Ratchet Patents (Class 411/7)
  • Patent number: 11598364
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a first lock member including a plurality of radially extending ratchet teeth and a second lock member including a base portion and at least one tab extending axially from the base portion. The at least one tab has a proximal end joined to the base portion and a free end opposite the proximal end. The second lock member further includes a plurality of radially extending teeth on an inner side of the free end of the at least one tab. The second lock member is positionable between a locked configuration in which the plurality of radially extending teeth are configured to engage the plurality of radially extending ratchet teeth and an unlocked configuration in which the plurality of radially extending teeth are spaced from the plurality of radially extending ratchet teeth. The base portion and the at least one tab are a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ENDURALOCK, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Hess, Tracy Hockenhull, Warren Moore, Armando Perez, III, Zoltan Kalman Furu-Szekely, Igor Komsitsky, Deeptesh Selvaraj
  • Patent number: 11283217
    Abstract: A torque-limiting torque sleeve may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled to one another in a coaxial arrangement such that the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction. A first end of the outer sleeve overlies a first end of the inner sleeve, and a second end of the inner sleeve extends from the outer sleeve. A torque limiting feature is configured such that rotation of the outer member in a first direction enables tightening of a coupler on an interface port up to a predetermined torque limit, and rotation of the outer member in a second direction opposite to the first direction loosens the coupler on the interface port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Noah P. Montena, Jeremy J. Amidon
  • Patent number: 11007924
    Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting a light module in a vehicle lighting device. The adjusting device includes an adjusting mechanism into which a rotary motion can be transmitted. The adjusting device also includes a transmission element that can be used to transfer the rotary motion. The adjusting mechanism and the transmission element are connected in a way that transmits torque via a coupling that provides torque overload protection. The adjusting mechanism is embodied with at least two parts and features a first part into which a rotary motion can be transmitted and it features a second part that is embodied as a part of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Helmut Jakobsmeyer
  • Patent number: 10898992
    Abstract: A fastening aid for screwing a fastener having a locknut by rotating the fastener around a rotation axis with a predetermined torque includes a sleeve element being attachable around the locknut along the rotation axis, an engaging structure provided at an inner surface of the sleeve and configured to engage with the locknut when the sleeve is attached around the locknut, a clasp element for reversibly closing the sleeve element to a closed state for attaching the sleeve around the locknut, and for reversibly opening the sleeve element to an opened state for detaching the sleeve from the locknut. The fastening aid is configured to allow screwing of the fastener around the rotation axis when exposed to a torque smaller than or equal to the predetermined torque and to prevent screwing the fastener around the rotation axis when the predetermined torque is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TURCK INC.
    Inventor: Marco Luke Mathias
  • Patent number: 10756483
    Abstract: A torque-limiting torque sleeve may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled to one another in a coaxial arrangement such that the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction. A first end of the outer sleeve overlies a first end of the inner sleeve, and a second end of the inner sleeve extends from the outer sleeve to provide an exposed length. A torque limiting feature is configured such that rotation of the outer member in a first direction enables tightening of a coupler on an interface port up to a predetermined torque limit, and rotation of the outer member in a second direction opposite to the first direction loosens the coupler on the interface port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah P. Montena, Jeremy J. Amidon
  • Patent number: 10100864
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to a fastener element of a fastening system, a tool for fastening, disengaging and testing the fastener element and a method for providing a fastening system with a closure seal and/or a torque indication. The fastener element of a fastening system, in particular a bolt or nut includes a tool engagement surface that is engageable by a tool, in particular a standard tool for at least partial form locking contact with the tool for fastening or disengaging the fastening system, wherein the tool engagement surface includes at least one weak spot. The fastener element is operable with standard tools and optionally reusable using special tools. Thus, manipulations by unauthorized persons are easily detectable and it is easily determinable whether a predetermined torque has been applied correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Rathmann, Steven Keiner
  • Patent number: 9616301
    Abstract: The invention includes a releasable component for use on a golf club head, wherein the component itself may serve as a portion of the club head face, crown, sole, or other portion of the club head body when attached to the club head. The component includes an anti-over rotation mechanism configured to prevent overtightening of the component to a corresponding counterbore on the golf club head. The anti-over rotation mechanism is embodied as a taper design defined on a flange of a threaded component and a corresponding taper design on a flange surface of a counterbore. The counterbore is configured to receive and retain the releasable component by way of a threaded engagement, wherein the interaction between the corresponding taper flange designs of the releasable component and counterbore prevents over rotation of the releasable component, particularly resisting rotation due to ball strike impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl Clausen, Tim A. Beno, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8776657
