Torque indicating threaded mechanical fastening systems and methods
First Claim
1. A spring loaded pad clamp, comprising:
- a deflection washer having an outer dimension;
a threaded connection including a bolt and a nut;
an upper pad having a gap having edges that support the outer dimension of the deflection washer, the threaded connection having a portion that passes through the deflection washer and the gap, the threaded connection having a contact region that contacts the deflection washer, the gap being larger than the contact region so that the threaded connection, when tightened to a predetermined torque, deflects, in bending, the deflection washer into the gap without deflecting, in bending, the upper pad,wherein the deflection washer, the threaded connection, the washer, and the gap are configured so that deflection of the deflection washer is a visual indicator, when viewed from a side of the deflection washer, that the threaded connection has been tightened above the predetermined torque.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Threaded mechanical fastening systems and methods are provided that allow the simple deflection of a washer to indicate that a desired minimum torque has been reached or that a desired maximum torque has been exceeded. The method includes providing a threaded connection having a washer, installing the threaded connection so that the washer is supported as a simple beam over a gap, and using an amount of deflection of the washer as a result of torque applied by the threaded connection as an indicator. The torque indicating threaded mechanical fastening system includes a threaded connection and a washer supported as a simple beam over a gap so that the threaded connection, when tightened to a predetermined torque, deflects, in bending, the washer into the gap.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A spring loaded pad clamp, comprising:
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a deflection washer having an outer dimension; a threaded connection including a bolt and a nut; an upper pad having a gap having edges that support the outer dimension of the deflection washer, the threaded connection having a portion that passes through the deflection washer and the gap, the threaded connection having a contact region that contacts the deflection washer, the gap being larger than the contact region so that the threaded connection, when tightened to a predetermined torque, deflects, in bending, the deflection washer into the gap without deflecting, in bending, the upper pad, wherein the deflection washer, the threaded connection, the washer, and the gap are configured so that deflection of the deflection washer is a visual indicator, when viewed from a side of the deflection washer, that the threaded connection has been tightened above the predetermined torque. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A spring loaded pad clamp, comprising:
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a deflection washer having an outer dimension; a threaded connection including a bolt and a nut; an upper pad having a gap having edges that support the outer dimension of the deflection washer, the threaded connection having a portion that passes through the deflection washer and the gap, the threaded connection having a contact region that contacts the deflection washer, the gap being larger than the contact region so that the threaded connection, when tightened to a predetermined torque, deflects, in bending, the deflection washer into the gap, wherein the gap has a width that is 60% larger than a diameter of a shaft of the bolt and the outer dimension of the deflection washer is 60% larger than the width of gap. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification