WO2000073672A1

WO2000073672A1 - Locking nut, bolt and clip systems and assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2000073672A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/011976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen G. Bowling; Carl Richard Stanley; David R. Luster; Irwin I. Silberman; W. Kurt Feick
Original assignee: The Aim Group, Llc
Priority date: 1999-05-28
Filing date: 1999-05-28
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: AU4221499A

Abstract

The locking nut (2390) and bolt (2376) utilizes the bolt or nut (2390) having a plurality of notches (2380). A locking unit (2359) carries one or more tines where a distal end of the tine is adapted to engage at least the notches (2380) to prevent counter rotation of the nut (2390). In one embodiment, the locking unit is recessed (2358) in a surface.

Description

LOCKING NUT, BOLT AND CLIP SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLIES

Background Art

U.S. Patent No. 307,722 to Klemroth discloses a bolt A with longitudinal channel D running through the crest of the threads. The nut has a tine extending above a flat end surface of the nut. The tine pops into and out of channel D. U.S. Patent No. 591 ,062 to Smith discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel which enables a chisel to be placed in a slot in a nut block and further to stop rotation of the bolt with respect to the block. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,088,892 to Foreman discloses a screw with a longitudinal channel extend- ing through the threads of the bolt. The tine is located outside of the nut threads.

U.S. Patent No. 1 ,136,310 to Burnett discloses small notches cut in the top of the crest of the bolt threads. The notches define radially aligned surfaces. A flexible tine in the interior of the nut moves in and out of the small notches. The tine is inserted in a tangential cavity in the nut. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,211 ,194 to Lang discloses what appears to be a bolt with longitudinal channels on its threads. A sheet steel spring is wrapped around an exterior portion of the nut and a portion of the spring is generally radially inserted through the nut to lock into the bolt channels. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,226,143 to Stubblefield et al. discloses a bolt with longitudinal channels having a somewhat radial surface and an angularly disposed surface. The nut has an annular groove or recess on one end face thereof. A semi-circular member fits within the groove. One end of the semi-circular member defines a tangentially oriented tine that pops into and out of the bolt channels.

U.S. Patent No.1 ,245,362 to Lynch discloses a bolt with a single, offset bolt thread crest which catches on a cut-out in the nut. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,278,028 to Savory et al. discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel and tines in a nut which are mounted in an internally located groove. The internal groove has a single radial dimension. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,465,148 to Rosen- berg discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel through the thread crest. No nut is shown. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,703,947 to Nation discloses a bolt with several longitudinal channels. A single tine is located at an interior position in the nut. The tine in the nut has a terminal end that is radially moved inward based upon the position of a locking cam. The locking cam biases the termi- nal end of the tine towards the notches in the bolt. The locking cam extends radially through the nut. U.S. Patent No. 2,232,336 to Meersteiner discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel. No nut is shown.

U.S. Patent No. 2,301 ,181 to llsemann discloses non-load bearing or carrying faces of most of the bolt threads which are deformed and which carry locking projections. Locking projections on a plurality of bolt threads are adapted to engage nut threads and compensate for the clearances in the assembly to align and frictionally lock the nut and bolt together. The non-load carrying faces of each bolt thread include two annular series of spaced, rounded projections. The surfaces of the projections are substantially rounded. Bolt projections force the load bearing surface of the bolt against the load bearing surfaces of the nut. U.S. Patent No. 2,484,645 to Baumle discloses a bolt with longitudinal channels. No nut is shown. U.S. Patent No. 2,521 ,257 to Sample discloses a bolt with longitudinal channels. Springy tines are mounted at one end of the nut and the tines flip in and out of chan- nels. The tines are sheared from the threads on the nut. Accordingly, there is no space radially behind the tines when the tine is fully compressed by the crest on the bolt thread.

U.S. Patent No. 2,834,390 to Stevens discloses bolts which appear to have longitudinal channels through the threads. A plurality of radially inward pointed teeth on the nut provide locking for the combination. U.S. Patent No. 3,176,746 to Walton discloses that each crest of each thread on the bolt has a gouged out portion. These portions, when aligned, are similar to a longitudinal channel. No nut is disclosed. U.S. Patent No. 3,517,717 to Orlomoski discloses threads on a bolt which include two outwardly directed prongs. The prongs flex inward when the bolt is screwed onto a nut. The sliced away wedge or prongs do not have a narrow mouth and a deep throat. No nut is disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 3,792,757 to Wright discloses a nut with a bore having a triangular cross- sectional dimension. U.S. Patent No. 3,982,575 to Ollis et al. discloses a thread on each bolt with a plurality of ridges forming wedge surfaces. U.S. Patent No. 4,024,899 to Stewart discloses a top of each crest of the bolt thread having a slice and a prong protruding therefrom. The prong fits within a cut-out depression in the root of the nut thread. The cut-outs at the root of the threads do not appear to be radially aligned. U.S. Patent No. 4,168,731 to Taber discloses a root of the nut with a cut-out and the bolt having a plurality of wedges which fit within the nut cut-out.

U.S. Patent No. 4,790,703 to Wing discloses a nut with a bore with an imperfect, non symmetrical cross-sectional aspect. U.S. Patent No. 4,790,208 to Kaiser et al. discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel through the threads.

U.S. Patent No. 5,238,342 to Stencel discloses a bolt with a longitudinal channel into which snaps inwardly biased wings from a nut insert. The nut insert has a radially extending top flange (similar to a hat ring) and is formed as an elongated cylinder which fits within a cylindrical end bore in the nut. The wings from the insert protrude inwardly at an angle, tangentially inward towards the bolt's axial centerline. The wings are pressed inward from the elongated cylinder of the nut insert. The terminal end of the wings lock into axial or longitudinal grooves running through the bolt thread. The nut insert is keyed to a certain position on the nut by a key-tab and a complementary lockway.

U.S. Patent No. 5,460,468 to DiStasio discloses a bolt having one or more longitudinal channels through the bolt threads. The nut has one or more tines which cooperate with the channels to prevent counter-rotation of the bolt with respect to the nut. The tine or tines define a narrow mouth leading to a wider throat behind the tine such that the mouth and throat enable the tine to flex therein while the bolt threads radially move the tine back and forth during one-way rotation of the bolt with respect to the nut.

U.S. Patent No. 1 ,208,210 to Purcell discloses a locking nut with tangential slot within which is disposed a spring pawl. The terminal end of the paw! interacts with a spiral groove through the bolt thread.

U.S. Patent No. 827,289 to Bowers discloses a generally circular insert having a key end, fitted into a radial keyway in the nut, and a tine termi- nal end which cooperates with a longitudinal or axial groove on the bolt thread.

U.S. Patent No. 589,599 to Hardy discloses a semi-circular nut insert with a generally radially aligned tine. The tine locks into a longitudinal groove in the bolt thread. A space is provided radially behind the tine to permit the tine to flex inboard and outboard as the tine moves into and out of the longitudinal groove on the bolt thread.

U.S. Patent No. 5,538,378 to Van Der Drift discloses a nut insert which is flat punched to define a series of circumferential tines. The insert has a cutout region radially behind each tine. The terminal end of each tine falls into a recess at the bottom of the root of the bolt thread. The nut insert is captured in a recess at an end face of the nut.

U.K. Patent Publication No. 142,748 to Thibert discloses a semicircular nut insert having a tangentially oriented locking tine. The tine moves tangentially, not radially, when the tine drops into and moves out of the lon- gitudinal groove in the bolt thread. U.K. Patent Publication No. 662,298 to Simmonds a swaged nut insert.

Objects of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide locking nut and bolt systems with one or more compressible tines carried by nut inserts or formed on U, S and J-shaped clips.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking nut and bolt system wherein the bolt head carries notches thereon and the compressible tine or tines block counter- rotational movement by interacting with the notches on the bolt head. It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking nut and bolt system wherein the nut carries notches thereon and the compressible tine or tines block counter- rotational movement by interacting with the notches on the bolt head.

It is another object of the present invention to provide locking nut and bolt systems which utilize bolts having a longitudinal aligned locking channel in the same plane as the bolt's axial centerline and b ϊis having a locking channel forming a spiral about the axial centerline.

It is an additional object to provide for removal tools for the locking nut and bolt combination, blind hole locking screw and locking nut.

Summary of the Invention

The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with an axial centerline and a bolt thread having one or a plurality of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on the bolt thread. Each notch has a lock face and an opposing slope. The nut, with complementary threads, includes a recess on an end face.

The recess on the end face of the nut defines a circumferential recess about the nut's axial centerline and includes a shoulder. A nut insert is placed in the recess on the shoulder. The nut insert has a planar body defined as a peripheral ring and at least one tine depends from the planar body in a substantially tangential plane with respect to the axial centerline of the bolt.

The tine, which has a distal tine end, is adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches, the tine end moves on the bolt thread crests. When the distal tine end is in the notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face.

Preferably, in an another further embodiment, locking is provided by an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder. This locking unit cylinder is mounted in the nut recess with an axially rearward ring member disposed in the circumferential nut recess. The cylindrical locking unit axially extends outbound from the nut coaxial with the axial centerline of the bolt. The cylindrical locking unit includes at least one tine, and preferably a plurality of tines, tangentially and radially extending inward toward the axial centerline. In a further embodiment, each tine is disposed adjacent a respective arcuate cut-out on the cylinder. The axial disposition of the cylindrical locking unit with respect to the nut and the cut-out permits the user to visibly identify whether the bolt is locked with respect to the nut because the user can see the dis- position of the distal tine ends in and out of the notches. When the distal tine ends are in one or more notches, abutting one or more lock faces, counter- rotational movement is prevented. When the distal tine ends are riding on the bolt thread crest, the nut is not locked with respect to the bolt. A further embodiment of the present invention utilizes a locking element captured at the end face of a nut by the disposition of a rearward ring member of locking element in the nut recess. The locking element has a plurality of axially protruding legs and each leg has a respective tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline of the bolt. Each tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch and either ride on the bolt thread crest or prevent counter-rotational movement when the distal tine end abuts the lock face.

The one way locking features of the present invention are carried for- ward into U, J and S- shaped locking nut and bolt assemblies. As explained later in detail, these locking assembly clips are utilized in conjunction with bolts having an axially aligned locking channel formed by a plurality of notches or a spiral locking channel formed by a plurality of notches in a predetermined pattern about a longitudinal and axial centerline of the bolt. In one embodiment, an elongated cylindrical locking unit is formed on one of the legs of the U, J or S-shaped clip as a cylindrical locking unit.

A nut is formed on the other clip leg. The cylindrical axis of the locking unit is perpendicular to the plane of the clip leg and has at least one tine, and preferably a plurality of tines, protruding tangentially and radially toward the cylindrical axis. The distal tine end of each tine is adapted to latch onto the lock face of the bolt notch or notches. The tines are disposed on the cylindrical locking unit at corresponding cut-outs. A nut is either formed on another leg of the clip or within the same cylindrical unit. When the clip is placed on a bored panel such that the axial centerline of the nut, the panel bore and the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical locking unit are substantially coaxially aligned, the notched bolt can be inserted along this common axis, and threaded onto the nut while the distal tine ends either move in one or more notches prohibiting counter-rotational movement when the distal tine end abuts the locking face of one or more notches or ride atop the bolt thread crest. The user can visually see whether the bolt has locked onto the lock clip assembly because of the tines in the cut- outs. This is particularly helpful when the bolt carries only a small segment of either longitudinally aligned or spirally disposed notches.

In another embodiment, the U, J or S-shaped locking nut and bolt as- sembly includes a nut formed on one of the clip legs and a locking element formed on another clip leg. The locking element has a locking element bore and a plurality of axially protruding legs perpendicular to the plane of the clip leg. Each locking element leg has a respective tine which protrudes tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline of the locking element bore which is coaxial with the axial centerline of the nut on the other clip leg. When the locking element bore and the nut and the bore through the panel are coaxial, and the specially configured bolt is placed through the panel bore and the nut and the locking element bore, the position of the distal tine ends are visible thereby enabling the user to determine whether locking has been achieved by the locking nut and bolt clip assembly.

In a further embodiment, a U-shaped locking nut clip assembly includes a U-shaped clip member, a nut formed on one clip leg, and an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder on an outboard axial end of the nut. The locking unit has one tine and preferably a plurality of tines protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline of both the nut and the cylindrical locking unit. When the U-shaped clip is placed on the bored panel and the axial centerline of the nut is coaxial with the bore through the panel and the specially configured bolt is placed thereat, the user can determine whether the bolt has locked to the U-shaped clip because the position of the distal tine ends are visible. When the distal end falls into the notches and abuts the lock faces on the bolt, counter-rotational movement is prohibited. When the distal tine ends ride atop the bolt thread crest, the bolt can be rotated with respect to the U-shaped clip. ln another embodiment, the U-shaped locking nut clip assembly includes a U-shaped clip, a nut formed as an elongated thin walled cylinder on one of the clip legs and a locking unit formed on an interior region of the nut. The locking unit includes a tine protruding tangentially and radially inward to- ward the axial centerline. When the U-shaped member is placed on a bored panel and the axial centerline of the nut is coaxial with the bore through the panel and the specially configured bolt is placed thereat, the locking unit on the U-shaped clip prohibits counter-rotational movement when the distal tine end falls within one or more notches and abuts respective locking faces on the specially configured bolt. Otherwise, the bolt can be rotated with respect to the U-shaped clip since the distal tine ends ride atop the bolt thread crest.

