Abstract: A fastener system having a threaded shaft and a threaded body assembly. The threaded body assembly includes first and second bodies each having a threaded bore. A frangible member couples the two bodies together in an initial configuration. The two bodies are threaded onto the shaft in their initial configuration and, after one of the bodies has reached its final position on the shaft, the other body can be rotated relative to the one body and the threaded shaft thereby severing the frangible member and bringing engagement surfaces on the two bodies into bearing contact to inhibit loosening. The two bodies include recesses in their respective engagement surfaces. At least one of these recesses provides a space in which a stub of the frangible member is received when the two bodies are engaged together. The fastener system can be employed with the locking mechanism of an adjustable steering column assembly.

Abstract: A nut member has first and second end faces and corners, and is formed with a plurality of protrusions, each of which is disposed at a respective corner and each of which has a lateral inner face that extends from the second end face, and a plurality of recesses, each of which is indented inwardly from a respective corner and each of which is defined by a recess-defining wall. The recess-defining wall has a lateral outer face that extends from the first end face. Each protrusion is received in and meshes with a respective recess, and the lateral outer face is in face-to-face contact with the lateral inner face when two of the nut bodies are stacked and are tensioned on a screw bolt.