Abstract: An orthodontic expansion screw has two bodies, the mutual distance of which can be changed by a spindle. The spindle has an actuating part with a threaded part engaged in a threaded bore of one of the two bodies. A straight-line guiding means engage both bodies and prevent a relative rotation of the bodies and prevent inadvertent rotation of the spindle. The threaded part of the spindle has one recess. The inner surface of the threaded bore of the body in which the threaded part is inserted has a projection, which is directed against the at least one threaded part and, in a position of the spindle in which it faces the flattened portion or recess, touches the threaded part on the flattened portion or in the recess, whereas in positions of the spindle in which it does not face a flattened portion or recess, presses against the threaded part.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a turbine engine including a shaft, a bearing for guiding an axial end of the shaft, a nut which is screw-connected to the end of the shaft and a member for blocking the rotation of the nut in relation to the end of the shaft, wherein the member for blocking the nut includes a first section bearing a plurality of flexible tabs, one end of each tab of which cooperates with a radially inner annular wall of the end of the shaft and includes a second section which cooperates with the nut, characterised in that the second section of the blocking member is screw-connected to the nut and the features of the thread between the blocking member and the nut are different from the features of the thread between the nut and the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A compact writing instrument includes a barrel and a cap. A majority of a length of the barrel and a writing element carried thereby may be received by the cap when the barrel and the cap are placed in a stored position, providing a compact stored arrangement. The cap may be secured to the barrel in a writing arrangement that extends a length of the writing instrument significantly; for example, to a conventional writing instrument length. Engagement features of the cap and barrel may include steep threads that enable the cap to be assembled with and disassembled from the barrel with one rotation (360°) or less. A clip on the cap may include a closed end that defines a receptacle, with the closed end and receptacle extending beyond a corresponding end of the cap. In addition, the closed end and receptacle may extend partially over the corresponding end of the cap.

Abstract: Adjustable and rebuildable ball joint assemblies are disclosed. Methods for installation, adjustment, and rebuilding ball joint assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a washer with tabs to restrain rotation of the cap relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a locking mechanism to restrain rotation of the bearing relative to the housing.

Abstract: A connector and shielding ring for use with the connector includes a male portion with a shroud and a center conductor and a female portion with a jack and a socket positioned to receive the center conductor. A conductive shielding ring is positioned between the mated connector portions. The shielding ring has a body configured for surrounding flexible tines of the female portion jack and is configured to be captured between the tines and the shroud for providing a grounding path between the male and female portions of the connector. The shielding ring body has an inner surface with a diameter and an outer surface with a diameter and has a taper portion formed on a distal end of the shielding ring body for engaging a surface of the shroud. The shielding ring body has a lip extending radially inwardly at the proximal end for engaging the tines of the female portion when the male and female portions of the connector are mated.

Abstract: Anti-rotation keys are typically used in applications where an end of a threaded stud is received in a housing, and where the opposite end of the stud projects from the housing to allow attachment of another component to the housing. Once partially received in the housing, further rotation of the stud is prevented by an anti-rotation key. The disclosed anti-rotation key is self-retaining, in that it prevents itself from “backing out” of the channel due to vibration or thermal expansion of the housing, etc., while also being removable from the channel if desired.

Abstract: An implantable fixation assembly (30) for removably securing a (medical) device in a human body is disclosed. The assembly includes: an anchor portion (1) securable to bone; a pair of spaced apart legs (15), at least one leg (15) being resiliently flexible, the ends (15a) of the legs (15) attached to the anchor portion (1); a clamp portion (2) attached towards or at the ends (15a) of the legs (15); a screw and nut combination having an axis of rotation longitudinal to the legs, the combination operably engaging at least one of the legs (15) so as to pull them together or push them apart thereby actuating the clamp portion (2) to secure the device, wherein the actuating is reversible for selectively gripping and releasing the device.

Abstract: A locking mechanism to prevent rotation between a press frame and a hydraulic cartridge threaded into the press frame is disclosed in one aspect of the invention as including a locking mechanism body; one or more fasteners to attach the body to the frame of an HPHT press; and a pin extendable with respect to the body and adapted to engage an aperture in the hydraulic cartridge. The pin prevents rotation of the hydraulic cartridge relative to the frame. In certain embodiments, a cap constructed of a softer material than the hydraulic cartridge is attached to the end of the pin to prevent scratching or damage to the hydraulic cartridge.

Abstract: An interlocking nut and washer system exhibits a very high degree of inherent mechanical stability. The preferred embodiment includes an inner washer, an adjustment nut, an intermediate washer, and an outer nut completing an interlock assembly. Although the inner washer is technically optional, use thereof does reduce wear on the inner nut. While the invention maybe applied in different ways, the system is particularly suited to the controlled adjustment of tapered roller wheel bearings. In this case the system is provided on the spindle ends of an axle, which mounts a wheel assembly that includes tapered roller bearings.

