Fastening device

Abstract

Abstract A fastening device comprises an electrically conductive sheet metal nut element which may function to complete electrical connections and a plastic, electrically insulating cap member which covers the nut element. Even though plastic material such as that from which the cap member is made is pliable and exhibits a certain amount of plastic flow or "creep," the cap member and nut element are configured so that they can be tightly assembled to transmit high torques through the cap member to the nut element. Specifically, the nut element is formed with a web portion, which is generally perpendicular to the fastening device axis, and a stud-engaging configuration associated with the web portion. A cylindrical section is formed at the periphery of the web portion to extend in the direction of the device axis and has at least one pair of circumferentially opposing wings which project outwardly away from the axis. The cap member is formed in one piece to complement the nut element and includes a cover and a nut element embracing skirt formed at the periphery of the cover to extend in the direction of the device axis. The skirt is shaped and sized to fit in tight conformity about the cylindrical nut element section so that the wings bite into the inner skirt wall and thereby prevent relative nut element-cap member rotation. Further, when assembled, the margin of the cap member skirt opposite the cover is flush with the nut element web portion so that working loads on the nut element do not tend to dislodge it from the cap member.

Inventors

• 👤 Phillip D. Becker

Bibliographic Details