Spring Patents (Class 411/299)
  • Patent number: 10927880
    Abstract: A fastener assembly is provided and includes a fastener member and a washer member. The fastener member includes an end, an opposing head, and an elongated threaded body portion extending therebetween. The threaded body defines a center axis. The head includes a pawl arm having a pawl tooth and a flange. The washer member includes an axial aperture formed therethrough and a lock tab extending therefrom. The lock tab is configured to be received within a recess defined in a substrate member to rotationally fix the washer member relative to the substrate member. The washer member further includes a plurality of lock teeth. The pawl tooth is configured to intermesh with the lock teeth to allow rotation of the fastener member relative to the washer member in a first direction about the center axis, and substantially prevent rotation in an opposite second direction about the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Enduralock, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Hess, Tracy Hockenhull, Warren Moore, Armando Perez, III, Zoltan Kalman Furu-Szekely
  • Patent number: 9957996
    Abstract: A fastener for use in connection with a tubular boss has a shaft with at least one rib along the length thereof and at least one thread segment extending at least partially around the shaft. The shaft is inserted into the boss in first position, and rotated to a second position wherein the at least one thread segment engages at least one column formed in the tubular boss. The shaft can be integrally formed with a first molded part to be fastened to a second molded part with an integrally formed tubular boss. Various locking features for locking the shaft in the boss are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 9666973
    Abstract: A connector coupling that has a body, an inner sleeve receiving the body, at least one self-locking pawl pivotably coupled to the inner sleeve that is configured to toggle between first and second positions in engagement with ratchet teeth of the body, and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in opposite mating and unmating directions. At least one spring member is attached to the outer sleeve and is configured to bias the pawl. When the pawl is in the first position engaging the ratchet teeth, the inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in the mating direction only and prevented from rotating in the unmating direction and when the pawl is in the second position engaging the ratchet teeth, the inner and outer sleeves are rotatable together in the unmating direction only and prevented from rotating in the mating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventor: Erik Strahl
  • Publication number: 20100266364
    Abstract: The specification discloses a locking threaded fastener including a body, a coil spring, and a compression ring. The body is hex-shaped and defines a partially threaded bore, an external circumferential groove, and a passage extending radially between the bore and the groove. The coil spring is located within the bore and includes a first end angularly fixed with respect to the body and a second end extending through the passage and into the groove. The compression ring is located within the groove and defines an opening receiving the second end of the coil spring. The compression ring is free to move within the groove and includes portions that extending radially outwardly beyond the flats of the hex shape. When a conventional wrench is engaged with the hex shape, the wrench compresses the compression ring to prevent relative angular movement between the ring and the body. The “locked” compression ring thereby prevents relative angular movement between the second end of the coil spring and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: FLOW-RITE CONTROLS, LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6905297
    Abstract: The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DiStasio, Stephen G. Bowling, Carl Richard Stanley, William Kurt Feick
  • Publication number: 20020168244
    Abstract: The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Robert J. DiStasio, Stephen G. Bowling, Carl Richard Stanley, David Ruyl Luster, Irwin I. Silberman, William Kurt Feick
  • Patent number: 6350094
    Abstract: A present invention provides a locking mechanism capable of preventing a bolt from loosening. A bolt 5 has a head provided with a first part which comprises openings 511. A locking washer 4 is provided with a second part which includes outer projections 411 and a third part which includes insertion projections 401 on an outer edge. A taper piece 1 has a portion provided with a fourth part which comprises openings 105. The first part and the second part can engage with each other and the third part and the fourth part can engage with each other when said bolt 5 fastens at least two members 7 and 8 trough said washer 4 and said taper piece 1. Accordingly, the bolt 5 is prevented from rotating in an loosening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeji Shiokawa, Toshimitsu Nakagawa, Mitsukiyo Tani
  • Patent number: 6346114
    Abstract: Adjustable length element includes a first member having threads and a second member having threads. The adjustable length member also includes at least one protrusion on one of the first member and the second member, with the at least one protrusion being capable of engaging and disengaging at least one stop associated with the threads of the other of the first member and the second member as the first member and the second member are rotated relative to each other. A lancet device includes a housing, a needle holding member in the housing for holding a lancet, a biasing element for biasing the needle holding member toward an extended position, and a trigger for releasing the needle holding member from a retracted position. The lancet device also includes a cap for covering the housing and for positioning the lancet device relative to a skin surface, the cap including a first cap member having threads and a second cap member having threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Stat Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Schraga
  • Patent number: 6264411
