Abstract: A lead screw structure comprises a screw shaft having a thread on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a nut unit coupled to the screw shaft such that and a thread formed on an inner circumferential surface of the nut unit is engaged with the thread of the screw shaft, and a first elastic member disposed on a portion of the nut portion, in a direction of the screw shaft, to provide an elastic force to the nut portion in the screw shaft, thereby compensating for a gap between the thread of the outer circumferential surface of the screw shaft and the thread of the inner circumferential surface of the nut unit.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a grounding terminal for mounting on a grounding surface. The grounding terminal has a top wall having a first mounting opening and a bottom wall having a second mounting opening. The second mounting opening is in alignment with the first mounting opening to receive mounting hardware therethrough. A first side wall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall at angles other than 90 degrees. A second side wall extends between the top wall and the bottom wall at angles other than 90 degrees. As the mounting hardware is tightened, the shape and positioning of the side walls relative to the top wall and bottom wall reduces the amount of torque required to move the top wall toward the bottom wall to allow for the mounting hardware to be tightened without the need for special tooling.

Abstract: Screw connection for a fixed connection of two assemblies which are mounted to each other in a variable position, using a connecting member penetrated by a screw. The connecting member is mounted between the assemblies by means of a self-cutting screw penetrating the connecting member and one of the assemblies, which screw is grooving its thread into both parts in such a way that, starting from a stable end position of the one assembly and the connecting member, the screw is adapted to be screwed into the connecting member as well as into the one assembly by means of thread grooves such that, by means of the self-cutting thread of the screw, the connecting member and the one assembly are held in a fixed position with respect to each other, and the other assembly is fastened directly to the connecting member.

Abstract: A method of assembling an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) assembly with attach hardware includes selecting a thickness of a load washer based on a target load to be applied by said attach hardware.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a connection, having an anchored, elongated tension member, a fastening member attached to the elongated tension member, a resisting member that receives the elongated tension member and an expansion device that receives the elongated tension member there through. The expansion device is formed with a sleeve. First and second bearing members are received in the central aperture of the surrounding sleeve A torsion spring connects the first and second bearing members and is located within the surrounding sleeve. The torsion spring biases the first and second members in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a connection, having an anchored, elongated tension member, a fastening member attached to the elongated tension member, a resisting member that receives the elongated tension member and an expansion device that receives the elongated tension member there through and is compressively loaded between the fastening member and the resisting member by operation of the fastening member on the elongated tension member. The expansion device is formed with a sleeve. First and second bearing members are received in the central aperture of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve. At least one of the bearing members is threadably connected to the sleeve. This bearing member can rotate in relation to the surrounding sleeve.

Abstract: Several embodiments of reactive biasing fasteners utilized in place of jam nuts and Belleville washers, providing for the storage of a pre-load and effectively providing a locking function to prevent unintended loosening of an associated bolt. The embodiments resiliently deform under load to store pre-load or live load energy. Further, the fasteners are adapted to interface with a self-reacting tightening power tool—thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for backup or secondary wrenches. Additionally, several embodiments, through the incorporation of a threaded bore, effectively act to minimize side loading on the portion of a bolt located in the bolt hole of a workpiece when in use. The resilient deformation of the biasing fasteners permits the live load to be stored therein. Accordingly, the risk of loosening of the bolted joint due to exteriorly applied forces such as, but not limited to, vibration and thermal expansion and contraction, is lessened.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener made compact on the whole and capable of producing a strong fastening strength. To attain the object according to the invention, there is provided a fastener for being fitted to a fastening member (B) while continually exerting a tightening torque to the fastening member (B) fixedly screwed onto a mounting base, comprising a torsion coil spring formed in a winding shape so as to be inserted in an axial direction of the fastening member (B) into the fastening member (B) and having a fixing end (13) to be fixed onto the mounting base (A), and a detachable stopper (2) for restraining the torsion coil spring (1) in a state of accumulating a tightening torque.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for making it easier to tighten and loosen the fastener in confined work spaces.