In another embodiment, the locking nut and bolt system is utilized in conjunction with a bolt having a plurality of notches defined on the bolt head. A female threaded unit has a nut thread complementary to the bolt thread and also has a recess defined below an end surface of the female threaded unit. Also, the locking unit may be surface mounted on the nut. A locking unit has a peripheral wall complementary to the recess and at least one tine, and preferably a plurality of tines, protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the central axis formed by the female threads on the female threaded unit. The distal tine ends of the locking unit prohibit counter-rotational movement when the tine ends fall within the notches on the bolt head and abut the locking faces. Otherwise, the tines are disposed beyond the notches on the bolt head and permit rotational movement.

In a further embodiment, the locking nut and bolt, blind hole locking screw and locking nut are operable with a removal tool. The removal tool includes axially outboard and biased legs which are interposed between the proximal tine body and the bolt thread. When rotated, the interposed depending leg withdraws the distal tine end from the notches on the bolt or nut thereby permitting removal of the fastener. Brief Description of Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detail description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel formed thereon;

FIG. 2 illustrates a spiral locking channel on the bolt;

FIG. 3 illustrates the notch or recess on the bolt thread;

FIGS. 4 and 5 diagrammatically illustrate a partial, axial side view of a notched or grooved bolt thread and a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the bolt over a thread line 2b'-2b", respectively.

FIGS. 6b-6e illustrate bolts carrying notches or bolt heads carrying lock face notches (for blind hole applications) and FIGS. 6f and 6g illustrate locking protrusions;

FIG. 6h graphically illustrates the geometry of the angle of engagement; FIGS. 6i-6q diagrammatically illustrate engagement or locking face wall designs;

FIG. 7 illustrates a nut having a nut insert disposed in a circumferential recess and a bolt threaded into the nut;

FIG. 8 illustrates a nut insert having planar support plates for the tines with a bolt threaded onto the nut;

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate partial, cross-sectional views of the nut insert and nut from the perspective of section lines a'-a" and b'-b" in FIG. 8; FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate various stages of manufacture of a nut insert before and after the tines have been rotated or twisted from the nut insert plane;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a cylindrical locking unit af- fixed to the nut via a rearward ring member disposed in a recess on the nut end face;

FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates the notches on the bolt;

FIGS. 15a and 15b provide perspective views of bolts respectively having (a) a longitudinal locking channel wherein the notches fall in the same plane as the axial centerline of the bolt and (b) a spiral locking channel wherein the lock notches are longitudinally adjacent but fall in a spiral, predetermined pattern about the axial centerline of the bolt;

FIG.16 diagrammatically illustrates the locking action provided by the tines falling into one or more notches on the bolt;

FIGS. 17a and 17b illustrate the cylindrical locking units respectively having circumferentially disposed tines and circumferentially and axially disposed tines sometimes called the "railroad design";

FIG. 18 diagrammatically illustrates a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel and a nut carrying the cylindrical locking unit;

FIG. 19 illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of the cylindrical locking unit mounted in the recess on the end face of the nut;

FIG. 20a diagrammatically illustrates the bolt locked onto two panels with a nut and the cylindrical locking unit; FIGS. 20b-20e diagrammatically illustrate the top hat design which includes a single, radial end plate above a cylindrical locking unit;

FIG. 20f diagrammatically illustrates the top hap design or insert mounted in a nut;

FIGS. 20g-20i diagrammatically illustrate axially stacked locking units or inserts;

FIGS. 21a-21d diagrammatically illustrate radial rim locking features on and about nut faces to affix the locking inserts or locking units into the nut;

FIGS. 22a-22d diagrammatically illustrate a locking drawn barrel fas- tener;

FIGS. 23 diagrammatically illustrates a pipe coupling or bolt end locking system;

FIGS. 24 and 25 diagrammatically illustrate an S-shaped locking nut and bolt clip assembly wherein one of the clip legs carries a cylindrical lock- ing unit;

FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates the S-shaped clip utilized in conjunction with a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel and a bolt having a spiral locking channel and a panel having a bore;

FIG. 27 diagrammatically illustrates an S-shaped clip having a locking element with a plurality of axially protruding legs formed on one clip leg;

FIGS. 28a and 28b diagrammatically illustrate stages of manufacture for the locking element; FIGS. 29a, 29b, 30a, 30b and 30c diagrammatically illustrate various clip locks, clip fasteners or nuts which may be configured as separate locking nuts or fasteners or may be disposed on a leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip;

FIGS. 30a-30c diagrammatically illustrate a locking mechanism where the threaded nut barrel is posed on a axial end of a cylindrical, tine carrying locking unit or structure;

FIGS. 31 and 32 diagrammatically illustrate clips having a nut on one clip leg and a cylindrical locking unit formed on the outboard axial end of the nut;

FIG. 33 illustrates a detailed view of the nut and cylindrical locking unit;

FIG. 34 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, cross-sectional, broken away side view of the nut with the cylindrical locking unit formed on an axial outboard end;

FIGS. 35a and 35b diagrammatically illustrate he tines from the perspective of section lines a' -a" and b'-b" in FIG. 34;

FIGS. 36a-h diagrammatically illustrate plan side views and end views of the nut and locking unit at various stages of manufacture (with the axial view from the perspective of corresponding section lines in FIGS. 36a, c, e and g);

FIG. 37 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of a U-shaped locking nut clip assembly with a thin walled nut and a locking unit formed an interior region of the nut; FIG. 38 illustrates a side view of a locking nut clip assembly (a truncated U-shaped clip or a J-shaped clip) wherein the locking unit is on an interior of the nut adjacent one axial end of the nut;

FIGS. 39a, b, c and d diagrammatically illustrate various stages of manufacture of the locking unit formed on the interior of the nut at one axially end;

FIG. 40a diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the thin walled nut and intermediate locking unit;

FIG. 40b graphically illustrates the spacial flex zone and locking zone for the locking fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 40a and 41 ;

FIG. 41 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of the thin walled cylindrical nut and the locking unit on an interior portion of the nut adjacent one axial end;

FIGS. 42 and 43 illustrate a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel and a spiral locking channel, respectively;

FIGS. 44a and 44b diagrammatically illustrate a female threaded unit in various stages of manufacture;

FIGS. 45a and 45b diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of a locking unit with a peripheral wall carrying a plurality of tines;

FIG. 46 diagrammatically illustrates the locking unit mounted in the recess of the female threaded unit;

FIGS. 47a, b and c illustrate a side view, an end view (from the section line b'-b") and a perspective view of the bolt having a notched bolt head; FIGS.48a and 48b diagrammatically illustrate a perspective view and an end view of the notched bolt head threaded into the female unit wherein the tines lock onto the notches on the bolt head;

FIG. 49a diagrammatically illustrates a partial, detail end view of a nut carrying the locking body with an interspace identified for insertion of a depending leg;

FIGS. 49b-61 diagrammatically illustrate blind hole one-way locking fasteners or nut and bolt combination.

FIGS 53a-53c are illustrations of locking bridges.

FIGS. 62-64 are illustrations of a removal tool.

FIG. 65 diagrammatically illustrates a bolt with locking notches above a cylindrical lower bearing surface region that is smaller in diameter than the upper notch region.

FIGS 66-70c diagrammatically illustrate cross sections and top views of the nut and bolt system incorporated into a molded workpiece.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention relates to a locking nut and bolt and fastener system and clips forming a locking nut assembly, a locking blind hole screw, a locking blind hole nut and a removal tool for such locking systems.

FIG. I illustrates bolt 20 having a longitudinal locking channel 28 through bolt threads 26.

Bolt threads 26 are formed on bolt stem 24. Bolt 20 includes bolt head 22. Bolt 20 includes an axial centerline C-C numerically identified as center- line 60 in the figure. A nut 40 has been threaded onto bolt thread 26. It should be noted that the longitudinal locking channel 28 may extend the entire length of bolt thread 26 or may occupy a segment or a portion of thread 26. As described later, nut 40 has some type of locking mechanism disposed thereon or therein which generally includes a compressible tine which moves into the notch formed on each bolt thread and out of the notch and rides atop the crest of the bolt thread. As used herein, the term "compressible" refers to a tine that moves generally radially into a locking notch or groove. FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a partial view of the bolt. Bolt thread 26 includes bolt thread crest 30 and a trough 32.

Notch 34 may be deeper than trough 32 or may be a shallow notch on crest 30. The longitudinal channel 28 in FIG. I is formed by a plurality of notches shown in FIG. 3 as notch 34. Notch 34 includes a locking face 36 and an opposing slope 38. Other notch designs are illustrated in FIG. 5 and 6b. When the distal tine end falls into notch 34, locking action occurs prohibiting counter- rotational movement when the tine end abuts lock face 36. When the distal tine end is circumferentially beyond notch 34, the tine end rides atop bolt thread crest 30. Dependent upon the axial dimension of the distal tine end and the axial distance between circumferentially aligned segments of bolt thread crest 30, the distal tine end may interact with a single notch or may interact with a plurality of notches.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bolt having a longitudinal locking channel formed as a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other. FIG. 2 illustrates bolt 41 having a spiral locking channel 43. Spiral locking channel 43 is formed of a plurality of notches, similar to notch 34 in FIG. 3, however these notches when placed adjacent longitudinally each other form a spiral 43 about the axial centerline D'-D" in FIG. 2. The spiral locking channel 43 also consists of a plurality of notches generally longitudinally formed on the bolt thread 45 in a predetermined spiral pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on the bolt thread. ln other words, each notch on adjacent circumferential segments of the bolt thread 45 are generally longitudinally adjacent. However, a group of notches form a spiral pattern about the bolt. This notch pattern accommodates the axial dimension of the compressible distal tine end.

However, when a plurality of notches is defined on bolt thread 45, the plurality of notches forms a predetermined spiral pattern about axial center- line D'-D". Bolt head 41 may be hexagonal and may include a recess for an Allen wrench or slots for screwdrivers.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a partial, axial side view of bolt 1003 having bolt thread 1005, root 1006 and a plurality of notches or cut-outs 1008, 1009, 1010, 1012 forming an axial channel or groove. FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic cross-section of bolt 1003 along the crest of bolt thread 1005. Bolt 1003 is designed to operate as a locking ratchet. The teeth 1013 (beyond cut- out or notch 1012) are equally spaced apart. The following table provides exemplary dimensions.

Bolt Thread Groove Table

Outside diameter y 0.385"

Thread gap X 0.059"

Ratchet tooth arc w 40 degrees

Descending slope 1015 angle V 55 degree

Maximum lock face 1017 angle u 10 degrees

Base 1019 t 0.050

Lock face I017 height s 0.020

Bolt 1003 may be used with the fastening nuts, clips and other female fasteners.

Sometimes, reference will be made to certain terms explained below. A "locking zone" is the area where a locking mechanism, such as a tine, engages a locking face, on a bolt or pipe thread, to prevent counter- rotation. In general, since the space making up the zone extends from one or more locking faces on the bolt thread or the bolt head in the so-called "blind hole" locking design shown in FIGS. 47a, and 49b; or nut" in Figs. 60 - 61 , and projects out to a perimeter of the bolt or locked item. For example, in a threaded bolt manufactured with a groove or a slot, the locking zone is the volumetric space missing from a comparable threaded bolt without a groove or slot. See FIG. 6b. Of course, multiple grooves or slots may be formed in the bolt thread. In another embodiment, such as a protrusion on a polygonal shaped object, the locking zone extends from the outer most point of the protrusion and surrounds and mimics the perimeter of the polygon in a space determined by the height of the protrusion. In a strictly mechanical sense, the locking zone is defined as the difference between the greatest radial distance at the outer edge of the protrusion and the radially inner distance at the base of the protrusion. See FIG. 6g. Since the protrusion describes a circle when rotated about an axial centerline, any locking mechanism or tine in the peripheral band or locking zone will engage the protrusion and hence lock the rotating bolt or pipe against the stationary nut or fastener.

Also, the lockable bolt or pipe or bolt head or nut may carry a cut-out, groove or slot. The locking zone in this embodiment is the radial difference between the radially outermost portion of the slot and the root or radially innermost portion of the slot, groove or cut-out. If a tine or locking element falls into the locking zone and engages the locking face, counter-rotational move- ment is prohibited.

Any body can contain one or more locking zones

A "spacial flex zone" is a spacial area around the locking mechanism, (for example, a tine), at a point when the locking device or mechanism is fully outside of the locking zone. The spacial flex zone allows the locking mecha- nism (i.e., tine) to operate, flex naturally and retract from the locking zone without permanent deformation.

The "spacial flex zone" whether in clips, nuts or clips or blind hole bolts: (a) allows tines to flex naturally with a sufficient long straight tine or variations with bent tines; (b) prevents the tine from taking a set; (c) allows variations of engagement angle; (d) allows grooves to be above, or below, the minor of the bolt; and (e) reduces resistance during installation by an end- user who may not need a wrench to spin the nut on the bolt.

The spacial flex zone allows a variety of different shaped tines to ac- complish (a) secure engagement during locking; and (b) flexing during inbound installation; and (c) flexing during outbound removal.

The tine design and the spacial flex zone prevents the tine from bouncing out of the locking zone and malfunctioning following installation. For example, in one embodiment the spacial flex zone is a radial space or cavity between the bolt and the tine housing.

Sometimes, the term "angle of engagement" is utilized herein. In preferred embodiments, tines intersect the engagement face in a locking zone at an angle less than 90 degrees to prevent the tine from popping out under stress. See FIG. 6h. Keeping the tine from popping out is important.

