Abstract: A locknut which uses a U-shaped spring member that is mounted in a nut body that applies frictional pressure onto a threaded member that engages with said nut body.

Abstract: A self-locking screw wherein the self-locking function is maintained during many cutter head building and truing cycles. The inventive screw includes a self-locking feature having high elasticity and high self-locking torque. The screw includes a slot filled with an elastic compliant material.

Abstract: A dental implant assembly is disclosed. The dental implant assembly includes an implant having a bore within a coronal end, an abutment configured to couple to the implant to the coronal end, a screw configured to secure the abutment to the implant, and a gasket configured to seal an interface between the implant and the abutment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.

Abstract: A screw fastener particularly adapted to improve retention while minimizing mushrooming in fibrous workpieces. A single-threaded lower portion neighbours the pointed tip of the screw and a dual-threaded upper portion neighbours the screw head. The upper portion has a first upper thread that spirals in an opposite direction to the singular lower thread, and a second upper thread that spirals in a same direction as the singular lower thread. The lower thread includes a plurality of thread turns that share a same major thread diameter while axially spanning multiple areas of the lower portion of the shaft that vary in diameter, including a bulged area, a reduced upper area of lesser shaft diameter than the bulged area at a location between the bulged area and the head, and a downwardly tapered lower area at which the diameter of the shaft narrows from the bulged area toward the pointed tip.

Abstract: A pin is used in a working surface of an element of heavy machinery. The heavy machinery element includes a first side, a second side, a bore formed though the working surface from the first side to the second side, and a helical groove extending from the first side to the second side and terminating with a lateral cavity extending into the working surface from the groove. The pin has a shank, a head on the shank, a blade projecting laterally from the head, and a pawl carried in the blade. The pawl allows rotation of the pin in the bore in a first direction and prevents rotation of the pin in the bore in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spinous process implant and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes a spacer that is connectable to two extensions. One of the two extensions is connectable to the spacer at a first end and coupled to the spacer by a rotational connection. The other of the two extensions is movably connectable to the second end of the spacer and translatable over the outer surface of the spacer from the second end.

Abstract: A spinal construct includes at least one tether extending between a first end connectable with a first fastener connected with spinal tissue and a second end connectable with a second fastener connected with spinal tissue. The at least one tether has a tension between the fasteners. A ratchet is engagable with the at least one tether to adjust the tension. Systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; the shaft includes a threaded non-deformable material interspersed with at least one portion of a threaded deformable material.

Abstract: A device for joining a plastic part to a second part with an insert adapted to thread into the plastic part. The insert includes a longitudinal body with outer threads, a hole in the longitudinal body with female threads, and an annular flange. Protrusions and recesses on the bottom of the annular flange alternate in a radial pattern. The insert is threaded into an opening in the plastic part. The protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the plastic part to resist over rotation of the insert. The opening in the plastic part may include a hole and a counter bore portion. The counter bore includes protrusions and recesses. The protrusions and recesses alternate in a radial pattern. When the insert is threaded into the opening, the protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the protrusions and recesses of the plastic part and resist over rotation.

Abstract: A thread-cutting screw (1) serves for being screwed into the bore-hole wall (1a) of a bore-hole (1b). It comprises a substantially cylindrical core (2) of metal which has a central longitudinal axis (4), a thread (5) forming one piece with the core (2), and at least one cutting element (6, 7), disposed within the thread (5), for cutting engagement with the bore-hole wall. The core (2) consists of a metal of a carbon content between 0 and 0.5 percent by weight. The at least one cutting element (6, 7) is fixedly connected with the core (2), constituting a welded structure of a metal with a carbon content greater than 0.8 percent by weight. Being safely connected to the core (2), the cutting elements (6, 7) offer efficient cutting operation, with any risk of brittle fracture of the screw (1) being precluded.

