Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a threaded bolt and a locking nut assembly. The threaded bolt includes at least one longitudinal groove. The locking nut assembly includes a nut adapted to threadingly engage the bolt, a locking ring adapted to engage the bolt and the nut, and a biasing member adapted to bias the locking ring. The nut includes a threaded bore dimensioned to receive the bolt and a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the nut. The locking ring includes at least one inwardly protruding tab dimensioned to be received by the at least one longitudinal groove of the threaded bolt and a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the ring. The teeth on the face of the locking ring cooperate with the teeth on the face of the nut to inhibit removal of the nut from the bolt after the nut has been tightened. A method for manufacturing the fastener assembly and a tool for use with the fastener assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A U-nut fastener assembly includes a U-nut fastener including a first arm member, a second arm member formed unitarily with the first arm member, a bite portion formed unitarily between the first and second arm portions such that the first arm member, the second arm member, and the bite portion are oriented to form a substantially U-shape. The nut includes a single helical thread having a proximal end and a distal end that are separated by a longitudinal gap. The U-nut assembly also includes a fastener device adapted to be received within the U-nut fastener. The single helical thread has a proximal end and a distal end and a gap disposed between the proximal and distal ends. The U-nut assembly is molded from a plastic material to include an anti-reverse feature that inhibits the fastener device from loosening with respect to the U-nut fastener. The anti-reverse feature is also adapted to provide a tactile indication to an operator installing the U-nut assembly.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a threaded bolt and a locking nut assembly. The threaded bolt includes at least one longitudinal groove. The locking nut assembly includes a nut adapted to threadingly engage the bolt, a locking ring adapted to engage the bolt and the nut, and a biasing member adapted to bias the locking ring. The nut includes a threaded bore dimensioned to receive the bolt and can include a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the nut. Alternatively, an insert ring can be received by the nut and the insert ring can include teeth. The locking ring includes at least one inwardly protruding tab dimensioned to be received by the at least one longitudinal groove of the threaded bolt and a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the ring. The teeth on the face of the locking ring cooperate with the teeth on the face of the nut, or insert ring, to inhibit removal of the nut from the bolt after the nut has been tightened.

Abstract: A tie bolt assembly for a log building has a coil spring that applies a continuous compressive load to force the logs together. Subsequent expansion or separation of the logs is prevented by a ratchet mechanism acting between the tie bolt and log.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a threaded bolt and a locking nut assembly. The threaded bolt includes at least one longitudinal groove. The locking nut assembly includes a nut adapted to threadingly engage the bolt, a locking ring adapted to engage the bolt and the nut, and a biasing member adapted to bias the locking ring. The nut includes a threaded bore dimensioned to receive the bolt and a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the nut. The locking ring includes at least one inwardly protruding tab dimensioned to be received by the at least one longitudinal groove of the threaded bolt and a plurality of teeth formed on a face of the ring. The teeth on the face of the locking ring cooperate with the teeth on the face of the nut to inhibit removal of the nut from the bolt after the nut has been tightened. A method for manufacturing the fastener assembly and a tool for use with the fastener assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A washer for a threaded fastener assembly and a threaded fastener assembly incorporating such a washer. The washer includes a body having a central axis including two opposed sides an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a central aperture extending between the two opposed sides. The body incorporates an engaging face for frictionally engaging a component of the threaded fastener assembly or a work-piece. A ramp structure extends angularly between the inner periphery and one side for interacting with a further component of the threaded fastener assembly to provide a mechanical connection therebetween for resisting unthreading of the threaded fastener assembly. The engaging face is associated with the other side and extends circumferentially about the central axis. The relative positions of the engaging face and the ramp structure with respect to the central axis is such that in use torque transferred through the engaging face is greater than torque acting through the ramp structure.

Abstract: A retaining ring apparatus includes a C-ring and a groove within a shaft. The shaft groove has a tapered edge at one side thereof and the C-ring has at least one tapered surface, which is disposed in mating relationship with the tapered surface of the groove. The retaining ring apparatus is disposed within a larger structure, which has at least one mechanism for applying an axial force to the retaining ring to ensure the mating of the tapered surfaces.

Abstract: A device for securing a sink bowl in a counter top wherein a base unit has an annular inclined planar upper surface with a central stud extending therefrom. The stud engages a channel fixed to the underside of the sink flange such that when the base unit is rotated the inclined surface increasingly bears against the underside of the counter top drawing the sink flange into positive engagement with the upper surface of the counter top.

Abstract: A self-tightening, self-centering fastener device having a pair of washers having cam surfaces that generate a wedging force. One of the washers has a raised, annular crown for seating in an annular seat in the workpiece.

Abstract: A self-locking fastener having a bearing surface comprising a plurality of sets of serrations arranged to penetrate a workpiece such that while a resistance to the loosening of the fastener from the workpiece is created the marring of the workpiece surface is minimized. Use of the fastener is particularly advantageous if the workpiece consists of soft materials such as cast-aluminum or non-heat treated carbon steels. Each set of serration, when viewed as a profile, includes a downwardly inclined surface, a relatively deeper serration and a relatively shallower intermediate serration. The intermediate serration controls the depth of the penetration into a workpiece.

Abstract: A nut adapter to be formed to hardly twist a pipe welded to a cap nut clamping fluid joint or eliminate the twist of the pipe when clamping the cap nut of the fluid joint, and a fluid joint having the nut. This nut holds a thrust bearing at a position of the nut, corresponding to the surface of the nut for pressing a sleeve when clamping the nut so that, when an unreasonable force is applied, the nut and the sleeve rotate together so as not to transmit a rotary torque to the pipe.

Abstract: A self-locking fastener having a bearing surface comprising a plurality of sets of serrations arranged to penetrate a workpiece such that, while a resistance to the loosening of the fastener from the workpiece is created, the marring of the workpiece surface is minimized. Use of the fastener is particularly advantageous if the workpiece consists of soft materials such as cast-aluminum or non-heat treated carbon steels. Each set of serration, when viewed as a profile, includes a downwardly inclined surface, a relatively deeper serration and a relatively shallower intermediate serration. The intermediate serration controls the depth of the penetration into a workpiece.

Abstract: A screw adapted for use with thin sheet metal. The screw has a threaded shank and a head with an integral flange. The flange has both radial and axial undulations which increase the amount of torque required to strip the screw. The undulations are formed at the outer edge of the flange and on the under surface of the flange and are adapted to engage a workpiece upon threaded advancement of the screw.

Abstract: A reversible lock washer having oppositely disposed cam surfaces adapted for use in combination with a threaded fastener of the type wherein a screw head or nut includes at least one cam surface arranged to engage at least one cam-engaging surface of the reversible lock washer, the cam surfaces of the washer being formed on the inner recessed ring of the washer body. The washer body includes an outer raised peripheral ring having a frictional surface formed on the opposite sides thereof, whereby the washer body is provided with a pair of identical cam and frictional surfaces, thus allowing the washer to be positioned randomly between the engageable cam surface of the nut or screw head and the respective workpiece which is engaged by the frictional surface of the outer peripheral ring, and wherein one arrangement of the nut includes two oppositely disposed reversible cam surfaces, whereby it too can be randomly positioned over the reversible lock washer.