Abstract: A torque-limited fastener turnable in fastening and loosening directions for one-time use includes a fastener head with a base, a set of lugs extending from the base, and an optional set of ramps extending from the base. The lugs include abutment surfaces facing a fastening tool slot recess that receives a fastening tool. When the fastening tool is turned in the fastening direction it bears against the lug surfaces. The lugs shear off or plastically deform into recesses when the fastening tool applies a limiting fastening torque. The ramps have abutment surfaces facing a loosening tool slot recess that receives a loosening tool. The ramps cam the fastening tool over the ramp abutment surfaces if the fastening tool is in the fastening tool recess and is turned in the fastening direction after the lugs have sheared off or have plastically deformed in response to application of the limiting torque.

Abstract: A disabling tab (100) for disabling an anti-disengagement or safety catch (80) such as on a connector (20) of a pedestal for elevated floors having mating internally and externally threaded components is disclosed. The safety catch (80) is a pivoted wedge shaped block defined at the lower end of an externally threaded component which defines a ramped portion (84) extending to a buttress end (86) facing the start of the external thread. In the internally threaded components, one thread also defines a buttress end (92). When the components are screwed together, the ramp (84) of the safety catch deflects inwards and passes the buttress end (92). When the components are unscrewed, the end (86) of the catch abuts the end (92) of the thread preventing the components from being unscrewed.

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 wheel locking assembly for preventing theft of wheels and tires. The wheel locking assembly includes a wheel rim assembly including a disc-shaped wheel rim having a first side and a second side, and also having an axle-receiving opening being centrally disposed therethrough, and further having fastener holes being spaced apart and being disposed therethrough, and also having cover-mounting holes being disposed therethrough; and also includes a fastener assembly including fasteners being lockingly disposed in the fastener holes of the disc-shaped wheel rim; and further includes a locking assembly being disposed in the disc-shaped wheel rim for locking the fasteners in the fastener holes; and also includes cover members being fastenably attached to the wheel rim.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fastening member comprising a threaded part (150) and a head (100) with which the threaded part can be turned in order to tighten the fastening member in a corresponding element. The head (100) is formed of a plate (110) in one piece with the threaded part (150) and a cap (120) covering said plate. The cap (120) comprises a recessed portion (121) in which an offset is provided to form a housing (128). The plate (110) comprises a guide finger (111) located inside the housing (128) to form a stop against which the cap presses in order to impart a rotational movement to the plate in the tightening direction. The cap (120) further comprises a remotely interrogatable electronic component (130) comprising a data storage means (132).

Abstract: A screw having a screw-threaded shank and a circular head, the head being provided with three radially extending screwdriver tip receiving portions defined between three first, off central integrally formed projections designed to become shaved-off the screw head by a pre-set force applied during tightening of the screw, and three second, integrally formed projections designed to withstand a shear force greater than the pre-set force applied during slackening of the screw.

Abstract: A fastener including a head having a screw driver or wrench engagement feature. The fastener includes a threaded shank extending from the head. A plurality of voids or scores in the shank spaced from but near the head permit rotational torque on the head in one direction significantly greater than rotational torque in an opposite direction so that rotational torque in an opposite direction causes the head to break off from the shank.

Abstract: An improved spindle and tarpaulin combination to be used in devices to deploy and take up a tarpaulin. The device is comprised of a reinforced spindle and a tarpaulin adapted to be attached to the spindle, such that the tarpaulin may be wound and unwound upon the spindle, with the tarpaulin adapted for use with a spindle having a length substantially less than the width of the tarpaulin.

Abstract: A novel, one-way nut fastener including a nut body with a side wall that is internally threaded and lobes that extend from the side wall of the nut body. Each lobe has a flat portion that extends substantially radially away from the side wall and a curved portion that extends from the flat portion to the flat portion of an adjacent lobe. A special tool uses the leverage that is gained from the flat portions of the lobes to tighten the cap threads onto the threads of a stem portion. Since the leverage gained from the lobes, which is used to tighten the nut fastener, cannot be used to loosen the fastener, it is much more difficult to remove the nut fastener.

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.

