Including Movable Threaded Segments Patents (Class 411/433)
  • Patent number: 5609456
    Abstract: A locking nut includes a main ring having a threaded bore, a front end face at one end of the bore and a counterbore at the other end of the bore. Actually, the threaded bore opens into the counterbore through a recess which in turn opens out of a shoulder that forms the end of the counterbore. The main ring also has threaded holes which open out of the recess around the threaded center bore. In addition to the main ring, the nut has a secondary ring which fits into the counterbore and against the shoulder of the main ring. In the region of the threaded holes the secondary ring is relieved to the extent that it has a lesser diameter than the recess. The secondary ring also has a threaded bore, the thread of which matches the thread of the bore for the main ring. Indeed, the threads for the two rings are cut in the same machining operation, so that no interruption in pitch exists between the threads of the two rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Timken Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Joki
  • Patent number: 5598994
    Abstract: A device for engagement with a threaded post or stud, including a housing having a generally cylindrical axial bore with a top side and a bottom side for engagement with the stud from either the top or bottom sides. The stud engaging member includes a plurality of flexible tangs and can further include an integrally formed cable tie for securing a bundle of wires to the threaded stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Olewinski, James A. Brownlee
  • Patent number: 5580200
    Abstract: A coupling device including a first member provided with external threads and a second member having an opening therein into which the first member is inserted. The second member is provided with a plurality of movably mounted internally threaded elements for receiving the external threads of the first member. A structure is provided whereby the first member may be inserted within the second member by rectilinear sliding movement, afterwhich the first member is rotated into tight engagement with the second member. Release of the first member is accomplished by rotating the first member very slightly in the opposite direction, afterwhich simple manual manipulation of the second member withdraws the threaded elements from engagement permitting the first member to be slidably removed from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Robert L. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 5577872
    Abstract: The tightening screw of the invention comprises a screw member forming a female threads or male threads in the shaft core part, a flange ring fitted to the outer periphery of the screw member to contact with the object to be tightened, an operating ring for feeding a rotational force by fitting oppositely to the flange ring on the outer periphery of the screw member, and a torque transmitting member interspaced between the screw member and operating ring for transmitting the rotational force of the operating ring to the screw member. The torque transmitting member comprises a reduction mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the operating ring to the screw member by reducing the speed, and a unidirectional torque limiter for cutting off transmission of torque in the tightening direction of the screw member to the object to be tightened at a specific load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventor: Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5567100
    Abstract: A tightening screw in which a rotating ring is rotatably held on a flange ring, a screw member having female threads in the same pitch as the male threads of the bolt to be fitted, with the female thread diameter formed larger than the male thread diameter, is rotably held eccentrically so that some of the female threads of the screw member may be engaged with the male threads preliminarily, and the flange is fixed at the time of tightening so that the rotating ring may revolve the screw member, and thereby the decelerated rotation created in the screw member produces a large tightening force to increase the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventor: Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5558481
    Abstract: The self-locking quick disengagement nut has a bore therethrough which clears the threads of a thrust screw. On another axis, intersecting the clearance axis, a threaded bore has thrust screw-engaging threads. The nut is formed of two parts, lying substantially in opposite sides of the plane through the axes. The pivot pin lies closer to the threaded shaft axis than the major diameter of the threaded shaft so that the thrust screw urges the nut toward thread engagement without applying excessive bending to the thrust screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Joon Park
  • Patent number: 5551817
    Abstract: A fastener 1 includes a stud 2 and a nut 3. The stud comprises a shank 21 having a breakable portion 22 at a mid portion thereof, a resilient section 24 formed at one end of the shank, a nut engagement portion including a threaded portion 28 extending up to the breakable portion along the shank, and a flange 23 disposed between the end of the shank and the nut engagement portion. The nut comprises an axial hole to allow the shank of the stud to pass therethrough, resilient engagement pawls 35 on the inner wall of the axial hole for resilient-engagement with the nut engagement portion of the stud, and a flange receiving surface 37 to abut upon the flange of the stud. The stud is inserted into holes of panels with the engagement section being inserted first and the nut is fitted over the stud with the flange receiving surface facing the panels. The shank is then drawn to break the breakable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Kanie