The deeper the tine drops into the slot or locking zone and abuts the locking engagement face, the easier it is to achieve a high quality angle of engagement.

The longer the tine, the smaller the radial angle of flex of the tine. This lowers the chance of the tine being permanently deformed which could result in either losing the angle of engagement or losing its designed form as it is installed. If the tine loses its "spring" it ceases to function correctly. Although a short tine can achieve an adequate angle of engagement, it generally will not flex correctly. A steep angle of engagement also exerts excessive forces on the tine, even deforming the tine should it exceed the yield point, as it flexes in and out of the grooves.

There are certain benefits of a longer tine. A longer tine will generally result in less wear and tear on the bolt and tine when applying the nut to a bolt. See FIG. 40b. A tine of sufficient length that has attained an acceptable angle of engagement will keep the tine under its "yield strength" and avoid permanent deformation when turning the nut onto a bolt. A short explanation of yield strength is set forth below.

The tine can overcome this tendency to permanently deform and/or incorrectly function if there is a sufficient spacial flex zone in the locking system. For example, there should be an adequate spacial flex zone between the outer radial diameter of the bolt and the point where the tine is attached to its base mechanism. This attachment is sometimes referred to herein as the proximal end portion or region of the tine. The portion of the tine that engages the locking face in the locking zone is the distal end or terminal end of the tine.

In other embodiments, the distal end of the tine is juxtaposed or near the circumference of the outer diameter of the male thread. To function without distorting the tine, the spring tine must be bent away from the bolt thread when outside the locking zone and radially moved into the spacial flex zone. A second bend at the distal end of the tine moves the tine back from the bolt at an angle of engagement. See FIG. 7. This permits the tine to be length- ened and, depending on the composition and thickness of the tine, will increase the tine's flexibility and effectiveness.

The issue of yield strength of the tine is important. Without the proper spacial flex zone, deformation of the tine can occur during retraction. For ex- ample, if the tine is forced into a concave shape or any other position that results in jamming or distortion of the tine body, it will not function correctly.

General comments regarding certain aspects of the present invention follow.

When referring to a "locking position or closed position", the term "engaged" may better explain the system.

The invention described herein is not limited to "fasteners" but is also relevant to threaded pipe or rod and all other objects that require locking attachments where counter-rotation is undesirable. General comments re- garding bolt and nut combinatory systems follow. A variety of designs for tines and engagement walls attain a predetermined "angle of engagement". The system allows an end-user to visually view or inspect the locking mechanism, confirming the locking engagement. The nut in the system is nearly "free spinning" during assembly. This can only be accomplished by designing the tines to reduce resistance (friction) during one-way rotation. The tines should be as long as possible and the spacial flex zone around the bolt should be large enough for the longer tine to correctl fiex.

An important object of the invention is to establish the correct geometry to attain consistent engagements of tines in grooves at minimal and con- sistent degrees between engagements based on a mathematical formula.

Generally, odd number of tines off-set against an even number of grooves or an even number of tines off-set against and odd number of grooves. If either of the number of tines or grooves is a prime number, there will be only one tine engaged at the same time.

The formula follows: 360 divided by (the number of equally spaced tines) times (the number of equally spaced grooves) = degrees between engagements. Example: 360/8x9=5 degrees represents 8 tines and 9 grooves or slots. This mathematical relationship represents a vast improvement over haphazard spacing of tines, i.e., over 100, 120, 160 degrees. The invention allows the locking system to be re-tightened or re-torqued when necessary. Once the system is engaged it can be easily disengaged by the removal tool. See FIGS 62-64. In many embodiments of the invention, redundant locking features can be provided with simultaneous engagement of tines in locking zones to reduce the locking dependence on single tines and to disperse the locking stresses over multiple tines when necessary within extreme vibra- tional environments.

In many embodiments, the stamped tine can be installed on the nut without a keyway or orientation with respect to the nut other than the stamped tine and locking nut insert being upside down. In many embodiments, in order to prevent rotation of the locking mechanism, ridges or stria- tions are formed on the nut end face. The end nut face is the planar, radially aligned, circumferential wall on which the "brim" sits. A cutout on the brim of the top hat nut insert (FIGS. 20b-20e) allows the swaged wall of the nut to fill the cutout during swaging.

In several embodiments, the V-shaped cutouts in the "brims" of the top hat design or the railroad design are not designed to key the clip or insert to a certain orientation on the nut since circumferential orientation of the locking insert is not necessary. This reduces assembly costs. In several embodiments of the invention, incorrect installation of the nut by the end user is prevented because the nut can not be inadvertently put on backwards. Because there are no threads easily accessible from the locking tine side, the nut can only be threaded inbound from one side.

The invention has a minimum number of parts for ease of assembly. This makes the system easy to manufacture with a minimum number of secondary processes. In order to help the end user save time during installation of the nut and bolt system, the present invention does not use cotter pins that require either expensive tools or manual instructions and bending. The present system is simply threaded together. In many embodiments, the user is able to install the locking system with ordinary tools, such as a wrench or a nut runner. In several embodiments, the invention applies more accurate clamp loads to the locking system since the nut and bolt are more "free spinning" than prevailing torque nuts. Prevailing torque nuts require more torque to install the nut on the bolt which results in additional wear and tear on installation tools and guns and adds to worker fatigue during installation of the fastener systems.

General comments regarding fasteners, clips, formed nuts and nuts follow. The clip and the tine are manufactured with varying thickness and are adapted to form a positive lock if the distal tine is altered to mate properly with grooves in a screw and the tines are long enough to allow proper flexing. The distal tines can be beveled to permit an angle of engagement and/or a mating of tine "shape" with screw grooves to assure mechanical locking. In certain clip and tine designs, a locking clip or tine is integrated into an extension of a threaded extruded barrel which has been extruded to a wider diameter to accommodate a spacial flex zone that is not threaded. FIGS. 30a- 30c. This double extrusion design serves to save material costs and space. A locking clip is integrated into a lanced threaded extruded barrel that permits increased clamp load due to an increase number of threads which surround the locking mechanism. FIG. 40a. Locking bolt and screw systems have the following general features. The bolt has an engagement face, within a groove perpendicular or helical to the threads, that engages a locking tine mechanism at an angle, which prevents counter-rotation of the bolt or screw.

The "angle of engagement" between the tine or locking device and the engagement wall should be less than 90 degrees to prevent the tine from disengaging from the bolt notch, e rising face of the notch, opposite the engagement face, in the three face groove design, is an innovation to increase the load carrying thread surface, allowing for increased torque tension strength within the locking zone of the fastener. FIGS. 5, 6k, 6n, 6q. A three- faced pattern for grooves is utilized to permit better "angle of engagement" for the tines. FIGS. 6k, 6n and 6q. The three-faced pattern for grooves allows either a thicker tine to engage on the engaging wall or a variety of distal tine designs, in a variety of materials to seat properly on the engagement wall. The bolt having a concave engagement wall (FIGS. 6o-6q) deflects the tine into the core of the groove and thereby decreases the angle of engagement at the upper portion of the engagement wall. The bolt having an "overhung" engagement (FIGS 6l-6n) wall deflects the tine into the core of the groove and thereby decreases the angle of engagement along the engagement wall. Screw and bolt designs permit the screws or bolts to be rolled with roll dies requiring no secondary processes to make engagement grooves.

The screw or bolt designs have grooves in the bolt or screw limited to a zone on the bolt or screw such that the clamp load of the fastener is con- tained on the full threads of the bolt and the locking device can fully engage in the grooves. All clips that have a tine on the locking mechanism engage in a locking zone in a groove above minor. The "V" cuts in the blind hole tine assembly allow proper seating in a beveled blind hole or a funnel shaped blind hole. FIG. 52.

FIGS. 6b-6g graphically illustrate the locking zone and spacial flex zone for certain locking bolts and locking bolt heads. Locking bolt heads are used in connection with the blind hole design (see FIG. 46). With respect to FIG. 6b, a plurality of locking zones 1101 , 1103 are created intermediate protrusions 1105, 1107 and 1109. Of course, locking zones 1101 and 1103 are sometimes referred to as grooves or slots herein. The spacial flex zone 1120 is the area around locking zones 1101 , 1103 and graphically identifies the peripheral area in which the distal end of the locking tine travels when that portion of the locking tine has not fallen into locking zones 1101 , 1103. As described later, solid body 1122 may be the core or stem of the bolt or may be a bolt head. With respect to FIG. 6c, locking zones 1101 , 1103 have a different shape (a triangular shape) as compared with locking zones 1101 , 1003 in FIG. 6b. In FIG. 6b, the locking zones are generally four-sided. One side is open to the outermost peripheral dimension of the body.

FIG. 6d graphically illustrates locking zone 1124 formed within a polygonal shape body 1126. Spacial flex zone 1128 represents the area in which the distal end of the tine moves when that end has not fallen into locking zone 1124. In a strict mechanical sense, assuming body 1126 rotates about central axis 1131 , the locking zone describes a circular band defined by the outer radial dimension of locking zone 1124 and the radially inward dimension of that zone. In a like manner, FIG. 6e includes locking zone 1124 and a square body 1125. Square body 1125 rotates about axially center line 1132 and the polygonal cut-out shape describes a similar circumferential locking zone band and a spacial flex zone 1128. The tine, when outside the polygonal cut-out, moves in the spacial flex zone. FIGS. 6f and 6g show bodies 1133 having protruding elements 1135, 1137 which establish the outer boundary of locking zone 1138. With respect to FIG. 6g, the mechanically accurate locking zone is a peripheral ring or band established by the radially outermost dimension of protrusions 1135, 1137 and dimension 1140 which represents the largest radial dimension of the body other than protrusion 1135, 1137. Body 1133 rotates about axially center line 1141. Spacial flex zone 1142 is graphically illustrated in FIG. 6f and 6g. It should be noted that the locking zone and spacial flex zones shown in FIGS. 6b-6g are only illustrative of these zones and the actual dimensions of the zones are nor- mally smaller dependent upon the mechanical operation of the tine and the depth of the groove or the height of the protrusion from the respective rotating body.

FIG. 6h graphically illustrates the preferred angle of engagement. Rotating body 1144 rotates about axial centerline 1146. The root or inside pe- rimeter of the threads 1147 and the outside perimeter of the threads 1148 establish locking zone 1150. Engagement wall 1151 includes a locking face 1152 that has a slope 1154 offset approximately 3 degrees from diametric centerline 1155. The angle of engagement 1156 is approximately 89 degrees and the descending slope 1157 of cutout or groove 1158 has an angle of approximately 91 degrees offset from imaginary line 1160'- 1160". That imaginary line is coextensive with locking face 1152 of the cutout or groove 1158.

FIGS. 6i-6q and 6o graphically illustrate a straight wall groove or cutout 1162, and overhang cutout or groove 1164 and a concave cutout or groove 1166. A radial line 1163 passes through the axial centerline of rotating body or bolt 1165. Preferably, the angle of engagement between groove or cutout 1162, 1164, 1166 and the distal tine end (not illustrated) be less than 90 degrees in order to prevent the tine from disengaging from the groove. FIGS. 6j, 6m and 6p diagrammatically illustrate a flat descending wall 1167. In contrast, FIGS. 6k, 6n and 6q graphically illustrate a base wall 1168 and an angularly offset descending wall 1169. The overhang on the walls shown in FIGS. 6m, 6n, 6p and 6q tend to decrease the angle of engagement along locking or engaging wall 1161. It is believed that the "three wall" groove design shown in FIGS. 6k, 6n and 6q (and FIG. 5), increases the load carrying thread surface and permits increased torque tension strength within locking zone 1162, 1164, 1166. This results in a better angle of engagement for the distal end of the tine. Further, the three wall pattern for locking zone or groove 1162, 1164, 1166 enables the use of a thicker tine and permits the designer to select different materials (different types of steel, metal or plas- tic).

FIG. 7 illustrates nut 150 carrying nut insert 152. The nut insert is disposed in a circumferential recess on the end face of the nut. Bolt 154 is threaded onto nut 150. Nut insert 152 includes a peripheral ring 156 and a plurality of tines one of which is tine 158. Tine 158 includes a distal tine end 160. In FIG. 7, distal tine end 160 is riding atop bolt thread crest 162. Tine 164, and in particular distal tine end 166, has fallen into notch 168. Distal tine end 166 prevents counter- rotational movement in the direction shown by arrow 169 with respect to a fixed nut position for nut 150.

FIG. 8 shows nut 201 having a nut insert 203 disposed in a recess below nut face 204. Nut insert 203 includes a peripheral ring 205 and a plurality of planar support plates, one of which is support plate 207 associated with tine 209. Tine 209 rides atop bolt thread crest 211 for bolt 210. Bolt 210 may be similar to the bolt shown in FIG. 1 , that is, having a longitudinal locking channel, or may be similar to the bolt shown in FIG. 2, that is, having a spiral locking channel.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are partial, cross-sectional views taken from the perspective of section line a'-a" and b'-b" in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows nut 201 having a nut face 204 and a recess 202 there below. Peripheral plate 205 of the nut insert is disposed on the first level of recess 202 or on a shoulder 206. The recess 202 has a lower region 210. FIG. 10 shows that tine 209 is spaced away from the peripheral walls defining lower recess area 210. In order to provide this radial free space, insert 205 utilizes planar support plates 207 for each tine. The free space is the spacial flex zone.