Abstract: A security fastener including a body having a circumferential periphery and an end wall, a curvilinear groove in the end wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressions extending inwardly into said circumferential periphery from said end wall and having a bottom wall and first and second side walls, junctions having radii between the bottom wall and the side walls. One of the side walls extends at a greater angle to the axis of the fastener than the other side wall, which is engaged by the driving tool. A driving tool for driving both the foregoing security fastener and a conventional hexagonal fastener including a body having a bore with a plurality of axially extending splines for selectively engaging either the above-mentioned side wall of the depression of the security fastener or a plurality of sides of the hexagonal fastener.

Abstract: A cross-recessed head screw has in its head a tool engagement recess including first releasing surfaces which are adapted to be engaged with generally flat front edges of an end of a cross-headed tip screwdriver and have the function of moving the screwdriver backward when the screwdriver is turned in the reverse direction for loosening the screw. The tool engagement recess further has second releasing surfaces each contiguous to a corresponding one of the first releasing surfaces and serve to guide the backward movement of the screwdriver as the latter is turned in the screw-loosening reverse direction. By virtue of engagement between the first releasing surfaces and the front edges of the screwdriver, the reverse rotation of the screwdriver produces only a small friction torque which is quite insufficient to cause rotation of the screw in the screw-loosening direction.

Abstract: A threaded fastener which is constructed to be turned in one direction by a square socket drive includes a threaded stem and an integral modified head arranged with four raised projections which are circumferentially spaced. Each of the four raised projections includes a substantially flat wall portion and a curved and inclined ramp portion. The four flat wall portions effectively define a square center region which is compatibly sized to receive a one-half inch square socket drive. Rotation of the square socket drive in a counterclockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to engage the flat wall portions so as to turn the threaded fastener in a counterclockwise direction. Any attempt to rotate the square socket drive in a clockwise direction causes the sides of the square socket drive to ride up along the ramp portions and ride out of engagement with the modified head of the threaded fastener.

Abstract: An eagle wing tips tamper-proof fastener and driver tool with complementary driver head contact for operating the same. A conventional threaded shank is perpendicularly connected to a substantially flat head. The head comprises a plurality of recessed channels numbering three and the channels radially curve outwards from a common center point. In one embodiment, the substantially vertical right and left walls of each channel allow application of torque with the driver tool in both directions. In an alternate embodiment, the substantially vertical right wall and the surface of the substantially inclined left wall allow application of torque with the driver tool to the right only.

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed involves a "tamper-evident bolt". More specifically, the bolt has ratchet or splined teeth on the outer periphery of the bolt head which will accept a socket for tightening the bolt. In the center of the head of the bolt is a sealed or capped blind axial recess. The recess is fitted to accept a driver to release the bolt. In a specific embodiment the blind axial recess has ratchet teeth. A seal or cap is received within the blind axial recess such that the seal or cap must be removed for access to the bolt releasing means, thereby indicating the possibility of unauthorized tampering with the bolt.

Abstract: A security nut, which can be tightened on to a bolt but not slackened, has a body which is dome shaped and through which a threaded bore passes. The external dome-shaped surface of the body is provided with grooves which have diverging walls which can be engaged by driving faces of a socket tool to tighten the nut but not to slacken it. The dome-shape of the body makes it virtually impossible to grip it to slacken the nut.

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.

Abstract: A novel machine with an internal combustion engine, and practical use-control means to prevent an unauthorized person from starting such engine, and anti-bypass means to prevent a knowledgeable prepared unauthorized person from defeating use-control means within a practical period of time as a feasible means for unauthorized starting of the engine. Use-control means require a proper authorization code be entered into code-input means before enabling engine starting. Anti-bypass means include enclosing parts of the use-control means within a tamper-proof enclosing-component and selecting such parts and components so that use-control means cannot be manipulated to start the engine by an unauthorized user within a practical amount of time. In one embodiment a solenoid component containing a shielded enclosure and two solenoids is attached to the starter-motor of a car or truck using novel one-way fasteners.

Abstract: A pipe plug which cannot be removed from a pipe with the same key with which it is installed, the pipe plug having a body with a plurality of arcuate grooves having inclined arcuate ramps leading from its face into its body and terminating at shoulders for abutting engagement with first key having pins which bear against the shoulders to tighten the plug in the pipe but which cannot loosen the plug because the pins will ride up the ramps and cam out of engagement withthe plug, and a second key for removing the plug including a ridge on the second key for mating with a complementary curvilinear groove in the plug. A counterbore is provided in the face of the plug to receive portions of the ridge which are of substantially the same diameter as the counterbore to thereby center the second key with respect to the plug and guide it while the second key is rotated until the ridge thereon falls into the groove to effect mating engagement therewith.

Abstract: A fire hydrant cap and actuating tool for use therewith provide enhanced security for fire hydrants and increased safety when using the tool. The cap is forged of 8620 carbon steel; is provided with an internal steel lock washer of cadmium plate steel, and includes thereon a forged, external slip ring of 8620 carbon steel with lubrication between the slip ring and cap. The tool which is used in combination with the cap includes a gripper which fits under the slip ring to prevent the tool from slipping, a spanner wrench and a hexagonal socket with a screw for gripping rounded-off valve stems.

Abstract: Apparatus for screwing a writing instrument tip into a writing fluid reservoir in a writing instrument in which the connection from the reservoir to the tip, in order to supply the writing fluid to the tip, is made by the screwing action just prior to using the writing instrument, in which the writing instrument tip has at least a first working surface upon which at least a second working surface of a wrench acts, the working surfaces being formed as a ratchet and pawl which only engage in a screwing direction and permitting a relative rotation of the working surfaces in an unscrewing direction. As a result the tip cannot be unscrewed from the writing fluid reservoir, avoiding contamination, air entry or blockages.

Abstract: A series of drywall screws are nested together and individually seated with a special driving tool after separation from one another. Each screw is hollow and has interior and exterior screw threads. One end of the screw has a hollow flat head and the body tapers downwardly to a bottom portion having a diameter less than half the diameter of the first end. A drill bit having an eccentric point drills a bore having a diameter greater than the diameter of the drill bit so that the bore operatively receives the screw.

Abstract: A lug nut cover is provided having a breakage shroud for restricting access to the lug nut and a retaining cap for securing the shroud to the lug. The shroud includes an internal ledge having ratchet teeth thereon. The cap includes an exterior flange having pawls thereon. When the cap is threaded onto the lug, the ledge engages the flange at a predetermined position to stop forward threading. From this predetermined position, the pawl/ratchet arrangement prevents reverse threading.

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 device for adjustably fastening a door or window frame or the like to a fixed element, including a screw-like device having threads which engage the fixed element and a threaded sleeve member, displaceably arranged on the screw-like device, which engages the frame.

Abstract: An anti-theft nut for forward threading on a threaded member and having removal preventing means. The nut has a nut case with an axially extending skirt and two axially extending blind bores, and a bottom nut attached to the skirt to define and inner cavity. Two roll pins of different lengths are assembled within the axially extending bores. An internal nut having an engagement shoulder for engagment by the roll pins, and a bearing disposed between the internal nut and the bottom nut are assembled within the nut cavity. The longer of the roll pins extends from its bore in the nut case to engage the shoulder of the internal nut to effect the forward threading of the anti-theft nut. Unthreading of the anti-theft nut is prevented due to jamming between the bottom nut, through the bearing, with the internal nut prior to possible engagement of the longer roll pin with the opposite side of the shoulder of the internal nut.

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.

Abstract: A lockout device for a consumer gas supply includes a swivel pipe having an intermediate angulated section having a swivel connector at one end and a threaded connection at the opposite end. The swivel pipe is connected to the gas meter. An expandable plug unit includes a rubber plug with hardened washers abutting the opposite ends. A nut is fixedly attached to one washer and an expanding bolt of a hardened metal extends through washers and plugs with a threaded connection to the nut. The head has a screw driver slot which permits rotating the bolt only to expand the plug. The washers and bolt are formed of a case hardened steel so as to require special shop drill to destroy plug unit for removal and reopening the swivel pipe.

Abstract: Playground equipment having wooden timbers includes a plastic fastener with a metal threaded core flushly mounted in the wooden timbers for interconnecting the wooden timbers to associated members of the playground unit. The plastic fastener has one-way tightening means and actuates the metal core by locking engagement with the metal core, thereby preventing disassembly of the playground equipment.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant fastener is disclosed, having a head which tends to prevent the removal of the fastener by conventional tools. The fastener head is provided with three sockets, at least one of which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the other two. The fastener may be attached and removed only with the application of a special driving tool having a male portion adapted for matable engagement with the fastener head. The eccentricity of at least one of the sockets permits the turning of the fastener upon the application of torque by the driving tool. The three-socket arrangement substantially eliminates the tendency of the driving tool to tilt when torque is applied.