    Abstract: A blade mounting assembly for mounting a rotary blade to an arbor comprises an outer washer including a hub configured to extend through a bore of the blade, the hub defining a central bore sized to receive a spindle of the arbor. The hub further includes a locating surface arranged to contact the shoulder when the spindle extends through the central bore. The washer includes an engagement surface contacting the left side face of the blade when the hub extends through the bore of the blade. The engagement surface is disposed a fixed axial distance from the locating surface relative to the length of the hub. A fastener engages the outer washer to the arbor with the locating surface in contact with the shoulder. The assembly further includes a biasing element configured to be disposed over the hub between the shoulder and the right side face of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gregory A. Menze
  • Patent number: 8764361
    Abstract: A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Seaman, Joseph Hand, Patrick J. Raymakers
  • Publication number: 20140119849
    Abstract: A ratchet nut assembly includes an inner member, an outer member, and a spring clip. The inner member includes an outwardly extending tooth. The outer member is positioned around a portion of the inner member and includes an inwardly extending pawl. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to rotate the inner member with the outer member in a first direction when a torque applied to the outer member is below a predetermined value and is operable to deflect outwardly to allow rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in the first direction when the torque applied to the outer member is above the predetermined value. The pawl is engageable with the tooth to prevent rotation of the outer member relative to the inner member in a second direction. The spring clip is positioned around a portion of the outer member to limit deflection of the pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Seaman, Joseph Hand, Patrick J. Raymakers
  • Patent number: 8579572
    Abstract: A load relief washer assembly for threaded fasteners comprises a lower washer piece, an upper washer piece, a plurality of complementary stepped features which further comprise the mating surfaces of the lower washer and the upper washer, such that sufficient rotation of the upper body relative to the lower body aligns the complementary stepped features allowing the upper body and the lower body to move toward each other, thereby reducing the overall height of the load relief washer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Michael James Psimas
  • Patent number: 8545152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw which can be screwed into a component and which will resist further screwing into an internal thread within said component once a maximum torque has been reached. For this purpose, a screw body having an external thread is combined with a screw drive element which projects into a bore within said screw body and, within said bore, is connected to the screw body via static friction. At least part of this combination is made of a plastic material, with the static friction having the effect of a slipping clutch when a maximum torque acts on the screw drive element. The screw drive element is connected to the screw body via a ratchet in such a way that when the screw body is unscrewed from the internal thread within said component, turning said screw drive element will cause the ratchet to engage, thereby entraining the screw body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ejot GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Rolf Kuenkel, Walter Kornsteiner, Reinhold Lenherr, Axel Tome
  • Publication number: 20120237312
    Abstract: A torque-limiting nut assembly, in a preferred form, includes an inner nut engaged with a shaft. A resilient torque member and a rigid torque member are positioned between the inner nut and an outer nut, with each being rotatably fixed to one of the nuts. Rotating the outer nut relative to the inner nut compresses the resilient torque member with the rigid torque member, moving the nuts along the shaft in a first axial direction until the resilient torque member is compressed out of engagement with the rigid torque member. Rotating the outer nut in the opposite direction engages the resilient and rigid torque members thereby urging the nuts in the opposite direction. The torque-limiting nut assembly provides a convenient device to apply the correct amount of application-specific torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas John Widule, Nicholas J. Pawluk, David Bruce Fork, Carl Robert Schultz
  • Publication number: 20110236153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screw which can be screwed into a component and which will resist further screwing into an internal thread within said component once a maximum torque has been reached. For this purpose, a screw body having an external thread is combined with a screw drive element which projects into a bore within said screw body and, within said bore, is connected to the screw body via static friction. At least part of this combination is made of a plastic material, with the static friction having the effect of a slipping clutch when a maximum torque acts on the screw drive element. The screw drive element is connected to the screw body via a ratchet in such a way that when the screw body is unscrewed from the internal thread within said component, turning said screw drive element will cause the ratchet to engage, thereby entraining the screw body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: EJOT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Kuenkel, Walter Kornsteiner, Reinhold Lenherr, Axel Tome
  • Patent number: 7823695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal system for plastic moldings and to the use of the seal system in the engine fluid sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunststoff-/Metallerzeugnisse GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Rosendahl, Markus Beer
  • Patent number: 7780386
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a bushing assembly adapted to establish a coupling when rotated, a housing that is rotatable when torque is applied to the housing, a torque-limit member positioned between the housing and the bushing assembly such that when the torque-limit member is in a positive-lock state, the housing and bushing assembly rotate jointly upon the application of torque until a predefined torque level is attained. A compressible member is included that engages the torque-limit member to define through frictional resistance of moving parts and parts geometry a predefined torque level. The torque-limit member switches from the positive-lock state to a ratchet state when the predefined torque level is attained. When the torque-limit member is in the ratchet state, the housing rotates relative to the bushing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Robert Lau, Eric Michel De Wild
  • Publication number: 20090142155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-loosening unit comprising at least one ringed plate. The ringed plate has slots, cuneal structures and protrusions. The cuneal structures match other corresponding cuneal structures of other corresponding elements. The slots serve to reduce the contact area of corresponding cuneal structures. With a small dragging force between the ringed plate and the other corresponding elements, the ringed plate slides easily to cause an axial displacement, thereby producing an axial stress. The axial stress will increase the friction between the protrusions and the element surface, so the anti-loosening unit is not easily rotated, and the anti-loosening effect is achieved. Furthermore, the slots of the ringed plate can reduce the deformation of the ringed plate, and the production quality is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TU-GLOBAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong-Tseh SU
  • Patent number: 7445413
    Abstract: A screw-nut assembly has an integrated immediately effective securing arrangement that prevents an unintentional loosening of a screw connection formed therewith. The screw-nut assembly has a first screw connection body and an associated second screw connection body. One of the two screw connection bodies (1) has a free-wheel (3) that is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. A coupling device (9) is provided between the free-wheel (3) and the other of the two screw connection bodies (2). This coupling device connects both screw connection bodies to one another in a rotationally fixed manner and allows their disengagement from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Guilherme Niederhageboeck
  • Patent number: 7097402
    Abstract: A lock nut comprising a solid nut body having a flange, from which a neck projection extends axially, being provided at its end surface with an annular shroud, from which at least two claws extend radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Metallwarenfabrik Hermann Winker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Winker
  • Patent number: 6843627
    Abstract: A wrenchless clamp assembly is provided to secure a tool disc, such as a circular saw blade, to a shaft of a power tool. The blade clamp assembly includes an outer flange positionable against an outer side of the blade and a manually tightenable click bolt that includes a movable click member operable to selectively engage the outer flange for rotationally locking or unlocking the bolt. In an embodiment, the click member moves alternatingly between axially engaged and disengaged positions according to sequential rotational increments of the click member relative to the bolt body. Accordingly, the click bolt can be installed by hand and rotationally locked without a need for high torque, and the click bolt can be easily removed by hand when the click member is moved to the disengaged position, axially free from the outer flange. In an embodiment, the click bolt permits limited torque applied during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Credo Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel K. Childs, Jan Peter Houben, Michael Holzer, Leon Bujalski
  • Patent number: 6802680
    Abstract: A torque limiting fastener includes a fastener body and a fastener head insert configured to fit within the fastener body and to transfer a limited amount of torque to the body. The fastener body has a head with a bore formed therein and having a first set of protrusions. The fastener head insert has a tool interface for accepting a mounting tool and a perimeter edge onto which a second set of protrusions are disposed. A torque applied to the tool interface region will rotate the fastener head insert within the bore and cause the second set of protrusions to engage with the first set of protrusions to transfer torque to the fastener body. If the applied torque exceeds a limiting value, the second set of protrusions will fail to maintain engagement with the first set of protrusions and the fastener head insert will rotate without transferring the excessive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Brandon Aaron Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 6659698
    Abstract: A grommet having a body formed of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve wherein the inner sleeve may be made to spin within the outer sleeve upon the application of a torqueing force that exceeds a predetermined release torque is herein disclosed. The grommet has a head attached to the body thereof to limit the insertion of a shank of the grommet into an aperture formed in a primary panel and a retaining structure formed into the outer surface of the shank to permit the grommet to be pre-assembled with the primary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James T. Kirchen, Steve Everard
  • Publication number: 20030049092
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a securing nut (1) with a nut body (5) and a straining ring (4) that is arranged on the nut body (5) and able to turn, the straining ring (4) being shoved onto a neck (2) of the nut body (5) and secured by clamping. According to the invention, the inner surface of the straining ring (4) has at least two grooves in the form of circular splines (10a, 10b, 10c), they extend across the entire angle region of 360°, and the outer surface of the neck (2) has the same number of cams in the form of spline profiles (20a, 20b, 20c), which extend across an angle range of less than 360°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Alexander Winker
  • Patent number: 6445177
    Abstract: A chip-detector assembly has a housing and a probe. The probe is adapted to be coupled to the housing. The chip-detector assembly also includes a locking mechanism comprising a locking ring and a sleeve member. The locking ring is fixedly coupled the housing, and includes a plurality of elongated tangs arranged circumferentially around the ring. The sleeve member is fixedly coupled to the probe, and includes a plurality of contact surfaces that form an outer circumference of the sleeve member. The tangs engage the sleeve-member contact surfaces when the probe is coupled to the housing. The engagement of the tangs and the contact surfaces inhibits the probe from disengaging from the housing once the probe and the housing are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Vibro-Meter S.A.
