Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Internally threaded fastener element – e.g. – nut – etc. – Including lubricating means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-19
2002-08-20
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3679)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Internally threaded fastener element, e.g., nut, etc.
Including lubricating means
C411S371200, C411S432000, C411S533000, C411S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06435791
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to fastener assemblies, and particularly to fastener assemblies for mounting wheels.
Two-piece wheel fastener assemblies consisting of a nut/bolt and a pressure ring have previously been employed for fastening wheels. For example, a two-piece nut with pressure ring assembly is described in Goiny U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,788. Drawbacks inherent in such two-piece designs include inconsistent torque tensions, and rotation of the conical pressure ring within the wheel surface wherein it is seated (cf., Col. 4, II. 9-12 of Goiny patent). Rotation of this pressure ring, combined with the softness of wheel materials and high compressive stresses, can result in galling or welding of the nut/bolt to the wheel.
Hlinsky U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,449 discloses a wheel fastener with a fastener body, a pressure washer rotatably mounted on the fastener body, and a plastic washer therebetween. This plastic washer has the disadvantage of a low hardness that allows the plastic washer to deform plastically when the fastener is tightened in place. Such plastic deformation can result in a relaxation of the clamping force applied by the tightened fastener, which is undesirable in most applications.
The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other disadvantages inherent in prior-art systems.
SUMMARY
The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.
Briefly stated, a wheel fastener assembly embodying features of the present invention comprises a fastening member, a frustoconical metal thrust washer, and a pressure ring having an undersurface which is oriented to contact a depression in a workpiece.
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Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
MacLean-Fogg Company
Wilson Neill
Zayia Gregory H.
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