Abstract: A shippable in-assembly bolt having a head portion, a threaded portion containing threads and a gripper portion, wherein the gripper portion preferably comprises a grooved structure and an o-ring. The o-ring is intended to sit between the inner wall of a clearance hole in an assembly/subassembly and the grooved structure of the gripper portion. When the o-ring is in position between the inner wall of the clearance hole and the grooved structure of the gripper portion, the o-ring is in both compression and tension and acts to retain the bolt in the assembly during shipping operations. The invention can be used with any type of mechanical fastener, such as bolts, screws, pins, rivets, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an internally threaded prevailing-torque type self-locking fastener which employs a patch of fused thermoplastic material as the locking element and which satisfies the functional torque requirements of both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987). In accordance with the present invention the fastener comprises a metal body having a bore extending to its opposing ends, the bore having a threaded surface; a patch of polymeric material applied and fused to a portion of the threaded surface; and the fastener meeting the prevailing-torque characteristics specified in both IFI 100/107 (1987) and IFI 101 (1987).

Abstract: A fastening assembly for fastening a first member to a second member comprising at least one threaded fastener having a head at one end thereof, the head having engagement surfaces for a tool, a threaded shank, the other end of the shank having engagement surfaces for a tool, at least one receiving bore in the first member into which the threaded shank is threaded in a pre-mounted state from one end thereof, with the head being spaced from the associated surface of the first member, the second member being preferably of thin sheet material and having at least one elongated opening, the opening having a first portion adapted to allow the entrance of head and a smaller portion adapted to accommodate the shank while the head grips behind the edge of the opening.

Abstract: A screw with a threaded shaft which has a slot running lengthwise dividing the threaded shaft into two shaft halves. A deformable mass is provided in the slot and fills the slot. This mass prevents the screw threaded into a threaded hole or application-related cored hole from loosening by itself.

Abstract: A new plug is formed with a diametrical slot in the interior threaded end and an axial through hole. A spring unit is positioned in the through hole and slot. The spring unit is formed with a diametral slot that extends from the interior end of the plug well down into the post portion of the spring unit and therefore into the through hole. The spring unit is assembled to the plug prior to heat treatment of the spring unit. Fixturing of the spring unit determines the spring rate of the unit and, in combination with the fit of the spring unit in the slot and through hole, the amount of live contact of the unit with the threads of the hole into which the plug is to be threaded. The holding torque of the plug is thereby determined. The new plug eliminates the present need for external capture devices or stainless steel wires through holes in the plug exterior in aircraft applications.

Abstract: A self retaining nut which has an aperture with internal threads positioned within the aperture, and a longitudinal slot intersect at least some of the internal threads. A bowed spring is positioned within the slot and is compressed as the nut is placed on a bolt to retain the nut on a bolt.

Abstract: An RF connector includes a shell that forms a cavity with the shell including external threads having a recessed portion therein which does not extend into the cavity so as not to cause a disruption in a signal transmitted through the connector. A locking slug is secured within the recessed portion for example by using an adhesive. The locking slug increases friction between the external threads and complementary internal threads of an interface plug to prevent the RF connector from loosening from the interface plug.

Abstract: A self retaining fastener which comprises a threaded bolt with an hexagonal head and threaded shaft with a longitudinal groove formed therein. An arcuate spring member is secured in the groove and protrudes slightly outward from the threaded shaft of the bolt to provide frictional force against the inner surface of a bore. A further embodiment of the invention provides a threaded shaft cut into segments by one or more diametrical slots. The segmented portion of the shaft is biased outward to a diameter slightly greater than that of the unsegmented portion, providing resilient frictional force when inserted into an appropriately sized bore.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for a mowing apparatus having at least two guards. Each guard includes a guard body, a tine, and a knife slot for receiving a knife section. A connecting web connects the two guards. An upper trashbar is fixed between the two guards above the knife section. Extending from the upper trashbar is a hold-down member movable into contact with the knife section.