    Inventor: Paul D. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6364688
    Abstract: A retainer screw for maintaining a retained device such as a cable connector in a connected condition with a host device is provided with a torque disconnecting mechanism that responds to the axial movement of the retainer screw and disconnects the drive of the screw before the screw bottoms in the receiving nut. Disconnecting the drive not only prevents undue torque from being applied to the screw but also prevents seizure of the screw by the nut, preventing easy removal. Also, the disconnecting mechanism continues to provide connection of the drive torque in an unthreading direction notwithstanding the inability of the screw to be driven in the threading direction. The drive member of the retainer screw is allowed to ratchet relative to the screw to relieve the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Francis Fraley, II, Brian Joseph Stanczyk
  • Patent number: 6364585
    Abstract: In the screw of the present invention, a screw shaft and knob have a torque controller which rotates the screw shaft and the knob together until a rotating torque between the screw shaft and the knob reaches a predetermined level, and slips the knob toward the screw shaft if the rotating torque exceeds the predetermined level, while the knob is rotated along a direction for screwing the screw; and the torque controller also rotates the screw shaft and the knob together even if the rotating torque exceeds the predetermined level, while the knob is rotated along a direction for unscrewing the screw. Therefore, the screw can properly fasten and unfasten with the screw controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Rikio Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6309154
    Abstract: A torque-limiting assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a sleeve member. The collar is co-axially and rotatably coupled to a fitting. The locking ring is non-rotatably coupled to the collar, and includes a plurality of elongate tangs arranged circumferentially around the ring. The sleeve member is non-rotatably and co-axially coupled to the fitting, and has a plurality of contact surfaces that form an outer circumference of the sleeve member. Torque is applied to the collar by way of a plurality of substantially flat surfaces disposed along an outer circumference of the collar. The torque is transferred to the locking ring by way of the fixed geometric relationship between the collar and the ring. The locking-ring tangs securely grasp the sleeve-member contact surfaces when the applied torque is below a predetermined amount, and thereby transfer a substantial entirety of the applied torque to the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Vibro-Meter S.A.
    Inventor: Paul D. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6082941
    Abstract: A torque-limiting fastener in which a threaded member having a drivable head portion is rotationally mounted within a capsule containing a calibrated spring loading element which is adapted to be compressed in one direction of rotation and released in the opposite direction of rotation, the capsule frictionally engaging the drivable head portion in the one direction of rotation until the compressed spring element exerts sufficient axial force to overcome the frictional engagement between the capsule and the drivable head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Rubber-Fab, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Dupont, Lindsay Conner, Jason Westling
  • Patent number: 6079923
    Abstract: A captive panel fastener includes a retractable screw having a thermal plastic cap molded around its head. The cap includes slotted skirt with resilient fingers. When the retractable screw is forced downward through the bore of the ferrule having divergent sides, the fingers of the cap spread apart by the wedging action against the outside surface of the ferrule, thus providing a biasing force urging the screw in an upward retracted direction. The ends of the cap fingers include inward facing ribs which fall into a circumferential groove around the outside surface of the ferrule adjacent its bottom end. The groove may further include plurality of radial extending teeth which engage inward facing protrusions located on the fingertip ribs to resist unwanted loosening of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Harold D. Ross, William P. McDonough, Craig G. Link, Robert F. Stotz, Jr., Peter A. Vogel
  • Patent number: 6070774
    Abstract: A vehicle article carrier having a pair of bracket members which are disposed on a pair of slats, and where each bracket member includes a rotatable actuating member incorporating a camming mechanism for allowing each bracket member to be quickly and easily placed in locked and unlocked positions relative to its associated slat. Each bracket member includes a camming member which is threadably engaged with a threaded shaft of the actuating member. A locking member is also operably engaged with the camming member and is moved between locked and unlocked positions by movement of the camming member when an operator rotates the actuating member. The apparatus incorporates a limited number of independent component parts and the majority of the component parts are disposed within a housing of the bracket member so as not to be exposed to rain, ice, snow, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: JAC Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Artur K. Rak, Jeffrey M. Aftanas, Donald R. Potter
  • Patent number: 5967721
