Patent US2701570A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3948141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3948141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load indicating washer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-20
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Granted: 1976-04-06
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Expires: 1994-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A load-indicating washer for use in joining two different elements which is capable of visually indicating the tightening force applied against a locking bolt and nut through the indication of encapsulated fluid released under the tightening load. The encapsulated fluid being provided in a depression formed in at least one bearing surface of the washer.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsumi Shinjo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B31/00; F16B31/02; F16B31/028; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A load-indicating washer having a central hole and a rim portion, the load indicating washer comprising: two bearing surface means provided in the rim portion, said two bearing surface means consisting of an upper bearing surface means and a lower bearing surface means, a depression provided in each of said bearing surface means, each of said depressions being substantially ring-shaped and disposed substantially concentrically with the central hole, one of said ring-shaped depressions being disposed adjacent the central hole and the other ring-shaped depression being disposed along the periphery of the washer, means for communicating said depression disposed adjacent the central hole with the outside washer, and means selectively retained in each depression for visually indicating the load applied on the washer including at least one layer of an indicating fluid, each of said bearing surface means includes a substantially flat portion, each of said bearing surface means includes a substantially flat portion, each of said depressions being connected to said flat portion by a wall extending substantially parellel to the axis of the central hole, and wherein said means for communicating said depression disposed adjacent the central hole includes a plurality of radially extending grooves provided in said substantially flat portion of said bearing surface means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A load-indicating washer having a central hole and a rim portion, the load indicating washer comprising: two bearing surface means provided in the rim portion, said two bearing surface means consisting of an upper bearing surface means and a lower bearing surface means, a depression provided in each of said bearing surface means, each of said depressions being substantially ring-shaped and disposed substantially concentrically with the central hole, one of said ring-shaped depressions being disposed adjacent the central hole and the other ring-shaped depression being disposed along the periphery of the washer, means for communicating said depression disposed adjacent the central hole with the outside washer, and means selectively retained in each depression for visually indicating the load applied on the washer including at least one layer of an indicating fluid, each of said bearing surface means includes a substantially flat portion, each of said bearing surface means includes a substantially flat portion, each of said depressions being connected to said flat portion by a wall extending substantially parellel to the axis of the central hole, and wherein said means for communicating said depression disposed adjacent the central hole includes a plurality of radially extending grooves provided in said substantially flat portion of said bearing surface means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A washer according to claim 1, wherein said ring-shaped depression disposed adjacent the central hole is provided in said lower bearing surface means, and said ring-shaped depression disposed along the periphery of the washer is provided in said upper bearing surface means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A washer according to claim 1, wherein said ring-shaped depression disposed adjacent the central hole is provided in said upper bearing surface means, and said ring-shaped depression disposed along the periphery of the washer is provided in said lower bearing surface means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A washer according to claim 1, wherein the wall in said upper bearing surface means and the wall in said lower bearing surface means are in substantial alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A washer according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of depressions are provided in at least one said bearing surface means, at least one layer of an indicating fluid is disposed in each of said plurality of depressions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A washer according to claim 1, wherein said layer is an encapsulated layer of indicating fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A washer according to claim 6, wherein the indicating fluid consists of an encapsulated layer of ink.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A washer according to claim 6, wherein the indicating fluid consists of an encapsulated layer of a dye solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A load-indicating washer having a central hole, a rim portion concentric with said central hole, the load indicating washer comprising: bearing surface means provided on opposite surfaces of said rim portion, said bearing surface means includes a plurality of radially extending tab means bent out of the plane of the washer, said radially extending tab means defining a plurality of spaced depressions in one of the surfaces of said rim portion, and at least one layer of encapsulated indicating fluid disposed in each of said plurality of depressions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A load-indicating washer having a central hole, a rim portion concentric with said central hole, the load indicating washer comprising: bearing surface means provided on opposite surfaces of said rim portion, said bearing surface means includes a plurality of radially extending tab means bent out of the plane of the washer, said radially extending tab means defining a plurality of spaced depressions in one of the surfaces of said rim portion, and at least one layer of encapsulated indicating fluid disposed in each of said plurality of depressions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A washer according to claim 9, wherein said layer is an encapsulated layer of indicating fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A washer according to claim 10, wherein the indicating fluid consists of an encapsulated layer of ink.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A washer according to claim 10, wherein the indicating fluid consists of an encapsulated layer of a dye solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A washer according to claim 9, wherein each of said radially extending tab means includes a first surface portion extending out of the plane of the washer, a second substantially flat surface portion connected with said first surface portion, said substantially flat surface portion constituting one of said bearing surface means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-06 | 1979-10-06 | 1980-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-06 | 1983-10-06 | 1984-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-06 | 1987-10-06 | 1988-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |