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US 2019/0055980 A1Published application
Captive bolt assembly for utility boxes
AssigneeNewBasis West, LLC
InventorsJoe Durkee, Chris Branson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A durable captive bolt assembly for use with subterranean utility boxes is described. The disclosed bolt assembly includes a fastener, a conical spring, a rigid washer, a deformable washer, and a bushing. The point and threads of the fastener are designed to clear debris from an internally threaded nut and reduce or eliminate cross threading, galling, and electrolysis.
Claims13
An assembly useful for utility boxes comprising:
- a lag screw comprising a point, a shank, and a head wherein the shank is at least partially and wherein the threaded portion of the shank is at least two inches long;
- a bushing;
- a deformable washer;
- a cone spring;
- and
- a rigid washer, wherein the lag screw point is designed to remove dirt or debris from an internally threaded nut as the nut is threadedly engaged onto the lag screw and wherein the cone spring is configured to compress as the nut is threadedly engaged onto the shank.
3 more elements
A utility box comprising:
- a utility box body designed to withstand subterranean conditions;
- a utility box cover comprising a plurality of openings for passing a fastener through the utility box cover and a plurality of recesses;
- a plurality of internally threaded nuts;
- and
- a utility box fastener assembly wherein the fastener assembly comprises a lag screw, a conical spring, a rigid washer, a deformable washer, and a bushing, and wherein the lag screw is configured to remove dirt or debris from an internally threaded nut.
2 more elements
A method of providing a captive bolt assembly comprising the steps of:
- inserting a conical spring over the shank of a fastener wherein the conical spring has a smaller first end and a larger second end, and wherein the fastener comprises a point, shank and head, and wherein the smaller first end of the spring is proximal to the head of the fastener;
- inserting a rigid washer over the shank of the fastener, wherein the rigid washer is proximal to the larger second end of the spring;
- inserting a deformable washer over the shank of the fastener, wherein the deformable washer is adjacent to the ridged washer;
- inserting a bushing over the shank of the fastener, wherein the bushing is adjacent to the deformable washer.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.