CA2191629C

CA2191629C - Fastener with novel outside circumference

Info

Publication number: CA2191629C
Application number: CA002191629A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jerry Fenc
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-29
Filing date: 1996-11-29
Publication date: 2004-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-29
Also published as: CA2191629A1

Abstract

A fastener has a hexagonally-shaped section, At least three of the six sides of the hexagonally-shaped section have an axially extending ridge. Each ridge is radially projecting, extends medially of a side of the section, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Description

FASTI_?NER WITH NOVEL OUTSIDE CIRC."UMFERENCE
BACKGROUND TO THE I:NVEN'fI()N
This invention relates t:o a fastener used in any industry using fasteners in the manufacturing or assembly process.
Nuts currently on the market are six point (hexagonal) nuts. Due to their configuration, which closely resembles a circle, they arf; subject to wear and tear on the points of the nut. This condition can result in shearing of ~~ nut during an attempt to remove or install the nut with a socket wrench, or the Like.
At the present there are basically two wheel structures to allow the mounting of a wheel to a car.
Firstly, a wheel may have a steel plane with 4 to 6 openings to receive the bolts onto which the nuts will thread. Secondly, a wheel may be manufactured of metal alloys. Such a wheel may have an interior support plate with four to six openings to receive the bolts and an aligned exteriorly facing flange with a like number of recessed cavity openings (of different diameters in different cars and models) for recc:~iving the nuts. There must also be room in the cavities to allow the socket drive to engage the nut and turn freely.
Due to the different sizE;s nuts in different car models, it is required to carry on between 8 to 12 different nut sizes and corresponding socket drives Also, at the present time the nuts usv:,d for fastening the wheel to a car are six point nuts made of steel or alloy composition, and due to the friction and ''wear and tear", specifically on the points of the nut, there is a risk of shearing of the nuts by the driving socket. It is time consuming and costly to remove a damaged nut from the bolt. This invention seeks to reduce the likelihood of shearing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIOhI
A fastener has a hexagonally-shaped section. At least three of the six sides of the hexagonally-shaped section have an axially extenc:ling ridge. Each ridge may radially projecting, may extend medially of a side of the section, and may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fastener comprising: a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, each said ridge having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nut comprising: a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, each said ridge extending medially of a side of said section, and having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool for a threaded fastener having a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, said tool comprising: a cavity having a hexagonal shape with an axially directed channel extending in each of the six bounding faces of said cavity, said channel creating a rectangular parallelepiped void.
Further uses and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the figures which illustrate example embodiments of the invention, figures 1 a and 1b are perspective views of nuts made in accordance with embodiments of this invention, figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of nuts made in accordance with embodiments of this invention, figures 3a and 3b axe cross-sectional views of the nuts of figures 1 a and 1b, respectively, figures 4a and 4b are side views of a wheel installed with the nuts of figures la and 2a, respectively, figure Sa is a plan view of a known nut, figures Sb and Sc are plan views of the nuts of figures 1 a and 2a, respectively, figure 6 is a top and side view of the nut of figure 1 a, figure 7is a top and side view of the nut of figure 2a, figure 8 is a top and side views of the nut of figure 1 b, figure 9 is a top and side view of the nut of figure 2b, figures 10a, l Ob,. l Oc, and lOd are thread systems utilising the nut of figure 1b, figure 11 illustrate a thread system utilising the nut of figure 1 a, figure 12 illustrate a thread system utilising the nut of figure 2a, figure 13 illustrate a thread system utilising the nut of figure 1b, figure 14 illustrate a thread system utilising the nut of figure 2b, figure 1 Sa is a side and top view of a fastener made in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, figure 1 Sb is a perspective view of the fastener of figure 1 Sa, figure 16a is a side and top view of a fastener made in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, figure 16b is a perspective view of the fastener of figure 16a, figure 17a is a side and top view of a fastener made in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, figure 17b is a perspective view of the fastener of figure 17a, figure 18a is a side and top view of a fastener made in accordance with another embodiment of this invention, figure 18b is a perspective view of the fastener of figure 18a, figure 19a is a plan view of a tool made in accordance with this invention, figure 19b is a plan view of another tool made in accordance with this invention, and figure 19c is a plan view of another tool made in accordance with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The improvement to a prior nut occurs by implementing the following principles for the improvement to the nut.
1. The increase of the outside circumference of the nut in relation to the bolt's outside circumference using the FRICTION and LEVERAGE principles will substantially increase torque on the outside circumference of the bolt for easier removal of the nut from the bolt.
2. The changed configuration of the outside circumference of the nut, under the friction principle, will create a slip-free grip for a drive socket or wrench, used in the removal of the nut.
3. With an ordinary nut, the ope~~ator must apply considerable pressure on the drive socket or wrench to keep it from slipping from, or jumping off, the nut when removing it from the bolt. This problem is a~nc~liorated with the new nut so that the operator can concentrate on applying the proper tension to the nut, during the installation or removal process. This will result in less breakage to the surfaces to which the nut is applied, and will also be faster.
With reference to figures 5B and SC, the new nut 16, 116 has a hexagonal head 30 with outside protruding additions (ridges) 5(> on iws sides. Each of these additions may have a length which is 33.5% oh the length of the side :-'..6 from which it protrudes. Further, the height of each addition may be 33.5% of the length ofthe side from which it protrudes.
rfhe nut outside surface circumference is increased by a minimum 20% with the addition of 3 protruding additions to the surface of the nut (figure 513). The addition of 3 additional double protruding additions of 90 degree angle to the outside surface of the nut will increase the grip on the nut by the tools used in removal of the nut by 100% or more.
A further increase of the nut: outside surface circumference by a minimum of 40% from the standard six point nut is achieved by the addition of 6 new protruding additions to the surface of the nut (figure SC). 'The addition oi:~ 6 new double protruding additions of 90 degree angle to the outside surface of the nut will increase the grip on the nut by tools used in removal of the nut by 200% or more.
The invention will relate to all usag~~.s in the car industry where nuts are used or may be used.
In this application the advantages are apparent for mounting of the wheel to the car specifically -- or may also be used in any other assembly process.

