Means for disabling a safety catch on a screw-threaded component

Abstract

A disabling tab (100) for disabling an anti-disengagement or safety catch (80) such as on a connector (20) of a pedestal for elevated floors having mating internally and externally threaded components is disclosed. The safety catch (80) is a pivoted wedge shaped block defined at the lower end of an externally threaded component which defines a ramped portion (84) extending to a buttress end (86) facing the start of the external thread. In the internally threaded components, one thread also defines a buttress end (92). When the components are screwed together, the ramp (84) of the safety catch deflects inwards and passes the buttress end (92). When the components are unscrewed, the end (86) of the catch abuts the end (92) of the thread preventing the components from being unscrewed. The tab (100) includes a v-shaped end portion (106) comprising two arms—a thin ramped bridge portion (110) which in use fits over, the safety catch (80), and a second arm 108 which locates between the threads at the start of the thread of the externally threaded component. A shaft (100) extends away from end portion (106). In use, the bridge portion (110) disables the safety catch by guiding the buttress end (92) of the internal thread over the safety catch (80) while deflecting the safety catch inwards. The arms (110, 108) of the bridge portion are thin enough to pass between the external and internal threads without jamming.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.