FIG. 9 also shows that the outer peripheral planar section of nut insert 205 has substantially the same radial dimension as the shoulder 202 in recess 206. This permits the insert to be firmly seated in the recess.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show various manufacturing stages for nut insert 203. In FIG. 11 , nut insert 203 is pressed, stamped or cut from a single sheet of metal or plastic. Tine segments 214 extend from planar support plate 207. Tine 209 (FIG. 12) is formed when tine segment 214 is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 215 such that tine body 216 is tangentially disposed with respect to the nut thread and bolt thread. Distal tine 209 is then rotated in the direction shown by arrow 218 such that distal tine end 209 extends tangentially and radially inward toward the axial centerline of the locking unit.

In this configuration, the distal tine ends flex radially inward when the distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches (see FIG. 8, and the tine at 8 o'clock) and the distal tine ends move radially outward into the radial free space (FIG. 10, space 210) when the distal tine end rides on the bolt thread crest as shown with respect to distal tine end 209 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows nut 220 carrying an elongated locking unit 221 formed as a cylinder on nut end face 222. Elongated locking unit 221 has a rearward ring member 223 which is disposed in a nut recess (see FIG. 19). The elongated locking unit 221 has a cylindrical body 225 with a plurality of tines 226, 228 formed thereon. Each tine has a distal tine end 227 and a proximal tine portion 229. Proximal tine portion 229 is adjacent cylindrical body 225 of elongated locking unit 221. Preferably, distal tine end 227 is formed by cut- ting out region 230 from cylindrical body 225. A plurality of tines, in a preferred embodiment, are circumferentially disposed about cylinder 225. Additionally, the tines may be axially disposed such that tine 228 is axially inboard with respect to tine 232.

FIG. 14 shows bolt 231 having a bolt thread trough 233, a bolt thread crest 234 and a plurality of notches, one of which is notch 235. Each notch includes a locking face 236 and an opposing slope 237.

FIGS. 15a and 15b show bolt segments 11 and 13 carrying a plurality of notches thereon. With respect to bolt segment 11 in FIG. 15b, the plurality of notches are longitudinally aligned to form longitudinal locking channel 9. With respect to bolt segment 13 in FIG. 15a, the notches are aligned in a predetermined spiral pattern to form spiral locking channel 7. FIG. 16 shows nut 220 threaded onto bolt 231. Locking unit 221 is locked onto nut 220. Tine 228 is in a locked or engaged position with its distal tine end abutting a locking face in the locking channel. This is the locking zone. In contrast, distal tine end 232 is riding atop the opposing slope in the flex zone. Tine 240 is riding atop bolt thread crest 234.

FIG. 17a shows an elongated locking unit 241 having a cylindrical body 225 with circumferentially disposed distal tine ends 226, 232. FIG. 17b shows locking unit 221 with distal tine ends 226,228 and 232 both circumferentially disposed about cylinder 225 and axially disposed about cylin- der 225. The locking mechanisms in FIGS. 17a and 17b are sometimes referred to herein as "railroad" designs.

FIG. 18 illustrates bolt 1 having a plurality of longitudinal locking channels 3 about to be threaded onto nut 220 carrying elongated locking unit 221.

FIG. 19 shows elongated locking unit 221 having an axially rearward ring 223 disposed in a recess 242 beneath end face 222. One method of attaching rearward ring 223 in recess 242 is by swaging the nut face 222. Otherwise, the ring may be snap fit into recess 242. The ππg may also be inserted via a key and rotated to block or trap the key in a keyway. The key and keyway locking is not the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 20a shows bolt 1 locking panels 4, 5 via nut 220 and locking unit

221. The user can easily determine whether the tines 228, 232 have fallen into one of the locking channels 3 by viewing the position of the tine in the cut-out. For example, with reference to tine 228, cut-out 230 enables the user to visually identify whether the tine has been placed in the locking channel.

Referring to FIG. 16, tines 228, 232 and 240 protrude both tangentially and radially toward the axial centerline of bolt 231. The placement of tines 232, 228 and 226 (FIG. 13) in respective cut outs (for example tine 228 in cut-out 230) enhances the visibility of the locking action of each tine. As shown in FIG. 16, the rearward ring 223 of locking unit 221 has a complementary key and keyway fit in region 246. As shown, the rearward ring defines the keyway and the nut recess or nut end surface 222 defines a com- plementary key. This key and keyway fit permits the circumferential alignment of locking unit 221 with respect to a certain position on nut 220. In the railroad design, liquid will not accumulate in the locking mechanism.

FIG. 20b diagrammatically illustrates a top hat design or nut insert. Elongated locking unit 1170 is substantially similar to elongated locking unit 1171 shown in FIG. 20c except that unit 1170 includes a seam 1172 whereas locking unit 1171 does not have a seam. Unit 1171 is manufactured by poking a "bubble" in a thin metal sheet, breaking through the bubble, forming a tube, lancing the tube and then creating axially forward ring plate member 1173. In contrast, locking unit 1170 is created from a flat strip of metal (or plastic) which is cut, folded, and wrapped on a mandrill to form barrel or the cylinder. Any material which can be cut, folded and wrapped may be utilized. Seam 1172 is spot welded or is left open such that the cylinder acts a spring. Both locking units 1170, 1171 include a cylinder 1174. The cylinder has a central region 1175 shown in FIG. 20d and carries at least one, and prefera- bly, a plurality of tines. The top hat design illustrated in FIGS. 20b-20e include four tines 1176, 1177, 1178 and 1179 carried by the cylindrical lock body shown in FIG. 20e. These tines protrude tangentially and radially towards axial centerline 1180 of rotating bolt or body 1181. Axially centerline 1180 is shown in FIG. 20f.

The top hat design is unique in that tines 1176-1179 are disposed in a central region 1175 in cylinder 1174. This central disposition of the tines provides stability and extra strength since cylinder 1174 has a lower peripheral axial ring section 1184 shown in FIG. 20d and an upper ring normal to radial top hat lip 1173. When locking unit 1170 is placed in a recess defined on the end face of a nut, the locking unit is swaged onto end face 1182 of nut 1183 (FIG. 20f) and the swaged portion of end face 1182 "flows up" to lock into the V formed on axially forward radial ring 1173. Other cut-outs are useful FIG. 8, 3 V 1185 is shown on for ward axial radial ring 1173 of locking unit 1170 in FIG. 20b. V 1185 is swaged into nut end face 1182.

Since there is no reason to circumferentially orient the top hat or locking unit 1170, 1171 , the top hat design is easier to assemble. It is only necessary to orient the top hat design such that lower axial edge 1184 (FIG. 20d) is disposed near the nut end face such that the locking nut insert drops into the recess on the nut face. Further, the present top hat or locking unit design 1170, 1171 is easily handled by automatic feeding units. The lower circumferential ring 1184 prevents the nut inserts from locking together and also ensures that tines 1176-1179 are not altered, deformed or otherwise harmed during the automatic feeding and insertion into the nut recess. If the tines become dented, the locking ability of the system is adversely effected. It is important to note that the automatic sorting and handling of these fasteners is an important feature of the present invention.

FIGS. 20g-20i diagrammatically illustrate axial stacking of two top hat locking units 1190 and 1191. Locking units 1190 and 1191 are aligned such that V cutouts 1185 on each locking unit are axially aligned. Thereafter, the two top hat locking units are attached by adhesion, spot welding or otherwise to form a composite unit 1193. The top ring of the assembled units as smaller in diameter to allow an installation tool to reach the area to be fastened. Composite unit 1193 is then inserted into nut 1194. Lower or axially inboard locking unit 1191 is placed in the recess on the end face 1182 of nut 1194. The upper locking unit or axially outboard locking unit 1190 extends axially outboard from nut face 1182. Of course, the dual locking units 1190, 1991 are coaxial with axially centerline 1195 of nut 1194. The dual top hat locking unit 1190, 1191 provides multiple, circumferentially disposed tines thereby enhancing the locking capability of the system. This peripheral and axial dis- tribution of tines both axially and circumferentially is described above in connection with the railroad design shown in FIG. 17b.

The top hat locking unit design (FIGS. 20b, 20c) are different from prior art designs in that the present invention is a single part and not a multi- pie part piece. The prior art does not have a lower circumferential ring 1184 (FIG. 20d) and hence, is difficult to sort, automatically feed and assemble into a nut recess. These features are important in the present invention.

General comments regarding the axial end locking mechanism follow.

The invention relates to a cylinder extending axially from an end of a nut wherein the cylinder carries locking elements thereon.

The invention also relates to a locking clip or insert with tines supported in an axial manner (with respect to the axial centerline of the nut), and tines emanating from the axially disposed cylindrical body that pass through a spacial flex zone and engage grooves in a screw.

Since the locking mechanism is axially outboard from the nut, water or other liquid cannot pool in the locking mechanism. This reduces the possibility of corrosion of the mechanism in adverse environments or outdoors.

General comments regarding the "top hat" design follow.

A protective rim or peripheral wall axially above and below, alongside the tine (a) protects the integrity of the locking mechanism at all stages of manufacture including shipping, storage, handling and installation; (b) allows shipping of tine components in bulk, preventing entanglement prior to installation in the nut and allowing for high speed installation in any swaging process; and (c) will shield any sharp edges of the tines when protruding from the locking mechanism. This makes the locking mechanism safer to handle and reduces the risk of something catching on the locking mechanism including loose clothing.

General comments on the axial stacked embodiment follow.

In an axial stacked mode (two top hat designs stacked together), one locking insert is keyed to the second insert. This provides a maximum amount of tine engagements equally separated for either maximum engagements with the lowest possible degrees between engagements (see, for example, the earlier example of 8 tines operating on 9 grooves or slots), or the maximum engagements with a specification for multiple or duplicate simulta- neous tine engagements (e.g., 8 tines in 8 grooves).

FIGS. 21a-21b diagrammatically illustrate various mechanisms to swage or attach or affix the axially disposed radially extending rim or lip of various locking units or nut inserts. For example, rim 1173 in FIG. 20b; plate 205 in FIGS. 8, 9; plate 223 in FIG. 19; among others. FIG. 21 b diagrammati- cally shows nut 1202 having primary nut recess 1204 and radial wall or ledge 1206. In addition, nut end face 1208 includes an axial protrusion 1210. In FIG. 21c, locking unit or nut insert 1213 has been disposed in nut recess 1204. Locking unit 1213 includes at an axial end, a radial plate 1215. In order to secure locking unit 1213 in nut recess 1204, axial protrusion 1210 has been flattened or deformed as shown as deformation 1211 to cover a reasonable portion of radial end plate 1215. This mechanism effectively locks the locking unit 1213 or nut insert into nut recess 1204.

In FIGS. 21a-21d, radial ledge 1206 of nut 1202 includes a striation or slight radially aligned, axial protrusion or ridge 1216. When nut insert 1213 is placed in nut recess 1204 and radial ring or plate 1215 is placed thereon, upon deformation of axial ridge 1210 to form deformation 1211 , the bump or striation 1216 provides a sturdy anti-rotation lock between deformation 1211 and ridge 1216. This anti-rotation lock results in a similar deformation of ra- dial ring 1215 on nut insert 1213. A sheet metal fastener on a U-shaped clip is shown in FIG. 30c. The fastener on a clip leg on a S shaped clip is shown in FIG. 30b. S-shaped clips are shown in FIGS. 25. Generally, U, J or S- shaped fastener designs are interchangeable, i.e., it does not matter whether the fastener is mounted on a U, J or S-shaped clip body.

FIGS. 22a-22d diagrammatically illustrate a locking drawn barrel 1500. Locking drawn barrel 1500 in FIG. 22b includes an axially inboard radial lip 1502. In contrast, the thread carrying cylinder 1504 for locking barrel 1500 in FIG. 22a does not include an axially inboard, radial lip. Both drawn barrels include a cylindrical locking structure 1506 from which tangentially and radially extends tine 1510. A plurality of tines may be utilized to increase the clamping factor of the fastener system.

FIG. 22c shows locking barrel 1500 mounted in a recess in nut 1511. Tines 1510 are shown extending tangentially and radially toward the axial centerline of the composite locking barrel 1500 and nut 1511. The term

"composite" refers to the insert and nut combination. Threads 1512 are disposed axially inboard on thread barrel 1504. of FIG. 22d.

FIG. 22d shows thread barrel cylinder 1504, locking cylindrical structure 1506 and tine 1510.

Lip 1502 in FIG. 22b helps lock the extrusion into a plastic or composite nut body. This locking feature is an important feature of the present design because the locking drawn barrel 1500 can be mass assembled. Further, this feature may enable a composite nut/locking structure to be cheaply manufactured while maintaining the strength of the locking structure in the nut in- serf and the lightness of the system by using a plastic nut body. Hence, the term "composite" is appropriate for a plastic nut and a metal nut insert as described in FIGS. 22a-22d. FIG. 23 diagrammatically illustrate a pipe locking system. The locking nut or fastener may be utilized in conjunction with a threaded pipe or rod in order to provide a locking mechanism for the pipe or rod. If the outside of a flanged female pipe (or possibly a standard female pipe) is threaded, the lock of the present invention can be threaded onto the pipe and the locking engagements may drop into axial grooves or ridges (FIG 6f) on the outside of the male end of the pipe. Threads may not be necessary under the grooves on the male side of the pipe.

FIG. 23 shows a modified pipe lock 1580 disposed at a terminal end of pipe 1582. Female threads 1532 have been moved axially inboard away from tine 1526. Accordingly, male threads 1533 of pipe 1531 can be mounted on female threaded coupling 1532. Accordingly, tine 1526 pops into and out of the grooves 1535 on pipe 1531 thereby locking the pipe onto the terminal end of pipe 1582.

