Unitary lock nut assembly

Claim 1

A unitary lock nut assembly for securing a member comprising in combination A. A threaded bolt having a keyway substantially along its length and attachment means at one end for attachment to a supporting member, B. A nut threadably engaged with said bolt and having a. an annular shoulder with a cam surface thereon, b. a reduced diameter portion rearwardly of said shoulder, and c. a series of ratchet teeth along its rearward end face, C. A substantially cylindrical follower in nonrotatable but slidable engagement with said bolt rearwardly of said nut, said follower having a. a key within the keyway of said bolt, b. an increased diameter section forming an annular stop shoulder along its forward end face, and c. a plurality of ratchet teeth on its forward end face adapted for engagement with the ratchet teeth of said nut, D. A cup-shaped spring retainer carried over said follower, a. said retainer having an opening at its closed end, b. said rearward end of said follower extending through the opening of said retainer, and c. the open end of saId cup-shaped retainer secured to the reduced diameter portion of said nut, E. A cup-shaped drive knob carried over said spring retainer, a. said drive knob having an opening at its closed rearward end, b. said rearward end of said follower extending through said drive knob opening, c. said drive knob having a cam surface at its forward end for caming engagement with said cam surface on said nut, d. said drive knob having a knurled outer surface to facilitate manual gripping, and e. said drive knob rotatable with respect to said nut and said bolt, F. A retaining means for retaining said drive knob on said follower, G. A spring bearing against the shoulder of said follower and the closed end portion of said spring retainer biasing said ratchet teeth of said follower and the ratchet teeth of said nut into ratchet engagement and biasing said cam surface on said drive knob and said cam surface on said nut into caming engagement, and H. said cam surfaces arranged with respect to said ratchet teeth whereby said ratchet teeth are engaged and disengaged by said cam surfaces when said drive knob is rotated relative to said nut.