Abstract: An insert for use in allowing spark plugs, fasteners, couplings for hydraulic fittings and pipe threads of a given dimension to be used in a material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a vehicle having a rotatable steering shaft (32) and a locking mechanism (56) for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The locking mechanism (56) is deactivated by an ignition key (58) in the vehicle's ignition. The apparatus comprises a vehicle steering wheel assembly (20) having a front side (68) facing a driver of the vehicle and a back side facing away from the driver, an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) for helping to protect the driver of the vehicle in a vehicle collision, and a mechanism (60, 110) for removably connecting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) with the steering shaft (32). The mechanism (60, 110) for removably connecting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (90) requires rotation of the steering wheel assembly (20) to accomplish removal of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device from the steering shaft (32).

Abstract: A compressibly resilient strip is retainably disposed in an axial slot in a threaded shank which is advanced through a bore in a plurality of workpieces. A rigid retainer member is inserted into the slot to urge the resilient strip against the bore to increase the resistance force between bolt and bore against separation until such time as the retainer member is removed.In another application of the invention, a threaded fastener having a head and a shank is inserted into a through opening in workpieces until the end protrudes and is fastened with a nut. An axial slot in the threaded fastener is aligned with an axial channel of the nut. A strip, having a protruding lug near its distal end, is passed through the slot of the threaded fastener until the protruding lug enters the channel of the threaded nut. The portion of the strip extending beyond the head of the threaded fastener is bent into a groove in the surface of the head of the threaded fastener, preventing accidental disassembly of fastener and nut.

Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device are disclosed for securing the nut on a spindle in a non-rotative position relative to the spindle. The assembly comprises the spindle nut, an antirotation spring and a spring backup plate mounted on the spindle. The antirotation spring and spring backup plate may be formed as a single unit.

Abstract: A spindle nut and a locking device for securing the nut in a rotative position on a spindle. An anti-rotation spring and a back up plate are mounted on the spindle in a non-rotative manner with the back up plate in abutment with the bearings that rotatively mount the hub to the spindle. The back up plate has multiple grooves aligned with and arranged to receive multiple resilient tabs on the periphery of the anti-rotation spring. The tabs of the anti-rotation spring are formed to project axially from the spring. A flange of the nut has multiple slots around its periphery that are sized to receive a tab of the anti-rotation spring. A tool having extending ears that fit in the slots of the nut is utilized to install the nut on the spindle. The extending ears prevent the tabs of the spring from entering a slot of the nut until the tool is removed. As the nut is rotated by the tool, the nut abuts the anti-rotation spring.

Abstract: A retainer for preventing rotation of a spindle nut relative to a wheel spindle. The retainer engages a key way of the spindle and a groove of the spindle nut to prevent rotation of the spindle nut relative to the spindle. The retainer has a semi-circular body that surrounds the end of the spindle. The retainer has a radially inward projecting tab and an axially extending leg from the tab that engages the key way. The leg in addition to engaging the key way engages the groove of the spindle nut. The spindle nut preferably includes a recess in which the body portion of the retainer is nested.

Abstract: A device for locking a threaded insert into a prepared hole in a parent material. The device includes a locating portion, a locking portion and a gripping portion which is removed upon installation. The locating portion comprises a finger which is positioned in a preformed slot in the external threads of the threaded insert. The locking portion, which extends outwardly from the locating portion, is driven across the corresponding threads of the parent material to shear and distort the threads and lock the insert in place. The gripping portion which extends outwardly from the locking portion is used by the installer to position the device during installation and is then broken off.

Abstract: An attachable vehicle hand brake lock assembly capable of being selectively attached over the end of a push button-activated hand brake to prevent its release. The lock assembly includes a cylindrical shaped body designed to be placed longitudinally over the upward extending end of the hand brake handle. The body includes an upper lock, a central threaded section, and a lower, threaded clamping section. The lock assembly also includes an outer sleeve with internal threads capable of being interconnected with the threads on the body enabling the sleeve to be moved upward and downward over the body during use. When initially attached to the handle, the lower section which is made up of two clamping arms is slanted and biased outward away from the outer surface of the handle to enable the lock assembly to slide easily over the handle. When the sleeve is rotated and moved downward over the clamping arms, their inner surfaces are forced inward against the handle to hold the lock assembly in place thereon.

Abstract: A generally spherical hitch ball has a downwardly extending neck and an outwardly extending flange which engages against the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle. A threaded shaft extends downwardly from the flange through an opening in the hitch. The coupling device is fixed to the hitch by a nut which is threaded on the shaft and engages a washer against the hitch. The nut is retained on the threaded shaft and positively prevented from escaping by a cylindrical pin which extends through an inclined hole formed in the hitch ball and the shaft. The pin has a head which is biased upwardly by a spring against the trailer arm where it fits over the ball. When the trailer arm is locked in place the pin head is inaccessible and the nut may not be removed.

Abstract: A screw having a threaded shaft, a head on the shaft and means to permit rotation of the screw. There is a longitudinal slot extending along at least a portion of the threaded shaft to receive a locking member. The invention has a particular application in a wood screw and the locking member is, preferably, a flat body having a sharpen tip. Using the invention a wood screw may be secured against vandalism.