LOCK NUT ASSEMBLY AND BOLT AND WRENCH FOR USE THEREWITH

• US 3,581,609 A
• Filed: 12/12/1968
• Issued: 06/01/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eugene C. Greenwood
• Original Assignee: Eugene C. Greenwood
• Inventors: Greenwood, Eugene C.
• Application Number:
  US04/783,311
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• US Class Current: 81/124.7
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/04 of ring jaw type
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/48 for special purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 13/485 for theft-proof screws, bolts or nuts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/10 by a plate, spring, wire or ring immovable with regard to the bolt or object and mainly perpendicular to the axis of the boltF16B39/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/926 Positive lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/948 Longitudinal key

Abstract

A lock nut assembly including a nut having a threaded hole therein adapted for use with a bolt having a groove running at least part of the length of the thread thereon. The nut comprises a central recess which includes a plurality of inwardly extending serrations along a portion of the total depth of the recess. A lock ring having a plurality of serrations extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof is adapted to fit over the bolt and into the recess in the nut where the serrations on the lock ring mate with the serrations on the nut. The lock ring further includes an inwardly extending tongue which is positioned in the groove in the bolt so that the lock ring is axially moveable but not rotatable relative to the bolt, the nut being locked in place when the serrations thereon are in contact with the serrations on the lock ring. A special wrench is provided for separating the lock ring and nut so that the nut may be rotated relative to the bolt.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a lock nut having a threaded hole therein adapted for use with a bolt having at least one groove running at least part of the length of the thread thereon, said lock nut comprising;

a recess aligned with the centerline of said nut and extending along a portion of the length of said nut, said recess including a plurality of inwardly extending serrations along a portion of the depth of said recess; and

an annulus having a plurality of serrations extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof, said annulus adapted to fit over said bolt and into said recess in said nut, the serrations on said annulus mating with the serrations on said nut, said annulus further having at least one inwardly extending tongue adapted to extend into said groove in said bolt whereby said annulus is axially moveable but not rotatable relative to said bolt, said nut being locked in place when the serrations thereon are in contact with the serrations on said annulus.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said recess is generally cylindrical in shape.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the depth of the serrated portion of said recess is approximately equal to half of the total depth of said recess.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the thickness of said annulus is approximately equal to the depth of said serrated portion of said recess.

5. An assembly according to claim 1 further comprising:

means for urging said annulus into engagement with said serrations on said nut.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said means is positioned in said recess between the base thereof and said annulus.

7. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said means comprises:

a spring positioned in said recess between the base thereof and said annulus.

8. An assembly according to claim 5 wherein said means comprises:

a washer positioned in said recess between the base thereof and said annulus, the outer end of said washer being split to form a plurality of arms, said arms extending axially to form a plurality of leaf springs.

9. An assembly according to claim 5 further comprising:

means for prohibiting removal of said annulus from said recess.

10. An assembly according to claim 5 further comprising:

a wrench adapted to engage said nut, said wrench including means for disengaging said serrations on said annulus and said nut.

11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said disengaging means comprises:

means for forcing said annulus axially into the unserrated portion of said recess.

12. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein said wrench comprises:

a head portion adapted to fit over and engage the outer surface of said nut; and

a generally cylindrical ring supported wIthin said head, said ring adapted to fit over said bolt and to contact and force said annulus axially into the unserrated portion of said recess.