US4133066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for manufacturing self-locking spring nut
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-06
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Granted: 1979-01-09
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Expires: 1997-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut is disclosed herein. In this method, a spring nut is tapped in its stretched or compressed condition, where a lead or pitch of the spring nut of a helical form is increased or decreased, say 0.5 to 6%. Accordingly, when a bolt is inserted into the spring nut thus prepared, then threads on the bolt undergo a compressive or tensile stress by the spring nut. As a result, the spring nut may be locked on a bolt in any position. This method utilizes an elasticity of the spring nut to be locked on the bolt, rather than interference between the female and the male threads on the nut and bolt, respectively, for instance, interference caused by deforming the configuration of threads or changing a pitch of a male thread relative to that of a female thread. Accordingly, the self-locking nut of the invention may be repeatedly used, without being damaged. The pitch of the spring nut of a helical form, however, should differ from the pitch of a tapped or female thread provided in the inner surface of the spring nut.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Kamiya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:06
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/24; F; F16; F16B; F16B39/00; F16B39/22; F16B39/28; F16B39/284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size; holding said piece, with at least a portion of the piece being free; rotating said piece; inserting a tap into the axial hole defined by said piece so as to tap said piece to form a female screw thread in the wall of said hole by utilizing the thrust of said tap.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size; holding said piece, with at least a portion of the piece being free; rotating said piece; inserting a tap into the axial hole defined by said piece so as to tap said piece to form a female screw thread in the wall of said hole by utilizing the thrust of said tap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 1, comprising rigidly clamping one end of said piece, and maintaining the other end thereof free.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 1, comprising rigidly clamping one end of said piece, and maintaining the other end thereof free, and inserting said tap into the axial hole from said end which is rigidly clamped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 1, comprising rigidly clamping one end of said piece and maintaining the other end thereof free, and inserting said tap into the axial hole from said end which is maintained free.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pieces are obtained by severing segments from a continuous run of helical spring material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting radial enlargement of at least some portions of said piece during the tapping operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of permitting radial enlargement of at least some portions of said piece during the tapping operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of permitting radial enlargement of at least some portions of said piece during the tapping operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 4, further comprising the step of permitting radial enlargement of at least some portions of said piece during the tapping operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, as defined in claim 5, further comprising the step of permitting radial enlargement of at least some portions of said piece during the tapping operation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size; holding a portion of said piece while leaving another portion of the piece free; inserting a tap into the axial hole defined by said piece and relatively rotating said piece so as to tap said piece to form a female screw thread in the wall of said hole in both said portions of said piece by utilizing the thrust of said tap.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: providing a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size; holding a portion of said piece while leaving another portion of the piece free; inserting a tap into the axial hole defined by said piece and relatively rotating said piece so as to tap said piece to form a female screw thread in the wall of said hole in both said portions of said piece by utilizing the thrust of said tap.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: holding a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size with at least a portion thereof free in the axial direction; and inserting a tap from one end of said material in the axial direction thereof, and progressively stretching said portion under the thrust of said tap while a female thread is formed in the inner peripheral surface of said portion, whereby the pitch of the female thread formed in said portion is continuously varied in the axial direction.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: holding a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size with at least a portion thereof free in the axial direction; and inserting a tap from one end of said material in the axial direction thereof, and progressively stretching said portion under the thrust of said tap while a female thread is formed in the inner peripheral surface of said portion, whereby the pitch of the female thread formed in said portion is continuously varied in the axial direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 12, wherein said portion is maintained free in the radial direction, as well.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: holding a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size with at least a portion thereof free in the axial direction; and inserting a tap from one end of said material in the axial direction thereof, and progressively compressing said portion under the thrust of said tap while a female thread is formed in the inner peripheral surface of said portion, whereby the pitch of the female thread formed in said portion is continuously varied in the axial direction.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for manufacturing a self-locking spring nut, comprising the steps of: holding a piece of a helical spring material of a single nut size with at least a portion thereof free in the axial direction; and inserting a tap from one end of said material in the axial direction thereof, and progressively compressing said portion under the thrust of said tap while a female thread is formed in the inner peripheral surface of said portion, whereby the pitch of the female thread formed in said portion is continuously varied in the axial direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 14, wherein said portion is maintained free in the radial direction, as well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |