Abstract: An implant includes a first plate and a second plate, a first wedge member and a second wedge member spaced from the first wedge member that couple the first and second plates together. The first and second wedge members configured to translate along the first and second plates from a first contracted configuration into a second expanded configuration. The implant includes an actuation member coupled to the first wedge member and the second wedge member. The actuating member defines a flange extending toward the first and second plates. The actuation member configured to move the first and second wedge members from the first contracted configuration into the second expanded configuration so that the first and second plates separate from each other.

Abstract: A fastening insert made of plastic with a T-shaped configuration consisting of an insert disc and a hollow cylindrical shaft fastened to the insert disc. The insert disc has a plurality of passage openings arranged off-center, at least one of which has an edge projection extending circumferentially continuously or circumferentially in sections, which is formed as toothing and extends on one side or both sides beyond the respective fastening side of the insert disc. This toothing ensures an additional form-fit connection or fixation of the fastening insert in a preferably fiber-reinforced composite material.

Abstract: A screw anti-loosening structure is provided including a screw disposed within a screw hole. The screw hole is disposed within a first casing. A screw groove is disposed within a second casing. At least one stub protrudes toward the screw hole of the first casing. The screw anti-loosening structure further includes at least one stub groove disposed within a side surface of a head of the screw. The at least one stub is disposed within the stub groove.

Abstract: A bolt compression limiter includes a Belleville disc that applies a load to a flange of a bolt assembly and a component that applies a load to a limiter positioned within the flange, the limiter being shy of the top surface of the flange. The load applied to the flange is a first proportion and the load applied to the limiter is a second proportion of the total load applied when a bolt of the bolt assembly is tightened.

Abstract: A self-locking plug assembly includes ratchet ring circumscribing body having centerline and shank having a threaded top portion. Flexible fingers spiral away from periphery of ratchet ring to engage polygonal sides of polygonal sided ring attached to body. Hooks may extend radially outwardly and downwardly from periphery of ratchet ring. Spring around polygonal portion of body rests on ratchet ring. Annular retaining ring snapped into annular groove in body compresses spring. Hooks may engage notches in the upper wall. Alternatively, hooks may include paws extending inwardly from downwardly extending legs of hooks and into the pockets and engaging upper pocket walls to axially secure the ratchet ring. Body may be borescope plug with a lower end of shank conforming to lower port opening in upper wall. Alternatively, flexible fingers extend outwardly from radially outer rim of ratchet ring and engage polygonal sides of inner side of polygonal sided ring circumscribing ratchet ring.

Abstract: A two-piece anti-loosening nut assembly includes a nut and a washer. The nut is configured to threadedly engaged with a bolt and has a main body including an annular outer flange extending outwardly and radially from an end periphery thereof. The annular outer flange has an annular flange surface formed with a cam structure. The washer is fixedly disposed on the nut, and has a lower ring surface facing the annular flange surface and formed with a cam structure engaged with the cam structure of the annular flange surface, and an upper ring surface opposite to the lower ring surface and formed with a serrated structure configured to bite into a surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: An unlocking device has a release lever that is connected pivotably to a carrier element and is in each case connected via Bowden cables to a catch hook for clip elements in a vehicle hood. The catch hook is moved by the Bowden cables that are actuated via the release lever, counter to the spring force of a spring element into an unlocking position for opening the vehicle hood.

Abstract: A lock nut system includes a nut threadably engageable with a shaft and a keeper having a projection configured to fit within a slot of the shaft to engage the shaft. A retaining member is formed separate from the keeper and the nut. The retaining member is receivable within a slot of the nut to engage the nut. A portion of the retaining member engages the keeper by extending into a keeper cavity within the keeper. The nut is lockable onto the shaft when the projection of the keeper is fit within the slot and the keeper is abutted and supported by an inner shoulder of the nut and the retaining member engages the nut and the portion of the retaining member extends into the cavity within the keeper.

