FR2601090A1 - NUT WITH LOCKING RAYS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A NUT WITH FLEXIBLE LOCKING SPOKES. A THREADED NUT 20 WITH LOCKING SPOKES INCLUDES 22 BLOCKING SPOKES ALL FORMED AS SIDE WALLS AGAINST 27 AND 28 OF NEIGHBORING SPOKES DIVERSE FROM ONE OF THE OTHER TO THE EXTERIOR. POSSIBLE DEBRIS LOCATED BETWEEN THESE SIDE WALLS TOWARDS NEIGHBORING RAYS DOES NOT PREVENT THE MOVEMENT OF THE RAYS FROM A BLOCKED EXPANSION POSITION TO A FREE POSITION OF CONVERGENCE TOWARDS THE INTERIOR.

Description

The present invention relates to locking nuts

  blocking comprising a plurality of resilient locking segments which deviate radially, and more particularly, an embodiment of the locking segments such that the split area between adjacent locking segments is self-cleaning.

  The present invention is an improvement in the design of the patented "LOCK NUT MEMBER" described in US Pat. No. 3,702,628 which was issued on November 14, 1972 to Frank J. Cosenza. Subsequent to this invention, it has been determined that the behavior of the locknut, as well as other lock nuts of similar operation, is affected by debris that accumulates in the slit area between the opposed sidewalls of segments. or neighboring blocking spokes as will be called later. Debris, such as oil, dirt, etc. which is found, for a variety of reasons, in the environment in which the lock nut is used, are extruded or removed from within the lock nut by the screwing action of the nut. and bolt that pushes debris out into the split areas between the blocking spokes. With the substantially parallel orientation of the opposite sidewalls of neighboring rays, debris often remains within the slit area unless physically removed by an external force. In the end, the slot fills up and has an adverse effect on the natural elasticity of the rays.

  blocking. This situation worsens when the nut is used in a high temperature environment.

  Depending on the composition of the debris, high temperatures can cause the debris to harden and thereby force the spokes to remain in an open position, despite removal of the bolt. High temperatures are often not required to produce this aggravated condition because a sufficient accumulation of debris particles discharged into the slit area causes the rays to remain open. As a result, the spokes 5 lose their ability to block, because the debris does not allow them to resume their

natural blocking position.

  It has been found that the physical cleaning of each slot in the nut after removal of the fastener is not a practical solution for the industry and that it is not desirable to replace clogged nuts. , from the financial point of view. The

  The present invention provides a flexible self-cleaning structure and arrangement of shelves and thereby satisfies this particular industry requirement.

  The present invention is embodied in a lock nut / spoke having a plurality of resilient locking spokes separated by circumferential intervals, which are specially shaped to prevent any accumulated debris from preventing desired deflection of the spokes. The spokes depart from a substantially rigid body and a circular opening extends completely through the body and the locking spokes. The locking spokes 25 all converge inward, so that the circular opening they delimit has a uniformly decreasing diameter. Continuous nets of substantially uniform depth are defined in the aligned apertures to receive a threaded member, the locking spokes then flexing

  outward to immobilize the organ in place.

  According to the invention, the sidewalls facing neighboring rays are shaped to diverge outwardly relative to each other, so that debris placed between them can not prevent the deflection of the rays towards inside, during the

removal of the threaded member.

  In a first embodiment, the side walls of each spoke are shaped to be substantially parallel to the direction of internal radius deflection. Therefore, each ray slides along debris placed eventually in the adjacent slots. According to a second embodiment, the side walls are

  shaped so that the inner deflection of the rays pushes the debris outward by clamping.

  According to a third embodiment, the side walls are shaped so that the inner deflection of the rays effectively removes the rays.

possible debris.

  These three embodiments may be modified to conform the sidewalls of the rays to include small portions parallel to the corresponding sidewall portions of the neighboring rays. These parallel side wall portions preferably do not extend more than the depth of the threads of the interior surfaces of the spokes. Other features and benefits of the

  The present invention will emerge from the following detailed description of embodiments

  1 is a perspective view of a flexible locknut according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the flexible locking-spoke nut shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the flexible locking-spoke nut shown in Fig. 2, the locking spokes being shown in their free inner positions; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the flexible lock nut in Figure 1 with a bolt blocked therein; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the flexible locking-spoke nut of FIG. 4, the bolt not being shown, but the locking spokes being nevertheless shown in their outer locking positions; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lock-lock nut shown in Fig. 5; FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of what is shown in FIG. 3, and showing in phantom the relative positions of two flexible spokes, when a bolt-shaped member is placed at a distance of inside the nut; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a pencil of the flexible lock-nut, showing the different radii of curvature of the spoke and bolt; FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 7, but of a second embodiment of the invention, where the side walls opposite neighboring radii diverge relative to one another to a lesser extent; FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 7, but of a third embodiment of the invention, where the side walls facing neighboring rays diverge relative to one another to a greater extent; FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 7, but of a modified version of the first embodiment of the invention, small portions of the side walls of each spoke are shaped to be parallel to the corresponding sidewall portions of neighboring rays. In the accompanying drawing, similar numerical references are used to designate elements

identical or similar.