FIG. 24 diagrammatically illustrates an S-shaped locking nut and bolt assembly 270. All illustrations of the clips are expanded to better show the critical features of the invention. The S- shaped member includes legs 271 , 272 and 273. It is important to remember that leg 271 may be truncated at any location above line 274 thereby eliminating the leg portion toward termi- nal end 275. As used herein, "S-shaped" refers to the S-shape shown in FIG. 36 or a truncated S-shape which eliminates all or a portion of the segment from line 274 to terminal end 275 of leg 271.

Leg 272 includes a nut formed as cylindrical unit 276. On leg 273, an elongated locking unit 277 is formed. In view of the length of leg 271 , that leg also has a bore 278. The axial centerline through bore 278 and nut 276 and cylindrical locking unit 277 is coaxial. As shown in FIG. 25, panel 280 includes a panel bore 282. The panel bore is coaxial with clip leg bore 278, nut 276 and cylindrical locking unit 277. A bolt similar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 15a and 15b is inserted through bore 278,282 and threaded through nut 276 and ultimately locking onto cylindrical locking unit 277.

Cylindrical locking unit 277 includes at least one, and in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tines, one of which is tine 282. In a preferred em- bodiment, tine 282 is established by cutting out a region 283 from the cylindrical locking unit 277. As discussed earlier, tine 282 has a distal tine end which tangentially and radially protrudes inward toward the cylindrical axis of the specially configured bolt. When the tine end abuts a locking face (for example, locking face 236 in FIG. 14 for bolt 231), the tine and the locking face prevent counter-rotational movement of the bolt with respect to the locking nut and bolt clip assembly 270. Otherwise, when the bolt is moved in a rotational manner, the distal tine end rides on opposing slope 237 and bolt thread crest 234 and further rotational movement is permitted.

Cylindrical locking unit 277 has a cylindrical axis perpendicular to the plane of leg 273. As shown with respect to FIG. 12, cylindrical locking unit 277 may be disposed on intermediate leg 272 and nut 276 may be disposed on laterally distant leg 273.

FIG. 25 shows that bored panel 280 is placed between clip leg 271 and clip leg 272 of S- shaped clip 270 such that bore 278 is coaxial with panel bore 282 and the nut thread 285 of nut 276. Cylindrical locking unit 277 is also coaxial with this bolt passageway. The locking action of tine 282 is visibly confirmed since tine 282 is disposed in cut-out 283.

FIG. 26 diagrammatically illustrates that S-shaped clip 270 can be utilized in conjunction with bolt 14 carrying longitudinal locking channel 9 on bolt thread segment 11 or bolt 15, carrying spiral locking channel 7 on bolt thread segment 13. Either one of these specially configured bolts can be threaded through bore 278 after S-shaped clip 270 is placed onto panel 280 such that bore 278 is coaxial with panel bore 282. Bolts 14, 15 threaded through bores 278, 282 and threaded onto nut 276 ultimately engage cylindrical locking unit 277. Distal tine ends 282 visibly engage locking channels 7, 9 due to the tine's position in cut-out 283. Also, the axially extending nature of the locking unit enhances visibility.

FIG. 27 diagrammatically shows S-shaped clip 320 having clip legs

321 , 322 and 323. Clip leg 321 defines bore 324. Clip leg 322 carries nut 325 having nut thread 326 thereon. Clip leg 323 carries a locking element formed of a plurality of axially protruding legs 327, 328, 329 and 330. Each axially protruding leg includes a distal tine end 331 , 332, 333 and 334. Additionally, the locking element establishes a locking element bore 335. These tines are not cut-out from the locking element legs but are simply angularity offset with respect to the legs. It should be noted that clip legs 321 , 322, 323 may be bent inward towards nut thread 326 rather than outboard away from the thread. This will protect the integrity of the tines, i.e., limit damage during shipping and installation.

FIGS. 28a and 28b show various manufacturing stages for the locking element. Clip leg segment 323 in FIG. 28a shows that protruding leg segments 327', 328', 329' and 330' are stamped or cut from a planar sheet of metal or molded in plastic. Each protruding leg segment clearly defines a distal tine end, for example distal tine end 331 for leg 327' is identified in FIG. 28a. Further, leg segment 327' also establishes proximal tine portion 340. In order to form the locking element shown in FIG. 27, protruding leg segments 327', 328', 329' and 330' are rotated out of the plane formed by clip leg segment 323. FIG. 28b shows a front view of clip leg segment 323. Axially pro- truding legs 327, 328, 329 and 330 are normal to the plane established by clip leg segment 323. Distal tine ends 331 , 332, 333 and 334 protrude tangentially and radially inward toward the axially centerline C in locking element bore 335. FIGS. 29a, 29b and 30a-30c diagrammatically illustrate another embodiment of fastener clips or fastener nuts. FIG. 29a shows partially manufactured plate 1600 having plate segments 1601 , 1602, 1603 and 1604. These various plate segments are bent along bend lines 1605 as shown by arrow 1606. Plate section 1602 includes axially extending structures 1610 and 1612. These structures carry tines 1611. Plate section 1604 carries a threaded barrel 1615. Threaded barrel 1615 has a cutout 1616. The barrel is extruded or is otherwise formed on the plate. Thereafter the cylindrical shaped body is threaded.

FIG. 29b shows a U-clip 1620. It should be noted that when the axial centerline 1613 of tine carrying structures 1610, 1612 is made coaxial with the axially centerline 1614 of threaded barrel 1615 (by bending and forming the structure), a single nut or fastener is created. Further, the fastener made in accordance with FIG. 29a may include a U-clip, J-clip or an S-shaped clip attached to end 1619. Hence, the fastener may be a stand alone unit or may be part of a U, J or S-shaped clip system.

FIG. 29b shows the rolled up fastener or nut. Similar numerals designate similar items in FIGS. 29a-30c. Of course, clip leg 1621 includes a through bore at region 1623 in order to permit the specially configured bolt or pipe or other rod-like structure to pass through and to activate the locking mechanism created by tines 1611.

FIGS. 30a-30b diagrammatically illustrate additional locking fasteners. In FIG. 30a, the metal plate is divided into section 1701 , 1702 and 1703. Bend planes 1605 are shown in dashed lines. The fastener is created by ro- tating plate 1701 in the direction shown by arrow 1705 such that axial center- line 1706 is coaxial with axial centerline 1707. fastener includes a cylindrical tine carrying support 1710 and a threaded barrel 1712 at an axial end of the cylindrical support 1710. Support 1710 has one or more tines 1711 stamped, tooled or created in its cylindrical wall. Plate section 1703 includes an extruded guide cylinder 1714.

As shown in FIG. 30b, guide cylinder 1714 captures threaded barrel 1712 in its interior. Cylindrical locking structure 1710 provides support for locking tine 1711. Of course, a single fastener may be created by truncating J-shaped clip 1720 at point shown by arrow 1721. The axial capture of the thread barrel greatly enhances stability and clamping forces.

FIG. 30c diagrammatically illustrates a U-shaped clip 1730 carrying a fastener 1732 at one end thereof Clip leg 1733 will include a through bore at region 1734. Clip leg 1735 will include a similar through bore coaxial with through bore 1734. Fastener 1732 includes a cylindrical or a rectangular tine carrying structure 1740 and an threaded bore 1742 adjacent thereto. Tines 1744 provide locking for fastener structure 1732.

FIG. 31 diagrammatically illustrates U-shaped clip 490 having clip leg 491 and clip leg 492. A bore 493 is defined on clip leg 491. A nut 494 is formed on clip leg 492. Nut 494 includes nut threads 495 and a nut bore 496. An elongated locking unit 497 is formed on an outboard axial end 498 of nut 494. The cylindrical locking unit 497 includes at least one, and in the illustrated embodiment, several compressible tines. For example, distal tine end 500 is defined in cut-out 501 of cylindrical wall 503 of cylindrical locking unit 497. Nut bore 496 is coaxial with respect to bore 493 on clip leg 491. U- shaped clip 490 is adapted to be inserted onto a panel having a bore in the direction shown by arrow 554.

The clip fastener systems illustrated in FIGS. 31 , 32, 33 and 34 in- elude a threaded, extruded barrel 495 (FIG. 31) and a wider diameter extruded portion or cylinder 497 to accommodate a spacial flex zone that is not threaded. This double extrusion design saves material costs and space. FIG. 32 shows a truncated U-shaped or J-shaped clip 560. Clip 560 includes truncated clip leg 561 and clip leg 562. A nut 563 is formed on clip leg 562. Nut 563 includes nut threads 564 and an elongated, cylindrical locking unit 565. J-shaped clip 560 is placed on a bored panel by moving clip 560 in the direction shown by arrow 566. Example of bored panels is found in FIG. 26, panel 280.

FIG. 33 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of cylindrical locking unit 497 mounted at an axial end of nut 494. Tine 500 is formed by cutting a cut-out 501 from cylindrical wall 503 of cylindrical locking unit 497. Additionally, tine 500 is pushed or forced radially inward toward nut bore 496.

FIG. 34 shows a partial, broken away, plan view of cylindrical locking unit 497 mounted at an axial end of nut 494. Nut 494 has an axial end 498. Cylindrical locking unit 497 includes a frusto-conical member 505 which leads to a larger diameter cylindrical member of cylindrical wall 503. Cylindrical wall 503 has a larger diameter as compared with frusto-conical member 504 and nut 494. The user can clearly see whether tine 507 is locked into one or more of the notches in longitudinal locking channel 9 (FIG. 15b) or spiral locking channel 7 (FIG. 15a) of the bolt. This is due to the fact that distal tine 507 is positioned in cut-out 508. Tine 507 has a proximal tine portion 509 that is adjacent cylindrical wall 503.

FIGS. 35a and 35b diagrammatically illustrates plan views from the perspective of section line a'-a" in FIG. 34 and section line b'-b" in FIG. 34. In Fig. 35a, the axially outboard edge 510 of cylindrical locking unit 497 is shown as is the axial outboard end 511 of the frusto-conical section 505 (FIG. 34). A plurality of tines 500, 509, 512, and 513 protrude tangentially and radially inward toward nut bore 496 which establishes the axial centerline of the nut. In FIG. 35b, the axially inward edge 514 of nut 494 is illustrated. The radially large outer edge 515 of frusto-conical member 505 (FIG. 34) is also shown in FIG. 35b. The distal tine ends 500, 509, 512, and 513 are also illustrated.

FIGS. 36a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h show various manufacturing stages and axial end views of the nut and locking unit 527. A perspective plan view of nut and locking unit 527 is shown in FIG. 40a. In FIG. 40a, the nut and locking unit is a cylindrical system having cylinder walls 528. The interior of cylinder wall 528 includes a nut thread 529. A locking unit 530 is formed on an interior of said nut. Locking unit 530 includes a distal tine end 540 protruding tangentially and radially inward toward the axially centerline of the nut and locking unit. The axial centerline 541 of the nut is shown in FIG. 36h. In the illustrated environment, nut and locking unit 527 includes a second distal tine end 542. The distal tine ends 540, 542 extend from tine bodies 543, 544. These tine bodies and distal tine ends are cutaway from cylinder nut wall 528.

In FIGS. 36a and 36b, cylinder body 528 of nut and locking unit 527 is mounted or formed on clip leg segment 523. As shown in FIG. 36b, which provides a view of cylinder 528 from the perspective of section lines b'-b" in FIG. 36a, cylinder 528 is an elongated, thin walled cylinder.

In FIGS. 36c and 36d, a tine body or locking unit body 530 has been cut or stamped out of cylindrical wall 528.

In FIGS. 36e and 36f, locking unit segment 530 has been forced radially outward. FIG. 36f shows locking unit segment 530 and locking unit segment 550.

In FIGS. 36g and 36h, locking unit segment 530 has been modified by bending distal tine end 540 radially inward to form the generally tangential and radially inward distal tine end. Tine body 543 provides added flexibility to the tine and proximal tine portion 551 adjoins tine body 543 with cylindrical wall 528.

As shown in FIG. 36h, distal tine ends 540, 542 protrude tangentially and radially inward toward axial centerline 541. Tine bodies 543, 544 pro- trude slightly radially outward beyond the radial dimension of cylinder wall 528.

Of course, cylinder wall 528 would have to be thick enough to accommodate and carry the nut threads 529 on its interior wall surface of FIG 40a. Threads are formed after formation of the compressible tines.

Since the locking units 530, 550, are formed in cut-outs on the cylindrical wall 528 of FIG. 36g, the user can visually determine whether distal tine ends 540, 542 of FIG. 36h have fallen into longitudinal locking channel 9 or spiral locking channel 7 in bolt 14, 15 shown in FIGS. 42, 43.

The "punctured barrel" clip or fastener locks shown in FIG. 40a (and the associated U & J- shaped clips, FIGS. 37 and 38) utilize a spacial flex zone that radially extends outside the barrel 528. This extended flex zone increases tine length and, when combined with a distal tine bend 540, 542, results in a predetermined angle of engagement.

