for securing the first and second members together in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Shur-Lok Insternational, S.A.
    Inventor: Rene M. Bruyere
  • Patent number: 4971289
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve having a housing and a valve element disposed in the housing and movable between closed and open positions, the valve element having a nut portion and a wing portion, the nut portion projecting out of the housing and having a cross-sectional configuration such that a tool may be applied for turning the valve element between the closed and open positions, the wing portion being movable between a first position when the valve element is in the closed position and a second position when the valve element is in the open position, the housing having a wing portion provided with an opening therein disposed in lockable relation with the valve element wing portion when the valve element wing portion is in its first position, a barrel lock removably mountable in registered openings of the wing portions when the valve element wing portion is in its first position whereby the valve element will be locked in the closed position, and a rigid member having first means cooperable with the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene E. Pietras
  • Patent number: 4940374
    Abstract: An anti-rotation locking assembly for releasably fastening automotive exhaust pipes and exhaust manifolds to an engine block is disclosed comprising a threaded bolt with hex-wrenching recess and a hyperbolic locking plate with hex-stud which fits into the wrenching recess of the bolt and is attached thereto by cotter pin or Q clip. The locking plate has a contour which mates with said exhaust pipe and thereby prevents the bolt from working loose due to vibration of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Roy L. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 4938644
    Abstract: A bolt lock assembly (40) and a nut lock assembly (60) are provided that respectively include a collar member (16) that is moveable in opposite axial directions in a counterbore (12) in an object (4) and is biased outwardly therefrom by a coiled spring (20). Counterbore (12) has at least one slot (14) extending radially outwardly therefrom and collar member (16) has at least one locking member (18) extending therefrom having a portion registerable with and remaining in slot (18) and a portion adapted to engage locking surfaces on a bolt head (6) of bolt (2) or a nut (24) when collar member (16) is urged outwardly from counterbore (12) to provide the locked engagement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas L. Runels
  • Patent number: 4906150
    Abstract: Locking fastener comprising a threaded part such as a bolt or nut and a lock plate which fits over the bolt or nut and is prevented from rotation by engagement with a stationary object such as a protrusion on the part to be secured. The lock plate has an opening with a contour which mates with the outer contour of the threaded part to prevent rotation of the threaded part, and the plate is retained on the threaded part by a retainer received in a detent opening or groove formed in the threaded part. In some embodiments, the retainer is a separate part which is free to rotate in the groove. In other embodiments, the retainer comprises a detent lug carried by the lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Bruce A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4737058
    Abstract: An arrangement for locking a nut on a spindle, e.g. for fixing roller bearings on wheel axles, comprising a lock washer with an axial pin, a lock plate and a lock ring. The lock plate has an opening with twelve corners in which a non-rotatable nut has thirteen depressions for the axial pin. The lock washer is disposed non-rotatable on the spindle, and for this purpose it can have an approximately polygonal opening for an axle portion of corresponding cross section. When the lock plate surrounds the nut and the axial pin projects into one of the depressions, the nut is fixed against turning. The lock plate is held in place by the lock ring which lies in a groove in the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Karl A. G. Callman, Lars R. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 4735533
    Abstract: A locking assembly for locking a multi-sided nut-like member in a desired communicating relationship with a valve body. The locking assembly includes a lock plate having a planar body portion with a locking opening defined by a plurality of sides oriented relative to each other in a closed, star-like configuration. The locking opening is adapted to be closely received over and communicate with the sides of an associated nut-like member. The body portion also includes an arcuate mounting slot spaced from the locking opening and which is adapted to receive a lock plate mounting fastener therethrough. A continuous side wall or skirt portion depends from the periphery of the body portion and serves to space the body portion from the surface of an associated valve body. Preferably, a lock plate adapter is also provided. The adapter includes a body member having a through opening which is received over a section of the associated nut-like member, and a securing member cooperable with the lock plate mounting slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Whitey Co.
    Inventors: Michael T. Gallagher, Ray D. Linderman, Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 4734001
    Abstract: Locking fastener comprising a threaded part such as a bolt or nut and a locking plate which fits over the bolt or nut and is prevented from rotation by engagement with a stationary object such as a protrusion on the part to be secured. The locking plate has an opening with a contour which mates with the outer contour of the fastener to prevent rotation of the fastener, and the plate is retained on the fastener by a retainer mounted in a groove formed in the fastener itself. The retainer is free to rotate in the groove and is free from stress due to vibration, heat or cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Bruce A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4657457
    Abstract: A locking device for securing at least two screw-action connectors comprises a locking clip or element made from a good quality spring steel wire having a round or square section. The locking clip or element has a diagonal interconnecting part which extends tangentially between a pair of locking elements one at each end of the part. The locking elements (for example, coils) are wrapped round or placed over a portion of a wheel nut. The interference/friction fit between the wheel nut and the clip or element prevents axial movement of the clip relative to the nut. The part serves as restraining means positively linking tangentially adjacent wheel nuts and thereby prevents relative rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Gerald C. Rickwood
  • Patent number: 4627305
    Abstract: A bicycle speed change lever comprising: a stationary support spindle having an internally threaded axial hole and fixed at its one end to a bicycle frame tube, a lever handle rotatably mounted at its hole end portion on the support spindle, a plurality of washers supported on the spindle, a clipping holder which has a pair of axially spaced, holed disk-like portions resiliently connected to a cross arm and which is non-rotatably mounted on the spindle, with the washers and the holed end portion of the lever handle sandwiched between the pair of disk-like portions, to hold them together by pressure, and a lock bolt having its threaded shank engaged with the threaded axial hole of the spindle for applying adjusted frictional force to the holed end portion of the lever handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Maeda Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 4613265
    Abstract: A screw-type fastener having a threaded shank and a head integral therewith, and adapted to be driven into a structure by axial rotation about its longitudinal central axis in a driving direction such that the head is countersunk, is improved by forming the head with at least two ribs protruding from the surface thereof and extending radially outward from the central axis. The ribs define a corresponding number of sector-shaped cavities adapted to receive a filler material for engaging the ribs so as to prevent the fastener from axially rotating in a direction opposite the driving direction and to thereby secure the fastener against loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Visinand
  • Patent number: 4534101
    Abstract: A method for installing a locking nut or bolt includes drilling a bore having at least two diameters in a surface of an element so as to accommodate a fastener assembly having a threaded shaft and a group of elements including a cylinder a locking ring, two retaining rings and a conical spring, serrating an area of the bore having the layer diameter, screwing the fastener assembly into the bore, applying a torque to the group of elements while suppressing the locking ring thereby engaging the locking ring into the serrated area of the bore, retracting an outer sleeve of the tool and tightening the group of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Rexnord Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Rosan, Jr.
  • Patent number: H32
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for preventing the rotation of a stud member during preloading. The apparatus comprises a stud member having a shaft portion extending into the member to be clamped and a hex or double hex portion carrying a locking nut. Extending outward from the hex or double hex portion of the stud there is a threaded portion carrying a nut which is torqued to preload the stud. Between the locking nut and the member to be clamped is a locking ring which engages the locking nut to prevent the stud from rotating during preloading.Also disclosed is a method of preloading a stud without the use of an external restraint to prevent the stud from rotating when a torque is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: John S. Kartik, William M. Richardson
  • Patent number: D305927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Whitey Co.
    Inventors: Ray D. Linderman, Peter C. Williams