US2741290A - Locking assemblies for screw-type members - Google Patents

Description

April 10, 1956 H. D. WOLFE 2,741,290

LOCKING ASSEMBLIES FOR SCREW-TYPE MEMBERS Filed June 27, 1952 "WM" A8 INVENTOR. HARRY D. Won/ 5 A TTOR/YEX United States Patent LOCKING ASSEMBLIES FOR SCREW-TYPE MEMBERS Harry D. Wolfe, Pine Grove, Pa.

Application June 27, 1952, Serial No. 295,893

3 Claims. (Cl. 151-55) My invention relates to locking assemblies for screwtype members. Such screw-type members include generally nuts, bolts, anchor studs, and the like.

Locking assemblies of various types have been invented for screw-type members, but have generally presented numerous problems in their operation. Thus, in some it is not possible to use a pie-formed locking device. In others, auxiliary means such as cotter pins or the like are required to hold the locking device in place. In still others, it is necessary to restort to springs or the like for holding the locking mechanism in place. Moreover, in locking assemblies hitherto in use, it is frequently impossible to make a trial adjustment and then lock the assembly in place. In addition, once locked in place, it is often very difficult intentionally to unlock the device and re move the nut or bolt-head, in assemblies hitherto known.

One object of my invention therefore is to provide a pie-formed locking device which is readily secured to, and as easily removed from, a screw-type assembly.

Another object of my invention is to provide a locking assembly which is safe and secure in operation, facile in use, reliable in performance and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of my invention is to provide a locking device which is so constructed as to be operable without auxiliary locking means such as cotter pins, springs or the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a locking device which is so constructed as freely to make possible, trial assemblies or temporary holdings of devices, without being encumbered by the locking means, and which is readily convertible to a locked nut-type assembly after a satisfactory trial adjustment is made.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists of a locking assembly for a rotatable member comprising a head-type device adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and to be drawn along said axis against a base member; said head-type device comprising a base portion adapted to be drawn against said base member, a groove disposed substantially about the periphery of said head-type device, and a channel intercepting said groove and disposed substantially along a plane which is coplanar with said longitudinal axis; said channel extending substantially to the base portion of said head-type device; and a pre-formed anchor member comprising a portion having a configuration substantially similar to the con figuration of said peripheral groove, and a projection extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of said last-mentioned portion, said projection being of a length greater than the length of said channel; said base member comprising a receptacle portion spaced' from said longitudinal axis a distance equal to the distance between said longitudinal axis and the intersection of said channel with said base portion, said receptacle being of a width and configuration substantially similar to that of said projection.

My invention also consists of a locking assembly com prising a head-type device having a base portion and a 2 peripheral groove; a channel intercepting said peripheral groove and extending from said groove in a direction substantially away from said base portion; an anchor memher having a portion adapted to be removably disposed within said groove and a projection extending from said last-mentioned portion and adapted to be removably interlocked with said channel.

My invention also consists of parts and combinations of parts as more fully described hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not imited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in'which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a locking assembly embodying my invention.

Figure 2 represents a plan view of an anchor member used in a locking assembly embodying my invention.

Figure 3 represents a front elevational view of the anchor member illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a side elevational view of the anchor member illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a plan view of a base member of a locking assembly embodying my invention. 7

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of a head-type device mounted in position on a base member, substantially as it would appear in one stage of the assembling of a locking assembly embodying my invention.

Figure 7 represents a perspective view of a subsequent stage in the assen bling and locking of a locking assembly embodyingmy invention.

Figure 8 represents a perspective View of a further stagev in the assembling and locking of a locking assembly embodying my invention.

Figure 9 represents a perspective view of the final stage of the assembling and locking of a locking'assembly embodying my invention.

Figure 10 represents an elevational view illustrating a nut and bolt assembly locked against rotation and embodying my invention.

7 It is to be understood that my invention is applicable for intended locking against rotation devices which are otherwise capable of being rotated about a longitudinal axis and simultaneously drawn against a base member by movement along said longitudinal axis. Such devices include, but are not liimted to, nuts, bolts, screws, studs and the like. In each such case, the device comprises a member which is sometimes referred to herein as a headtype device. Such head-type devices include devices such as a nut, bolt-head, screw-head, or the like. For purposes of illustration only, I have shown in the accompanying drawings a bolt 15 having a bolt-head 16 drawn againsta base member 17 which is secured to an intermediate member such for instance as a plate 18 by means of a nut 19. My invention is further illustrated as being applicable to both the nut 19 and bolt 15 having the bolt-head 16 While the head-type device such as the nut 19 or bolt-head 16 constructions may be of any desired configuration, for purpose of illustration only I have shown said devices as being hexagonal in shape and as having a fiat base portion 29 in the case of the bolthead 16, and flat base portion 21 in the case of the nut] 19. Moreover, for simplicity of illustration, I have shown the bolt-head 16 as having a hat top 22, and the nut'19 as having a flat outer portion 23 opposed to the flat base portion 21 thereof. The bolt 15 may be threaded as at 24 Patented Apr. 10, 19 56.

and the nut 19 may be internally threaded (not shown) in a manner to be threadedly mounted onthe bolt 15.

