Nut and washer single assembly structure

Claim 2

A nut and washer combination for providing a connectable assembly comprising: a nut structure including a heat treated nut member and an external cage, said nut member having a threaded bore, a washer member heat treated separately from said nut member and having a washer bore at least as large as said threaded bore, said washer bore having first and second bore portions, gripping means on said cage for gripping said nut member, connecting means on said cage and said washer member for connecting said nut structure to said washer member with said washer bore being generally concentric with said threaded bore after said nut member and said washer member have been heat treated as separate elements, said connecting means including holding means at said first bore portion of said washer bore and resilient means on said cage having an engaging portion defining an interference with said second bore portion of said washer bore and being radially resilient to permit radial deflection past said interference allowing axial movement of said engaging portion into said washer bore and in engagement with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 3

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member.

Claim 4

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 5

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, the axial length of said resilient means and said resilient tab structure being selected such that said resilient tab structure does not extend axially beyond the confines of said washer bore when said nut structure and said washer are connected together.

Claim 6

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 7

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said cage having a cage opening at least as large as said threaded bore, said connecting means including an annular flange extending axially from said cage opening and being of an axial length to extend partially into said second bore portion with a slight radial clearance, said tab formed integrally with and extending axially from said flange.

Claim 8

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at that end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 9

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 10

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said locking protrusion having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 11

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion, said locking protrusion having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 12

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said tab structure being generally rectangular with said locking protrusion being defined by at least one corner folded radially outwardly.

Claim 13

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member.

Claim 14

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 15

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, the axial length of said resilient means and each of said resilient tab structures being selected such that said resilient tab structures do not extend axially beyond the confines of said washer bore when said nut structure and said washer are connected together.

Claim 16

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 17

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said cage having a cage opening at least as large as said threaded bore, said connecting means including an annular flange extending axially from said cage opening and being of an axial length to extend partially into said second bore portion with a slight radial clearance, each of said tabs formed integrally with and extending axially from said flange.

Claim 18

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at that end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 19

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore poritons of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent to said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 20

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, each of said locking protrusions having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 21

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore poritons of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion, each of said locking protrusions having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 22

The nut and washer assembly of claim 1 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures extending axially from said cage away from said nut member, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore poritons of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, each of said tab structures being generally rectangular with each of said protrusions being defined by at least one corner folded radially outwardly.

Claim 23

A nut and washer combination for providing a connectable assembly comprising: a heat treated nut structure including a nut member and an external cage, said nut member having a threaded bore, a washer member heat treated separately from said nut structure and having a washer bore at least as large as said threaded bore, said washer bore having first and second bore poritons, said nut member comprising a plurality of conical spring disc washers, said cage receiving and holding said disc washers in a stacked, aligned relationship to define a central opening threaded to define said threaded bore, said cage including a ring portion and a plurality of axially extending fingers cooperating with said ring portion to hold said disc washers in said stacked, aligned relationship, connecting means on said cage and said washer member for connecting said nut structure to said washer member with said washer bore being generally concentric with said threaded bore after said nut structure and said washer member have been heat treated as separate elements, said connecting means including holding means at said first bore portion of said washer bore and resilient means on said cage having an engaging portion defining an interference with said second bore portion of said washer bore and being radially resilient to permit radial deflection past said interference allowing axial movement of said engaging portion into said washer bore and in engagement with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 24

A nut and washer combination for providing a connectable assembly comprising: a heat treated nut structure including a nut member and an external cage, said nut member having a threaded bore, a washer member heat treated separately from said nut structure and having a washer bore at least as large as said threaded bore, said washer bore having first and second bore poritons, said nut member comprising a plurality of conical spring disc washers, said cage receiving and holding said disc washers in a stacked, aligned relationship to define a central opening threaded to define said threaded bore, said cage including a ring portion and a plurality of axially extending fingers cooperating with said ring portion to hold said disc washers in said stacked, aligned relationship, connecting means on said cage and said washer member for connecting said nut structure to said washer member with said washer bore being generally concentric with said threaded bore after said nut structure and said washer member have been heat treated as separate elements, said connecting means including holding means at said first bore portion of said washer bore and resilient means on said cage having an engaging portion defining an interference with said second bore portion of said washer bore and being radially resilient to permit radial deflection past said interference allowing axial movement of said engaging portion into said washer bore and in engagement with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 25

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers.

Claim 26

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 27

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, the axial length of said resilient means and said resilient tab structure being selected such that said resilient tab structure does not extend axially beyond the confines of said washer bore when said nut structure and said washer are connected together.

Claim 28

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 29

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said connecting means including an annular flange extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite from said fingers and being of an axial length to extend partially into said second bore portion with a slight radial clearance, said tab formed integrally with and extending axially from said flange.

