Locking mechanisms with deflectable lock member

A locking mechanism for a fastener assembly, said locking mechanism comprising

• a first lock member including a plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and a body defining an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture sized to receive a threaded member of said fastener assembly, said body having an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and an annular surface extending between said inner circumferential surface and said outer circumferential surface, said axially-extending ratchet teeth extending upward from said annular surface;
• and
• a second lock member comprising:
• an annular ring configured to couple to said threaded member for rotation therewith;
• and
• a pair of spring fingers extending axially from said annular ring, each spring finger of said pair of spring fingers having a proximal end joined to said annular ring and a free end opposite said proximal end, wherein said second lock member has a lock position in which each free end is configured to engage said plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and an unlock position in which each free end is spaced from said plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth.

A method of assembling a locking mechanism for a fastener including a threaded body portion, said method comprising:

• providing a first lock member including a plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth, the first lock member defining a first aperture extending therethrough, the first aperture sized to receive the threaded body portion;
• forming a base portion of a second lock member, the base portion defining a second aperture extending therethrough, the second aperture sized to receive the threaded body portion;
• forming at least one spring finger of the second lock member, the at least one spring finger having a proximal end joined to the base portion and a free end opposite the proximal end;
• and
• bending the at least one spring finger at an angle relative to the base portion such that the at least one spring finger extends axially from the base portion, wherein the second lock member is positionable between a lock position in which the free end of the at least one spring finger is configured to engage the plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and an unlock position in which the free end of the at least one spring finger is spaced from the plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth, wherein the base portion and the at least one spring finger are a single piece.

A fastener assembly comprising:

• a threaded member comprising a threaded body portion;
• a nut configured to threadably engage said threaded body portion;
• a first lock member including a plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and defining an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture sized to receive said threaded body portion, said first lock member comprising at least one anti-rotation structure configured to rotationally fix said first lock member with respect to said threaded member;
• a second lock member comprising:
• a base portion configured to couple to said nut for rotation therewith;
• and
• at least one spring finger extending axially from said base portion, said at least one spring finger having a proximal end joined to said base portion and a free end opposite said proximal end, wherein said second lock member has a lock position in which said free end of said at least one spring finger is configured to engage said plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth and an unlock position in which said free end of said at least one spring finger is spaced from said plurality of axially-extending ratchet teeth.

A fastener assembly comprising:

• a threaded member comprising a threaded body portion;
• a first lock member including a plurality of radially-extending ratchet teeth and defining an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture sized to receive said threaded body portion, said first lock member comprising at least one anti-rotation structure configured to rotationally fix said first lock member with respect to said threaded member;
• a second lock member comprising:
• an inner portion defining an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture sized to receive said threaded body portion;
• and
• an outer portion including at least one tab extending axially from said inner portion, said at least one tab having a proximal end joined to said inner portion and a free end opposite said proximal end, wherein said second lock member has a lock position in which said free end of said at least one tab is configured to engage said plurality of radially-extending ratchet teeth and an unlock position in which said free end of said at least one tab is spaced from said plurality of radially-extending ratchet teeth.