Abstract: A fastener arrangement comprising a main body having a driving head, a central bore with an inner thread opening out into a front face of the driving head, and a collar, axially protruding from the front face of the driving head and being coaxially arranged to the inner thread. The fastener arrangement further comprises a spring element axially abutting against the front face of the driving head having a central through hole which is coaxially arranged to the inner thread of the driving head and a bearing element axially abutting against the spring element having a central through hole which is coaxially arranged to the inner thread of the driving head. The collar axially protrudes through the through hole of the spring element and into the through hole of the bearing element, and wherein the collar at its end facing away from the driving head, which end is positioned inside the through hole of the bearing element, provides a locking section radially extending outwardly.

Abstract: A gate latch system has a latch line operating sub-assembly, a gravity latch mechanism, and a latch bar. The latch line operating sub-assembly has a tube of a first length having male threading along the entire length, allowing the tube to be trimmed to length for gateposts of different widths. The system comprises lighting elements in handles and knobs to aid a user in operation.

Abstract: In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a support bracket to rail guide used for mounting and installing solar panels is provided. More specifically, the assembly provides a novel and improved nut with a serrated surface in combination with a t-bolt with a serrated surface that is capable of penetrating the respective oxidation surface layers of the bracket and the rail guide when installed. When installed, provides a mechanism for using the bracket to connect the rail guide to a flashing that is typically installed on a roof. An alternate embodiment of the nut also includes rotational and vertical stabilizing features that prevent the nut from moving along the bracket once it is secured. By employing the apparatus at various locations along the roof in a linear fashion, the rail support structure can be properly installed so that an array of solar panel modules to be installed.

Abstract: A structure for preventing the falling of a fastening nut of a portable power working machine that can reliably prevent loss of the nut while suppressing the production and component costs, allows for easy operation of attaching a nut anchor member to a cover, and can increase the maintenance property, suppress damage and failures, increase the durability, and reduce the size and weight; and a method for attaching the fastening nut to a cover are provided.

Abstract: A fastener assembly comprising a threaded component and a washer, wherein the bearing surfaces between the threaded component and washer each include helically inclined surface segments such that the clamp load exerted on the washer by the threaded component alternates between being increased and being decreased during rotation of the nut in a single direction.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a crush washer for a firearm that comprises a ring of material about a center axis having an inner surface towards the center axis and an outer surface away from the center axis, and at least one groove in the inner surface or outer surface. The groove forms: a first flange having an inner surface and an outer surface with a thickness therebetween; a second flange having an inner surface and an outer surface with a thickness therebetween; and a bridge connecting the first flange and the second flange, the bridge having an inner surface and an outer surface with a thickness therebetween. In an undeformed state, the inner surface of the first flange is adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the inner surface of the second flange. In a deformed state, the inner surface of the first flange is closer to the inner surface of the second flange compared to the undeformed state.

Abstract: Assembly including a component and a one-piece axial limit stop device intended to be placed in a bore of said component in order to retain an element therein, including an annular ring with symmetry of revolution about a central axis (I-I), and including at least one angular portion rigidly connected to the annular ring, developing in an arc between a first end, joined to the distal end of the annular ring, and a second, free end. The angular portion is in part movable from its first end, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the central axis (I-I), between a retracted position and at least one protruding position, being elastically returned permanently to the protruding position. In the retracted position, the angular portion is included within the volume of a cylinder continuing the outer cylindrical surface of the annular ring. In the protruding position, the free end of the angular portion extends radially beyond the volume of the cylinder continuing the outer cylindrical surface of the annular ring.

Abstract: A device for connecting a front derailleur to the front tube of a bicycle. The device is fixed to the derailleur and the front tube at a predetermined position and includes an adjustable rest for contacting the front tube and positioning the derailleur.

Abstract: A method of making a bulkhead fitting assembly may include joining a tube to a thermal shell of a mounting flange, the mounting flange shaped to be attached to a bulkhead and including an adapter; forming the thermal shell to have a portion spaced away from the tube to form an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell adjacent the mounting flange; and placing a bushing on the adapter such that the bushing completes a current path from the tube to the adapter, from the adapter to the bushing, and from the bushing to the bulkhead.

Abstract: Packaging for elongate objects such as a screw (20, 30) having a head (21) of enlarged diameter and a bolt part (23, 24) having reduced diameter. The packaging (1) includes a packaging sleeve that is open at at least one end and that is made of an elastically bendable material. The packaging sleeve has at least one upper insertion opening (2) and securely holds the head (21) of the object screw (20) in an axial direction in an elastically expandable clamping collar (5) that is adjacent to the insertion opening (2) and maintains the bolt-side end of the object at a distance from the inside of the plastic packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing the load caused by the insertion of a fastening device into bony tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a crown having a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions may have any desired physical properties, and function to obtain purchase in the bony tissue. Preferably, the crown includes an opening that is selectively engageable with a spherical head of the fastening device. The opening preferably comprises a spherical curvature that allows the surfaces of the spherical head and the opening to maintain flush contact, even when the fastening device is inserted into the bony tissue at a non-orthogonal angle. When the fastening device is inserted into the bony tissue, the crown distributes the load over a wider section of the bone, allowing the bone to maintain its structural integrity.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical component fixed to a base member via spacers by screws. The spacers are inserted in at least one of a first space defined between the optical component and the base member and a second space defined between the base member and head portions of the screws, and a total thickness of the spacers is made constant.

Abstract: A fastener assembly comprises: an insertion-extraction tool comprising a lever with a sleeve passing through one end from a front surface to a back surface and protruding from the back surface, a first ramp that circumscribes about one-half of the sleeve and a second ramp that circumscribes about one-half of the sleeve opposite the first ramp, the first ramp with a ramped surface that faces away from the back surface of the lever and the second ramp with a ramped surface that faces toward the back surface of the lever; and a wedge lock assembly comprising multiple wedges and a captive screw passing there through, the captive screw having a shank that passes through the sleeve of the insertion-extraction tool and a head on the distal end of the shank adjacent to the front surface of the lever of the insertion-extraction tool.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a bar of a hand-held motor driven tool, such as a chain saw, to a body of the tool includes at least one first engagement device, a cover portion adapted to bear against a bar such that the bar is arranged between the cover portion and the body, and at least one second engagement device is adapted to engage the first engagement device for securing a bar between the cover portion and the body. The second engagement device is arranged to move a first distance along the first engagement device in a direction of the rotation axis of the second engagement device for securing a bar between the cover portion and the body. The second engagement device is captively attached to a spring biasing member having an undistorted position and a distorted position.

Abstract: A screw fastener, for fastening a workpiece to a fixed member, including a screw having a head having circumferential knurling and a stem having a first stem portion abutting the head and second stem portion abutting the first stem portion, the first stem portion having a smooth surface and the second stem portion having threads; a fixed member having a countersink bore section for accommodating the head and a threaded bore section for engagement with the second stem portion, the countersink bore section having a larger diameter than the threaded section; and a plastic washer having a hole that allows the washer to engage with the threaded section and an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the bore; the second stem portion passing sequentially through the workpiece to be fastened, the plastic washer, the countersink bore section and engage with the threaded bore section of the fixed member.

Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a housing with an upper base panel and opposed end walls that collectively define an opening in which one or more lamps and one or more reflector panels are disposed. The lamps extend substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing, between bracket subassemblies. Each bracket subassembly includes at least one captive hardware fastener, which is pre-installed in the bracket subassembly and designed to be movable relative to the bracket subassembly only upon application of deliberate force with respect to the captive hardware fastener. While the captive hardware fastener is movable for installation purposes, the captive hardware fastener is not readily removable from its corresponding bracket subassembly. For example, the captive hardware can include a self-drilling screw, the body of which extends between two substantially parallel members separated by a third member, which has a straight or curved geometry.

Abstract: A fastening tool includes a nut having a short side that is shorter than a width of an opening portion, and a long side that is longer than the width of the opening portion, and at a mounting position in which the short side corresponds to a short side of the base portion, the nut is inserted into a hollow portion inside a structure (for example, a C-shaped steel). A male screw portion (for example, a bolt), which has been inserted from the opening portion, is screwed into the nut, and also the nut rotates inside the hollow portion, so that the nut reaches a fixed position which cannot be pulled out from the opening portion, and is fixed into the hollow portion through the male screw portion (for example, the bolt). The base portion includes a temporary fixing claw temporarily fixing the nut in the mounting position.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a male threaded fastener and a washer captured between a head of the fastener and a thread of the fastener. A terminal portion of the thread adjacent the washer is provided with crest depressions to thereby form material of the thread run out into elevations of the thread between adjacent depressions, to thereby maintain the specified major diameter of the thread adjacent the washer.

Abstract: An low-profile cam locking fastener assembly in which a locking nut is connected to a locking washer through a tubular skirt that extends from the nut opening. The skirt and nut opening are coaxial having contiguous inner surfaces that are threaded to receive a bolt or stud. The washer is mounted to the skirt so as to be rotatable with respect to nut as well as axially movable to a position in which cooperating cam elements on opposing faces between the washer and the nut are separated. The cam elements are arranged so that when the nut and washer are fastened down to a bolt or stud on a workpiece, the cam elements engage one another to substantially prevent the nut from loosening from the threaded bolt/stud.

Abstract: An article for retaining nuts used for secure attachment of an object to a supporting structure. The article includes a connector extending between a first housing and a second housing. The first housing includes a first nut retainer for a nut used to secure a first bolt passing through the supporting structure for attachment of the object to the supporting structure and the second housing includes a second nut retainer for a nut used to secure a second bolt passing through the supporting structure for attachment of the object to the supporting structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for assisting in the attachment of an appliance such as a winch to a surface (e.g. deck) of a watercraft such as a sailing boat. Fixing screws are retained in apertures in the winch by retaining means such as lock washers. The assembly of the winch and screws may therefore be produced at a location remote from the watercraft, the retaining means holding the screws against rotation during transportation and during fixing of the appliance to the surface of the watercraft.

Abstract: A roof bolt comprises a shaft for insertion in a hole drilled in a mine roof and a head whereby the bolt may be rotated, the head being offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft so that when the bolt is rotated by means of its head the shaft is caused to describe a circle of greater diameter than its own diameter, and where the offset is at least 0.08 inch and not more than 0.25 inch. Preferably the offset is from 0.10 to 0.16 inch. The invention includes a method for the production of roof bolts which comprise a shaft for insertion in a hole drilled in a mine roof and a head whereby the bolt may be rotated, the method being characterised by being controlled so that at least 90% of the bolts produced have their head central axis offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft by an amount of at least about 0.08 inch and not more than about 0.25 inch.

Abstract: The invention comprises a roof bolt and nut in screw threaded engagement, said bolt comprising a shaft for insertion in a hole drilled in a mine roof and a threaded portion engaged by the nut whereby the bolt may be rotated. The nut is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft of the bolt so that when the bolt is rotated by means of the nut, the bolt is caused to describe a circle of greater diameter than its own diameter, the amount of said offset being from about 0.015 to about 0.50 inches. Preferably the offset is from about 0.02 to about 0.25 inches. The nut may be releasably locked in screw threaded engagement with the bolt so that the bolt can be rotated by means of the nut and above a selected torque the nut will break out.

Abstract: A lockable nut system for use with threaded steel bar which includes a screw threaded nut for engagement with the threaded steel bar and a locking member which is slidably engageable with the bar. The locking member is adapted to resist rotation about the bar and is also axially engageable with the nut to prevent rotation of the nut. The locking member has one or more fingers to engage the nut with an end of the finger being displaced to engage the nut as a result of deformation of a finger actuating tab or a dished body of the locking member. The locking member may engage the bar by displacement of an end of at least one tongue as a result of deformation of a tongue actuating tab during compression between the nut and a second structure.

Abstract: A combination nut and washer is retained in a preassembled position by an annular pilot that extends toward the central hole in the washer to permit the washer to be rotated 360° with respect to the nut. The lower end of the pilot has a groove. A split ring is mounted in the groove to retain the washer in its preassembled position with respect to the nut.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly comprising a fastener having a shaft (12) and a head (14 or 114) and first threads (16) for placing the shaft (12) in tension to clamp a part (18). A threaded washer (20) has second threads (22) for disposition between the head (14 or 114) and the part (18). A torsion spring (24) reacts between the head (14 or 114) and the washer (20) for urging the head (14 or 114) and the washer (20) to rotate in opposite directions. The assembly is characterized by the first and second threads (22) being of different pitches and in the same helical direction whereby the torsion spring (24) continually rotates the washer (20) to maintain a pre-load on the shaft (12). To assemble the components, the hex head (14 or 114) is first torsionally loaded against the washer (20) utilizing the torsional spring (24) such that the components would rotate apart if the pre-load was removed.

Abstract: A tool mounting block having a forward surface and a rearward surface and a cylindrical transverse aperture extending therethrough opening onto both the forward and rearward surfaces. The tool has a tapered forward cutting end, and axially aligned behind the forward cutting end is an annular flange. Axially aligned behind the annular flange is a cylindrical mounting portion adapted to sidably fit within a complementarily cylindrical aperture of the mounting block, and extending rearward of the cylindrical mounting portion is a threaded stud. At the forward end of the tapered cutting end is a seat into which a hardened metal insert is bonded. To retain the cylindrical mounting portion of the tool within the cylindrical aperture of the mounting block, a locking nut assembly is threaded on the stud. When a tool is retained in a mounting block by such a nut assembly, the nut may be tightened to prevent rotation of the tool within the mounting block.

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.

Abstract: A locking fastener in which coacting ramp surfaces are provided on a nut and washer assembly to generate wedging forces in response to backing off movement of the nut which urge the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and the workpiece and in which a spring member disposed radially from the ramp surfaces is biased by the final relative tightening movement of the nut and washer so as to bias the ramp surfaces for movement in the direction to augment the locking action of the fastener. A torque control fastener is disclosed in which the gap between the adjacent ramp shoulders on the nut and washer is indicative of the torque and the damping force exerted by the fastener.

Abstract: A locking threaded fastener of the wedge-action type is disclosed with threaded and threadless nut members with wedge elements therebetween for wedging the nut members apart when the threaded nut member is turned in the loosening direction. In a two-piece nut, the threadless nut member has a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece and the wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction therebetween which is less than that between the flat inner surface and the workpiece surface. In a three-piece nut, a third nut member, in the form of a washer, is provided with a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece. The wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction less than that between the third nut member and the threadless nut member which, in turn, is less than that between the third nut member in the workpiece.

Abstract: A locking threaded fastener of the wedge-action type is disclosed with threaded and threadless nut members with wedge elements therebetween for wedging the nut members apart when the threaded nut member is turned in the loosening direction. In a two-piece nut, the threadless nut member has a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece and the wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction therebetween which is less than that between the flat inner surface and the workpiece surface. In a three-piece nut, a third nut member, in the form of a washer, is provided with a flat inner surface for engaging the workpiece. The wedge elements have engaging surfaces with a coefficient of friction less than that between the third nut member and the threadless nut member which, in turn, is less than that between the third nut member in the workpiece.