  • Patent number: 5539970
    Abstract: In order to elongate and relax a stud, a first part which is movable only in an axial direction engages the stud, a second part is connected with the first part, a friction element is connected with at least one of the parts so that the first part has more surfaces cooperating with other elements than the second part, and then a holding force is applied to the friction element while an opposite active force is applied to the second part so that the second part is moved in the transverse direction and the first part is moved only in the axial direction to elongate the engaged stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: John K. Junkers
  • Patent number: 5484244
    Abstract: A threaded fastener with a shape memory alloy (SMA) coatings on its threads is disclosed. The fastener has special usefulness in high temperature applications where high reliability is important. The SMA coated fastener is threaded into or onto a mating threaded part at room temperature to produce a fastened object. The SMA coating is distorted during the assembly. At elevated temperatures the coating tries to recover its original shape and thereby exerts locking forces on the threads. When the fastened object is returned to room temperature the locking forces dissipate. Consequently the threaded fasteners can be readily disassembled at room temperature but remains securely fastened at high temperatures.A spray technique is disclosed as a particularly useful method of coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: MSE, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Glovan, John C. Tierney, Leroy L. McLean, Lawrence L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5467963
    Abstract: A solenoid valve is disclosed including a valve housing having a central bore and a valve seat, a valve element movable between an open position allowing fluid to pass through said valve seat and a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat, a valve operator for moving the valve element between the open and closed positions including a reciprocating armature plunger member extending through the bore and an armature secured to the armature plunger, and the valve seat when the valve element is in its open position without creating a path of leakage when the valve element is in its closed position. The armature plunger includes a threaded-end portion which extends from the valve seat for receiving a valve assembly which is provided with a top portion forming a sealing face and a bottom portion having a central opening adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the armature plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Crofts, Rodney M. Shurman, Gayle L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5468105
    Abstract: A tapered split nut with depressed by coil spring downward in a central hole of a outer cylinder body is installed so as it can move upward. A hanging bolt is inserted from the bottom while it is pushing said split nut up. Owing to the upward movement of the hanging bolt, the split nut moves downward due to a pushing movement with pressure by the coil spring, and the split nut engages with and bit the thread portion of the hanging bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Minekazu Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 5466106
    Abstract: A clamp nut 10 comprising a split threaded nut 12 for engaging a threaded spindle (not shown), a coiled spring 16 encircling the split nut 12, means 20 for holding the spring 16 tightly coiled around the split nut 12 and a cap 30, engaging the spring 16, which can be turned in a first direction (A) to tighten the spring 16 around the split nut 12 and in a reverse direction to release the holding means 20 thereby loosening the spring 16 around the split nut 12 and enabling the split nut 12 to expand radially to facilitate removal of the clamp nut 10 from a threaded spindle. The mechanism for releasing the holding means 20 preferably includes a cam surface 32, formed integrally with the cap 30, which lifts an end 19 of the coiled spring 16 off a set of ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bone, Kevin Stones
  • Patent number: 5459973
    Abstract: An energy dissipating connector for coupling first and second structural members together has a first attachment member attachable to a first rebar member of the first structural member and a second attachment member attachable to a second rebar member of the second structural member such that the second attachment member is slidably connectable to the first attachment member whereby sliding of the second attachment member relative to the first attachment member permits relative motion of the first and second structural members and dissipates energy tending to cause such motion. The second attachment member is preferably slidably moveable relative to the first attachment member by approximately 1/4 inch in either direction and the second attachment member preferably moves relative to the first attachment member in response to force of at least 90,000 pounds. The first and second attachment members are preferably attachable to the first and second rebar portions via screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Hanns U. Baumann
  • Patent number: 5454674
