Threaded fastener
AssigneeAmsted Rail Company, Inc.
InventorBrian C. Ford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A threaded fastener includes a nut forming a threaded center hole that defines a rotational axis. The threaded fastener also includes a plurality of spring plungers affixed to the nut, each having a shaft that is aligned parallel to the rotational axis. The threaded fastener also includes a positioner forming (i) an unthreaded center hole that is coaxial with the threaded center hole and (ii) a plurality of recesses facing the spring plungers. As the nut is torqued against the positioner on a threaded spindle, the spring plungers repeatedly engage and disengage the recesses as the nut rotates with respect to the positioner. The recesses are shaped such that positioner converts the applied torque into a linear force that compresses the spring plungers, thereby locking the threads of the nut against the threads of the spindle.
Claims21
A threaded fastener comprising:
- a nut forming a threaded center hole that defines a rotational axis of the threaded fastener;
- a plurality of spring plungers affixed to the nut, each of the plurality of spring plungers including a ball-shaped contact movable along a shaft aligned parallel to the rotational axis;
- and
- a positioner forming (i) an unthreaded center hole that is coaxial with the threaded center hole and (ii) a plurality of recesses uniformly spaced around the rotational axis and facing the plurality of spring plungers, each of the plurality of recesses being shaped to engage with the ball-shaped contact;
- wherein the plurality of spring plungers are angularly spaced about the rotational axis such that each spring plunger alternately engages with a recess and the plurality of recesses and the plurality of spring plungers cooperate to create a ball detent mechanism such that, in response to an applied torque being applied to the nut:
- the ball-shaped contact of one of the plurality of spring plungers engages with one of the plurality of recesses;
- and
- the ball-shaped contact of said one of the plurality of plungers disengages with said one of the plurality recesses when the applied torque exceeds a minimum torque.
A threaded fastener, comprising:
- a nut forming a threaded center hole that defines a rotational axis of the threaded fastener;
- a plurality of spring plungers affixed to the nut, each of the plurality of spring plungers including a shaft that is aligned parallel to the rotational axis;
- and
- a wire forming:
- at least part of a loop that encircles the rotational axis, the loop creating an unthreaded center hole that is coaxial with the threaded center hole;
- and
- a plurality of radial undulations that create a plurality of recesses facing the plurality of spring plungers;
- wherein, in response to an applied torque being applied to the nut:
- one of the plurality of spring plungers engages with one of the plurality of recesses;
- and
- said one of the plurality of recesses is shaped to disengage said one of the plurality of spring plungers when the applied torque exceeds a minimum torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.