    Abstract: The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DiStasio, Stephen G. Bowling, Carl Richard Stanley, David Ruyl Luster, Irwin I. Silberman, William Kurt Feick
  • Patent number: 6227782
    Abstract: A self-locking fastener assembly includes a male screw fastener and a related female component (such as a plastic workpiece) for receiving the male screw fastener; a locking element is mounted on, or integrally formed with, the male screw fastener and provides at least one or more flexible fingers extending radially outwardly. The flexible fingers engage the walls of a cavity in the female component. The cavity walls are provided with a plurality of teeth which reliably engage the flexible fingers to prevent counter-rotation of the male screw fastener out of engagement with the female member. In a preferred embodiment, the male screw fastener is a double ended screw having a lower screw end for screwing into a plastic workpiece, and an upper stud end onto which can be mounted a second workpiece, which is secured by a nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen Bowling, W. Kurt Feick
  • Patent number: 6217269
    Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed which can be used to selectively establish the amount of resistance to un-screwing associated with common fittings, especially those with high pitch-angle threads. Such a mechanism is useful in a variety of applications, including tamper-evident mechanical assemblies, child-proof medicine bottles and fittings under substantial axial loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: William Jentzen
  • Patent number: 6102639
    Abstract: The bolt, in the one-way nut and bolt combination, includes a head, a stem, and bolt threads on said stem. A longitudinal channel is defined on the bolt stem by a plurality of notches extending through the crests of the threads. In one embodiment, each notch is defined by a radially aligned surface and an angularly displaced surface. The nut, in one embodiment, has a threaded bore that is complimentary to the bolt thread and includes at least one longitudinal cut-out. The nut further includes a compressible tine extending into the cut-out. The compressible tine has a body portion and a substantially radially aligned distal end portion. The distal end portion of the tine and the cut-out defines a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat deeper in the cut-out. The nut thread and the bolt thread cooperatively permit a user to translate the nut along the bolt threads by means of one-way rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. DiStasio
  • Patent number: 6010289
    Abstract: The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines. The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face. The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. DiStasio, Stephen G. Bowling, William Kurt Feick
  • Patent number: 5980177
    Abstract: A fastener includes a threaded post and a nut formed with an internal threaded portion for threading onto the rod. A slot formed longitudinally in the post interrupts the threads and that is sized to slidably receive the threaded portion of the nut such that the nut slides freely along the length of the post. The nut is secured by sliding the nut onto the post until reaching a desired position, and then rotating the nut such that the threaded portion of the nut engages the threads formed on the post. The nut is secured into the desired position with an integrally formed locking tab that extends into the slot after the nut has been rotated onto the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Schiess, Harry M. Travis
  • Patent number: 5951224
    Abstract: The bolt, in the one-way nut and bolt combination, includes a head, a stem, and bolt threads on said stem. A longitudinal channel is defined on the bolt stem by a plurality of notches extending through the crests of the threads. In one embodiment, each notch is defined by a radially aligned surface and an angularly displaced surface. The nut, in one embodiment, has a threaded bore that is complimentary to the bolt thread and includes at least one longitudinal cut-out. The nut further includes a compressible tine extending into the cut-out. The compressible tine has a body portion and a substantially radially aligned distal end portion. The distal end portion of the tine and the cut-out defines a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat deeper in the cut-out. The nut thread and the bolt thread cooperatively permit a user to translate the nut along the bolt threads by means of one-way rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. DiStasio
  • Patent number: 5879116
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a self-locking machine screw which includes a recess in the body of the machine screw extending from the end of the machine screw and interrupting the outer surface as slots. The slots join the recess. A resilient locking member having threaded fingers is inserted into the recess with the fingers in the slots. The locking member extends outward from the machine screw thread surfaces so that the threaded fingers must be deflected when the machine screw is screwed into a threaded opening in machine structure to lock the machine screw in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Richard Criswell
  • Patent number: 5725344
    Abstract: A positioning device (20) which permits precise adjustment and retention of the longitudinal position of a screw member (30) within a threaded receptacle (22) in incremental detent steps includes the screw member (30) having at least one spring member (42) and the threaded receptacle (22) having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves (28). As the screw member (30) is rotated within the threaded receptacle (22), the spring member (42) sequentially engages the spaced longitudinal grooves (28) in incremental detent steps. The engagement between the spring member (42) and a longitudinal groove (28) retains the screw member (30) in a desired detent position, thereby resisting unwanted rotation as from vibration or thermal cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: G. W. Lisk Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank P. Petrella
  • Patent number: 5713708
