GB2597717A

GB2597717A - A locking device to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners

Info

Publication number: GB2597717A
Application number: GB2011886.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marczynski Michael
Original assignee: Business Lines Ltd
Current assignee: Business Lines Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2022023755A1; GB202011886D0

Abstract

A locking device 100 to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners includes a resilient wire forming a single coil 102 for releasably mounting the device 100 onto a first fastener. The wire also has first and second end portions 103, 104 extending tangentially from the coil 102 and across one another to provide first and second lever portions 130, 141, respectively. The lever portions 130, 141 can be pressed together to loosen the coil 102, in order to enable its location over, or removal from, the first fastener. Otherwise, the coil 102 grips the first fastener when it is located thereover, thereby to mount the device 100 onto the first fastener such that movement of the device relative to the first fastener is inhibited. The first end portion 103 has a hook 131 configured to abut and partially surround an adjacent, second fastener in the plane of rotation of the first fastener.

Description

A locking device to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a locking device to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners, particularly, though not necessarily, polygonal fasteners, such as a wheel nut, or other components having a multi-angular peripheral surface.

BACKGROUND

Locking devices to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners are often used on heavy goods vehicles to inhibit loosening of wheel nuts. Earlier patent application GB2437538 discloses a device suitable for this purpose comprising a metal wire forming a pair of coils for releasably mounting the device onto adjacent wheel nuts. The device can thus be described as a twin-coil locking device. The wire has a diagonal interconnecting portion extending tangentially between the coils, and first and second end portions extend tangentially from the coils and across the diagonal interconnecting portion to provide a pair of finger grip limbs that oppose one another on either side of the diagonal interconnecting portion. The diameter and spacing of the coils, the spacing of the coils being determined by the length of the diagonal interconnecting portion, are selected to correspond to a particular wheel nut size and spacing. In use, the finger grip limbs are pressed together to loosen the coils to enable their location over, or removal from, the wheel nuts, the coils otherwise gripping the wheel nuts when located thereover to mount the device onto the fastener such that movement of the device relative to the fastener is inhibited, thus inhibiting rotation, and consequently loosening, of each of the adjacent wheel nuts. It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more problems of known devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a locking device to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners, the device comprising a resilient wire forming a coil, e.g. a single coil, for releasably mounting the device onto a fastener, the wire having first and second end portions extending tangentially from the coil and across one another to provide first and second lever portions, respectively, the pressing together of which loosens the coil to enable its location over, or removal from, the fastener, the coil otherwise gripping the fastener when located thereover to mount the device onto the fastener such that movement of the device relative to the fastener is inhibited, the first end portion being configured to abut an object in the plane of rotation of the fastener.

In developing the invention, it was identified that wheels having an odd number of nuts was problematic, either requiring an additional twin-coil locking device or leaving one of the nuts unlocked. Either of these approaches are sub-optimal for reasons that would be apparent to the skilled person. As such, the invention provides a convenient solution to this issue. It was further identified that wheels having nuts of different spacing, or atypical spacing was also problematic, making twin-lock devices unsuitable for use or requiring a number of twin-lock devices of different sizes. The invention provides a solution to this issue also.

The first end portion may be longer than the second end portion. Alternatively, the first and second end portions may be the same or substantially the same length, in which case the first and second end portions may both be configured to abut an object in the plane of rotation of the fastener.

The first end portion may comprise a hook. The hook may be for abutting and/or at least partially surrounding a second fastener. The hook may be curved, for example in the opposite direction to the coil.

The hook may be curved in a direction that causes the coil to tighten, in use, around the fastener if the fastener is rotated in a loosening direction. In some examples, the second end portion may comprise the or a further hook, which may comprise any one or more hook features described above.

The second end portion may be bent or comprise a bend or dogleg. The dogleg may describe or provide, or may be for describing or providing, first and second parts. The first part may extend tangentially from the coil. The second part may extend at an angle, e.g. an oblique or right angle, relative to the first part. The second part may be bent in the opposite direction to the coil, for example to provide or for providing a gripping element.

The coil may describe an inner diameter. The end portions are straight and/or linear. The end portions may describe, e.g. together describe, an angle therebetween. The end portions may describe a first angle when the device is in a relaxed state. The end portions may describe a second angle when the coil is mounted over a fastener. The second angle may be smaller than the first angle when the coil is mounted over a fastener having a larger diameter than the inner diameter described by the coil.