As illustrated in figures 4a and 4b, the new nut design may have application to both of the two known types of wheel structures. Figure 4a shows the side view of a tire 10 with a steel plate 12 for installation of wheel 14 showing a 20 mm diameter nut 16 on a 10 mm diameter bolt 18. Figure 4b shows side view of tire of alloy composition tire plate showing 32 mm diameter cavity 20 in the wheel plate 22 and within the cavity a 20 mm diameter nut 316 on a 10 mm diameter bolt 18.
Where the nut will be used with a wheel with a steel plate (figure 4a), either the nut 16 of figure 1 a or the nut 116 of figure 2a will be used. Where the nut will be used with a wheel of alloy composition with nut cavities, either the nut 216 of figure 1 b or the nut 316 of fiugre 2b will be used. Nuts 216 and 316 have a disk 24 with the same height as the cavity opening which ensures that, as shown in figures 8 through 10, the grippable head 30 of the nut projects beyond the wheel plate 22. This means that there is no need to leave space in the cavity to accommodate a socket wrench (as indicated in figures 10a and 10b). Instead (as indicated in figures lOc and 10d), the grippable head of the nut may be enlarged.
Indeed, the nut 216, 316 may have a diameter of 40 mm.
Figure Sa shows a top view of a 20 mm diameter standard 6 point nut used with a standard mm diameter bolt.
Figure Sb shows a top view of a 20 mm diameter nut used with a standard 10 mm diameter bolt with three protruding additions 50 at 90 degree angle from the outside circumference of the nut, enlarging its outside circumference by 20%+ from standard nut.
Figure Sc is a top view of a 20 mm diameter nut on standard 10 mm diameter bolt, showing 6 protruding additions 50 at 90 degree angle from the outside circumference of the nut, enlarging the outside circumference of the nut by 40%+ from a standard nut.
Figure la and 11 show a nut 16 with a head 30 with 3 protruding additions 50 at 90 degree angle (the top edge of the nut being bevelled, as is best seen from figure 6).
The nut, absent the additions, has a 20 mm diameter and can be mounted on a 10 mm diameter bolt. The nut may be driven by the 30 mm diameter driving socket of figure 19c -showing the -S-configuration of the 6 protruding additions in the driving socket with opening for the nut within its cavity of same height as the height of nut. Alternatively, the nut may be driven by the wrench of figure 19a.
Figure 2a shows a nut 116 with 6 protruding additions 50 at 90 degree angle to the outside circumference of the nut. The nut may be driven by a 30 mm diameter driving socket of figure 19c with 6 protruding additions in the configuration of the nut shape in the cavity opening of the driving socket, this cavity being of same height as the height of.the nut.
Figure 1b shows a nut 216 similar to that of figure la. The only difference is in a disc 24 of 15 mm in diameter, added below the head 30 of the nut. This nut may be driven by the socket of figure 19b so that the cavity opening of the socket is equal to the height of the nut.
Figure 2b shows a nut 316 similar to that of figure 2a. The only difference being a disc 15 mm in diameter, added to the bottom of the nut. This nut may also be driven by the socket of figure 19b.
With reference to figure 1 a, due to its configuration with 3 protruding additions at 90 degree angle from the surface of the outside circumference of a standard hexagonal nut, the nut of figure 1 a will lock in to a drive socket with a slip-free grip. This will allow unobstructed rotation of the driving socket in the cavity in the process of removal and installation of the nuts on and from the bolts.
With reference to figure 2a, due to its configuration with 6 new protruding additions at 90 degree angle from the surface of the outside circumference of a standard hexagonal nut, the nut of figure 2a will lock in to a drive socket with a slip-free grip. This will allow unobstructed rotation of the driving socket in the cavity opening in the process of removal and installation of nuts on and from the bolts.
The increase of the outside circumference of a standard hexagonal nut (of figure Sa) by 20%
(with the nut of figure la) and by 40% (with the nut of figure 1b) in proportion to the outside circumference of a 10 mm diameter bolt will additionally increase the torque on the bolt. This will result in less time needed to remove the nut from the bolt in the installation or removal of the wheel. This will also result in safer working conditions for the installer.
All cars using steel plates in wheels and wheels having cavity openings up to 32 mm in diameter in the alloy plates may be serviced by only one size nut of figure 1 a and 2a of nominal 20 mm diameter (prior to the increase in diameter occasioned by the protrusions 50) and only one size socket driver of 30 mm diameter.
All cars that also have plates in wheels made of alloy material and having cavity openings larger than 30 mm diameter will be serviced by the new nut of figures 1b and 2b with an added disc of the same height as the height of the nut added to the bottom of the nut. This will permit the 1 S mm added extension of the nut with the nut in the socket cavity to turn the nut extension unobstructed on the bolt in the cavity opening of the wheel rim plate.
The nut for engaging a threaded bolt 18 will always be precut to the same size thread as the thread on the bolt, at a thread angle not larger than 2-3 degrees between subsequent threads to provide maximum torque on the bolt's outside circumference. This, according to the leverage principle, will increase torque in the ratio of 40 to 1 on the nut's outside circumference, for the power supply source.
The fasteners of figures 15, 16, 17, and 18 are identical to the nuts of figures la, 2a, 1b, and 2b, respectively except that each of the fasteners incorporates a threaded shaft 60.
All of the above nuts (fasteners) and driving sockets will be manufactured by the same process of forging and treading used in manufacturing.
With implementation of the changes to the outside circumference of the nut as shown in any assembly or manufacturing process, in addition to all else, the new nut will require only one size of the nut and one size of driving socket for installation and removal of the nuts.
With addition of the bolt to the nut, in forging process, the new unit can be used in all manufacturing assembly processes.
The changes to the outside circumference contour of the nut will require:
_7_ ~ less time for installation;
~ less cost of manufacturing of nut by elimination of unnecessary sizes by the use of only one nut size;
~ less consumption of electricity due to the time saving; and ~ lower installation cost.
Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and, therefore, the invention is defined in the claims.
_g_

Claims

1. A fastener comprising:
a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, each said ridge having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each said ridge is radially projecting.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein each said ridge extends medially of a side of said section.

4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein there are three ridges, equally spaced about a circumference of said section.

5. The fastener of claim 3 wherein there are six ridges, equally spaced about a circumference of said section.

6. The fastener of claim 3 wherein said section is a first section and further comprising a second, axially extending, frusto-conical section tapering in a direction away from said first section.

7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein said second section abuts said first section.

8. The fastener of claim 6 further comprising a third, axially extending, cylindrical section, said first section abutting one end of said third section and said second section abutting another end of said third section.

9. The fastener of any of claims 1 to 8 wherein each said ridge has a width of a third the width of the face from which it projects.

10. The fastener of any of claims 1 to 9 wherein each said ridge has a height equal to a third the width of the face from which it projects.

11. The fastener of any of claims 6 to 8 further comprising an axially directed threaded bore extending through a free end of said second section.

12. The fastener of any of claims 6 to 8 further comprising an axially directed threaded shaft extending from a free end of said second section.

13. A nut comprising:
a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, each said ridge extending medially of a side of said section, and having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

14. A tool for a threaded fastener having a hexagonally-shaped section with at least three of the six sides of said hexagonally-shaped section having an axially extending ridge, said tool comprising:
a cavity having a hexagonal shape with an axially directed channel extending in each of the six bounding faces of said cavity, said channel creating a rectangular parallelepiped void.

15. The tool of claim 14 wherein each said channel is radially projecting.

16. The tool of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein each said channel extends medially of a bounding face of said cavity.