Abstract: A bolt fastener includes a plurality of fixing structures that are arranged radially around a receiving space for a bolt and are axially pivotable, wherein the fixing structures have, in the direction of an axial receiving space for a fastening bolt, engagement faces for engagement with a bolt and have, at diametrically opposite ends, bearing faces with which the fixing structures are supported counter to an outward movement, wherein bearing structures for the bearing faces are also provided, which cooperate in a supporting manner with the bearing faces, wherein the bearing face and bearing structure are dimensioned such that they disengage when the fixing structures are pivoted counter to the insertion direction of the bolt, wherein the radial spacing between the bearing structures and a bolt mounted in the receiving space is smaller than the entire extent of the fixing structures.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a garbage disposal on a generally horizontal support surface includes threaded shaft with a platform at a top end thereof. A manually-actuable knob engages the threaded shaft to raise or lower the shaft and platform with respect to a base adapted for resting on the support surface and slidably receiving the threaded shaft therein. An alignment tool used for aligning a split retainer ring for receipt in an exterior ring groove formed around the exterior of a lower peripheral of a sink drain fitting may be included that works with the threaded rod and platform to facilitate installation of the split retainer ring on the sink drain fitting, providing dual use for the threaded shaft and platform.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a fastener, a lock washer, and a lock nut. The fastener has a head portion, a threaded body portion, and a longitudinally extending flat section formed in the threaded body portion. The lock washer has an upper surface and a circumferential surface extending therefrom. The circumferential surface includes an array of radially-extending ratchet teeth. The lock washer also has an aperture with a flat inner surface configured to engage the flat section of the fastener and rotationally fix the lock washer. The lock nut has an upper surface and a peripheral outer surface extending therefrom and defining an axially-extending recessed portion. The upper surface includes an integrally-formed pawl arm having a tapered inner surface defining a tapered slot between the pawl arm and the lock nut in axial alignment with the recessed portion. The pawl arm includes a pawl tooth for engagement with the array of ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A clutch for use in a hi-hat percussion assembly is disclosed. The clutch can included a threaded bolt that includes slots, and a nut that includes an indexing means such as a plunger. An elastic holding means can be used to exert pressure on the indexing means, such as when the indexing means is rigid, for example. The plunger can be configured to engage a slot upon rotation of the nut to lock the nut into place. While in a locked position, unwanted displacement of the nut, including rotational displacement that may be caused by forceful and rapid movements of a drummer, can be reduced, prevented, and/or eliminated. Using a force greater than that required to simply turn the nut while in an unlocked position, the nut can be rotated to disengage the plunger from the slot and return the nut to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A fastening device including a fastener having a head portion and an elongated threaded body portion extending axially from the head portion. The threaded body portion includes opposing flat sections. A lock washer has a lower surface with an array of radially extending engagement teeth. The lock washer also defines an axial aperture for receiving the fastener. The axial aperture has two flat inner surfaces for cooperating with the two flat sections of the threaded body portion to prevent relative rotation of the washer and threaded body portion. A threaded lock nut mates with the threaded body portion. The lock nut has an upper surface with at least one cantilevered pawl members for ratcheted engagement with the array of radially extending engagement teeth of the lock washer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread clamping device including a plurality of movable nut segments around a threaded rod, and spring members flexibly holding the segments against the rod. The thread clamping device has a structure adapted to accommodate substantially planar outer surfaces of the nut segments engaging planar surfaces of the end housing of the device, leading to a more robust device and improved performance. Such a thread clamping device can advantageously be used as a component of a self-adjusting shrinkage compensation device, a coupler for threaded rods, hold-downs, among other uses. Various embodiments of the thread clamping device include a multi nut configuration, a quick release embodiment, and embodiments including mechanical or magnetic clip attachments.

Abstract: A self-locking nut includes a nut; a washer having a locking feature, the locking feature having a plurality of ridges; and at least one locking tab for slidably coupling the nut to the washer and engaging with the locking feature to resist rotation of the nut with respect to the washer.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a shaft mountable gear reduction drive in which a driven shaft is coupled with reduction gears by a hollow intermediate output shaft. The output shaft is journaled within the gearbox and has a tapered axial passage for receiving one end of the generally cylindrical driven shaft. A tapered bushing is wedged into the axial passage to interlock the output shaft and the driven shaft for synchronous rotation. A retaining nut is threaded to the outboard end of the output shaft and is rotated relative thereto to advance the nut axially along the driven shaft and forcefully lock the tapered bushing in place. In order to facilitate the driving engagement of the bushing with the output shaft and driven shaft, a nut locking apparatus is provided for preventing rotation of the retaining nut when the output shaft is rotated by the gear drive, and thereby drawing the tapered bushing along the driven shaft.

Abstract: A self-locking nut has an annular body, an axial threaded bore, and a hexagonal exterior periphery. A small bore is drilled through the body parallel to the threaded bore adjacent to an apex of two peripheral flat surfaces. An L-shaped locking pin has a base leg received in that small bore, and an interference leg projecting into the threaded bore for interfering relation with a mating bolt. The distal end of the base leg is provided with an outwardly facing recess, and this end is secured relative to the nut body by cold flowing body material into engagement with the pin recess. The pin is fabricated from Type 308 stainless steel welding rod having a uniform circular cross section.

Abstract: An anti-decoupling mechanism for preventing unwanted decoupling of an electrical connector as a result of vibration. The decoupling mechanism includes a one-piece gull-shaped spring (400) mounted to a connector coupling ring (300). The spring (400) includes a central portion (410) having an arcuate groove (411) formed thereon and a pair of wing members (420, 430) extending outwardly therefrom, the arcuate portion being secured in place by a pin (600) interference fit through a hole (331) disposed in the coupling ring. Each wing member includes first and second strips in superposed relation and a medial enlargement or tooth member (440) projecting radially inward from a forward surface of one of the strips and adapted to engage ratchet teeth (141) disposed on one of the connectors, the wings biasing the tooth against the ratchet teeth to increase anti-decoupling torque.