US 4,017,946 A · Lock screw for rigging connector or the like

Abstract

A pair of companion hardware parts are connected together by a screw in order to close a link for webbing components of a drag chute or the like. One of the parts provides a threaded hole for the screw and the other of the parts provides a recess for accommodating the head of the screw and also provides an access opening for passage of the screw shank for engagement with the threaded hole. A spring retainer is detachably received in an internal groove of the recess. The retainer has a key that interfits keyways in the screw head and the recess whereby the screw is locked in place notwithstanding vibration and shock. No part of the mechanism projects beyond the recess. Hence it cannot catch or snag. Desirably a tang extends diagonally from the retainer in order to block access to the screw to inhibit attempted removal by an untrained or unauthorized person.

Claims9

Dependent claims

In a locking device:

a. a pair of companion hardware parts adapted to be locked together;
b. one of said hardware parts having a threaded female fastener element;
c. said other of said hardware parts having a recess facing outwardly, there being an access opening in the bottom of said recess registrable with said female fastener element;
d. a screw in said recess having a shank extended through said access opening and threadedly engaging said female fastener element;
e. said screw having a head entirely accommodated in said recess;
f. said recess having, near its outer end, an internal groove;
g. said recess and said head having companion keyways;
and
h. a spring retaining member snapped in said groove, said retaining member having a key extending into both of said keyways whereby said screw is releasably retained in position notwithstanding shock and vibration.

6 more elements

In a locking device:

a. a pair of companion hardware parts adapted to be locked together;
b. a link having a pair of generally parallel posts extending from a bight to extend through a pair of elements to be connected;
c. one of said hardware parts being a yoke for bridging said posts, said yoke having recess means at one side edge;
d. said posts having, adjacent their distal ends, slot means for interfitting the side edge recess means of said yoke upon transverse movement of said yoke relative to said posts;
e. the other of said hardware parts being a locking plate having a pair of holes or sockets to receive the distal ends of said posts and to extend alongside said yoke;
f. said yoke having a threaded female fastener element;
g. said locking plate having an outwardly facing recess, there being an access opening in the bottom of said recess registrable with said female fastener element;
h. a screw in said recess having a shank extended through said access opening and threadedly engaging said female fastener element;
i. said screw having a head entirely accommodated in said recess;
j. said recess having, near its outer end, an internal groove;
k. said recess and said head having companion keyways;
and
l. a spring retaining member snapped in said groove, said retaining member having a key extending into both of said keyways whereby said screw is releasably retained in position notwithstanding shock and vibration.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lock screw for rigging connector or the like

Life of this patent

Lock screw for rigging connector or the like

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9