Locking nut

Claim 2

A fastener structure comprising in combination: a. a bolt having screwthreads and including an end portion including a pair of diametrically opposed flat sides; b. a nut having mating screwthreads and adapted to occupy a portion of the bolt adjacent but axially offset from the end portion; c. an integral locking sleeve having smooth surfaces and including a circular end clearing the screwthreads and joining integrally to the nut, a pair of first diametrically disposed transition zones continuing from the circular end and initially curving inward toward the flat sides of the bolt end portion, then curving toward a parallel relation until at least in line contact with the flat sides, and a pair of second diametrically disposed transition zones initially curving outwardly from the bolt end portion, then curving toward parallel relation clear of the bolt end portion.

Claim 3

A faster structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the sleeve continues axially along the bolt end portion with its diametrically opposed portions in essentially parallel relation to provide surface contact with the flat sides of the bolt end portion.

Claim 4

A fastener structure, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. the region of the sleeve occupied by the transition zones has reduced wall thickness and the region of the sleeve continuing axially therefrom has increased wall thickness.

Claim 5

A fastener structure as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. the nut and sleeve are formed of plastic material; b. and the axially continuing portion includes a ring of malleable metal.

Claim 6

A faster structure as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. a deformable cap covers the extended end of the sleeve.

Claim 7

A fastener structure as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the nut is provided with a semi-toroidal axially directed channel at the circular end of the sleeve.

Claim 8

A fastener structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the circular end of the sleeve at its juncture with the nut has a reduced wall thickness to form a weakened zone calculated to sever on application of a predetermined torsional stress between the sleeve and nut, thereby to permit subsequent piecemeal axial removal of the sleeve and nut.

Claim 9

A nut for locking engagement with a bolt having a pair of opposed flat regions depressed below its screwthreads, the nut comprising: a. a body formed of plastic material and having internal screwthreads dimensioned to screwthread on the bolt; b. an initially cylindrical sleeve formed of plastic material and connected integrally to the nut and extending axially therefrom in contiguous but clearing relation to the screwthreads of the bolt and adapted to occupy a position confronting the flat regions of the bolt, the walls of the sleeve being continuous and extending at least half the diameter of the sleeve; c. the walls of the sleeve being deformable to provide a pair of opposed transition zones adjacent the nut which curve in one direction from the nut portion, then in the opposite direction to the corresponding flat regions of the bolt, and a pair of opposed flat locking zones continuing from the transition zones and disposed in essentially surface contact throughout the width of the flat regions of the bolt to resist relative rotation of the bolt and nut; d. and a metal locking band surrounding the locking zones.

Claim 10

A nut for locking engagement with a bolt having a pair of opposed flat regions depressed below its screwthreads, the nut comprising: a. a body formed of plastic material and having internal screwthreads dimensioned to screwthread on the bolt; b. an initially cylindrical sleeve formed of plastic material and connected integrally to the nut and extending axially therefrom in contiguous but clearing relation to the screwthreads of the bolt and adapted to occupy a position confronting the flat regions of the bolt, the walls of the sleeve being continuous and extending at least half the diameter of the sleeve; c. the walls of the sleeve being deformable to provide a pair of opposed transition zones adjacent the nut which curve in one direction from the nut portion, then in the opposite direction to the corresponding flat regions of the bolt, and a pair of opposed flat locking zones continuing from the transition zones and disposed in essentially surface contact throughout the width of the flat regions of the bolt to resist relative rotation of the bolt and nut; d. and a metal locking band surrounding the locking zones.

Claim 11

A locking nut for use on bolts having at least one flat side at its extremity, said locking nut comprising: a. a nut body having internal screwthreads to receive said bolt; b. an integral circumferentially continuous sleeve extending axially from said nut body and having an inner surface initially clearing the bolt screwthreads, said sleeve including a transition band of a predetermined wall thickness, a locking band of uniform wall thickness greater than that of said transition band said locking band being deformable into conformity with the flat side of said bolt, and the contiguous axial end of said transition band being deformable therewith while the axial end of said transition band folds locally with respect to said nut body; c. said nut body and sleeve being formed of plastic material; d. and a ring of non-resilient metal incorporated in said locking band.

Claim 12

A locking nut for use on bolts having at least one flat side at its extremity, said locking nut comprising: a. a nut body having internal screwthreads to receive said bolt; b. an integral circumferentially continuous sleeve extending axially from said nut body and having an inner surface initially clearing the bolt screwthreads, said sleeve including a transition band of a predetermined wall thickness, a locking band of uniform wall thickness greater than that of said transition band said locking band being deformable into conformity with the flat side of said bolt, and the contiguous axial end of said transition band being deformable therewith while the axial end of said transition band folds locally with respect to said nut body; c. said nut body and sleeve being formed of plastic material; d. and a ring of non-resilient metal incorporated in said locking band.