Press on retaining washer for fasteners
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsMichael R. Estridge, Mark J. Dube, William J. Elliott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thin film-retaining washer with custom geometry that may further provide for a simple press-on installation while maintaining retention of fasteners during assembly, shipping, handling, and/or use of associated systems. The present retaining hardware is easily manufactured from sheet or film materials with minimal post-processing and may be scaled and optimized for use with multiple size and style of fasteners. Further, the thickness profile of the thin film retaining hardware facilitates lobe spring deflection to further provide secure retention of the associated fasteners.
Claims11
A retaining washer comprising:
- a first side opposite a second side and defining a thickness therebetween;
- a central aperture defined through the washer;
- at least two notches evenly distributed about an inner edge of the washer and extending outward from the central aperture;
- and
- at least two lobes defined between the at least two notches;
- wherein the at least two lobes are flexible to permit operable engagement with a threaded fastener;
- and wherein the thickness of the washer is less than a distance between two adjacent threads of the threaded fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.