    Abstract: A lock nut includes a nut body (10) having outer (12) and inner (14) circumferential surfaces. The inner surface (14) defines a screw-threaded axial through-hole that can be mounted on an externally threaded shaft. A plurality of blind bores (18) is formed in the nut body (10), each blind bore extending radially inwardly from the outer surface. Those blind bores (18) terminate short of the inner surface so that a plastically displaceable part (20) of the nut body remains between each blind bore and the inner surface to close-off a radial inner end of the blind bore (18). Locking screws (30) are mounted in respective blind bores (18). By tightening the locking screws (30), the displaceable portions (20) are pressed against the externally threaded shaft to frictionally grip the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: SKF Mekan AB
    Inventor: Arne Eriksson
  • Patent number: 5451124
    Abstract: A fastening device is provided which is a variation on the conventional nut and bolt. The bolt has a longitudinal axis and threading helically affixed thereon along the longitudinal axis. A nut having a bore extending therethrough is provided. The bore of the nut has a greater diameter than the diameter of the bolt so the bolt can extend through the bore. An array of wire bristles are affixed within the bore so as to form a brush. The wire bristles extend inwardly from the bore and are constructed and arranged of the correct size, length and stiffness to guide the bolt within the bore and to restrain the bolt within the bore as required. A variety of applications of the wire brush nut are disclosed, including a bolt capture device and a test rig apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Richard A. Meigs
  • Patent number: 5447398
    Abstract: A nut includes a first half having a short shank with an internal screw thread therethrough and an external screw thread thereon and a second half with a threaded bore. The internal screw thread of the first half has a first pitch while the external screw thread has a second screw pitch. The second screw pitch has constant first and second radii. The second radius is shorter than the first radius relative to an axis of the first half. The first screw pitch has constant third and fourth radii. The third radius is longer than the fourth radius relative to the axis of the first half. The third radius has a length at least equal to or longer than the second radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Chiang
  • Patent number: 5427488
    Abstract: A threaded fastener has a casing enclosing at least three radially inwardly biased arcuate segments positioned to engage the threads of a bolt or hollow threaded member. The casing defines spaced apart internal frustoconical surfaces positioned to engage corresponding surfaces of the segments in the same axial direction. The radially inner ends of the frustoconical surfaces are directed toward a first end of the fastener, and the diameter of the radially inner end of the frustoconical surface away from the first end of the fastener is less than the radially outer diameter of the other frustoconical surface. The threads of the segments substantially fully engage the threads of the bolt or hollow threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventors: Robert L. Fullerton, Alan Virdee
  • Patent number: 5423647
    Abstract: A stud bolt clip is provided with a tube having an oblong center. Provided inside the tube are opposing first claws projecting from the inside surfaces of the long sides of the tube, and opposing second claws projecting from the inside surfaces of the short sides of the tube. The second claws are flexible, and the projection of the second claws is greater than that of the first claws. The gaps between the inside ends of the first claws and the second claws are smaller than the outside diameter of the stud bolt shank. Thus, the stud bolt clips can be positively secured to the stud bolts even when there is a difference between the stud bolt pitch and the clip pitch by absorbing the irregular shift of the stud bolt in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5387239
    Abstract: An adjustable length prosthetic implant includes an implant body and an axially received stem. The stem has a threaded portion and an end portion adapted for mounting with a bone. The implant body includes an end portion adapted for mounting with a bone and a tubular sleeve. The sleeve adjustably receives the stem. An adjustment nut is rotatably carried upon the sleeve for threadably engaging the stem to effect telescopic length adjustment of the stem relative to the sleeve. A jam nut is threaded over the stem and forcibly tightened against the adjustment collar to prevent accidental adjustment of the stem. The female thread formation in each of the adjustment collar and jam nut includes a wedge ramp positioned across the thread root for engaging the thread crest of the corresponding male screw formation on the stem to evenly distribute stresses through the screw formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Wright Medical Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Bianco, Roy S. Boggan
  • Patent number: 5378100
    Abstract: A coupling device including a first member provided with external threads and a second member having an opening therein into which the first member is inserted. The second member is provided with a plurality of movably mounted internally threaded elements for receiving the external threads of the first member. A structure is provided whereby the first member may be inserted within the second member by rectilinear sliding movement, afterwhich the first member is rotated into tight engagement with the second member. Release of the first member is accomplished by rotating the first member very slightly in the opposite direction, afterwhich simple manual manipulation of the second member withdraws the threaded elements from engagement permitting the first member to be slidably removed from the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Robert L. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 5377395
