US3758938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool for applying and locking threaded fasteners and method
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
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Filing: 1971-11-03
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A power driven tool and method for turning a conventional threaded fastener on a threaded shank to a predetermined tightness and automatically locking it in place by deforming or swaging the fastener to create controlled thread interference. The tool includes a power driven fastener socket surrounded by a plurality of radially movable punches which, when moved inwardly, will deform the fastener to effectively lock it in place. The punches are caused to move inwardly upon the fastener by a mechanism for converting rotary motion of the tool to a radial clamping force which is applied to the fastener as it begins to be tightened and which is effective to deform the fastener after it has reached a predetermined tightness. The tool also includes means to automatically retract the punches from the fastener after the fastener has been deformed to permit removal of the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 R Simmens
- 👤 H Boyd
- 👤 P Kuchling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:05
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B21/00; B25B21/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49908; Y10T29/49936; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53687; Y10T29/53996
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A tool for applying and locking a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt comprising a nut socket, power means for rotating said nut socket about an axis, crimping means adjacent said nut socket and movable from an open position external of said socket to a closed position extending radially inwardly into said socket and a mechanism for causing movement of said crimping means from its open position radially inward to an intermediate position to clamp upon a nut within said socket while said nut is being rotated and effective to further move said clamping means to its said closed position to deform said nut after said nut has reached a predetermined tightness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tool for applying and locking a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt comprising a nut socket, power means for rotating said nut socket about an axis, crimping means adjacent said nut socket and movable from an open position external of said socket to a closed position extending radially inwardly into said socket and a mechanism for causing movement of said crimping means from its open position radially inward to an intermediate position to clamp upon a nut within said socket while said nut is being rotated and effective to further move said clamping means to its said closed position to deform said nut after said nut has reached a predetermined tightness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for causing movement of said crimping means is a device effective to convert rotary motion of said tool as applied to said socket to radially inward movement of said crimping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein said crimping means comprises a plurality of punches positioned radially adjacent the faces of said socket and movable from said open position outside said socket through the walls of said socket to said closed position within said socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tool of claim 1 which further includes means for reversing the movement of said crimping means after reaching its said closed position effective to restore said crimping means to it said open position to release said crimped nut within said socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein said mechanism for causing movement of said crimping means is a screw mechanism having one thread element rotated by said power means and the other thread element fixed to said socket whereby rotation of said socket is caused by rotation of both of said elements by said power means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tool of claim 5 wherein said crimping means is positioned within said screw mechanism such that relative movement of said screw elements parallel to said axis of rotation will cause movement of said crimping means between its said open and closed positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tool of either of claims 5 or 6 said screw saidscrew mechanism is a ball screw.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tool for applying and locking a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt comprising a nut socket rotatable aboUt an axis, crimping means radially adjacent said socket and movable from an open position external of said socket through an intermediate position to a closed position extending radially inwardly into said socket, a source of rotary power, and a drive mechanism for connecting said power source to said nut socket and crimping means effective to automatically and simultaneously rotate said socket and move said crimping means to its said intermediate position until said nut reaches a predetermined tightness and thence to automatically move said crimping means to its said closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tool for applying and locking a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt comprising a nut socket rotatable aboUt an axis, crimping means radially adjacent said socket and movable from an open position external of said socket through an intermediate position to a closed position extending radially inwardly into said socket, a source of rotary power, and a drive mechanism for connecting said power source to said nut socket and crimping means effective to automatically and simultaneously rotate said socket and move said crimping means to its said intermediate position until said nut reaches a predetermined tightness and thence to automatically move said crimping means to its said closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The tool of claim 8 wherein said drive mechanism comprises a screw mechanism having one race element driven by said source of rotary power about the axis of said nut socket, a second element secured relative to said socket and movable axially with respect to said first element when said elements rotate relative to each other about said axis, and means for converting the relative movement of said elements along said axis into a radially inward force upon said crimping means to move said crimping means to its said closed position when said nut reaches said predetermined tightness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tool of claim 9 where said screw mechanism is a ball screw.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tool of claim 9 wherein said means for converting said relative movement includes a tapered surface on said elements which, when said elements move axially with respect to the other, exerts a radially inward force upon said crimping means to move it from said open to closed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The tool of claim 8 which further includes means for reversing said source of rotary power after said crimping means has reached its said closed position to thereby restore said crimping means to its said open position to release said crimped nut within said socket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A tool for applying a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt by tightening it to a predetermined torque resistance and thence automatically locking it in place comprising a nut socket, a crimping means radially adjacent said nut socket and movable between an open position external of said socket to a closed position extending radially into said socket and control and power means operably connected to said socket and crimping means effective to simultaneously rotate said socket and move said crimping means partially towards its said closed position to grip a nut within said socket until said nut is tightened to the position of predetermined torque resistance and thence to cause said crimping means to automatically move to its said closed position to deform said nut and lock it in place at its position of tightness of predetermined torque resistance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
A tool for applying a threaded nut upon a threaded bolt by tightening it to a predetermined torque resistance and thence automatically locking it in place comprising a nut socket, a crimping means radially adjacent said nut socket and movable between an open position external of said socket to a closed position extending radially into said socket and control and power means operably connected to said socket and crimping means effective to simultaneously rotate said socket and move said crimping means partially towards its said closed position to grip a nut within said socket until said nut is tightened to the position of predetermined torque resistance and thence to cause said crimping means to automatically move to its said closed position to deform said nut and lock it in place at its position of tightness of predetermined torque resistance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The tool of claim 13 wherein said control and power means is responsive to the torque encountered by said nut as it approaches its position of predetermined torque resistance and is effective to apply a gripping force upon said nut sufficient to prevent removal of said tool therefrom but insufficient to deform said nut prior to said nut reaching its position of predetermined torque resistance.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of applying a nut upon a threaded fastener to a predetermined tightness and then locking it in place by deforming the nut to create resistance against loosening with a driven rotary socket having at least one nut deforming punch adjacent said socket comprising the steps of 1 applying said socket upon said nut, 2 rotating said socket and thus said nut to an initial pretightening position, 3 continuing to rotate said socket and nut while applying a clamping force to the faces thereof with said punch sufficient to prevent removal of said nut from said socket but insufficient to deform said nut, 4 and thence deforming said nut by applying further clamping force thereon after said nut has reached said predetermined tightness.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of applying a nut upon a threaded fastener to a predetermined tightness and then locking it in place by deforming the nut to create resistance against loosening with a driven rotary socket having at least one nut deforming punch adjacent said socket comprising the steps of 1 applying said socket upon said nut, 2 rotating said socket and thus said nut to an initial pretightening position, 3 continuing to rotate said socket and nut while applying a clamping force to the faces thereof with said punch sufficient to prevent removal of said nut from said socket but insufficient to deform said nut, 4 and thence deforming said nut by applying further clamping force thereon after said nut has reached said predetermined tightness.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3479714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |