Spindle nut retainer

• US 20040258503A1
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dexter AXLE Company (DexKo Global, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dexter AXLE Company (DexKo Global, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tuthill, James Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/878,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20040258503A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 411/431
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 35/041 Specially-shaped shafts shape of thread F16B33/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/103 with a locking cup washer, ring or sleeve surrounding the nut or bolt head and being partially deformed on the nut or bolt head, or on the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/548 in O-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2226/60 with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections in general F16B23/00 - F16B43/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/02 Wheel hubs or castors in general B60B
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/06 Ball or roller bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 35/063 Fixing them on the shaft with interposition of an element F16C35/07
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2561 Spindle or work angler
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2562 Spindle and bearings

Abstract

A spindle nut retainer is provided for preventing a nut threaded upon a spindle from unthreading and detaching from the spindle. The spindle nut retainer includes an integral base section and peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration. The base section includes an aperture through which the spindle may pass and the peripheral section includes a plurality of fingers which form windows therebetween used to form a locking connection between the spindle nut retainer and the nut.

Claims

1. A spindle nut retainer for preventing disengagement of a nut threadedly engaged to a spindle, comprising:

an integral base section and a generally perpendicular peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration while in place over the nut;

wherein said base section defines a central aperture; and

wherein said peripheral section has an interior surface and includes a plurality of fingers which define one or more longitudinal windows therebetween, said fingers including nut corner engaging surfaces.

2. The spindle nut retainer of claim 1 wherein said nut corner engaging surfaces each comprise two angled surfaces.

3. The spindle nut retainer of claim 1 wherein said central aperture is D-shaped.

4. The spindle nut retainer of claim 1 wherein said base section is flat.

5. The spindle nut retainer of claim 1 wherein said base section is reinforced around said central aperture.

6. The spindle nut retainer of claim 1 made from polymer.

7-12. -12. cancelled.

13. A spindle nut locking system comprising:

a spindle having a first end;

a nut threadedly engaged to said spindle, said nut having flats;

a spindle nut retainer, circumscribing said nut and said spindle, comprising an integral base section and a generally perpendicular peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration wherein said base section defines a central aperture, and wherein said peripheral section includes a plurality of fingers which create one or more longitudinal windows therebetween.

14. The spindle nut locking system of claim 13 wherein said spindle has a D-shaped cross-section adjacent to said first end.

15. The spindle nut locking system of claim 14 wherein said central aperture is D-shaped and said spindle nut retainer circumscribes the D-shaped cross section of said spindle resulting in rotational interference between said spindle nut retainer and said spindle.

16. The spindle nut locking system of claim 13 wherein said peripheral member has an interior surface which defines a plurality of nut engaging surfaces.

19. The spindle nut locking system of claim 13 wherein said spindle includes a threaded section and a non-threaded section and said nut includes a first face adjacent said non-threaded spindle section and a second face on an opposite side of said nut and wherein said spindle nut retainer base section is adjacent said opposite side of said nut.

17-18. -18. cancelled.

20. A spindle nut retainer for placing over a nut threadedly engaged to a spindle having a threaded section with a truncated circular cross-section, said spindle nut retainer preventing disengagement of the nut and comprising:

an integral base section and a generally perpendicular peripheral section maintaining a cup-shaped configuration while in place over the nut;

wherein said base section defines a central aperture having a truncated circular shape for receiving the complementary shaped truncated circular cross-sectioned spindle to prevent rotation of the spindle nut retainer about the spindle;

wherein said peripheral section defines one or more longitudinal windows into which one or more corners of the nut protrude, preventing rotation of the nut; and

wherein said peripheral section includes inwardly extending portions for snapping over the nut to lock said spindle nut retainer in place.

21. The spindle nut retainer of claim 20 wherein said windows extend from said base section to an open end of the peripheral section opposite said base section.

23. The spindle nut retainer of claim 20 wherein said peripheral section further defines nut engaging surfaces on an interior surface.

24. The spindle net retainer of claim 21 wherein said inwardly extending portions are flared ends of fingers upon the peripheral section.

22. cancelled