    Abstract: An externally mounted removable hardware assembly for a casket having a threaded bolt extending through a hole in a casket side wall. Inside the casket, the bolt threadably engages a nut which is snap-fit within a retention can. The nut has a longitudinally threaded bore therein and is formed from complementary nut sections which mate. An ejector pin is slidably mounted in a longitudinal bore in the bolt. The ejector pin may be depressed from outside of the casket. The pin slides within the bolt bore and contacts the retention cap thereby forcing the retention cap off of the nut allowing the nut halves to fall apart. Once the nut is dislodged from the retention cap and the nut sections have split apart and separated from the bolt, the bolt is thereby freed to be removed from the casket through the hole in the casket exterior wall without opening of the casket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Batesville Casket Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Maier, John E. Linville
  • Patent number: 5366331
    Abstract: A lock fastener includes a tubular collar having a plurality of protuberances extending radially inwardly from an inner surface thereof and adapted for cooperating with a bolt to retain the collar thereon. A lock ring surrounds an outer surface of the collar and has an initial inner diameter. The lock ring is formed of shape memory metal alloy effective for shrinking the lock ring to a final inner diameter less than the initial inner diameter upon change in temperature thereof to in turn shrink the collar for clamping the protuberances in locking contact with the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John G. Erbes
  • Patent number: 5340252
    Abstract: A quick connect fastener for attachment to an axially elongated externally threaded member by axially thrusting the fastener onto the member, the fastener having an outer casing including a passageway having a frusto-conical surface. A segmented core having four internally threaded shells is positioned within the casing, the shells having a frusto-conical outer surface and a cylindrical annulus including a standard thread profile. The shells include a groove at each end for receiving a C-shaped clip which urge the shells radially outwardly and toward the larger end of the passageway. A coil spring positioned within the nut casing at the larger end acts to urge the shells toward a surface acting as a stop at the smaller end which limits movement of the shells and counteracts a substantial amount of the tension of the externally threaded member. Raised keys on the surfaces of the shells are received within grooves in the casing so that the shells rotate upon rotation of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Bruce Weddendorf
  • Patent number: 5324150
    Abstract: A threaded fastener has a casing enclosing at least three radially inwardly biased arcuate segments positioned to engage the threads of a bolt or hollow threaded member. The casing defines spaced apart internal frustoconical surfaces positioned to engage corresponding surfaces of the segments in the same axial direction. The radially inner ends of the frustoconical surfaces are directed toward a first end of the fastener, and the diameter of the radially inner end of the frustoconical surface away from the first end of the fastener is less than the radially outer diameter of the other frustoconical surface. The threads of the segments substantially fully engage the threads of the bolt or hollow threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Robert L. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 5303894
    Abstract: A two part tubular wall or ceiling hanger mounted behind the same having means to determine the correct height from wall or ceiling and carriage bolts to fit square holes for easier assembly of the hanger plate or pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Eclipse Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Deschamps, Henry J. Macuga, Stuart S. Cox
  • Patent number: 5303606
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Kokinda
  • Patent number: 5297811
    Abstract: A journal includes a cap engaged on a steerer tube, a bearing engaged on the cap, a compression nut threadedly engaged on the steerer tube, an annular flange extended upward from the compression nut, a pair of fins formed in the annular flange, and a split ring engaged on the annular flange. The split ring includes two half appendages fixed together to compress the fins radially inwards in order to compress the steerer tube, whereby, the compression nut is fixed to the steerer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Yi C. Chi
  • Patent number: 5282709
    Abstract: The present invention is a separation nut for fastening and releasing a threaded bolt under remote or manual controls. The preferred embodiment of the present invention separation nut includes a housing, a base, a ramp which is fitted into the base, and a three-piece segmented threaded nut placed on top of the ramp and enclosed by a three-piece segmented spool, which is in turn bounded by a restraining wire. The three-piece segmented threaded nut and the three-piece segmented spool are held in place by a spring biased plunger. Anti-rotation pins are employed for preventing rotation of the segmented nut. A release pin is provided for inhibiting the restraining wire from releasing the segmented spool. The release pin is connected to a flexible shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: G & H Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale T. Chaput, Michael P. Edwards, Steven D. Swain
