Anti-loosening device for screw or nut

• US 7,056,162 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Arbus France
• Inventors: Tournier, Gilles, Klepka, Stéphanie
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US11/010,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20050136750A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 439/801, 439/807, 439/813, 411/144, 411/114, 411/91, 411/321, 411/175, 411/27, 429/178, 429/179, 429/121
• US Class Current: 439/801
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/26 with spring washers fastened to the nut or bolt-head
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 39/282 Locking by means of special shape of work-engaging surfaces, e.g. notched or toothed nuts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/12 End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/302 having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection

Abstract

An anti-loosening device for locking the head of a locking screw or nut, in particular for connection of an electrical terminal to a contact lug, wherein the device essentially comprises a plate having at least one catch element rotationally stationary in relation to the contact lug when the locking means are being fastened, and comprising a toothed element interlocking at the end of the screwing process with the catch element to resist unscrewing of the locking screw or nut.

Claims

1. An anti-loosening device for the secure connection of an electrical terminal to a contact lug with a locking member having a tooth element,

said device comprising a plate having at least one catch element situated between the locking member and the terminal and being rotationally stationary in relation to the contact lug when the locking member is fastened, the catch element engageable with the locking member tooth element to inhibit counter rotation of the locking member.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch element is operably carried by a supporting member, said supporting member including a base for threadably receiving the rotatable locking member, the supporting member including a stop engageable with the contact lug for inhibiting rotation of the supporting member relative to the contact lug.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable locking member includes a collar, and the tooth member is carried by the collar.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stop comprises a lower lateral flange of the supporting member.

5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the supporting member includes an upper lateral flange, the catch element comprising a nib on the upper lateral flange.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catch element is operably carried by a supporting member, the contact lug including a threaded shank, the locking member comprising a nut, the supporting member comprising a washer receivable by said shank.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the washer has anchoring arms, the nut including a collar, the collar including a shoulder, the anchoring arms being engageable with the shoulder.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the catch element comprises a least one spring tab cut out from the washer and engage able with a surface of the nut.

9. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the washer includes structure defining a central bore and a stop member extending into said central bore, the threaded shank including structure defining a groove for receiving said stop member.