Abstract: A planar stress plate-buttress thread fastener assembly in which the stress plate's annulus has teeth formed on the perimeter thereof and pointed in the direction of the installation rotation of the fastener. The teeth are deflected downward out of the plane of the plate such that when the fastener is counterrotated the teeth will penetrate the fastener and prevent backout.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly in which coacting cam surfaces are employed to generate wedging forces in response to backing off movement of the associated nut or washer at the conclusion of the normal tightening operation, thereby urging the nut into tighter engagement with the associated bolt and at the same time removing and reversing the residual wind up in the bolt created in the normal tightening operation. Coacting locking means are provided on the confronting faces of the elements of the fastener which operate to lock up the elements following the backing off movement so as to lock in the additional tightening generated by the backing off movement.

Abstract: A cantilevered washer for a male or female threaded fastener having a conical seat portion including an conically-shaped seat for receiving the threaded fastener in such maner as to load the washer at an angle and relieve hoop-stress on the threaded fastener. The washer further has an annular ring portion including a flat annular base for mating with a surface of a part being fastened. The annular ring portion and the conical seat portion are connected by a cantilever portion which is inclined at an angle of substantially 45.degree. to the flat bearing portion in order to provide a low profile vertical displacement between the conical seat portion and the flat bearing portion, as well as provide a location for deflection of variable bearing loads.

Abstract: A locking fastener assembly for axle bearings and the like is free spinning during tightening and removal and is positively held against rotation after installation. The assembly is engageable with an axially slotted male threaded member and includes a nut with female threads and a flange end. A retainer washer includes spaced fingers formed around the nut flange for rotatably supporting the washer at the flanged end of the nut. The washer includes a tab received in the slot of the male threaded member permitting the nut to move axially but not to rotate on the male threaded member. When the nut is engaged by a wrench, the wrench releases a flexible and resilient locking clip to permit the nut freely to rotate. After the assembly has been threaded onto the male threaded member, removal of the wrench frees the locking clip and a lock finger is received in a space between fingers of the retainer washer positively to prevent further rotation of the nut.

Abstract: A vibration resistant fastening device includes a fastener (1) comprising a shank (20) and a drivable head (21), the shank (20) having a first handed thread closer to the head (21) and an opposite handed thread further from the head (21). A nut (2) is threadably engaged upon the first handed thread and annular washers (3 and 4) carrying first and second interengageable cam-faces are disposed around the shank (20). In use the opposite handed threaded portion of the shank (20) is threadably engaged in a receiving member (25) and the washer cam-faces (5) are clamped together between the nut (2) and the receiving member (25). The first annular washer (3) is fixed to the nut (2) and the second annular washer (4) is fixed to the receiving member 25, via an intermediate member (26), and the cam-faces (5) co-operate to increase the tensile stress in the shank (20) when the nut (2) is turned in the loosening direction under the influence of vibration.

Abstract: An improved fastener assembly may be used to mount a vehicle wheel on a hub. The fastener assembly includes a nut which is rotatable relative to a washer to enable the fastener assembly to be tightened without marring the wheel. The washer has an annular collar which is loosely connected with the nut by a retainer section which extends from one axial end portion of the nut. The nut and washer collar have abutting annular load transmitting surface areas. The washer also has an annular load transmitting and indicating section which extends radially outwardly from the collar. The load transmitting and indicating section includes a bearing section and a spring section. The spring section flares radially and axially outwardly from the bearing section. When the fastener assembly is tightened with a predetermined preload, the spring section is flattened to provide a visual indication that the desired preload has been applied.

Abstract: A resilient holding device comprising a looped helical spring or a closed loop of interconnected essentially circular disc elements confined to an annular cavity circumferentially within a threaded joint or coupling. By tightening the threaded joint or coupling such as to engage the confined spring, a latching effect is created that requires a reverse torque for disassembly that exceeds the torque required to tighten. Such a torque biased threaded coupling is particularly useful in oil field applications.

Abstract: A paper machine dryer cylinder mounts a plurality of circumferentially spaced stud clamps which project from the inside face of the panel, each stud clamp constituting a slotted, arcuate body with a screw spanning the slot to reduce the diameter of a central opening within the body and to which a dryer bolt head is clamped to fix the panel to the end face of the dryer cylinder to reduce heat loss axially of the cylinder.