Self-aligning dome nut
OwnerFrancis Shawinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-aligning dome nut having a base member for connection into a hole or aperture of a mounting plate by a pressing operation. The base member has a neck portion on one side for connection into the hole and a cavity on its other side into which a nut member is loosely positioned. A protective dome encloses the cavity and covers the nut member. The dome is connected to the base member to leave an exposed portion on its other side for direct application of a clamping force during attachment of the dome nut to the support member. An insulting washer is disposed around the neck portion of the base member between it and the mounting plate, the insulating washer is sized to electrically isolate the nut from the support member and preclude electrical arcing therebetween.
Claims17
A self-aligning dome nut comprising:
- (a) a base member having:
- (1) a neck portion extending from one side thereof for attachment into an aperture of a support member with at least part of the one side of said base member resting directly on the support member,
- (2) a hole extending through said neck portion in the direction of the extension thereof, and
- (3) a cavity in the other side of the base member in communication with the hole in the neck portion;
- (b) a nut member loosely positioned within said cavity and in adjustable alignment with the hole in said neck portion, said nut being held against extended rotation within the cavity;
- and
- (c) a protective covering dome enclosing said cavity and covering the nut member, said dome having an open end connected to the base member radially inwardly of its outer periphery to leave generally the entire other side of the base member available for direct application of a clamping force during attachment of the dome nut to the support member, the available portion being in alignment with the part of the one side of the base member resting directly on the support member.
A lightning-safe connection between a self-aligning dome nut and a support member comprising:
- (a) an electrically conductive support member having an aperture therethrough;
- (b) a dome nut including:
- (1) an electrically conductive base member having:
- (i) a neck portion extending from one side thereof and secured in the aperture of the support member with the one side of said base member facing the support member,
- (ii) a hole extending through said neck portion in the direction of extension thereof, and
- (iii) a cavity in the other side of the base member in communication with the hole in the neck portion,
- (2) a nut member loosely positioned within said cavity and in adjustable alignment with the hole in said neck portion, said nut being held against extended rotation within the cavity, and
- (3) a protective covering dome enclosing said cavity and covering the nut member, said dome having an open end connected to the base member;
- and
- (c) a non-conductive insulating washer disposed around said neck portion and between the one side of the base member and the underlying side of the support member, said washer being dimensioned to electrically isolate the base member from the radially surrounding area of the underlying support member by a distance sufficient to prevent electrical arcing therebetween from an electrical discharge passing through the base member from the other side of said support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.