THREADED FASTENER LOCK

• US 20150308485A1
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Gallant, Kelton, Spaulding, Barry William III
• Granted Patent: US 9,863,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/246 Fastening of diaphragms or stator-rings
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/64 using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centring, e.g. pins
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2250/281 threaded
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/183 internal, i.e. with spreading action
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 41/002 Measures against loss of bolts, nuts or pins devices for fastening nuts to surfaces F16B37/04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a fastener lock for engaging a threaded fastener. The fastener lock defines a discontinuous circular opening therethrough with at least one extending tab extending into the discontinuous circular opening. When a threaded fastener is disposed in the discontinuous circular opening, the at least one extending tab engages the threads of the threaded fastener.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

an upper component including an upper recess formed therethrough, the upper component further including an upper component wall;

a lower component including a lower recess formed therethrough;

a lock recess formed through the upper component wall and intersecting the upper recess; and

a fastener lock at least partially disposed within the lock recess, the fastener lock including a discontinuous circular opening formed therethrough and at least one extending tab disposed on a periphery of the discontinuous circular opening.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a threaded insert at least partially disposed within the lower recess.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower recess is threaded.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the lock recess is greater than a diameter of the upper recess.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener lock comprises a discontinuous washer having a void formed therein, the void defining two fastener lock ends on either side thereof.

6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a hole formed through each of the two fastener lock ends.

7. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising an extension disposed on at least one of the fastener lock ends, wherein an axis of the extension forms a non-zero angle with an axial plane in which the remainder of the fastener lock is disposed.

8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a cavity formed into the lock recess, wherein the cavity defines at least one cavity wall and rotation of the fastener lock is limited by interaction between the extension and the at least one cavity wall.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the fastener lock in a relaxed state is greater than a diameter of the upper recess.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener lock is formed from stainless steel.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a height of the lock recess allows the fastener lock to be disposed in a position where a fastener lock axial plane is non-parallel to a lock recess axial plane.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a threaded fastener disposed in the upper recess and extending through the opening such that the at least one extending tab engages a thread of the threaded fastener.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock recess comprises a central portion defining a central portion diameter, a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion extending through the upper component wall.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein a width of the proximal portion is less than the central portion diameter.

15. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a distal extension disposed within the distal portion of the lock recess, wherein interaction between the distal extension and the distal portion of the lock recess limits rotation of the fastener lock.

16. A fastener lock comprising:

a body defining a discontinuous circular opening therethrough;

at least one extending tab disposed on a periphery of the discontinuous circular opening and extending into the discontinuous circular opening

17. The fastener lock of claim 16, wherein the body comprises a discontinuous washer having a void formed therein, the void defining two fastener lock ends on either side thereof.

18. The fastener lock of claim 17, further comprising an extension disposed on at least one of the fastener lock ends, wherein an axis of the extension forms a non-zero angle with an axial plane in which the remainder of the fastener lock is disposed.

19. The fastener lock of claim 17, further comprising a distal extension disposed on the body substantially opposite the two fastener lock ends.