FIG.37 shows U-shaped clip 520 having clip leg 521 with a bore 522 there through. Clip 520 also includes clip leg 523. Clip 520 is placed on a panel 524 having a bore there through. Clip 520 is placed on panel 524 by moving the clip in the direction shown by arrow 526. Clip leg 523 carries a nut and locking unit 527 thereon. FIG. 38 diagrammatically shows a J-shaped clip 570. Of course, as explained earlier, clip 570 is a U-clip with a truncated clip leg 571. Clip 570 includes clip leg 572 on which is mounted, attached or formed a nut and locking unit 573. This nut locking unit 573 is described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 39a-d and 41. When clip 570 is placed on bored panel 574 by moving the clip in the direction shown by arrow 575 and bore 576 of nut and locking unit 573 is coaxial with bore 577 on panel 574, one of the specially configured bolts 14, 15 (FIGS. 42, 43) may be utilized to lock the bolt on the locking nut clip assembly and particularly clip 570. Nut and locking unit 573 is generally similar to the nut and locking unit 527 discussed earlier. However, the locking unit element is moved from an intermediate position on the nut threads to an axially outboard position near axial end 578 of nut 573.

FIGS. 39a-d diagrammatically illustrate various stages of manufacture of the nut and locking unit 573. In FIG. 39a, a thin wall cylinder 580 is formed, mounted or attached to clip leg segment 572. In FIG. 39b, a locking unit segment 581 is cut or formed from thin walled cylinder 580. In FIG. 39c, tine segment 581 is moved radially outward as shown by arrow 583 away from nut bore 576. In such a configuration, tine segment 581 operates substan- tially the same as tine segment 530 in FIG. 36f. In FIG. 39d, the tine segment has been further divided into tine body 585 and distal tine end 586.

FIG. 40b graphically illustrates the locking zone 1900 for the punctured barrel clip locks shown in FIGS. 40a and 41 (discussed later). The spacial flex zone 1902 for tine 1904 is outside the threaded barrel 1906. Of course, threaded barrel 1906 also provides the cylindrical support for tine 1904. The use of spacial flex zone 1902 outside of threaded barrel 1906 enables an increase in tine length 1904. When this increase length is combined with secondary bend 1905 at the distal end of tine 1904, a larger angle of engagement is achieved on the specially configured bolt (FIGS. 42, 43 and 4). This increases the fastening or clamping ability.

In FIG. 41, the nut and locking unit 573 is shown as having tine body 585, tangential and radially inwardly disposed distal tine end 586 and tine body 587 with a distal tine end 588. Thin walled cylinder 580 has a nut thread 590 formed thereon. In this manner, when one of the specially configured bolts 14, 15 (FIGS. 42, 43) are coaxially disposed through panel bore 577 (FIG. 38) and the bolts are threaded on nut thread 590, locking is achieved when distal tine ends 586, 588 fall within and abut one or more of the locking faces in longitudinal locking channel 9 or spiral locking channel 7 of bolts 14, 15. Otherwise, the bolt moves rotationally with respect to the nut and locking unit assembly 573 because the distal tine end rides on opposing slope 38 (FIG. 3) or atop bolt thread crest 30. The user can visually confirm whether the distal tine ends have locked onto the locking channels because the distal tine ends move in and out appropriate cut-outs in the thin walled cylinder 580. Visibility is enhanced due to these cut-outs. Bolts 14 and 15 illustrated in FIGS. 42, 43 are described in detail earlier herein.

FIGS. 44a and 44b diagrammatically illustrate a female threaded unit 750. Female threaded unit 750 includes a bore 752 carrying a female thread 753. Female thread 753 is complementary to a bolt. In FIG. 44b, surface 754 of female threaded unit 750 has a recess 755 formed therein.

FIGS. 45a and 45b illustrate a perspective and a side view of locking unit 760. In the illustrated embodiment, locking unit 760 is shaped as a rectangle. The shape of locking unit 760 is complementary to the shape of recess 755. Locking unit 760 includes a plurality of distal tine ends 761 , 762, 763 and 764. These distal tine ends protrude tangentially and radially toward the axial centerline 765 formed within locking unit 760. Locking unit 760 also includes a central bore 766. As explained later, a specially configured bolt passes through bore 766. If a cylindrical locking unit is utilized, bore 766 would be defined by the cylindrical locking unit body. The distal tine ends 761 , 762, 763 and 764 are formed by cut-outs in the locking unit wall. One cut-out 768 is associated with tine 762.

FIG. 45b shows a side view of locking unit 760 and particularly distal tine end 764. Distal tine end 764 is formed and operates in cut-out 770. The view in FIG. 45b is from the perspective of section line b'-b" in FIG. 45a. FIG. 46 diagrammatically illustrates female threaded unit 750 having locking unit 760 installed in recess 755. As shown, distal tine ends 761, 762, 763 and 764 protrude axially toward the actual centerline of nut thread 753 in the female unit 750.

FIGS. 47a, 47b and 47c show a specially configured bolt 772. Bolt 772 has a bolt stem 773 with a bolt thread 774. Bolt 772 includes a bolt head 775 defining a plurality of notches thereon, one of which is notch 776.

FIG. 47b is a top view from the perspective of section line b'-b" in FIG. 47a. In FIG. 47b, bolt head 775 has a plurality of notches, one of which is notch 776. Notch 776 includes a locking face 777 and an opposing slope 778.

FIG. 47c shows bolt 772 and notches spaced circumferentially spaced around bolt head 775. In other words, notch 776 is spaced from notch 780 by an arc 781. The larger the arc 781 , the less digital locking action is provided by the bolt head and the distal tine ends of the locking unit.

FIGS. 48a and 48b show a perspective view a ,d an end view of the locking nut and bolt system as a "blind hole" design. In FIG. 48a female threaded unit 750 has bolt 772 threaded therein. Distal tine end 761 is locking into notch 776. Counter rotational movement in the direction shown by arrow 790 is prohibited. In other words, if bolt 772 were moved in direction 790 with respect to female threaded unit 750, such counter rotational movement would be prohibited. Alternatively, if bolt 772 were moved in a direction opposite to direction 790, the tine would move over the notch in the bolt head.

FIG. 48b clearly shows distal tine ends 761 , 762, 763 and 764 acting in respective notches for example notch 776 in conjunction with distal tine end 761. Since all of the distal tine ends have locked onto and abut a respective lock face 36 (FIG. 3) of the respective notch, counter rotational move- ment is prohibited. As stated earlier, rather than a rectangular locking unit 760 a cylindrical locking unit may be utilized. The operation of a cylindrical locking unit is substantially identical to the action of rectangular locking unit 760. General comments regarding the blind hole screw design follow. The blind hole screw head grooves must have one or more engagement walls. The angle of engagement should be less than 90 degrees to prevent the tine from disengaging from the screw head. The blind screw system permits a screw to mechanically lock into a blind hole or tapped hole. The blind hole screw system includes, in some embodiments, tines incorporated within re- cesses of any shape, polygonal or otherwise, to prevent the rotation of the entire locking mechanism. Compare FIGS. 45a, 53, 54, 56a, 56c and 57a. The blind hole screw system may include tines mounted on non-recessed shapes that abut faces, shapes or other bolts to prevent the rotation of the entire locking mechanism. See FIG. 57a. FIG. 45a shows a recessed blind hole locking mechanism. Some embodiments of the blind screw include a tine mechanism with a seat with a hole through which a screw passes prior to insertion into the blind hole -to which is attached a myriad of optional configurations that include a locking mechanism or series of locking mechanisms to engage in the grooves of the screw head, and those locking mechanisms be housed or secured in an assortment of recess designs or in the absence of a recess, an assortment of forms, posts or objects, thereby preventing the seat from rotating with the screw. An anti-rotation protrusion on the underside of a blind hole tine assembly may key into a recess adjacent to the blind screw hole.

Other screws may be used to mutually prevent locking mechanism rotation. The blind screw may include a screw that uses a tapered or curvilinear surface on the underside of the screw head to deflect a locking device into the screw head or locking mechanism so as to not damage or crush the tines. A self-threading screw may be utilized. In some embodiments of the blind screw, the system incorporates self tapping screw technology or any other thread form, including standard thread patterns, into the shank of the screw to permit fastening into any material. The head of the screw or bolt must carry grooves. See FIG. 50, for example. General comments regarding blind hole screws and clips and removal tools follow.

In some embodiments of the blind screw, the system is enabled to re- move the locking mechanism with a tool or destroy the locking mechanism of the blind or tapped screw during servicing without damaging the threaded features of the tapped hole, the threaded features of the screw itself, or the locking grooves incorporated within the head of the screw. Adhesives will actually "weld" a tapped screw in place under of high temperature conditions requiring drill taps to remove the screw. The locking mechanism may be manufactured in any shape to increase the number of tines or reduce the circumference of the space taken up around the blind hole or to fit the tines into an unusual recess dictated by the tapped hole and its surrounding structures.

Visual inspection of the blind screw enables the user to visually in- spect the locking feature of the blind hole confirming locking engagement. In all embodiments of the blind screw, normal tools may be used for installation. Drive heads in the blind hole screw can be Phillips, hexlobe, Allen, standard screw drive heads, Torx®, etc., or any other licensed proprietary drive. The "V" cuts in the blind hole tine assembly allow proper seating in a beveled blind hole or a funnel shaped blind hole. See FIG. 52.

Other embodiments of the blind hole design are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 49b-58c. With respect to nuts, bolts, clips, screws and removal tools, general comments follow. In several embodiments, the system facilitates servicing and removal of the nut or bolt by a removal tool, whereby the nut, bolt and locking mechanism can be reused. The system is enabled to remove and replace a "tine assembly" during repairs or servicing while reusing the bolt or screw. FIGS. 49b-58c diagrammatically illustrate various embodiments of the blind hole locking design. FIGS. 49b and 49c diagrammatically illustrate the grooves in the blind hole bolt. The groove configuration in Fig. 49b is similar to the groove in FIG. 6i. The groove in FIG. 49c is similar to the groove 1012 in FIG. 5. Locking face 2001 abuts the distal tine end (not shown). Opposing slope 2003 defines the balance of the locking zone. In FIG. 49c, the locking zone is defined by locking face 2001 , base wall 2008 and rising slope wall 2006. Together, these groove faces or walls form locking zone 2005. The interaction of the fine in these locking zones is discussed earlier.

FIG. 50 shows bolt head 2010 having a recess 2011 which is adapted to receive Allen wrenches and various other types of tools. Additionally, bolt head 2010 has the specially configured locking zone 2012 similar to that shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 51 diagrammatically illustrates specially configured blind hole bolt 2014 having a plurality of notches or channels 2016 on bolt head 2018. At the axially inboard end of each channel 2016 is a tapered or curvilinear surface 2020. This carved out surface on the underside of bolt or screw head 2018 deflects the tine into groove 2016. This limits or eliminates damage or crushing of the end of the tine. FIG. 52 diagrammatically shows a rectilinear tine assembly 2025. The base 2026 of tine assembly 2025 includes V shaped cutouts 2028 spaced about through bore 2030. The V shaped cutouts 2028 enable the blind hole clip 2025 to properly seat in a beveled blind hole (hole 755 in FIG. 44b) or a funnel shaped blind hole. The hole may be a truncated, frusto-conical shape.

FIGS. 53-55 diagrammatically illustrate various shapes for the blind hole, tine assembly In FIG.54, tine assembly 2040 is a polygon or a hexagon. A plurality of tines 2041 extend radially and tangentially into the interior space in which the bolt head passes. Each tine is mounted on a wall segment 2042. FIGS. 53a-53c are adaptations of the technology primarily to replace "lockwire" applications using a nut such as FIG. 60 or bolt such as FIG 47a. Relative rotation of the locking feature is restricted by the mutual attachment of a bridge between one or male threaded units.

FIG. 53a is top view of a locking bridge 2328 carrying two locking units. Each locking unit has one or more tines 2320 which function similar to FIG. 5. Flange 2330 is designed and may be included to add strength to surface mounted or other structures. Registered part numbers may be intentionally configured without removal tools to discourage tampering with parts under warranty.

FIG. 53b is a top view of an adjustable locking bridge that demonstrates the assembly process for a version that has been stamped but not folded up. Hole 2325 may be affixed under another locking bridge. Bridge 2326 can be attached to locking bridge 2345 by folding fingers 2326 around corresponding bridge arms.

FIG. 53c is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable locking bridge.

FIG. 53c can lock nuts or bolts in multiples, unrestricted by space. Locking unit 2340 is similar to those in FIGS. 53a-53b but has a loop 2335 that can slide onto connecfing arm 2336 which is attached as in 2337 and sized to quickly adapt to various spans.

With respect to FIG. 54, tine carrying structure 2040 is a truncated geometric shape. In a similar manner to the blind hole locking system in FIG. 53, tine 2041 is supported and carried by wall 2042. The tine has a spacial flex zone adequate to pass over the non-grooved portions of the bolt or screw head. ln FIG. 55, tine assembly 2040 has a lower, radially disposed plate 2045 which lends additional support to the structure. The term "radial" relates to axial centerline of the bolt or screw.

FIGS. 56a-56c diagrammatically illustrate a blind hole locking system which is mounted atop a structure 2050. The tine assembly 2040 supports and carries a plurality of tines 2041.

The bolt head 2051 includes a plurality of locking zones 2052. The bolt passes within through bore 2054 defined in base 2056. Further, tine assembly 2040 is further supported by base 2056. Base 2056 includes a depending leg 2057. The tine assembly 2040 and base 2056 is mounted by any reasonable fastening means (nails, screws, rivets, bolts, etc.) to underlying structure 2050. Structure 2050 includes a bore 2060 in order to permit the stem of the bolt to pass through structure 2050.

FIGS. 57a-58c diagrammatically illustrate other types of blind hole fastening mechanisms.

