Locknut having axially extended spring member
OwnerDaniel John Spriggelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locknut includes a nut body having a threaded through opening therein extending between a first end and a second end. A pocket is defined within the second end of the nut body. An axially extended spring member having a length that is greater than about half the diameter of an externally threaded member that is to be received by the locknut includes a pair of leg members joined together by an apex member. The leg members define locking surfaces. The locking surfaces exert pressure on the externally threaded member at spaced-apart radial locations to develop a locking force between the nut body and the externally threaded member.
Claims22
A locknut for engaging an externally threaded member, comprising:
- a nut body having a first and a second end, said nut body defining a threaded through opening therein sized to receive the externally threaded member, the second end of said nut body defining a pocket therein having a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed at an angle with respect to the first mating surface, the externally threaded member having a diameter;
- and
- an axially extended spring member having a length that is greater than about half the diameter of the externally threaded member disposed within the pocket of said nut body, said axially extended spring member comprising at least first and second leg members joined together by an apex member sized to be received by the first and second mating surfaces, the first and second leg members defining respective first and second locking surfaces so that when the externally threaded member is threaded into the threaded through opening defined by said nut body the first and second locking surfaces contact the externally threaded member at respective first and second spaced-apart radial locations to develop a locking force between said nut body and the externally threaded member.
A method of making a lock nut for engaging an externally threaded member, comprising:
- providing a nut body blank;
- forming the nut body blank into a nut body, the nut body comprising:
- a first, a second end, and a threaded through opening therein sized to receive an externally threaded member, the externally threaded member having a diameter, the second end of the nut body defining a pocket therein having a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed at an angle with respect to the first mating surface;
- providing a spring member blank;
- forming the spring member blank into an axially extended spring member having a length that is greater than about half the diameter of the externally threaded member, the axially extended spring member comprising at least first and second leg members joined together by an apex member sized to be received by the first and second mating surfaces, the first and second leg members defining respective first and second locking surfaces;
- and
- positioning the axially extended spring member into the pocket so that when the externally threaded member is threaded into the threaded through opening defined by the nut body the first and second locking surfaces of the spring member press against the externally threaded member at respective first and second spaced-apart radial locations and develop a locking force between the nut body and the externally threaded member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.