    Abstract: A loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use includes a washer that is axially movable on a threaded stud, a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud, and a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis. One of the washer and the nut may include a plurality of protrusions while the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents. The protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions. Rotating the nut on the stud while in contact with the washer results in distinct, audible clicks which may be counted to obtain a pre-determined tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Giachinta, Eugene W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5810533
    Abstract: A screw for fastening that includes a male or female screw formed on its inner core area and including threads located about its outer circumference. A flange ring is located generally at one edge of the screw member in a manner so to be free to turn relative to the screw member, with the outside surface of the flange ring being configured to contact an object to be attached. An operating ring is located at the other edge of the screw member with freedom to turn relative to the screw. A screw feed ring is also provided having threads engaged with threads on the outer circumference of the screw member. A holding ring portion is operatively associated with the operating ring and includes an inner surface that is eccentric to its outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Power Tool Holders Incorporated
    Inventor: Daijiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5779409
    Abstract: A retention subassembly for FI threaded fastener assemblies, which retention subassembly is operative to limit the torque, and consequently, the loads acting on the FI threaded fastener assembly and/or on the components coupled thereby. The retention subassembly includes a cage assembly and a Floating Threaded (FT) insert disposed within an internal chamber of the cage assembly. Furthermore, the FT insert includes a threaded bore for accepting a threaded fastener of the FI threaded fastener assembly. The retention subassembly further comprises a first torque reacting means for reacting torque when the threaded fastener is caused to engage the threaded bore, a means for disengaging the first torque reacting means in response to a threshold magnitude of torque, and a second torque reacting means for reacting torque when the threaded fastener is caused to disengage the threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Manzolli
  • Patent number: 5606753
    Abstract: A fixing device with a locking mechanism includes a bolt having a hexagonal head, a seat attached to the bottom face of the bolt head, and a washer to be fit onto the threaded shaft of the bolt. The seat has an engagement portion which is raised from an outer edge of the seat along a side face of the bolt head to restrain the free rotation of the bolt with respect to the seat, and an elastic engagement pawl outwardly extending from a lateral end of the engagement portion. The washer has a plurality of engagement grooves which are engagable with the engagement pawl, and an antislipping means provided on the side which contacts the surface of a member to be fastened. When the bolt is fastened, the engagement pawl engages with one of the engagement grooves of the washer. This prevents the hexagon-head bolt from turning in a loosening direction. A locking function can be added to the fixing device without additionally machining the bolt or a member to be fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Hashimoto Shinwa Setsubi, Limited
    Inventor: Toyoji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5577870
    Abstract: The tightening screw of the invention comprises a screw member forming female threads or male threads in a 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 interposed between the screw member and operating ring for transmitting the rotational force of the operating ring to the screw member, wherein the torque transmitting member comprises a rotation number reduction mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the operating ring to the screw member by reducing the rotation number and thereby increase the transmitted torque, 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: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Daijiro Nakamura
  • 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: 5460351
    Abstract: The invention provides a valve stem locking assembly for releasably locking a threaded fastener relative to a valve stem of a quarter-turn valve such as a ball valve. The assembly includes a handle defining an opening shaped to engage a corresponding shape of the valve stem to preclude relative rotation therebetween while allowing relative motion therebetween along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A standard nut engages the handle and is threaded onto the valve stem for movement relative to the valve stem along the axis. A spring biases the nut and the handle into relative rotation resisting engagement with each other. A camming mechanism, defined by the handle and the chamfer of the nut, is biased by the spring to prevent relative rotation therebetween until a desired torque about the axis is applied to the nut relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Parker & Harper Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Holloway
  • Patent number: 5188492
    Abstract: A router having a depth of cut adjustment mechanism including an adjustment ring which engages a screw thread on the motor housing and rotationally engages the router base. There is further provided an arrangement for preventing relative rotation between the motor housing and the base. The adjustment ring is formed as a split ring with projections adjacent opposite sides of the split, each with a frusto-conical camming surface. A circular clamp knob having a plurality of tabs extending axially outward from a top surface and radially outward from a central axis is mounted for threaded rotation on a bolt passing through the projections radially with respect to the router motor housing which bears against the camming surfaces so as to squeeze the ring in order to effect a clamping action as the knob is moved inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ryobi Motor Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 5154557
