Fastener and washer assembly and method of forming same
OwnerRichard J. Kurczynskiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener and washer assembly wherein the washer includes a central planar bearing portion, an opening through the bearing portion, end portions inclined from a plane of the planar bearing portion and elongated openings on opposed sides of the central opening and a fastener having a body portion and a radial flange portion received in the elongated openings, rotatably supporting the fastener on the washer. The method of assembly includes driving the radial flange portion of the fastener against at least one of the inclined end portions of the washer, resiliently biasing the end portion outwardly and receiving the radial flange portion in the elongated openings.
Claims25
A fastener and washer assembly, comprising:
- a washer including a flat bearing portion, a central opening through said bearing portion, and end portions inclined from a plane of said bearing portion including elongated openings on opposed sides of said central opening, and a fastener having a body portion and a radial flange portion received in said elongated openings retaining said washer on said fastener, whereby said fastener is free to rotate relative to said washer.
A fastener and washer assembly, comprising:
- a washer including a planar central bearing portion having a central opening therethrough, generally parallel slots on opposed sides of said central opening equally spaced from said central opening, and opposed end portions inclined relative to said planar central bearing portion bent relative to said planar central bearing portion along an axis extending through said slots;
- and
- a fastener having a body portion received on said planar central bearing portion of said washer and a radial flange portion received through said slots, rotatably supporting said washer on said fastener.
A method of forming a fastener and washer assembly, comprising the following steps:
- forming a flat washer blank having a central opening and elongated slots on opposed sides of said central opening equally spaced from said central opening;
- forming a washer from said washer blank by deforming end portions of said washer blank about a lineal axis adjacent an outer surface of said elongated openings, wherein said end portions are inclined relative to a portion of said washer surrounding said central opening at an angle of less than 90 degrees;
- and
- assembling said washer on a fastener having a body portion and a radial flange portion by driving said radial flange portion against at least one of said end portions of said washer, resiliently biasing said end portions outwardly and receiving said radial flange portion in said elongated openings.
A method of forming a fastener and washer assembly, comprising the following steps:
- forming a washer blank from a flat generally rectangular metal plate by forming a central opening through said plate, forming elongated openings on opposed sides of said central opening and deforming end portions of said metal plate adjacent said elongated openings along an axis generally parallel to an axis of said elongated openings extending along an outer wall of said elongated openings;
- and
- assembling said washer on a fastener having a body portion and a radial flange portion by driving said radial flange portion against at least one of said end portions of said washer, resiliently biasing said end portion outwardly and receiving said radial flange portion in said elongated openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.