In FIG. 57a, fine carrying wall 2040 is curved. However, wall 2040 carries a plurality of tines 2041 which interact with locking zones 2052 on bolt head 2051.

FIG. 57b shows that tine carrying wall 2040 is connected to base 2056. Base 2056 includes a depending leg 2071.

FIG. 57c shows that tine carrying wall 2040 has a plurality of tines 2041 thereon. Tines 2041 each include a distal tine end 2006 which is offset at an angle with respect to tine body 2008.

FIG. 57d shows tine carrying wall structure 2040 and a depending leg 2071.. FIG. 57e shows tine carrying wall 2040 coacting with bolt head 2051. Bolt head 2051 includes a plurality of grooves which define locking zones 2052.

FIG. 57f shows that blind hole locking system and tine carrying struc- ture 2040 is mounted on structure 2050. Structure 2050 includes a truncated partial bore 2080 into which is depending disposed leg 2071. See FIG. 57b and 57d. Structure 2050 also includes bore 2060 to accommodate the stem of the bolt.

FIG. 58a diagrammatically illustrates tine carrying wall 2040 with a plu- rality of fines 2041 co-acting with locking zones 2052 on bolt head 2051.

However, in order to provide a stationary positioning of the tine carrying wall 2040, the structure includes or co-acts with post 2090. FIG. 58b diagrammatically shows tine carrying wall 2040 and base 2056.

FIG. 58c shows tine carrying wall 2040 locked in place via post 2090 and opposing post 2091. Post 2090 and 2091 arise from base 2050. Alternatively, post 2090 and 2091 may be separate items that are affixed to base 2050. These items may be screws, bolts or poles.

FIGS. 59 and 60 and 61 diagrammatically illustrate other embodiments of the blind hole one-way locking nut and bolt system.

In FIG. 59, blind hole bolt 2200 includes a common bolt head 2202 atop an axially grooved blind hole bolt head section 2204. Threaded bolt stem 2210 depends from blind hole bolt head section 2204. In operation, the locking tines fall into and out of axial grooves 2203 on blind hole bolt section 2204. Counter-rotational movement is prohibited when the locking face of the grooves engages with the tine. See FIGS. 48a and 57a. The presence of common nut, bolt or screw head 2202 atop blind hole bolt head 2204 enables the user to tighten the fastener system onto the underlying structure. Of course, common nut, bolt or screw head section may be hexagonal or Allen wrench or straight or Phillips screwdriver driven. These systems are covered by the appended claims.

FIG. 60 diagrammatically illustrates a combinatory lug or nut unit 2221 having a common nut head 2223 and grooved blind hole head 2222 with the common nut structure 2223 beneath blind hole head 2222. Further, the blind hole head section 2222 includes an axially inboard bevel 2224.

The bevel may be omitted. The bevel facilitates the locking tine action when the blind hole locking nut is threaded onto a bolt stem.

FIG. 61 diagrammatically illustrates combinatory unit 2221 being threaded onto bolt stem 2306. Internal female threads 2308 of unit 2221 are complementary to stem threads 2306. Grooves 2203 enable the blind hole section 2222 to lock onto locking unit 2305 which carries fines 2301.

Tines 2301 extend tangentially and radially towards the axial center- line of the unit. Stop ring 2211 limits axially inboard movement of the combinatory unit 2221 inboard toward the left of FIG. 61.

Stop ring 2211 acts on axially outboard edge 2309. Alternatively, stem 2306 may extend axially beyond edge 2309 (and possibly well beyond the locking unit wall). Also, the tine assembly unit may be retained in a recess or may be surface mounted. Further, stop 2211 may limit axially inboard movement of a socket acting on nut surface 2221. In the absence of a radially extending ridge or stop 2211 , the blind hole groove segment 2222 may be radially larger than nut segment 2221. The radially larger grooved segment will stop axially inboard movement of the socket.

Segmenting rim 2211 acts as a stop to the common driver for the bolt or lug stem. Similar to the blind hole bolt head section 2204, 2222 insert on the nut has a smaller radii than the common nut, bolt or screw head. This enables the common driver to easily grasp the common drive head. The smaller size is also useful in mechanically sensing the blind hole bolt head grooves. Alternatively, the grooved section may be radially larger.

In another embodiment, the blind hole fastening system can be mounted on a leg of a clip.

In this embodiment, the locking unit (carrying one or more tines) is mounted on a leg of a clip. The clip is placed on a generally planar, underlying structure. Somewhere, either on the underlying structure or otherwise disposed adjacent thereto, a nut or a nut thread carrying unit is disposed.

The nut thread may be located on another clip leg. The specially configured blind hole bolt (the bolt with a groove carrying head) is inserted into the axial through bore of the locking unit, inserted into the bore on the clip leg (which may be the locking nut bore), inserted through the bore on the underlying structure and ultimately the male thread on the blind hole bolt engages the nut thread. One way rotation is permitted when the blind hole bolt head engages the tines in the locking unit.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 62 is a side view of the removal tool. With slot 11 in cylindrical barrel 12, clockwise rotation of the tool following insertion over tines in a nut, blind hole screw or lug nut will allow fines to click into external recesses 10, confirming disengagement of the tines from the locking grooves. The tool can have a handle or a knurled circular grip extending from the top of the cylinder. FIG. 63 is a bottom view of a removal tool designed to be used on a four tine blind hole screw, a nut and bolt, or a nut on a stud. Different sequences of slots and recesses can be adapted for embodiments with corresponding tine geometry.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the removal tool adapted for a fastener with four fines.

FIG. 65 shows a side elevation view of a blind hole bolt or screw with a notched locking bolt head 2222. Below the notched locking zone 2222 is a transition bevel 2224 that directs locking elements 2359 from FIG70 into locking zone 2222. Below transition bevel 2224 is a cylindrical lower region of the bolt head 2226 that separates the lower bearing surface 2340 from the locking region 2222. The lower region of the bolt head rising from 2340 generally has a smaller diameter than the upper locking region at 2222.

FIG. 66 is a cut away perspective illustration of two locking elements 2359 attached to a recess at the peripheral wall 2372 and at the base 2350. The proximal end of the locking element is integrally molded with the peripheral wall at 2358 and the bottom end is integrally molded to the base 2350 at 2356. Neither the top edge 2360 nor the distal edge 2362 of the locking element is attached. Due to the unusual attachment of the bottom edge of the locking element to the base in combination with the attachment of the proximal edge to the peripheral wall, the top distal corner of the locking element 2362 will sufficiently flex to engage the locking notches while the lower portion 2364 will be less flexible.

FIG. 66a is a front elevation cross-section of a beveled locking ele- ment as seen from the arrow

in FIG. 70. FIG 66a is an example of a tapered design to provide desired flexibility at 2360 and stability at 2356. FIGS 66b and 66c are examples of locking elements attached to a recess where flexibility of the locking element is controlled by variable thicknesses of the locking element. In FIG. 66b upper portion 2368 is more flexible than 2366. In FIG. 66c tine portion 2368 is likely to flex above 2370 since 2366 is supported on two sides and is thicker. 2368 may be supported by a continuous base dissecting 2370. In FIG. 66c 2368 can adequately function as a triangular locking element.

FIG. 67 is a partial cross section view of a nut installed onto a stud within molded recess FIG 70. Locking element 2359 has a bottom 2356 and a proximal side 2358 which are both intregally molded to the recess at peripheral wall 2372 and at the base of the recess 2350.

FIG. 68 is a top plan view of a female component showing a molded recess with a lower bearing surface 2350 and elevated peripheral walls with locking elements. End face 2352 is at the same elevation as the top of the locking elements 2360.

FIG. 69 is a partial cross section of FIG. 68 containing a self-tapping screw installed into the molded boss with a pilot hole 2378. Peripheral wall 2354 is molded with locking elements 2359 in one piece as part of the molded female component.

FIG. 70 is a top plan view of a female component in a recess supported by an elevated peripheral wall 2354. Bearing surface 2350 is at the same level as the surface area of the workpiece 2352.

Locking elements 2360 are molded into the peripheral wall 2354 and also intregally molded to the hearing surface plane defined by 2350.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a nut having a nut thread defined in an internal passageway and an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined on said end face of said nut and a shoulder defined on a periphery of said recess below said nut end face; a nut insert disposed in said recess on said shoulder, said nut insert having a planar body defined as a peripheral ring about said nut thread, said nut insert having at least one tine depending from said planar peripheral ring body in a substantially tangential plane with respect to said axial centerline of said bolt, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said peripheral planar body of said nut insert; said planar peripheral ring defining a radial free space axially there below in said nut recess such that said distal tine end of said axially tangential tine moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and moves radially outward into said radial free space when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and said lock face of said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said nut when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

2. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said planar peripheral ring defines one of a key and a keyway and said nut recess defines one of a complementary keyway and a complementary key thereby permitting circumferential alignment of said nut insert with respect to said nut.

3. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nut insert includes a plurality of tines circumferentially disposed about a radially inward edge of said planar peripheral ring of said nut insert, each tine having a respective planar body which is generally tangentially disposed with respect to said axial centerline and said respective distal tine end angularly disposed and radially inwardly disposed away from said fine planar body.

4. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nut insert includes a plurality of tines circumferentially disposed and wherein said planar peripheral ring of said nut insert includes a corresponding planar sup- port plate for each of said plurality of tines, each said planar support plate extending radially inward toward said axial centerline thereby creating said radial free space for the radial movement of said tine there beneath and radially spacing said movable tine away from said shoulder of said recess.

5. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said planar peripheral plate includes an outer peripheral planar section from which extends said corresponding planar support plates, said outer peripheral pla- nar section having a radial dimension substantially equivalent to said shoulder in said recess.

6. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of notches are longitudinally aligned.

7. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of notches are disposed in a spiral on said bolt thread.

8. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt stem along and an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a nut having a nut thread defined in an internal passageway and an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined on said end face of said nut below said nut end face; an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder with at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said locking unit having an axially rearward ring member disposed in said nut recess, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said cylinder; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and moves radially outward when said dis- tal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and said radially inward and outward movement being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said end face of said nut, and said lock face of said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said nut when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

9. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said cylinder carries a plurality of tines protruding tangentially and radially toward said axial centerline, said plurality of fines disposed circumferentially about said cylinder.

10. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 9 wherein each tine of said plurality of tines is disposed in a respective arcuate cut-out on said cylinder whereby visibility of the locking action of said tine is enhanced.

11. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said rearward ring of said cylinder includes one of a key and a keyway, said nut recess defining one of a complementary keyway and key whereby said lock- ing unit is keyed to a predetermined position with respect to said nut by alignment of said key and complementary keyway.

12. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plurality of notches are longitudinally aligned.

13. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plurality of notches are disposed in a spiral on said bolt thread.

14. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt stem along and an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a nut having a nut thread defined in an internal passageway and an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined on said end face of said nut below said nut end face and a shallow radial ledge peripherally disposed about said recess; an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder with at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said locking unit sized to fit within said nut recess, said locking unit having an axial end ring member disposed on said shallow radial ledge, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said cylinder; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and said radially inward and outward movement being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said end face of said nut, and said lock face of said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said nut when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

15. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said axial end ring member includes at least one V-shaped cut-out along its periphery to enable fixation by swaging with said nut end face.

16. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a nut having a nut thread defined in an internal passageway and an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined on said end face of said nut below said nut end face and a shallow radial ledge peripherally disposed about said recess; two elongated locking units, each elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder with at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, at least one said locking unit sized to fit within said nut recess, each said locking unit having an axial end ring member; means for mounting one elongated locking unit atop said other locking unit by interfacing respective axial end rings together; said one locking unit disposed in said nut recess and said interfaced axial end rings disposed on said shallow radial ledge of said nut end face; each said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal fine portion adjacent a corresponding cylinder; each said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and said radially inward and outward movement being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said end face of said nut, and said lock face of said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said nut when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

17. A locking nut utilized with a bolt having a bolt stem and a bolt thread on an axial centerline thereon, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crests and bolt thread troughs, said bolt thread carrying a plurality of notches generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope, said locking nut comprising: a metal sheet bent to form first, second, third and fourth generally planar sides, said first and third sides in opposition and said second and fourth sides defining opposing nut end faces; a nut thread formed on one of said second and said fourth sides, said nut thread disposed about an axial centerline and being complementary to said bolt thread; a locking unit formed on at least one of said first and third sides, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said one of said first and third sides; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest.

18. A locking nut insert utilized with an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem, said nut insert comprising: a nut shell having a recess therein about an axial centerline; an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder with its cylindrical axis coaxial with said axial centerline, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said cylindrical axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal fine portion adjacent said cylinder, said cylinder defining a cut-out at said tine; a nut formed on an axial inboard end of said cylinder, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; said locking unit and nut substantially fully inserted into said recess of said nut shell; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest thereby permitting only one way rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said locking unit.

19. A locking assembly for a pipe or rod having a threaded end and a plurality of axial notches inboard said threaded end, said locking assembly comprising: a cylindrical body defining a nut thread complementary to said threaded end, said nut thread defining an axial centerline; a locking unit formed in said cylindrical body at a medial position of said nut thread, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch in said notches of said pipe or rod; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides outside of said notches.

