Loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use
First Claim
1. A threaded fastener system for holding an object comprising:
- a washer axially movable on a threaded stud, the washer including at least one ring face disposed to contact the object when moved a sufficient distance along the threaded stud;
a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud;
a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis; and
wherein one of the washer and the nut has a plurality of protrusions and the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents, the protrusions and the detents being angularly spaced around the fastening axis and oriented so that the protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions, further wherein the plurality of protrusions or detents included on the washer are disposed on a surface receded from the at least one ring face.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A loosening-resistant threaded fastener system and method of use includes a washer that is axially movable on a threaded stud, a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud, and a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis. One of the washer and the nut may include a plurality of protrusions while the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents. The protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions. Rotating the nut on the stud while in contact with the washer results in distinct, audible clicks which may be counted to obtain a pre-determined tightness.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A threaded fastener system for holding an object comprising:
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a washer axially movable on a threaded stud, the washer including at least one ring face disposed to contact the object when moved a sufficient distance along the threaded stud; a threaded nut having threads which cooperate with the threaded stud; a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating on the stud about a fastening axis; and wherein one of the washer and the nut has a plurality of protrusions and the other of the washer and the nut has a plurality of detents, the protrusions and the detents being angularly spaced around the fastening axis and oriented so that the protrusions and the detents engage one another at a plurality of angular positions, further wherein the plurality of protrusions or detents included on the washer are disposed on a surface receded from the at least one ring face. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A threaded fastener system comprising:
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a washer having a ring face orthogonal to a fastening axis and having periodic, angularly spaced fins extending radially outward and orthogonal to the axis, each fin having a fin face orthogonal to the axis; a threaded nut having a mating face and threads that cooperate with a threaded stud; and a washer anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the washer from rotating relative to the stud, with one of the spaced fins and the mating face having protrusions, the other of the spaced fins and the mating face having detents, each fin is supported more flexibly parallel to the axis than is the nut. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for threaded fastening to a pre-determined tightness comprising:
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sliding a washer axially along a threaded stud, rotating a threaded nut on the threaded stud until the nut is finger tight against the washer, generating distinct audible clicks by moving protrusions disposed on the threaded nut through flexible interfering fins extending radially outward from the washer, and thereafter counting a pre-determined number of the distinct audible clicks generated by the nut and washer as the nut is further rotated on the threaded stud until the predetermined number of clicks has been counted. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification