Self retaining anti-rotation key
AssigneeAerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.
InventorAlan Benjamin Christopher Dixon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Anti-rotation keys are typically used in applications where an end of a threaded stud is received in a housing, and where the opposite end of the stud projects from the housing to allow attachment of another component to the housing. Once partially received in the housing, further rotation of the stud is prevented by an anti-rotation key. The disclosed anti-rotation key is self-retaining, in that it prevents itself from “backing out” of the channel due to vibration or thermal expansion of the housing, etc., while also being removable from the channel if desired.
Claims15
A fastener assembly, comprising:
- a housing including an opening;
- a stud at least partially disposed in the opening, the stud including a channel aligned with the opening;
- and
- a key disposed at least partially in both the channel and the opening, the key including a self-retaining feature.
An anti-rotation key, comprising:
- a main body portion;
- a flex arm which extends from the main body portion, the flex arm deflectable relative to the main body portion from a relaxed position to a deflected position;
- and
- a locking tip which extends from the flex arm.
A method, comprising the following steps:
- providing a key including a main body portion and a locking tip spaced from the main body portion;
- inserting a key into a key channel in a first direction, the key channel defined partially by a housing and partially by a stud received within the housing;
- and
- positioning the locking tip of the key such that it contacts an end of the stud to prevent movement of the key in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.