  • Patent number: 5252015
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Walter S. Davis
  • Patent number: 5248233
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism for an externally threaded part or element which can release without exerting a shock load to the structure which it assembles. The retaining mechanism has a spring biased shiftable ring which retains three threaded nut segments by peripheral surface contact on aligned external cylindrical surfaces of the segmented nut. The retained threaded nut segments maintain threaded engagement with a threaded part to form an assembly. The threaded segments are distanced from the assembled structure by a column of Titanium-Nickel shape memory alloy (SMA) material that has been pre-worked to an increased length at a temperature below its transition temperature from face-centered to body-centered structure so that the column will shrink in length upon the application of heat. A heating element is incorporated within or about the SMA column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Richard G. Webster
  • Patent number: 5230596
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved quick release locking nut for quick change type mop holders. The mop holder has a frame attachable to a mop stick and a clamping member for securing mop fill. The quick release locking nut is slidably mounted on a central shank of the frame, and has a pivotally mounted pawl which is biased by a spring. The inner screw threads on the tip of the pawl are engaged with the outer screw threads on the central shank, in order to lock the quick release locking nut on the central shank for preventing the clamping member from sliding on the central shank. When the pawl is pressed against the spring and its tip is disengaged from the central shank, the quick release locking nut is unlocked and can be slid on the central shank for allowing the clamping member to slide on the central shank so that the mop clamp can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred I. Morad
  • Patent number: 5228817
    Abstract: An improved lockbolt fastener system wherein the pin has a threaded section with at least one axial slot to provide an anti-rotation lock. The wall of the collar has a plurality of axially extending grooves extending radially outwardly from the collar internal diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: VSI Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Cosenza
  • Patent number: 5226678
    Abstract: A split gland having only three parts to obtain effective stability to relative motion of the constituent half-gland members. A large area clamping ring generates a clamping force effective to maintain the alignment between male and female mirror image half-gland members. Ease of manufacture and use result from the reduction in complexity of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Joseph J. Petranto
  • Patent number: 5221171
    Abstract: The present invention is a non-explosive separation nut for fastening and releasing a threaded bolt under remote control signals. A preferred embodiment of the separation nut includes a housing, a segmented nut, a locking sleeve, a rocker and two non-explosive actuator (NEA) assemblies. The segmented nut can split radially into three or more segments and has an exterior surface with raised ridges and alternate recessed grooves. The locking sleeve is biased by a spring and placed over the segmented nut. It has an interior surface with retaining pins which are engageable with the exterior surface of the segmented nut. The locking sleeve is engaged with the two NEA assemblies through a tiltable rocker. When neither NEA assemblies is actuated, the retaining pins of the locking sleeve are engaged with the ridges of the segmented nut, so that the segments of the segmented nut are compressed radially inwardly for fastening the threaded bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: G & H Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Rudoy, Leslie Kerek
  • Patent number: 5199675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nut circumferentially split into two parts, a supporting device for supporting elongate objects, the supporting device including the nut and holders for receiving the elongate objects, the nut being fixable to a selected position longitudinally of a rod-like supporting member extending vertically, and a clamping device for elongate objects, the clamping device including engaging portions through which holders are connected to the nut.The nut according to the present invention includes a pivotal connection for interconnecting circumferential ends of the nut parts to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and a retainer for releasably holding the nut parts in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Inaba Denki Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi DeGuchi
  • Patent number: 5197840
    Abstract: An insulation retainer is provided for mounting upon the threads of a threaded stud so as to retain insulation of various thicknesses upon a substrate to which the stud is attached. The insulation retainer includes an outer body member and an inner body member. Adjustment means are formed upon the interior surface of the outer body member and upon the exterior surface of the inner body member so as to permit ratcheting of the outer body member over the inner body member in small increments so as to accommodate various thicknesses of insulation to be retained upon the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. Peek
  • Patent number: 5186516
