Utility lug nut tension indicator

In combination, a fastener and an indicating cap for indicating loss of tension in the fastener, comprising:

• a fastener formed from a stack of conical washers and a cage for maintaining the washers in the stack, the cage having longitudinally extending side portions having a slot formed therein and a top securing member contiguous with the side portions for engaging an uppermost washer at about a peripheral region thereof, the stack of washers having a tensioned state wherein the washers are in a substantially planar condition and an untensioned state wherein the washers are in a substantially non-planar condition, the uppermost washer defining an interior region spaced from the peripheral region;
• and
• a cap having a body configured for receipt over the stack of conical washers, the body defining an interior surface, the cap further including a base flange contiguous with the body, the cap formed having at least one stanchion extending inwardly of the cap from the interior surface, the stanchion defining an end longitudinally spaced from the base flange, the cap further formed with at least one detent extending inwardly of the cap from the interior surface, longitudinally spaced from the base flange,
• wherein when the stack of conical washers is in the tensioned state, the stanchion lies adjacent the uppermost washer at the interior region and the detent engages and secures into the slot in the cage side portion to secure the cap to the fastener, and wherein when the stack of conical washers is in the untensioned state, the stanchion abuts the uppermost washer at the interior region and the detent is disengaged from the slot in the cage side portion to prevent the cap from securing to the fastener.

A tension indicator for use with a fastener, the fastener being formed from a stack of conical washers confined in the stack by a cage, the stack defining an uppermost washer having an upper surface and further defining an interior region intermediate a peripheral edge thereof and a longitudinal axis of the stack, the cage including longitudinally extending side portions and including a top securing member extending from the side portions to maintain the washers in the stack, the fastener configured for threadedly engaging a stud through a central, longitudinal opening therein, the tension indicator comprising:

• a body defining a central nut bore therein, the nut bore configured to snuggly receiving the fastener therein;
• a through body eccentric bore contiguous with and opening into the nut bore;
• at least one stop disposed within the central nut bore, the at least one stop defining a baseline plane relative to an outermost periphery of the uppermost washer when the fastener is positioned within the nut bore;
• and
• indicating means positioned within the eccentric bore for determining a height of the uppermost washer at a location intermediate the outer periphery of the uppermost washer and the longitudinal axis of the stack, the height being determined relative to the baseline plane at the outer periphery of the uppermost washer.