    Abstract: A reusable torque limiting bolt having no breakaway parts is provided which has a collar rigidly coupled to an upper bolt portion via four cylindrical pins which are seated in four detents internally formed on the collar and four detents externally formed on the bolt surface. At low torque the collar drives the bolt since the pins remained seated in the pairs of facing detents. When a predetermined substantial torque is reached, the pins roll out of the detents to decouple the bolt from the collar, thus limiting the applied torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Jon D. Houck
  • Patent number: 5020949
    Abstract: A controlled-torque fastener limits the torque which may be applied to it for the delivery (screwing-in) of the fastener into a threaded bore of a workpiece or the like. The fastener has a threaded shaft and a tool seat which is configured to be engaged by a driving tool such as a conventional wrench. The tool seat is movable between a driving position in which the tool seat is in driving engagement with the shaft and a non-driving position in which the tool seat effectively disengages the driving tool from driving engagement with the shaft. Resilient biasing means urge the tool seat into the driving position, and driving torque applied to the tool seat urges the tool seat against the biasing force towards the non-driving position. When the driving torque applied to the tool seat exceeds a pre-selected maximum torque, the biasing force is overcome, thereby disengaging the driving tool from effective driving engagement with the shaft, and discontinuing delivery of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventors: Eugene P. Davidson, Alegra G. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5016931
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the load applied through the keeper or latch portion of a latch assembly. The mechanism includes a main body, a drive system for applying a preload, a slip clutch mechanism for disengaging the drive system when a predetermined preload is reached, and an adjusting means on the slip clutch mechanism for selecting the predetermined preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: The Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: Frank T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4692075
    Abstract: A screw-type fastener comprising two cooperable assemblages for releasably securing a panel having one of said assemblages to an underlying support structure such as a sub-panel or other framework having the other assemblage. The said other assemblage of the fastener comprises a tubular housing enclosing a screw member which projects forwardly to an open end of the housing, toward the opening thereof. The said one fastener assemblage comprises a floating stud body carried by the panel and having an internally threaded bore which is adapted to receive the screw member when the stud body is applied thereto. The housing has ratchet rings encircling the screw member, provided with opposed faces containing sloped radial teeth which engage one another. One ring is keyed to rotate with the stud body, and the other is keyed for longitudinal non-rotary movement in the housing. A spring in the housing maintains the rings in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Norco,Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Metz
  • Patent number: 4609314
    Abstract: A screw-type fastener comprising two cooperable assemblages for releasably securing a panel having one of said assemblages to an underlying support structure such as a sub-panel or other framework having the other assemblage. The said other assemblage of the fastener comprises a tubular housing enclosing a screw member which projects forwardly to an open end of the housing, toward the opening thereof. The said one fastener assemblage comprises a floating stud body carried by the panel and having an internally threaded bore which is adapted to receive the screw member when the stud body is applied thereto. The housing has ratchet disks encircling the screw member, provided with opposed faces containing radial teeth which engage one another. One disk is keyed to rotate with the stud body, and the other is keyed for longitudinal non-rotary movement in the housing. A spring in the housing maintains the disks in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Norco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Metz
  • Patent number: 4512697
    Abstract: A fastener is disclosed having an integral limiting configuration which is adjustable to provide a variable maximum torque transmitted from a threaded bolt to the mechanism being fastened. The torque transmission is controlled at its maximum by a friction-bearing surface in cooperation with a spring. By predetermining and setting the compression exerted by the spring to the friction-bearing surface, the maximum torque transmitted is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. Cascini
  • Patent number: 4434736
    Abstract: A sewing machine is secured to the platform of a sewing cabinet with a machine connected stud and a wing nut which is threaded on the stud and is permitted to turn only a limited amount so as to prevent excessive force from being applied to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: The Singer Company
    Inventors: Jan Szostak, Albert L. Newman
  • 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