    Abstract: A power latching mechanism for use on automobile closures is disclosed, comprising a pin member, a keeper member having a hollow cylindrical body which receives the pin member, a motor for urging engagement between the pin member and the keeper member, and a spring and associated hardware for selectively retaining the pin member in the keeper member. In one embodiment, the keeper member retentively engages the pin member when the pin member is manually inserted thereinto and is also manually disengagable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Alexander, Allan J. Adams, Stephen P. Tokarz
  • Patent number: 5184806
    Abstract: A jack (1) has a flat base (2) attached to a support (3) at the top by a lever-operated mechanism. The mechanism is activated by a threaded shaft (5) and nut (6). The nut has a coaxial gudgeon (10 & 11) on each side. The gudgeons extend across the axis (22) of an interior-threaded section. The nut consists of two halves (13 & 14). The halves fit together at a flat interface (15). The interface parallels both the axis (21) of the gudgeons and the axis (22) of the threaded section (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: August Bilstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Willie Erschens, Franz J. Mencher, Peter Brosius, Klaus Grave, Bernhard Zender, Peter Schardt, Gerd Hessek, Ferdinand Alten
  • Patent number: 5161928
    Abstract: A piston rod, having a threaded end, is threadedly received in a split collar which is (a) internally threaded and (b) externally tapered. The collar is received in a tapered bore formed in a cross-head. The crosshead has a plurality of threaded holes formed therein to receive studs which penetrate a pressure plate. Nuts secured to ends of the studs draw the plate against the collar to cause its threads to fully engage the threads of the rod end, and secure the collar in place. The rod, of course, can be turned in the collar, threadedly to adjust its axial positioning in the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Waldo E. Burdick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5160180
    Abstract: A automatic locking and unlocking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture. The lock device of the present invention is adapted for locking a movable closure member relative to a stationary member, such as a vending machine door to a cabinet, and provides a quick open and quick close locking feature. The locking device includes a lock stud fitted with a t-handle at its outer end, and a nose portion inner end, the nose portion having a pair of opposed pin engagement ledges formed therein adjacent the nose portion, and provided with male threads positioned adjacent to and forwardly of the pin engagement ledges. The stationary member is provided with a stud receiving lock housing which contains a stationary cam sleeve, a rotatable cam sleeve which reciprocates relative to the stationary cam sleeve, and a coupling which is positioned anteriorly of the rotatable cam sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Chicago Lock Company
    Inventor: Mitch Mlynarczyk
  • Patent number: 5160233
    Abstract: A releasable fastening apparatus includes a connecting member and a housing, the housing supporting a gripping mechanism adapted to engage the connecting member. A triggering member is movable within the housing between a first position in which it constrains the gripping mechanism in locked engagement with the connecting member, and a second position in which the gripping mechanism is disengaged from the connecting member. A shaped memory alloy actuator is employed for translating the triggering member from its first to its second position, the actuator being operable to expand longitudinally when transitioned from a martensitic to an austenitic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: The United State of America as representd by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: McKinnis Darin N.
  • Patent number: 5154560
    Abstract: A self-locking lock nut assembly comprising working nut part (9) possessing a split annular sleeve extension upon which is mounted by springing locking part (10), which utilizes only the energy of vibration to translate counter-clockwise rotation of locking nut part (10) in a disengaging mode into a radial grip onto threaded bolt (6) through the split annular sleeve of working nut part (9) to prevent loosening counter-clockwise rotation of working nut part (9). The self-locking lock nut assembly possesses the capacity for a dynamic locking response to all modalities, directions and intensities of vibrational input to the degree required and proportional to the energy of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Benjamin Copito
  • Patent number: 5152651
    Abstract: A high-speed nut having two jaws capable of taking up two positions, one in which the central tapping is not engaged with a threaded rod, and a second in which the tapping is engaged therewith. According to the invention, the nut comprises two pieces (10, 11) which are hinged to each other about an axis (13), with pivoting of the pieces being caused by the front portion (15) of the pieces coming into contact with the object to be clamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Marcel Arteon
  • Patent number: 5139381
    Abstract: An improved slide-fit nut is provided for rapid push-on mounting to a substantially seated position on a threaded bolt or the like. The slide-fit nut includes a plurality of threaded nut segments carried within a nut housing and adapted for radial expansion to accommodate push-on mounting onto a threaded bolt. A cap plate on the nut housing includes cam members for retaining the nut segments in threaded engagement with the bolt upon rotation of the nut in a tightening direction. When the nut is rotated in an opposite direction, the cam members displace the nut segments in a radially outward direction relative to the bolt, resulting in substantial disengagement of the nut segments to permit rapid pull-off removal of the nut from the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Cinch Incorporated
