Push-on bolt stabilizer
AssigneeHCC Holdings, Inc.
InventorDavid M. Siegal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.
Claims32
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A retainer comprising:
- a first base portion having a bottom surface in a first plane;
- and
- a plurality of fingers extending from the first base portion and above the first plane,
- the plurality of fingers having a second base portion, and deformable tip portions, wherein the deformable tip portions have at least one ridge, wherein each deformable tip portion is separated from an adjacent deformable tip portion,
- the deformable tip portions being disposed in a second plane above the first plane and above the second base portion and together defining an aperture,
- wherein the at least one ridge deflects away from the aperture when the retainer is pushed in a direction toward the first plane over a threaded shank, and
- wherein the at least one ridge deflects toward the aperture when the retainer is tightened by turning over the threaded shank.
A retainer comprising:
- a base portion in a first plane having an opening and an outer perimeter,
- a plurality of independently movable elongated sections forming a plurality of fingers extending inwardly from the outer perimeter towards the center of the retainer;
- wherein each of the plurality of fingers is separated from an adjacent finger;
- wherein each of the plurality of fingers has a gripping section having at least one ridge located in a second plane;
- and
- wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane.
A method for securing a bolt to a floor ring, comprising:
- inserting the bolt comprising a head and a threaded shank through a slot in a floor ring;
- sliding a retainer over the bolt wherein the retainer has a base portion in a first plane having an opening and an outer perimeter, a plurality of independently movable elongated sections forming a plurality of fingers extending inwardly from the outer perimeter towards the center of the retainer;
- wherein each of the plurality of fingers is separated from an adjacent finger;
- wherein each of the plurality of fingers has a gripping section having at least one ridge located in a second plane;
- and wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane;
- pushing the retainer over the threaded shank thereby deflecting the plurality of fingers upwardly and outwardly away from the bolt;
- and
- turning the retainer relative to the bolt to tighten the retainer over the bolt and thereby urging the at least one ridge inwards to hold the bolt against gripping section;
- and
- contacting only a top surface of the floor ring with the bottom surface of the retainer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.