Lock nut

A wheel hub assembly including:

• a wheel hub;
• bearings mounted in the wheel hub and configured to receive a vehicle spindle;
• a nut assembly having a central axis, the nut assembly comprising:
• a base configured to form a non-rotatable connection with the vehicle spindle;
• a threaded body having threads to rotatably engage threads of the vehicle spindle;
• an actuator having a rotary drive structure;
• the base, threaded body, and actuator having fixed positions along the central axis of the nut assembly;
• drive portions of the actuator and threaded body that cooperate to cause turning of the threaded body about the central axis relative to the base with turning of the actuator in a tightening direction about the central axis relative to the base while the base, threaded body, and actuator have the fixed positions thereof along the central axis of the nut assembly as the threaded body turns with the actuator;
• the drive portions of the actuator and threaded body permitting rotary movement of the actuator in a loosening direction relative to the threaded body with a predetermined range of rotary motion while the base, threaded body, and actuator have the fixed positions thereof along the central axis;
• the drive portions of the actuator and the threaded body configured to engage and cause turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction upon the actuator being turned relative to the threaded body in the loosening direction through the predetermined range of rotary motion while the base, threaded body, and actuator have the fixed positions thereof along the central axis;
• and
• a wheel end device coupled to at least one of the actuator and the threaded body, the wheel end device configured to operate in response to the relative rotary movement of the actuator and the threaded body.

A method of operating a lock nut comprising a washer non-rotatably connected to a vehicle spindle, a threaded body having threads engaged with threads of the spindle, an actuator, and a lock having a locking member that is distinct from the washer, the threaded body, and the actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to be turned in a loosening direction relative to the threaded body to disengage the lock of the lock nut that inhibits turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer, the method comprising:

• connecting a tool to a rotary drive structure of the actuator;
• and
• turning the actuator in the loosening direction to cause turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer;
• wherein turning the actuator in the loosening direction includes turning the actuator in the loosening direction relative to the threaded body and shifting the locking member of the lock from a locked position wherein the locking member engages at least one of the threaded body and the washer and inhibits turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer to an unlocked position wherein the locking member is disengaged from the at least one of the threaded body and the washer and the locking member permits turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer.

A fastener assembly comprising:

• a rotary engagement member having a central through opening to receive a shaft;
• an actuator connected to the rotary engagement member and having a rotary drive structure;
• drive portions of the actuator and rotary engagement member that cooperate to cause turning of the rotary engagement member with turning of the actuator;
• the drive portions of the actuator and rotary engagement member permitting relative rotary movement of the actuator and the rotary engagement member in a first rotary direction and a second rotary direction opposite the first rotary direction;
• a fastener device coupled to at least one of the actuator and the rotary engagement member, the fastener device configured to operate in response to the relative rotary movement of the actuator and the rotary engagement member;
• wherein the fastener device comprises a sensor configured to:
• produce a first signal indicative of the actuator and rotary engagement member moving relative to one another in the first rotary direction;
• and
• produce a second signal indicative of the actuator and the rotary engagement member moving relative to one another in the second rotary direction, and
• wherein the sensor comprises:
• a first switch configured to close in response to the actuator and the rotary engagement member moving relative to one another in the first rotary direction;
• and
• a second switch configured to close in response to the actuator and the rotary engagement member moving relative to one another in the second rotary direction.