Claim 30

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second portion and at that end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 31

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 32

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said protrusion having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 33

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of said tab structure as said locking protrusion engages said chamfered third bore portion, said protrusion having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 34

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a resilient tab structure extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite to said fingers, said resilient tab structure including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said tab structure being generally rectangular with said protrusion being defined by at least one corner folded radially outwardly.

Claim 35

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers.

Claim 36

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other.

Claim 37

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, the axial length of said resilient means and each of said resilient tab structures being selected such that said resilient tab structures do not extend axially beyond the confines of said washer bore when said nut structure and said washer are connected together.

Claim 38

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 39

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said connecting means including an annular flange extending axially from said ring portion of said cage in a direction axially opposite from said fingers and being of an axial length to extend partially into said second bore portion with a slight radial clearance, each of said tabs formed integrally with and extending axially from said flange.

Claim 40

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at that end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 41

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion.

Claim 42

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, each of said locking protrusions having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 43

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, said washer bore including a third bore portion located adjacent said second bore portion and at the end of said washer in confrontation with said nut member, said third bore portion being chamfered to facilitate the resilient radial inward deflection of each of said tab structures as each of said locking protrusions engages said chamfered third bore portion, each of said locking protrusions having a generally flat, radially extending surface at its trailing end adapted to engage said ledge to facilitate holding said nut structure and said washer member together.

Claim 44

The nut and washer assembly of claim 22 with said resilient means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient tab structures axially from said cage in a direction opposite to said fingers, each of said resilient tab structures including a radially outwardly extending locking protrusion defining said interference and being movable into said second portion of said washer bore to cooperate with said holding means to connect said nut structure and said washer member for free spinning relative to each other, said first bore portion of said washer bore being of a larger diameter than said second bore portion with said holding means including an annular ledge defined by the juncture between said first and second bore portions of said washer bore, said locking protrusion being axially engageable with said ledge for holding said nut structure and said washer member together, each of said tab structures being generally rectangular with each of said protrusions being defined by at least one corner folded radially outwardly.

Claim 45

A nut and washer combination for providing a connectable assembly comprising: a nut structure including a heat treated nut member and an external cage, said nut member having a threaded bore, a washer member heat treated separately from said nut member and having a washer bore at least as large as said threaded bore, said washer bore having first and second bore portions, gripping means on said cage for gripping said nut member, connecting means on said cage and said washer member for connecting said nut structure to said washer member with said washer bore being generally concentric with said threaded bore after said nut member and said washer member have been heat treated as separate elements, said connecting means including flexible means operable in response to relative axial movement between said cage and said washer member in a first axial direction to a first axial position and being resiliently operable in one radial direction permitting said relative axial movement to continue in said first axial direction to a second axial position and being resiliently operable in another radial direction at said second axial position to resist relative axial movement of said cage and said washer member in a second axial direction, said connecting means holding said cage and said washer member together for free spinning relative to each other when said flexible means is at said second axial position.

Claim 46

A nut and washer combination for providing a connectable assembly comprising: a nut structure including a heat treated nut member and an external cage, said nut member having a threaded bore, a washer member heat treated separately from said nut member and having a washer bore at least as large as said threaded bore, said washer bore having first and second bore portions, gripping means on said cage for gripping said nut member, connecting means on said cage and said washer member for connecting said nut structure to said washer member with said washer bore being generally concentric with said threaded bore after said nut member and said washer member have been heat treated as separate elements, said connecting means including flexible means operable in response to relative axial movement between said cage and said washer member in a first axial direction to a first axial position and being resiliently operable in one radial direction permitting said relative axial movement to continue in said first axial direction to a second axial position and being resiliently operable in another radial direction at said second axial position to resist relative axial movement of said cage and said washer member in a second axial direction, said connecting means holding said cage and said washer member together for free spinning relative to each other when said flexible means is at said second axial position.

Claim 47

The nut and washer assembly of claim 43 with said connecting means and said flexible means operable for selective movement in said second axial direction from said second axial position to said first axial position whereby said cage and said nut structure can be disassembled.

Claim 48

The nut and washer assembly of claim 43 with said flexible means being movable to said second axial position from said first axial position with a first axial force and movable to said first axial position from said second axial position with a second axial force which is greater than said first axial force.

Claim 49

The nut and washer assembly of claim 44 with said connecting means and said flexible means operable for selective movement in said second axial direction from said second axial position to said first axial position whereby said cage and said nut structure can be disassembled, said flexible means being movable to said second axial position from said first axial position with a first axial force and movable to said first axial position from said second axial position with a second axial force which is greater than said first axial force.

Claim 50

The nut and washer assembly of claim 43 wIth saId connecting means and said flexible means operable for selective movement in said second axial direction from said second axial position to said first axial position whereby said cage and said nut structure can be disassembled, said flexible means being movable to said second axial position from said first axial position with a first axial force and movable to said first axial position from said second axial position with a second axial force which is greater than said first axial force, said second axial force being at least 10% greater than said first axial force.