The end portions may overlap, for example when the device is in a relaxed state. The end portions may overlap, for example when the device is mounted to a fastener and/or when the coil grips the fastener.

The wire may have any suitable cross-section, such as round, elliptical or polygonal. Preferably, the wire has a square or rectangular cross-section. The end of at least one or each end portion may be chamfered or bevelled.

The locking device may be provided as part of a kit of parts, e.g. a kit of parts for locking screw action fasteners to inhibit loosening thereof Another aspect of the invention provides a locking system comprising at least one locking device described above and at least one twin-coil locking device.

The or each twin-coil locking device may comprise a resilient wire, which may form a pair of coils, e.g. for releasably mounting the device onto the second fastener and a third fastener, respectively. The wire of the twin-coil locking device may have a diagonal interconnecting portion, which may extend from, e.g. tangentially from, and/or between the coils.

The wire of the twin-coil locking device may further have first and second end portions, which may extend from, e.g. tangentially from, the coils and/or across the diagonal interconnecting portion, for example to provide or for providing a pair of finger grip limbs that oppose one another on either side of the diagonal interconnecting portion.

The pressing together of the finger grip limbs of the twin-coil locking device may loosen the coils, e.g. to enable or for enabling their location over, or removal from, the respective fasteners. The coils may otherwise grip the fasteners when located thereover, for example to mount or for mounting the device onto the fasteners such that movement of the device relative to the fasteners is inhibited.

The locking system may be provided in kit form, or as a kit of parts.

Another aspect of the invention provides a wheel assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners with a locking device as described above mounted on a first of the fasteners such that the first end abuts a second of the fasteners.

The wheel assembly may comprise a locking system as described above, wherein the twin-coil locking device is mounted onto the second fastener and a third of the fasteners.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle comprising a wheel assembly as described above.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for inhibiting the loosening of a screw action fastener. The method may, but need not, involve the use of the locking device described above.

The method may comprise pressing together a pair of lever portions of a resilient, coiled wire to loosen the coil. The method may comprise locating the loosened coil over a fastener. The method may comprise releasing the lever portions, for example such that the coil grips the fastener over which it is located. The method may comprise releasing the lever portion such that movement of the formed resilient wire relative to the fastener is inhibited. The method may comprise releasing the lever portion such that such that a first of the lever portions abuts an object in the plane of rotation of the fastener.

The method may comprise releasing the lever portions such that a hook of the first end portion abuts and/or partially surrounds a second fastener. The method may comprise releasing the lever portions such that a hook of the first end portion moves, rotates or pivots toward the or a second fastener.

The method may comprise removing the coiled wire from the fastener. The method may comprise pressing together the lever portions to loosen the coil. The method may comprise removing the loosened coil from the fastener. The method may comprise pressing together the lever portions such that the hook moves, e.g. rotates or pivots, away from the second fastener.

The method may comprise pressing together a pair of finger grip limbs, which may extend from a pair of coils formed by a common second resilient wire, e.g. to loosen the coils. The method may comprise locating one of the loosened coils over the second fastener and/or locating the other of the loosened coil over a third fastener. The method may comprise releasing the lever portions, for example such that each coil grips the fastener over which it is located. The method may comprise releasing the lever portions so that movement of the formed resilient wire relative to the fastener is inhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with to reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a locking device according to the prior art; Figure 2 is a plan view of part of a wheel mounting assembly incorporating a pair of locking devices according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a locking device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the locking device of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of part of a wheel mounting assembly incorporating the locking device according to Figures 3 and 4; and Figure 6 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the wheel mounting assembly of Figure 5 showing the interaction between the locking device of Figures 3 and 4 and the wheel nuts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In Figure 1, there is shown a locking device 1 according to the prior art, which includes a metal wire forming a pair of coils 2 for releasably mounting the device 1 onto adjacent wheel nuts F, which is illustrated in Figure 2. The wire has a diagonal interconnecting portion 4 extending tangentially between the coils 2, and first and second end portions 5, 6 extend tangentially from the coils 2 and across the diagonal interconnecting portion 4.

