Compression limiting nut
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJOHN D. BISSET, Jason D. Holt, Jeremy R.D. Tuttle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hollow fastening nut assembly including an upper head adapted to engage a wrench or other tightening tool and an integral co-axial, internally threaded lower section of reduced diameter adapted for insertion into an access opening in a fastened component. The lower section acts as a compression limiter. An optional annular disc spring may be disposed about the internally threaded lower section for engagement with the rear surface of the fastened component. A locking structure may be disposed at the exterior surface of the internally threaded lower section to engage the interior of the access opening to lock the nut assembly in place.
Claims20
A compression limiting nut assembly adapted to engage a threaded male member during attachment of a fastened component to a male threaded component, the compression limiting nut comprising:
- a unitary metal body of hollow construction, the body including a polygonal head portion adapted to engage a tightening tool and an integral nipple portion extending away from the head portion, the body having an open top and an open bottom with an axial passageway extending along the entire length of the body between the open top and the open bottom, the nipple portion including interior surface threads extending at least partially along the length of the nipple portion circumferentially about the axial passageway within the nipple portion, the body having a stepped exterior profile in the length dimension, wherein the head portion has an effective outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the axial passageway has a stepped configuration with the effective inner diameter of the head portion being greater than the inner diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the head portion has a hollow walled construction with an interior void between perimeter walls defining an upper portion of the axial passageway;
- and
- an enhanced diameter locking structure projecting radially outwardly from the exterior of the nipple portion circumferentially about the nipple portion.
A compression limiting nut assembly adapted to engage a threaded male member during attachment of a fastened component to a male threaded component, the compression limiting nut comprising:
- a unitary metal body of hollow construction, the body including a polygonal head portion adapted to engage a tightening tool and an integral nipple portion extending away from the head portion, the body having an open top and an open bottom with an axial passageway extending along the entire length of the body between the open top and the open bottom, the nipple portion including interior surface threads extending at least partially along the length of the nipple portion circumferentially about the axial passageway within the nipple portion, the body having a stepped exterior profile in the length dimension, wherein the head portion has an effective outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the axial passageway has a stepped configuration with the effective inner diameter of the head portion being greater than the inner diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the head portion has a hollow walled construction with an interior void between perimeter walls defining an upper portion of the axial passageway;
- a ring structure projecting radially outwardly from the exterior of the nipple portion and disposed circumferentially about the nipple portion;
- and
- a metal disc spring disposed in circumferential relation about the nipple portion at a position between the head portion and the ring structure, the disc spring having an annular conical construction including an upper neck and an enhanced diameter umbrella flange extending downwardly and radially away from the upper neck, wherein the umbrella flange intersects the upper neck at an elbow, the disc spring having an inwardly projecting interference structure defining the effective inner diameter for the disc spring which is less than the effective outer diameter formed by the ring structure on the nipple portion.
A compression limiting nut assembly adapted to engage a threaded male member during attachment of a fastened component to a male threaded component, the compression limiting nut comprising:
- a unitary metal body of hollow construction, the body including a polygonal head portion adapted to engage a tightening tool and a substantially cylindrical nipple portion extending away from the head portion, the body having an open top and an open bottom with an axial passageway extending along the entire length of the body between the open top and the open bottom, the nipple portion including interior surface threads extending at least partially along the length of the nipple portion circumferentially about the axial passageway within the nipple portion, the body having a stepped exterior profile in the length dimension, wherein the head portion has an effective outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the axial passageway has a stepped configuration with the effective inner diameter of the head portion being greater than the inner diameter of the nipple portion and wherein the head portion has a hollow walled construction with an interior void between perimeter walls defining an upper portion of the axial passageway;
- a compressible ring structure projecting radially outwardly from the exterior of the nipple portion and disposed circumferentially about the nipple portion;
- and
- a metal disc spring disposed in circumferential relation about the nipple portion at a position between the head portion and the boss elements, the disc spring having an annular conical construction including an upper neck and an enhanced diameter umbrella flange extending downwardly and radially away from the upper neck, wherein the umbrella flange intersects the upper neck at an elbow, the disc spring having an inwardly projecting interference structure defining the effective inner diameter for the disc spring which is less than the effective outer diameter formed by the ring structure on the nipple portion, and wherein each side of the disc spring has a dogleg cross-sectional profile including a distal foot portion defining a substantially flat lower surface and an angled leg portion extending between the distal foot portion and the elbow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.