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.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a member provided with an external screw thread, which at least in the end portion of the screw thread is provided with at least one plastic part for at least partially covering the same and/or at least partially replacing the same.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a fastener having a threaded shank and a head, the head having upper and lower surfaces and depending integrally from the lower surface of the head, the lower surface including a channel concentric relative to the shank. The shank of the fastener includes its first channel extending along a length and a second channel also extending along a length of the shank. Within the first shank channel is provided a bonding base material, and within the second shank channel is provided a bonding activator material. Rotation of the fastener within a medium to be fastened will cause an extrusion of the bonding base and activator materials into the annular channel in which a curing reaction therebetween will occur, effectively bonding the lower surface of the fastener head to an exterior surface of the medium to be fastened.

Abstract: A fastening system includes a bolt having a threaded shank and a head having upper and lower bases, the shank extending integrally from the lower base of the head, the lower base provided with a concentric function-facilitating material reservoir channel and the lateral surface of the threaded shank also provided with a function-facilitating reservoir channel, each of the channels provided with a function-facilitating material selected from a bonding agent, a friction-inducing agent, a lubricant, a sealing agent such as a caulking compound, a resilience-providing agent, or combinations of such materials.

Abstract: A locking screw for connecting first and second closing lugs. The first closing lug has an unthreaded through bore and the second closing lug has a tapped bore open to the unthreaded bore. The locking screw has a head to bear on the first closing lug, a screw-threaded shank, to be screwed into the tapped bore, and a neck disposed between and recessed from the head and the shank. The neck is surrounded by a plastic ring, which protrudes from the shank and frictionally engages the unthreaded through bore. The shank has an unthreaded portion adjoining the plastic ring.

Abstract: An elongate fastener having an engaging surface engageable with an engaging surface of a fastener's mate includes a hole extending through a portion of the fastener and having a top opening and a bottom floor, a locking pellet disposed near the bottom floor, a discharge channel communicating between the pellet and through the engaging surface of the fastener and opening out toward the engaging surface of the fastener's mate, and an impact pin in the hole having a top portion protruding through the top opening and a bottom portion near the locking pellet, whereby the pin drives the locking pellet through the discharge channel against the engaging surfaces of the fastener and the fastener's mate whereby to lock the fastener against the fastener's mate.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut having a central bore therethrough, wherein a portion of the central bore is threaded to cooperatively engage a lead screw. A free floating insert is disposed in a radial aperture in the anti-backlash nut, such that a threaded inner surface of the insert contacts the lead screw. The threaded insert may be radially biased or offset such that the threads of the nut body and the threads of the insert engage opposing faces of the lead screw threads to provide accurate and reliable motion of the anti-backlash nut upon relative rotation of the lead screw.

Abstract: A threaded fastener in the form of a bolt or screw for recutting damaged threads during installation in a previously threaded bore or for cutting threads in a non-threaded bore. The fastener comprises a threaded shank terminating in a headed end and in a non-threaded frustro-conical lead-in end. A cavity is formed in the shank extending longitudinally from the first shank thread adjacent the frustro-conical lead-in shank end toward the headed shank end. The cavity comprises a slot of obround peripheral configuration having a planar bottom and a depth greater than the depth of the shank threads. At the end of the slot, nearest the lead-in end of the fastener, a radial bore is provided in the shank having a depth up to the longitudinal axis of the fastener shaft and a diameter equal to the diameter of the curved end of the obround slot. The trailing longitudinal edge of the slot comprises a thread cutting edge.

Abstract: This invention provides a temperature responsive self-locking fastener which includes a threaded shank and a threaded mating element both having approximately equal coefficients of thermal expansion and a temperature responsive locking member having a coefficient of thermal expansion different than that of the threaded shank and the mating element. The locking member expands relative to the threaded shank and the mating element at the operating temperature to prevent disengagement of the locking fastener. At the installation temperature, the locking fastener can be easily installed or removed even after one or more cycles between the operating and the installation temperature.

Abstract: A screw includes a drill point formed on a root portion of a threaded shank of the screw having a plurality of helix flutes helically formed in the screw emerging from the drill point through the threaded shank and a plurality of packing rings annularly secured on the shank so as for a firm fixation of the screw in a wall or article to be fastened without being pre-drilled by a drill tool.