Each of the first and second end portions 5, 6 is bent approximately at its midpoint to provide a pair of finger grip limbs 50, 60 that are substantially parallel and oppose one another, on either side of the diagonal interconnecting portion 4. The spacing of the coils 2 is determined by the length of the diagonal interconnecting portion 4. The diameter and spacing of the coils 2 are selected to correspond to a particular size and spacing of the wheel nuts F. In use and as illustrated in Figure 2, the finger grip limbs 50, 60 are pressed together, as illustrated by arrows PR, to loosen the coils 2 to enable their location over the wheel nuts F of a wheel assembly 10. When the finger grip limbs 50,60 are released over the wheel nuts F, the coils 2 grip the wheel nuts F to mount the locking device 1 thereon such that movement of the device 1 relative to the wheel nuts F is inhibited. This, in turn, inhibits rotation of the wheel nuts F, and consequently inhibits loosening of each of the adjacent wheel nuts F. Removal of the device 1 is achieved by pressing PR the finger grip limbs 50, 60 together and removing the coils 2 from the wheel nuts F. As illustrated in Figure 2, there is an issue when there is an odd number of wheel nuts F. This is one of the issues that this invention seeks to address.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a locking device 100 according to the invention. The locking device 100 includes a resilient wire, which is formed of metal in this example but could be formed of any suitable material. The resilient wire forms a coil 102, which is a single coil 102 in this example, for releasably mounting the device 100 onto a wheel nut Fl. The coil 102 of the specific example has one complete turn, as well as a portion of an incomplete turn. In embodiments of the invention, the coil 102 may have any number of complete turns.

The locking device 100 has first and second end portions 103, 104 extending tangentially from the coil 102 and across one another. The first end portion 103 is longer than the second end portion 104 and includes a straight part 130 and a hook 131 extending from the free end of the straight part 130. The hook 130 is curved in the opposite direction to the coil 102, downwardly as shown in the Figures. The straight part 130 of the first end portion 103 provides a first lever portion 130.

The spacing between the coil 102 and the hook is determined by the length of the straight part 130. The diameter of the coil 102 and the spacing between the coil 102 and the hook 131 are selected to correspond to a particular size and spacing of the wheel nuts F. The second end portion 104 is bent approximately at its midpoint to provide a first part 140, which extends tangentially from the coil 102, and a second part 141 that extends at an oblique angle relative to the first part 140. In this example, the second part 141 is bent in the opposite direction to the coil 102, thereby to provide a gripping element 141. The second part 141 of the second end portion 104 provides a second lever portion 141.

In use and as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the first and second lever portions 130, 141 are pressed together, as illustrated by arrows PR, to loosen the coil 102, thereby to enable its location over a first wheel nut F1. The locking device 100 is oriented such that the first lever portion 130 extends to the left, as shown in Figure 5, with the hook 131 facing downwardly. Before the lever portions 130, 141 are released, the device is rotated counter-clockwise until the hook 131 abuts and partially surrounds an adjacent, second wheel nut F2.

When the lever portions 130,141 are released, the coil 102 grips the first wheel nut F1 to mount the locking device 100 thereon, such that movement of the device 100 relative to the first wheel nut F1 is inhibited. As illustrated more clearly in Figure 5, the orientation of the locking device 100 is such that rotation of the first wheel nut F1 in a counter-clockwise, loosening direction causes the hook 131 to rotate toward, and engage, the second wheel nut F2. The engagement between the hook 131 and the adjacent, second wheel nut F2 therefore inhibits counter-clockwise rotation of the device 100 relative thereto. This, in turn, inhibits a loosening rotation of the first wheel nut F1. Removal of the locking device 100 is achieved by pulling apart PU the lever portions 130, 141 to remove the coil 102 from the first wheel nut Fl.

As shown in Figure 5, the locking device 100 according to this example can be used in conjunction with a pair of twin-coil locking devices 1 of the prior art, in order to inhibit loosening of all five wheel nuts F of the wheel assembly 110 illustrated in Figure 5. In this example, the wheel assembly 110 includes five wheel nuts F, but the device 100 of the invention could be used with any number of twin-coil locking devices 1 of the prior art to lock the wheel nuts F of a wheel assembly (not shown) having an odd number of wheel nuts F other than five.