20. An S-shaped locking nut and bolt assembly for a bored panel comprising: an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem; an S-shaped member having first, second and third elongated, generally planar legs; a nut formed on one of said second and said third legs, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; an elongated locking unit formed on the other of said second and third legs, said locking unit formed as a perpendicular structure with a locking axis perpendicular to the plane of said other leg, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said locking axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said perpendicular structure, said perpendicular structure defining a cut-out at said tine; said S-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said locking axis of said locking unit being substantially coaxially aligned; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said third leg.

21. A locking nut and bolt assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said perpendicular structure is a cylinder and carries a plurality of tines protruding tangentially and radially toward said axial centerline, said plurality of tines disposed circumferentially about said cylinder.

22. An S-shaped locking nut and bolt assembly for a bored panel comprising: an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem; an S-shaped member having first, second and third elongated, generally planar legs; a nut formed on one of said second and said third legs, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; a locking element formed on the other of said second and third legs, said locking element having a locking element bore coaxial with respect to said axial centerline, said locking element having a plurality of axially protruding legs perpendicular to said planar other leg and having a corresponding plurality of tines, each tine protruding tangentially and radially inward to- ward said axial centerline, said axially protruding legs depending from said planar other leg, each said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion attached to said corresponding axially protruding leg; said S-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said locking element bore being substantially coaxially aligned; one of said plurality of distal tine ends being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking element on said third leg.

23. A locking nut and bolt assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said plurality of fines are disposed circumferentially about said locking element bore.

24. An S-shaped locking nut assembly for a bored panel and an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem, said locking nut assembly comprising: an S-shaped member having first, second and third elongated, generally planar legs; a nut formed on one of said second and said third legs, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; an elongated locking unit formed on the other of said second and said third legs, said locking unit formed as a cylinder with its cylindrical axis perpendicular to the plane of said other leg, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said cylindrical axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal fine portion adjacent said cylinder, said cylinder defining a cut-out at said tine; said S-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said cylindrical axis of said locking unit being substantially coaxially aligned; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said other leg.

25 A locking nut assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein said cylinder carries a plurality of tines protruding tangentially and radially toward said axial centerline, said plurality of tines disposed circurmferentially about said cylin- der.

26. An S-shaped locking nut assembly for a bored panel and an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem, said locking nut assembly comprising: an S-shaped member having first, second and third elongated, generally planar legs; a nut formed on one of said second and said third legs, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; a locking element formed on the other of said second and said third legs, said locking element having a locking element bore coaxial with respect to said axial centerline, said locking element having a plurality of axially protruding legs perpendicular to said planar other leg and having a corresponding plurality of tines, each tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said axially protruding legs depending from said planar other leg, each said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion attached to said corresponding axially protruding leg; said S-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said locking element bore being substantially coaxially aligned; one of said plurality of distal tine ends being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposi- tion of said elongated locking element on said other leg.

27. A locking nut assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said plurality of tines are disposed circumferentially about said locking element bore.

28. An S-shaped locking nut and bolt assembly for a bored panel comprising: an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem; an S-shaped member having first, second and third elongated, generally planar legs; said first and second legs defining coaxial through bores and defining a common axis; an elongated locking unit formed on said third leg, said locking unit formed as a cylinder with its cylindrical axis perpendicular to the plane of said leg and coaxial with said common axis, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said cylindrical axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said cylinder, said cylinder defining a cut-out at said tine; a nut formed on an axial inboard end of said cylinder, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which is complementary to said bolt thread; said S-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said cylindrical axis of said locking unit being substantially coaxially aligned; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said third leg.

29. An S-shaped assembly as claimed in claim 28 wherein said second leg includes an alignment cylinder coaxial with said common axis and sized to capture said nut therein.

30. A U-shaped locking nut assembly for a bored panel and an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem, said locking nut assembly comprising: a U-shaped member having a first and a second elongated, generally planar leg; a nut formed on said first leg, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which nut thread is complementary to said bolt thread; an elongated locking unit formed as a cylinder on an outboard axial end of said nut, said locking unit having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said cylinder; said U-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut, said panel bore and said cylinder of said locking unit being substantially coaxially aligned; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said bolt thread crest, and the position of said distal tine end being visible due to the disposition of said elongated locking unit on said nut.

31. A locking nut assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said cylinder carries a plurality of tines protruding tangenfially and radially toward said axial centerline, said plurality of tines disposed circumferentially about said cylin- der.

32. A U-shaped locking nut assembly for a bored panel and an elongated bolt having a stem and a bolt thread on said stem, said bolt thread defining bolt thread crest and bolt thread troughs, said bolt having a plurality of notches defined on said bolt thread generally longitudinally in a predetermined pattern with proximal notches being longitudinally adjacent each other on said bolt thread, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope on said bolt thread which form a locking channel on said stem, said locking nut assembly comprising: a U-shaped member having a first and a second elongated, generally planar leg; a nut formed as an elongated, thin walled cylinder on said first leg, said nut having a nut thread about an axial centerline which nut thread is complementary to said bolt thread; a locking unit formed on an interior of said nut, said locking unit having a tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said axial centerline, said tine formed from a segment of said thin walled cylinder, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said cylinder; said U-shaped member adapted to be mounted on said panel with said axial centerline of said nut and said panel bore being substantially co- axially aligned; said distal tine end being adapted to move radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one or more notches and move radially outward when said distal fine end rides on said bolt thread crest.

33. A locking nut assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said tine includes a tine body and said distal tine end is disposed at an offset angle with respect to said tine body.

34. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt head, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a female threaded unit with a nut thread defined in an internal passageway about a central axis and said female threaded unit having an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined below said end face of said female threaded unit; a locking unit having a peripheral wall complementary to said recess and having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said central axis, said locking unit having a portion thereof disposed in said recess, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said peripheral wall; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one of said notches and moves radially outward when said distal fine end rides on said opposing slope and is otherwise beyond said one of said plurality of notches, and said lock face of each said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said female threaded unit when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

35. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said locking unit and said peripheral wall have an axially open end whereby said radially inward and outward movement of said distal tine end is visible due to the open axial end of said locking unit.

36. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said tine is defined in a cut-out on said peripheral wall.

37. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said locking unit includes a plurality of tines circumferentially disposed about said central axis.

38. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said locking unit is bridged to another locking unit on another locking nut and bolt system wherein each locking unit mutually anchors the other thereby pre- venting rotation of said locking units.

39. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 34 wherein said locking unit is affixed to said end face.

40. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a self-threading bolt thread formed on said bolt stem; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt head, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a base unit with an open ended passageway defined therein, said passageway having a central axis and being large enough to accommodate said self-threading bolt thread; a locking unit, mounted onto said base over said open ended passageway, said locking unit having a peripheral wall carrying at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said central axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said peripheral wall; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one of said notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said opposing slope and is otherwise beyond said one of said plurality of notches, and said lock face of each said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said female threaded unit when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

41. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 40 wherein said locking unit is affixed to said end face.

42. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in 40 including one or more notches that have a locking face that is curved.

43. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein said locking element has one or more flexible tines having resilience permitting said tines to deflect when a sufficient counter-rotational force is applied to the male fas- tener in a direction opposite to a fastening rotation direction, said flexible tines having a sufficient resilience to retain their original configuration upon removal of said male fastener from said mating female component.

44. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein said locking element and said recess is surface molded with peripheral support walls.

45. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein said locking element is connected on two sides to a peripheral wall and the base of the recess.

46. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein said locking element is of variable thickness to enhance structural support and control flexing of the locking element during installation and removal.

47. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein a four sided locking element has a distal corner that is more flexible than the other three corners.

48. A combination in accordance with claim 40 wherein a molded three sided locking element is attached to a base or peripheral wall on one of its three sides.

49. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem; a plurality of notches defined on said bolt head, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a female threaded unit with a nut thread defined in an internal passageway about a central axis and said female threaded unit having an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined below said end face of said female threaded unit; a locking unit having one or more locking tines molded as an extension of a peripheral wall in said recess and having at least one fine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said central axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one of said notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said opposing slope and is otherwise beyond said one of said plurality of notches, and said lock face of each said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said female threaded unit when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

50. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in 49 including one or more notches that have a locking face that is curved.

51. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said locking element has one or more flexible tines having resilience permitting said fines to deflect when a sufficient counter-rotational force is applied to the male fas- tener in a direction opposite to a fastening rotafion direction, said flexible tines having a sufficient resilience to retain their original configuration upon removal of said male fastener from said mating female component.

52. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a number of said tines is less than a number of said notches.

53. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a number of said tines is greater than a number of said notches.

54. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a number of said tines is equal to a number of said notches.

55. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said tines are arranged to define a plurality of notches adapted to engage said tines simultaneously.

56. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said teeth are arranged to define a plurality of notches adapted to engage said tines in a sequence.

57. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said locking element and said recess is surface molded with peripheral support walls.

58. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said locking element is connected on two sides to a peripheral wall and the base of the recess.

59. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein said locking element is of variable thickness to enhance structural support and control flexing of the locking element during installation and removal.

60. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a four sided locking element has a distal corner that is more flexible than the other three corners.

61. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a molded three sided locking element is attached to a base or peripheral wall on one of its three sides.

62. A combination in accordance with claim 49 wherein a locking bolt that has one or more locking notches at the uppermost region of the bolt head, said notched region transitioning to a smaller diameter cylindrical lower re- gion of the bolt head which includes the bearing surface of the bolt head, with an angular transition bevel in between the locking and cylindrical regions.

63. A locking nut system comprising: a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem; a plurality of notches defined on said nut, each said notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a female threaded nut with a nut thread defined in an internal passageway about a central axis, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined around said periphery of said female threaded nut; a locking unit having a peripheral wall complimentary to said recess and having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said central axis, said locking unit having a portion thereof disposed in said recess said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch and a proximal tine portion adjacent said peripheral wall; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one of said notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said opposing slope and is otherwise beyond said one of said plurality of notches, and said lock face of each said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said nut with respect to said male threaded unit when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

64. A locking nut system as claimed in claim 63 wherein said locking unit includes a plurality of tines circumferentially disposed about said central axis.

65. A locking nut and bolt system as claimed in claim 63 wherein said locking unit is affixed to said end face.

66. A locking nut system as claimed in claim 63 wherein said locking unit is bridged to another locking unit wherein each locking unit mutually anchors the other thereby preventing rotation of said locking units.

67. A locking nut and bolt system comprising: a bolt stem along an axial centerline and a bolt thread formed on said bolt stem; a plurality of notches defined on said nut, each notch having a lock face and an opposing slope; a female threaded unit with a nut thread defined in an internal passageway about a central axis and said female threaded unit having an end face, said nut thread being complementary to said bolt thread; a recess defined below said end face of said female threaded unit; a locking unit having one or more locking tines molded as an extension of a peripheral wall in said recess and having at least one tine protruding tangentially and radially inward toward said central axis, said tine having a distal tine end adapted to latch on said lock face of said notch; said distal tine end moves radially inward when said distal tine end is disposed in one of said notches and moves radially outward when said distal tine end rides on said opposing slope and is otherwise beyond said one of said plurality of notches, and said lock face of each said notch preventing counter-rotational movement of said bolt with respect to said female threaded unit when said distal tine end abuts said lock face.

68 A locking nut system as claimed in 67 including one or more notches that have a locking face that is curved.

69. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said locking element has one or more flexible tines having resilience permitting said tines to deflect when a sufficient counter-rotational force is applied to the female fastener in a direction opposite to a fastening rotation direction, said flexible fines having a sufficient resilience to retain their original configuration upon removal of said female fastener from said mating male component.

70. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a number of said tines is less than a number of said notches.

71. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a number of said tines is greater than a number of said notches.

72. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a number of said tines is equal to a number of said notches.

73. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said tines are arranged to define a plurality of notches adapted to engage said tines simultaneously.

74. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said teeth are arranged to define a plurality of notches adapted to engage said tines in a sequence.

75. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said locking element and said recess is surface molded with peripheral support walls.

76. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said locking element is connected on two sides to a peripheral wall and the base of the recess.

77. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein said locking element is of variable thickness to enhance structural support and control flexing of the locking element during installation and removal.

78. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a four sided locking element has a distal corner that is more flexible than the other three corners.

79. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a molded three sided locking element is attached to a base or peripheral wall on one of its three sides.

80. A combination in accordance with claim 67 wherein a locking nut that has an external drive form at the uppermost region of the nut transifioning to a circular band containing locking notches, said notched region transifioning to a smaller diameter cylindrical lower region of the nut which includes the hearing surface of the nut, with an angular transition bevel in between the locking and cylindrical regions.

81. A removal tool for a locking nut and bolt combination, locking screw in a blind hole, locking lug nut, said locking combination including a bolt with a bolt thread and a nut with a thread in an internal passageway complemen- tary to said bolt thread, a plurality of notches on said bolt thread, said bolt head or said nut carrying a locking body having an elongated tine with a proximal tine body portion attached to said locking body and a distal tine end protruding into said fastener passageway and adapted to ride on said fastener and fall into at least one of said plurality of notches dependent upon a relative position of said distal tine end and said plurality of notches, said removal tool comprising: a cylindrical body wherein depending legs are captured within guide channels formed on said cylindrical body near said open end; wherein said cylindrical body is adapted to be disposed atop said locking body and said bolt thread or bolt head or nut whereby one of said depending legs is placed intermediate said proximal tine body portion of said elongated tine and said cylindrical body is rotated thereby lifting said distal tine end away from said plurality of notches; wherein said outer surface of depending legs of said cylindrical body have at least one notch to provide a tactile indication of disengagement of the tines thereby allowing the use of a normal tool for the removal of the fastener.