US3881392A — Tension indicating fastener unit

Claim 1

Independent Claim 222 words

A preassembled tension indicating fastener unit comprising a rotary fastener member with rotation inducing surfaces, a generally circular bearing surface located beneath the rotation inducing surfaces and integral therewith, a conical-like spring washer device preassembled to the rotary fastener member, the washer device having an inner periphery spaced upwardly from its outer periphery, a generally circular indicating member preassembled to the unit and including a central aperture concentric with the outer periphery, the indicating member comprising radially inwardly extending flange means positioned between outer peripheral marginal portions of the bearing surface and the upper surface of the spring washer device, the inner periphery of the flange means being substantially equidistant from the axis of the fastener member and the spring washer device, side wall portions integral with the flange means extending upwardly therefrom surrounding the circular periphery of the bearing surface preventing lateral movement of the indicating member relative to the bearing surface and retaining the inner periphery of the flange means equidistant from the fastener and spring washer device axes, wherein the flange means is adapted to be pinched between said outer peripheral marginal portions of the bearing surface and the upper surface of the spring washer device as the spring washer device is compressed to a predetermined height which is directly related to a predetermined tension in the fastener unit.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 222 words

A preassembled tension indicating fastener unit comprising a rotary fastener member with rotation inducing surfaces, a generally circular bearing surface located beneath the rotation inducing surfaces and integral therewith, a conical-like spring washer device preassembled to the rotary fastener member, the washer device having an inner periphery spaced upwardly from its outer periphery, a generally circular indicating member preassembled to the unit and including a central aperture concentric with the outer periphery, the indicating member comprising radially inwardly extending flange means positioned between outer peripheral marginal portions of the bearing surface and the upper surface of the spring washer device, the inner periphery of the flange means being substantially equidistant from the axis of the fastener member and the spring washer device, side wall portions integral with the flange means extending upwardly therefrom surrounding the circular periphery of the bearing surface preventing lateral movement of the indicating member relative to the bearing surface and retaining the inner periphery of the flange means equidistant from the fastener and spring washer device axes, wherein the flange means is adapted to be pinched between said outer peripheral marginal portions of the bearing surface and the upper surface of the spring washer device as the spring washer device is compressed to a predetermined height which is directly related to a predetermined tension in the fastener unit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

A fastener unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flange means comprises a substantially continuous thin rim presenting an inner periphery concentric to the generally circular outer periphery formed by the waLl portions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

A fastener unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the generally circular bearing surface member includes upper and lower marginal surfaces extending radially outwardly of the rotation inducing surfaces.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

A fastener unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bearing surface includes a marginal recess which receives the flange means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 44 words

A fastener unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bearing surface member includes upper and lower marginal surface portions and the indicating member includes portions extending radially inwardly from the wall portions above the upper marginal surface portion of the bearing surface member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

A fastener unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flange means comprises tab portions spaced circumferentially about the inner periphery of the indicating member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 136 words

A fastener member in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side wall portions of the indicating member include spring members extending inwardly and registering in notches in the periphery of the bearing surface member, upper flange portions extending inwardly from the side wall portions and juxtaposed over upper marginal surface portions on the bearing surface member, the upper marginal surface portions including indicia means which are covered by the upper flange portions, the upper flange portions including means for permitting the indicia means to be exposed upon relative rotation between the indicating member and the rotary fastener member, wherein the indicator member is adapted to rotate relative to the upper marginal surface portions against the bias of the spring members when the flange means is pinched between the bearing surface member and the spring washer member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

A fastener member in accordance with claim 1, wherein the diameter of the central aperture of the indicating member is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery of the washer device.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 188 words

A tension indicating fastener unit comprising a threaded fastener member with a driving portion and bearing surface beneath the head integral therewith and having a generally circular outer periphery, a generally conical spring washer preassembled to the unit beneath the bearing surface, a ring gauge member preassembled on the unit and including upstanding wall surfaces surrounding the outer periphery of the bearing surface and conforming to the diameter thereof adapted to prohibit significant lateral movement of the gauge relative to the bearing surface, flange means integral with the wall surfaces and extending radially inwardly therefrom a predetermined distance, the flange means being located between the bearing surface and the conical spring washer, the innermost extremity of the flange means being equidistantly spaced radially from the washer aperture and retained in said equidistant relationship by the upstanding wall surface surrounding the outer periphery of the bearing surface, wherein the flange means may be pinched between the bearing surface and the upper surface of the washer as the tension in the fastener unit reaches a predetermined amount which is directly related to a predetermined compression of the conical spring washer.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 188 words

A tension indicating fastener unit comprising a threaded fastener member with a driving portion and bearing surface beneath the head integral therewith and having a generally circular outer periphery, a generally conical spring washer preassembled to the unit beneath the bearing surface, a ring gauge member preassembled on the unit and including upstanding wall surfaces surrounding the outer periphery of the bearing surface and conforming to the diameter thereof adapted to prohibit significant lateral movement of the gauge relative to the bearing surface, flange means integral with the wall surfaces and extending radially inwardly therefrom a predetermined distance, the flange means being located between the bearing surface and the conical spring washer, the innermost extremity of the flange means being equidistantly spaced radially from the washer aperture and retained in said equidistant relationship by the upstanding wall surface surrounding the outer periphery of the bearing surface, wherein the flange means may be pinched between the bearing surface and the upper surface of the washer as the tension in the fastener unit reaches a predetermined amount which is directly related to a predetermined compression of the conical spring washer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 82 words

A tension indicating fastener unit in accordance with claim 9, wherein the bearing surface extends generally perpendicularly to the axis of the fastener member and the conical washer is preassembled to the fastener member so that the outer periphery of the spring washer is spaced axially from the bearing surface wherein the flange means may rotate relative to the upper surface of the spring washer at all times when the axial compression of the spring washer is less than a predetermined amount.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

A tension indication fastener unit in accordance with claim 9, wherein the spring washer includes means to lockingly engage a workpiece to prevent the washer from rotating relative to the workpiece.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-05-05	1978-11-04	1979-05-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-05-05	1982-11-04	1983-05-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-05-05	1986-11-04	1987-05-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Tension indicating fastener unit

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