While the device 100 has particular application as locking device 100 to inhibit loosening of wheel nuts, the device 100 may also be used to inhibit loosening of other screw action fasteners, including polygonal fasteners and other components having a multi-angular peripheral surface. The skilled person will also appreciate that the device may be used with fasteners having left-handed or right-handed threads.

Embodiments of the invention may be made of spring steel wire. Spring steel is generally low-alloy manganese, medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel with a high yield strength. Embodiments of the invention may be made stainless steel wire, for example 301 stainless steel wire, a grade of steel also known as X10CrNi 18-8. The aforementioned materials provide the necessary resiliency to deform the device 10, allowing it to return to its original shape and exert a gripping force on a fastener.

However, any material that exhibits the necessary resiliency would be suitable. While the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures is made of wire having a square cross-section, wires of any cross-section, for example a round cross-section, would be possible.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the first end portion 103 need not include a hook 131 and/or may abut any object in the plane of rotation of the first wheel nut Fl, not necessarily a second wheel nut F2. The first end portion 103 may abut an object at any point along its length, making the device 100 suitable for pairs of wheel nuts having different spacing. The coil 102 may include multiple turns or coils. Other variations are also envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A locking device to inhibit loosening of screw action fasteners, the device comprising a resilient wire forming only a single coil for releasably mounting the device onto a fastener, the wire having first and second end portions extending tangentially from the coil and across one another to provide first and second lever portions, respectively, the pressing together of which loosens the coil to enable its location over, or removal from, the fastener, the coil otherwise gripping the fastener when located thereover to mount the device onto the fastener such that movement of the device relative to the fastener is inhibited, the first end portion being configured to abut an object in the plane of rotation of the fastener.
2. The locking device of claim 1, wherein the first end portion is longer than the second end portion.
3. The locking device of claim 2, wherein the first end portion comprises a hook for abutting and partially surrounding a second fastener.
4. The locking device of claim 3, wherein the hook is curved in the opposite direction to the coil.
5. The locking device of any preceding claim, wherein the second end portion comprises a dogleg to provide a first part extending tangentially from the coil and a second part extending at an oblique angle relative to the first part.
6. The locking device of claim 5, wherein the second part is bent in the opposite direction to the coil to provide a gripping element.
7. A locking system comprising at least one locking device according to any preceding claim and at least one twin-coil locking device, wherein the or each twin-coil locking device comprises a resilient wire forming a pair of coils for releasably mounting the device onto the second fastener and a third fastener, respectively, the wire of the twin-coil locking device having a diagonal interconnecting portion extending tangentially from and between the coils, and the wire of the twin-coil locking device further having first and second end portions extending tangentially from the coils and across the diagonal interconnecting portion to provide a pair of finger grip limbs that oppose one another on either side of the diagonal interconnecting portion, the pressing together of the finger grip limbs of the twin-coil locking device loosens the coils to enable their location over, or removal from, the respective fasteners, the coils otherwise gripping the fasteners when located thereover to mount the device onto the fasteners such that movement of the device relative to the fasteners is inhibited.
8. A method for inhibiting the loosening of a screw action fastener, the method comprising: pressing together a pair of lever portions of a resilient, coiled wire to loosen the coil; locating the loosened coil over a fastener; and releasing the lever portions, such that the coil grips the fastener over which it is located so that movement of the formed resilient wire relative to the fastener is inhibited, and such that a first of the lever portions abuts an object in the plane of rotation of the fastener.
9. The method of claim 8 comprising releasing the lever portions such that a hook of the first end portion abuts and partially surrounds a second fastener.
10. The method of claim 8 or claim 9 comprising removing the coiled wire from the fastener by: pressing together the lever portions to loosen the coil; and removing the loosened coil from the fastener.
11. The method of claim 10 when dependent upon claim 9 comprising pressing together the lever portions such that the hook moves away from the second fastener.
12. The method of any one of claims 8 to 11 further comprising pressing together a pair of finger grip limbs extending from a pair of coils formed by a common second resilient wire, thereby to loosen the coils, locating one of the loosened coils over the second fastener, locating the other of the loosened coil over a third fastener and releasing the lever portions, such that each coil grips the fastener over which it is located so that movement of the formed resilient wire relative to the fastener is inhibited.