    Abstract: A self-locking nut designed to work with a male thread's that have a slot, keyway or hole along their threads. A novel locking ring (13) placed in a cavity (23)in one end of the nut. One or more fingers (24) on the locking ring lock into a slot, recess, hole or keyway in the male thread and multiple projections on the clip lock into recesses (22) in the female component. By locking the male component to the clip and the female component to the clip the device locks the male component to the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventors: Richard W. Van derDrift, Robert G. Ullrich, Paul S. Turin
  • Patent number: 5704748
    Abstract: A machine screw has a recess in its body extending from the threaded end into the body. The recess intersects the threads. A tang slot extends across the end of the machine screw body. A locking member is in the recess and the tang of the locking member is in the tang slot. The locking member includes a spring which extends into the thread space so that, when the machine screw is screwed into a threaded part, the spring is deflected by the threaded part to releasably lock the machine screw in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Richard Criswell
  • Patent number: 5700122
    Abstract: A quick-attachment fastener has an elongate barrel and a plunger translatable in forward and aft directions in the barrel. A pivot pin in the barrel extends through the plunger and has an axis fixed relative to the barrel. An arm on the pin swings between a retracted position in the barrel and a deployed position where the arm extends from the barrel. An aft facing part of the plunger engages the arm so that a spring biasing the plunger urges the arm toward the deployed position. A forward facing part of the plunger opposes the arm so that aft plunger translation swings the arm to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: John G. Korpi
  • Patent number: 5538378
    Abstract: A self-locking threaded connecting device comprising a male component (11) with a recess locking thread type (31) and a female component (12) with a flexible thread segment (21). Tension from the alignment of the internal flexible thread segment urges projections (22) of the flexible thread segment into the recesses (32) of the recess locking thread and thereby prevent the threaded fastener from loosening and coming apart in response to axial pressure optionally combined with vibration, expansion, contraction or other movement. The projections and recesses are shaped so that the faces glide by each other and unlock with the application of adequate torque. The two threads are designed to work together. The female component when used with a standard male component without recesses provides resistance to inadvertent loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Richard W. Van Der Drift
  • Patent number: 5460468
    Abstract: The bolt, in the one-way nut and bolt combination, includes a head, a stem, and bolt thread on said stem. A longitudinal channel is defined on the stem by a plurality of aligned notches extending through the crests of the threads. Each notch is defined by a radially aligned surface and an angularly displaced surface. The nut has a threaded bore that is complimentary to the bolt thread and includes at least one longitudinal cut-out. The nut further includes a compressible tine extending into the cut-out. The compressible tine has a body portion and a substantially radially aligned distal end portion. The distal end portion of the tine and the cut-out defines a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat deeper in the cut-out. The nut thread and the bolt thread cooperatively permit a user to translate the nut along the bolt threads by means of one-way rotation. The tine is alternately flexed inboard into the cut-out, by the bolt threads, and then released when the tine is disposed in the longitudinal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: PermaThread Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. DiStacio
  • Patent number: 4475858
    Abstract: An adjustable threaded member for repeated adjustment to selected position in which a nylon insert acts against complementary threads to frictionally resist rotation of the threaded members. The nylon insert is in a recess, at least one outer end of which is enlarged to form spaces forwardly and rearwardly of the insert in the direction of rotation of the screw for the purpose of accumulating particles and a distorted portion of the nylon insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Schmelzer Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Benjamin, Jack E. Cheney
  • Patent number: 4347026
    Abstract: A retaining means is disclosed which utilizes a resilient ring placed in an eccentric groove which partially penetrates its supporting member. The ring extends through the support member and bears against the member to be retained. Thus a constant retaining force is applied to the restrained member which allows the member to be adjusted without first removing the ring. The restraining force is sufficient to prevent unwanted movement of the restrained member when subjected to a vibrational environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Peter Schelhas, Walter Schlott
  • Patent number: RE35937
    Abstract: The bolt, in the one-way nut and bolt combination, includes a head, a stem, and bolt thread on said stern. A longitudinal channel is defined on the stem by a plurality of aligned notches extending through the crests of the threads. Each notch is defined by a radially aligned surface and an angularly displaced surface. The nut has a threaded bore that is complimentary to the bolt thread and includes at least one longitudinal cut-out. The nut further includes a compressible tine extending into the cut-out. The compressible tine has a body portion and a substantially radially aligned distal end portion. The distal end portion of the tine and the cut-out defines a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat deeper in the cut-out. The nut thread and the bolt thread cooperatively permit a user to translate the nut along the bolt threads by means of one-way rotation. The tine is alternately flexed inboard into the cut-out, by the bolt threads, and then released when the tine is disposed in the longitudinal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Permanent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. DiStasio