Abstract: An automatic, self-energized, length extending, take-up unit for general use in wall hold down systems. The take-up unit is generally installed as a separate element, independent of threaded retaining elements of a hold down system. One embodiment includes an internal, preloaded, coil spring to rotate a threaded sliding member relative to a threaded base member, thereby to extend a height of the take-up unit. A trigger mechanism may be included to prevent unintended actuation of the unit. Additionally, a safety mechanism may be included to prevent inadvertent separation of a base member and a sliding member, thereby to prevent loss of a preload in an energizing spring.

Abstract: An assembly including a base and first and second spaced-apart shafts secured to the base and extending generally perpendicular to an elongated aperture of the base. A carrier includes a first support member slidingly receiving the first shaft, a second support member receiving the second shaft, and an elongated opening extending between the support members and generally perpendicular to the shafts. The elongated opening of the carrier is for aligning with the aperture of the base and an elongated slit of a collimator supported on the carrier for passage of an x-ray beam therethrough. A backlash-resistant nut assembly is threadingly received on a threaded portion of the second shaft and secured to the second support member.

Abstract: An automatic, self-energized, length extending, take-up unit for general use in wall hold down systems. The take-up unit is generally installed as a separate element, independent of threaded retaining elements of a hold down system. One embodiment includes an internal, preloaded, coil spring to rotate a threaded sliding member relative to a threaded base member, thereby to extend a height of the take-up unit. A trigger mechanism may be included to prevent unintended actuation of the unit. Additionally, a safety mechanism may be included to prevent inadvertent separation of a base member and a sliding member, thereby to prevent loss of a preload in an energizing spring.

Abstract: A backlash-resistant sliding assembly for supporting a collimator. The assembly includes a base having an elongated aperture for passage of an x-ray beam therethrough, a first shaft secured to the base and extending generally perpendicular to the aperture of the base, a second shaft spaced from, and extending substantially parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft rotatably secured to the base and having a threaded portion and at least one non-threaded portion. The assembly also includes a carrier adapted to support a collimator having at least one elongated slit, the carrier including a first support member having a bore slidingly receiving the first shaft, a second support member having a bore receiving the non-threaded portion of the second shaft, and an elongated opening extending between the support members and generally perpendicular to the shafts.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a collimator of an X-ray imaging device includes a carrier which is adapted for translation in the z-direction along two parallel shafts. One of the shafts is coupled to a driver, such as a motor, by a backlash-resistant nut assembly.

Abstract: An automatic screw clamping device for automatically tightening bolts fitted in a metallic mount member, which is hard to nail includes a casing (2), a rotator (4) disposed in the casing (2) in a manner that the rotator may rotate and move up and down, a biasing member (5) connected with the rotator (4) and the casing (2), and a covering member for covering over the casing (2). Fitments are provided on the lower end of the casing (2). The rotator (4) includes an inner periphery having an engaging portion (41) that can unrotatably mesh with the clamped member (n), and includes an outer periphery with a locking portion (42) which is unrotatably lockable to the casing (2). The rotator (4) locked to the casing (2) is engaged with the clamped member (n) to press the casing (2) downward.

Abstract: An anti-backlash mechanism is described in the form of a pair of nuts or nut halves with internal threads complementary to the threads on a lead screw. The mechanism is traslated by rotation of the screw. One of the nuts has an outer cantilevered wall with inner gear teeth which engage outer gear teeth on the other nut. Rotation of one nut with respect to the other nut tightens or loosens an abutting frictional rotation-opposing resistance of an elastomeric washer compressed between the two nuts. The compressed washer exerts a bias force against the nuts opposing axial forces exerted by the lead screw against the flanks of the nut threads.