  The present invention is an improvement made to the structure and operation of flexible locking wheel nuts or lock nuts A

  known, and in particular to the locking nut shown and described in US Patent No. 3,702,628.

  Locking nuts of this type are generally in one piece. Each locking nut 20 has a non-flexible or rigid portion 21 and a plurality of locking spokes or flexible segments 22. Each flexible ray is formed integrally with the body portion 21 and radially apart, as the FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show a first embodiment of the invention. The body portion 21 has an inner axial aperture extending completely therethrough, as shown in FIG. 3. The aperture is threaded to receive the threads of a bolt or like component of a fixing device. The body portion 21 may also include a plurality

  of sections 23 along its outer surface.

  Locking nut 20 is shown with six flexible locking spokes 22. It is clear, however, that the invention is not limited to any number

specific blocking radii.

  Each locking radius 22 has an inner surface 24 and an opposing outer surface 25, which is preferably flat. An upper surface 26, which is typically flat, extends between the inner surface 24 and the outer surface 25 and defines a free end of the spoke. The plurality of locking spokes 22 are circumferentially disposed at one end of the body portion 21, so that the inner surfaces 24 define a circular opening which is threaded and in communication, that is, axially aligned, with the The opening of the body portion 21. The threads of the aligned openings of the body portion and the spokes extend over the entire axial length of the aligned openings, and have a substantially uniform depth over any

their circumference.

  Each blocking radius 22 comprises a first

  side wall 27 and a second side wall 28.

  Each of these side walls extends between the body portion 21 and the inner, outer and upper surfaces of the radius, respectively 24, 25 and 26. Preferably, both side walls are smooth or flat. In the first embodiment, shown in Figures 1-8, the sidewalls 27 and 28 of each spoke 22 are shaped to be substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the spoke. The side walls opposite neighboring rays therefore diverge relative to each other when the radial distance increases, making an angle A. When the locking nut 20 comprises six rays, as in the first embodiment the side walls diverge at an angle of about

degrees.

  To manufacture the lock nut 20 according to the present invention, known methods for machining and shaping the heads of the nuts 20 can be applied to form the body portion 21, as well as the plurality of spokes 22. It appears that there is no need for special tools or modification of conventional machines to form nuts such as

described in this application.

  Figures 1 to 3 show the locking nut 20, as it appears in the free state, before the insertion of a threaded member or bolt 30. It is seen that the inner portions of the side walls 27 and 28 of the Flexible rays are located close to 30 sidewalls of neighboring rays. When you screw

  bolt 30 in the locking nut and fixed thereon, as shown in Figure 4, the spokes flex outwardly as shown in Figure 5. When removing the bolt, each spoke 35 resumes its free state by flexing inwards.

  The movement of the radii between free states is shown schematically in Figure 7. In the enlarged or blocking state, the rays are represented by

  lines in phantom or broken lines.

  The outer and inner deflection movement of each spoke 22 takes place along a radial axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the spoke. This axis is substantially parallel to the sidewalls 27 and 28. Any debris placed in the slot between the sidewalls opposite neighboring rays will therefore not prevent the internal bending of the spokes when the bolt 30 is removed. , the configuration of the locking nut eliminates the problem of compacted accumulated debris settling between the facing side walls and the prevention of the return of the spokes in their positions

free internal.

  Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view of a single spoke 22 in association with the bolt 30. It will be observed that the radius of curvature of the inner surface 24 of the spoke is slightly greater than that of the bolt. This ensures that the surface and the bolt are tangent to each other only at a central point B of the radius, midway between the side walls 27 and 28 of the spoke. The inner surface 24 and the bolt are slightly spaced from each other at locations closer to the side walls of the spoke. The nets of the radius and the bolt can not therefore

  interfere and prevent relative rotation.

  FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 7, but of a second embodiment of the invention, where the side leaves 27 'and 28' of each spoke 22 'are shaped to make a slightly sharp angle with the outer surface 25 '. The specific angle is chosen so that the facing side walls of adjacent spokes further diverge from each other, as indicated by the angle A ', but to a lesser extent than the first embodiment (FIG. at 8). In this second embodiment, when the bolt (not shown) is removed, the inner deflection of the rays causes the inclination of their

260 1090

  side walls towards each other and, in so doing, makes them push out any debris (not shown) located between them. The external force applied by the inwardly bending radii is indicated by the literal reference C. In the embodiment shown, which comprises six rays, the angle between each side wall and the corresponding outer surface is chosen so to be between a minimum of sixty degrees (60 ') and a maximum of ninety

degrees (90 ').

  Figure 10 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to Figures 7 and 9, but of a third embodiment of the invention. In this third embodiment, the sidewalls 27 "and 28" of each flexible ray 22 "are shaped to make a slightly obtuse angle with the outer surface 25". The angle A "between the side walls 27", 28 "facing adjacent radii is therefore greater than sixty degrees (60 ') in the embodiment shown The internal deflection of the side walls when removing the bolt (Not shown), thus causes the separation of the lateral walls of any debris (not shown) situated between them, such debris does not have practically any resistance at all to such a movement.Any obtuse angle included between a side wall and the outer surface of each spoke must satisfactorily suppress the undesired effect of the debris, however, an annoying increase in the angle above ninety degrees (90 ') could begin to have an adverse effect on

the elasticity of the rays.

  Any one of the first three embodiments of Figures 1 to 7, 9 may be modified and, respectively, such that small portions of the sidewalls 27 may be modified. and 28 of each spoke 22 are arranged to be substantially parallel to corresponding sidewall portions of neighboring rays. This variant is shown in FIG. 11, the parallel side wall sections being designated Bar numbers 32 and 34. It should be noted that these 5 parallel side wall portions extend over a relatively short distance, corresponding, basically, at the depth of the nets in the inner surfaces 24 of the spokes. The presence of the threads ensures that the sidewall portions offer only minimal resistance to internal sagging.

rays.

  It follows from the preceding description that the

  The present invention provides a lock-off nut specially shaped to prevent debris in slots between the spokes from impeding the internal bending of the spokes from a locking position to a free position. In all the described embodiments, the sidewalls facing neighboring rays are shaped to diverge outwardly away from each other. As a result, the debris has virtually no effect on the inner radius deflection, or they are radially outwardly displaced by

  reaction to this bending inward.

  It goes without saying that we can bring to the

  previous description and the attached drawing of numerous modifications of detail without, for this,

depart from the scope of the invention.

260 1,090

Claims (5)

claims   A locknut capable of receiving a threaded member, said locknut comprising: a substantially rigid body having a circular opening extending therethrough, and a plurality of resilient locking spokes, separated by circumferential gaps, integrally with the rigid body and extending outwardly from one end thereof, the locking spokes having inner surfaces which define a circular opening aligned with the circular opening in the body each of the locking spokes inclines radially inwardly so that the circular opening defined by the plurality of locking spokes to a uniformly decreasing diameter, characterized in that the aligned circular openings defined by the rigid body ( 21) and the plurality of locking spokes (22) respectively comprise threads over their entire axial length for recessing. having a threaded member (30), the locking spokes (22) flexing radially outwardly to immobilize the member in place, - in that the different locking spokes (22) each comprise side walls (27, 28) disposed at a distance from and facing the side walls of circumferentially adjacent blocking radii, - in that the inner surfaces (24) of the plurality of locking spokes (22) all have a radius of curvature greater than that of the circular opening 30 formed in the rigid body (21) and that of the threaded member (30), so that, when the locking nut receives the threaded member, the member is tangent to each spoke only at a point midway between its two side walls, which reduces the resistance to rotation of the member with respect to the locking-beam nut, and in that different locking radii are shaped so that practically the whole of the side walls facing adjacent rays diverge from each other when the radial distance increases, so that any debris   located in the gap between the sidewalls do not prevent an elastic return of the spokes in their uninflected positions, when the threaded member is removed from the locking-beam nut.   2. Locking spoke nut according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls of each of the locking spokes are substantially flat and substantially parallel to each other and to the radial deflection direction of the spoke. Locking spoke nut according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls of each of the plurality of locking spokes (22) are substantially flat and converge towards one another when the distance radial increases.   Locking-spoke nut according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of locking spokes comprises six locking spokes (22) of the same size, separated by uniform intervals. 5. Nut & locking spokes according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (27, 28) of each locking radius (22)   comprise portions that are shaped substantially parallel to corresponding portions of the sidewalls facing neighboring rays, the portions extending radially a distance substantially equal to the depth of the spoke threads.