Abstract: Threaded fasteners adapted to be preliminarily inserted in bore holes of assemblies are modified to prevent their dislodgement by placing an elastic, plastic material on the fastener shaft in an amount sufficient to protrude outwardly from the shaft far enough to frictionally engage the wall of the bore hole into which the fastener is to be inserted. In a preferred embodiment, a polyamide plastic is placed on the shaft of the fastener in the region of the threaded portion thereof.

Abstract: A self-locking, externally threaded locking nut the outer periphery of the nut adjacent the threaded portion thereof having an annular groove in which is positioned an elastic ring. Portions of the outer periphery of the elastic ring are deflected outwardly by the nut to form protuberances for effecting increased frictional resistance to turning between the locking nut and a threaded cylindrical body to produce a locking action.

Abstract: A rod-shaped tension member formed of fiber reinforced composite material is utilized as an anchoring rod in foundation and mining construction, or as a reinforcing member in concrete and prestressed concrete construction. At least, in an axially extending region where it is to receive an anchoring member, such as a rod, the tension member has a continuous helical thread formed of alternating ribs and recesses. The anchoring member has a corresponding thread so that it can be screwed onto the tension member thread. An intermediate layer is provided between the threaded regions of the tension member and the anchoring nut, and is formed of a material affording large plastic deformation relative to the tension member when slight stress increases occur at overload conditions.

Abstract: The metallic body of the nut is formed with a groove into which is inserted an elongate flexible compressible insert which may be rectangular, hexagonal or circular in cross-section and which may be made of, for example, nylon or a fibrous material. After use, the insert is removed from the groove, is indexed about its longitudinal axis to present an unmutilated face or portion and is then put back into the groove with said unmutilated face or portion facing radially inwardly.The groove may be continuous or it may be interrupted by an end stop in order to prevent movement of the insert along the groove during screwing-on of the nut; in such a case, the insert length is less than the circumferential length of the groove.An extraction hole, extending either radially or axially of the nut through the nut body into the groove, facilitates removal of the insert from the groove for indexing or replacement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nut provided with a locking element (4, 5, 6, 7), which by e.g. a screw (8, 9, 10, 11) can be urged radially against a screw thread. In order to provide a self-contained and easily releasable nut the locking element is arranged in a recess which, together with the element, is so arranged that at least a part (12, 13, 14, 15) of the element is deformed elastically when the element is moved against the screw thread. Thereby the element springs out of contact with the thread when the screw (8, 9, 10, 11) is released.

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.

Abstract: This invention provides a locking fastener in which a nut is provided with symmetrical axial slots extending inwardly from one end, a sleeve surrounds the nut and has ribs in the slots for engaging the thread of a threaded shank received in the nut, and a tubular member extends around the sleeve for pressing the sleeve into an annular groove in the nut for retaining the sleeve on the nut. The ends of a tubular member are bent inwardly adjacent the ends of the sleeve for holding the tubular member on the sleeve.

Abstract: In a ball head lock nut as a component element of bicycle head parts, a split clamping ring is received within an annular groove formed in a threaded, cylindrical internal wall of a substantially annular nut body; a deformable fixing piece, which has a diametrically extending slot formed in its inner end wall, is disposed within a radially extending threaded through hole formed in the annular nut body, with the slot engaged with a part of the split clamping ring; and a set screw is screwed into the radially extending threaded through hole to push the deformable fixing piece axially inwardly for forcible compression and deformation.

Abstract: An integral power steering gear with a spool-like valve within the piston is provided with washer springs to center the valve and self locking adjusting nuts for the springs. Nylon locking balls are positioned in radial holes to perform the locking function and are equally spaced around the nut so that the nut is maintained in the centered position for accurate spring loading at all times. Each of the balls is frictionally held within the mounting hole so as to be retained prior to installation. The balls are positioned substantially flush with the top of the threads of the nut. As the nuts are installed, the mating threads in the piston deform each ball providing full frictional engagement with at least one thread, and by bulges with the sides of adjacent threads. Bulges of the deformed ball also serve to stabilize the ball in the holes.