Anti-vibration/rotation device for split bolts
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsCharles E. Whipple, Cong Thanh Dinh, Jerry A. Woodward
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retaining device for a split bolt connector which includes: a continuous wall that defines an aperture and at least one bendable tab extending upwardly from the wall or a member extending between opposing wall sections. The wall is adapted to accommodate the nut on a split bolt connector in the aperture and the at least one tab, or the member, is adapted to engage the slot in the split bolt after the nut is connected to the split bolt.
Claims20
A retaining device for a split bolt connector assembly, wherein the assembly includes a nut having a plurality of flats and a split bolt having a bolt head, a threaded end, a mid-portion and two cantilevered legs extending away from the bolt head which define a slot between the legs, wherein the slot extends from a base located in the mid-portion to an opening at the threaded end and wherein the slot defines the legs as independent structures between the base and the threaded end, the retaining device comprising:
- a continuous wall defining an aperture and having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- and
- at least one tab extending upwardly from the wall,
- wherein the wall is adapted to accommodate the nut in the aperture and the at least one tab is adapted to engage the slot in the split bolt.
A retaining device for a split bolt connector assembly that includes a split bolt and a nut having a plurality of flats, wherein the split bolt has a bolt head, a threaded end, a mid-portion and two cantilevered legs extending away from the bolt head which define a slot between the legs, wherein the slot extends from a base located in the mid-portion to an opening at the threaded end and wherein the slot defines the legs as independent structures between the base and the threaded end, wherein the retaining device comprises:
- a continuous wall having an interior surface, wherein the wall defines an aperture;
- and
- at least one tab extending upwardly from the wall;
- wherein the wall is adapted to accommodate the nut in the aperture so that the interior surface corresponds and is in close proximity to the plurality of flats and the at least one tab is bent into the slot to engage the split bolt after the nut is connected to the split bolt.
A retaining device for a split bolt connector assembly, wherein the assembly includes a nut having a plurality of flats and a split bolt having a bolt head, a threaded end, a mid-portion and two cantilevered legs extending away from the bolt head which define a slot between the legs, wherein the slot extends from a base located in the mid-portion to an opening at the threaded end and wherein the slot defines the legs as independent structures between the base and the threaded end, the retaining device comprising:
- a continuous wall defining an aperture and having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- and
- at least one tab extending upwardly from the wall,
- wherein the retaining device is installed on the nut after the nut is secured to the split bolt, wherein the wall is adapted to accommodate the nut in the aperture so that the interior surface corresponds and is in close proximity to the plurality of flats and wherein the at least one tab is adapted to engage the slot in the split bolt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.