Abstract: A double nut thread friction locking safety cap device assembly consisting of several components, which are so constructed and assembled to resist the rotational effects of external forces. The resistance is achieved by the use and placement of opposing threads (right and left hand threads) with differing threads per inch and the containment of a compressed spring force and the use of the clearance between matching female and male threads. The outer cap nut and inner nut matching threads are axially aligned and the two are threaded together in opposite directions to compress a captured spring(s) or lock washer(s). This preloaded, three part assembly with matching inner female threads on both the outer cap nut and inner nut are axially aligned with each other is then rotated onto the threaded pipe end with matching male threads and is rotated until the pipe end is forced against a sealing surface of the cap nut or a sealing insert installed within the cap 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 liveload assembly for communicating a load to packing material through a flange member of a fluid flow apparatus while pre-stressing a stud holding the flange member with a different loading, in which a first set of compressible belleville washers are received on an open-ended sleeve of a stack guide and rest on a seat defined by a flange at one end of the sleeve, the stack guide and washers received into a recess of a retainer cup having a partially closed end which defines a threaded bore for threadingly engaging the retainer cup to a stud extending from the stuffing box and freely through a gland follower, whereby the first set of belleville washers, being compressed, communicate a load through the flange member to the packing material. A second set of belleville washers are received on the stud and rest on a beveled face of the retainer cap. A nut screwed onto the stud compresses the second set of belleville washers against the beveled face of the retainer cup for pre-stressing the stud.

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: An adjustable pre-load screw and nut assembly is described including a screw with external helical threads and a nut having two separate portions each with internal threads complementary to those on the screw. An adjustment nut and adjacent O-ring can be turned an amount sufficient to interengage the nut portions to urge them apart and thus establish contact with opposing surfaces of the screw threads to effect pre-loaded contact therewith to eliminate backlash when the screw is turned in either direction.

Abstract: A self-locking clamp has a handle which locks to a non-rotating member if the handle starts to turn while in clamping use. The clamp has a retractable collar which is splined to the handle and is biased toward locking engagement with a sleeve that in turn seats against the member to be clamped. The collar can be held retracted from the sleeve for tightening and loosening the clamp.

Abstract: A load-bearing member is positioned in a slot extending through a composite structure of laminated reinforced plastic having overlapping layers of fabric plies embedded in a thermoplastic material. A connecting means such as a shank of a bolt connects the load-bearing member with a second structure. The load-bearing member has a flat surface engageable with a flat surface of the slot which is generally parallel with the edge surface of the composite structure in abutting relationship with a surface of the second structure. The slot extends through the overlapping layers of fabric plies in such a manner that the load is distributed by the load-bearing member to avoid the concentration of forces which cause shear failure and delamination.

Abstract: A fastener device for automatically maintaining a tightening torque on a threaded structural member under stress which would otherwise become loose when the stress is reduced. The device comprises a first nut member, a second nut member axially aligned with the first nut member and a coiled spring connected at its opposite ends between the first and second nut members. When the nut members are threaded to the first and second nut members and the second nut member is turned and held, as by a stop means, torsional energy is stored in the spring and later becomes available to automatically turn and tighten the first nut member, wherever it becomes loose.

Abstract: The device has a screwthreaded collar 9 constituting a brake and trapped in a cavity 5 of a nut 2 with respect to which it is connected to rotate and axially movable in the cavity between an internally first position in which its screwthread 12 is in phase with the screwthread 3 of the nut and a second position in which the screwthreads are no longer in phase. The collar has splines 13 in its screwthread adapted to cooperate with splines in the screwthread 34 of a shaft 18 on which the nut is screwed so as to be immobilized in rotation on this shaft when the screwthreads of the collar 9 and the nut 2 are no longer in phase. For mounting the nut device, a tool is provided which comprises a hollow sleeve 20 defining a cavity adapted to receive the nut 2, an arrangement 29 for retaining the nut in a resilient manner and an arrangement 32 for maintaining the collar 9 in the first position at the inner end of the cavity 5 in opposition to the action of the second ring 15 when the nut is retained in the sleeve.