    Inventors: Walter A. Lubreski, David Bettger, John J. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5137408
    Abstract: A fastening device comprises a pin-shaped fastener having an axis, and means for tightening and loosening the fastener, the tightening and loosening unit including one element provided with first connecting means for connecting the one element with the fastener and also provided with second connecting means, and another element provided with third connecting means cooperating with the second connecting means of the one element for connecting the other element with the one element, so that when a rotary force is applied to at least one of the elements, the elements are shifted coaxially in opposite axial directions and the fastener is displaced in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: John K. Junkers
  • Patent number: 5118237
    Abstract: A composite nut is shown which permits a fastener to be inserted or removed from either side with an indicator of fastener engagement. The nut has a plurality of segments, preferably at least three segments, which are internally threaded, spring-loaded apart by an internal spring, and has detents on opposite sides which force the nut segments into operative engagement with a threaded member when pushed in and release the segments for quick insertion or removal of the nut when moved out. When the nut is installed, end pressure on one of the detents presses the nut segments into operative engagement with a threaded member where continued rotation locks the structure together with the detents depressed to indicate positive locking engagement of the nut. On removal, counterclockwise rotation of the nut relieves the endwise pressure on the detents permitting internal springs to force the detents outward and allowing the nut segments to move outward and separate to permit quick removal of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Jay M. Wright
  • Patent number: 5108133
    Abstract: Connector for quick release under load, particularly for pipes for transporting fluids such as hydrocarbons, characterized by the fact that it comprises, between two opposite structural elements (1, 2) or between two parts of an element connecting the two structural elements, at least a connecting device comprising an internally shaped annular ring (7) consisting of at least two segments of complementary shape, a rod (4) equipped with an outside shaping corresponding to the inside shaping of the ring, engaged internally in said ring and extending over at least a part of its height and an annular sleeve (6) engaged on said nut and able to be moved axially in relation to it under the effect of an actuating element, such as a cylinder (12) acting directly or indirectly on said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Rene Maloberti
  • Patent number: 5106251
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic locking device for effecting the locking engagement of a lock stud within a stud receiving fixture adapted for locking two complimentary structures together formed by a lock mechanism of the type provided with a lock stud mounted on one of the complimentary structures, the lock stud having a predetermined diametric dimension and threaded along the exposed end thereof, the outer exposed end being terminating in a nose portion which has a diametric dimension slightly in excess of the diametric dimension of the lock stud. A stud receiving locking means is mounted on the opposed complimentary structure and in substantial linear alignment with the lock mechanism. The stud receiving locking means is provided with at least two movable members being normally biasingly urged together and having an apreture formed by the members diametrically sized to be complimentary with the diametric dimension of the lock stud when the members are in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Chicago Lock Company
    Inventor: Robert Steinbach
  • Patent number: 5100275
    Abstract: A quick locking fastener has a base defining an interior chamber and forward and rearward portions. Plural generally contiguous internally threaded insert nut segments are in the interior chamber of the base, having a tail remote from the forward portion of the base. The nut segments have a first bevel exterior surface adjacent the forward portion of the base, a cylindrical surface adjacent the first bevel surface, and a second exterior bevel disposed on the tail, spaced apart and coaxial with the first bevel surface. A rearward disposed end cap having a bevel and a circular compresssion spring circumferentially disposed about a third bevel surface engages and biases the nut segments towards the front of the base. A retainer ring having a band surrounding the end cap has inwardly directed tangs preventing rotation of the insert segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Wendell E. Schirrmacher
  • Patent number: 5098242
    Abstract: A plastic hex shaped tubular fastener which is to be secured to a threaded stud. A plurality of spaced flexible tongues which project radially inwardly near the bottom of the body locate within the screw of the stud when pushed on the stud and when so located projecting cams carried on vertical ribs spaced from the tongues locate within the screw thread so that the fastener can then be screwed tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventor: Harald Schaty