The base member 17 and the plate 13 have an orifice 25 formed therethrough. along a longitudinal axis '26,

the orifice being preferably of a cylindrical form and or ferred form, the grooves 27 and '29 may be formed radially about the longitudinal axis 26, although it is to be understood that these grooves maybe formed with the same configuration as that of the periphery of the head-type device 16 or 1?, or of any other desired coin figuration about the periphery of the headtype device, without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of my invention. The peripheral groove 27 is disposed between the baseportion 2i) and the top portion 22 of the head-type device 16; and the peripheral groove 29 is disposed between the base portion 231 and the outer portion 23 of the nut 19. I

An intercepting groove or channel 30 is formed on the periphery 28 to extend between the groove 27 and .the base portion 29 and is preferably formed about an axis coplanar with the longitudinal axis 26, and is preferably of substantially the same diameter as the peripheral groove 27. If desired, similar grooves 30', 30" etc. may

'be iormed in selected portions of the periphery 28, and

similarly extending from the peripheral groove 27 to the base portion 2t). Thus, in apreferred form, one such groove 36, 3t), 39 etc. may be formed on' each periphcral faceof a hexagonal head-type device such as the bolt-head 15,

, If'desired, an intercepting groovecr channel '3'1' may be disposed on the periphery 28 to extend between. the peripheral groove 2'7 and substantially the top face 22 of the head-type device 15, and may if. desired be simila rly formed about an axis coplanar with the longitudinal axis26. Also, if desired, a-plurality of grooves, such for instance as the grooves 31, and 31", similar to the g'rooves Sl, may be formed about the periphery28; and

indeed, the groove 31 may itself be an extension of the groove 39, the groove 31 may be an extension of the groove 36, the groove 31" may be an extension of the groove 30", and so on until all faces of the periphery 28 have a groove disposed therein, both above and below the peripheral groove 27. In a preferred form, where the grooves 39, 39', 38" are disposed one in each face of the periphery 28, they are preferably disposed equidistantly about said periphery.

The nut 19 may similarly have grooves or channels disposed therein, such for instance as the groove or channel 32 intercepting the peripheral groove 29 and extending substantially along the periphery 33 of the nut 19 between said groove 29 and the base portion 21 thereof; and similar channels 32, 32" and the like may be provided to extend between the peripheral groove 29 and the'base'portion 21, and disposed preferably one on each peripheral .face of the polygon, of which the nut 19 may be composed, and one form of my invention may be disposed equidistantly about the periphery 33. V

In a similar manner, channels 34, 34', 34", and the like, may be disposed on the nut 19, intercepting the groove 29 and extending along the periphery 33 toward 7 the outer portion 23 thereof. If desired, the channel 34 may be a longitudinal extension of the channel 32, the channel 34 may be a longitudinal extension of the channel 32, the channel 34 may be a longitudinal extension of the channel 32", and so on throughoutthe periphery .33 of the nut 19. v

A receptacle 35 is provided on the face of the base member 17 a distance from the longitudinal axis 26 equal 55 the like.

60 registry with one of said receptacles.

. to the distance between said axis 26 and the intersection of the channels 30, 30', 30" with the base portion 20 of the bolt-head 22 when the bolt 15 is inserted in the orifice 25. in a preferred form of my invention, a plurality of 6 receptacles 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, and 35s, similarly related to the longitudinal axis 26'and to the base member 17 are provided on said base member 17 at angles with respect to each other, and having the axis 26 as an apex, asirnilar to the angles between any two channels 30, 30',

l 3% with said axis 26 as an apex, or any multiple oi said last-mentioned angles.

An anchor member 36 is provided with an embracing portion 37 having a size and configuration substantially similar to that of the peripheral groove 27, and preferably terminating in oppositely disposed projections 38 and 35. in one preferred form, the embracing portion 37 extends between the projections 38 and 39 a distance equal to the greater peripheral distance along the groove 27 between adjacent channels 30 and 3%. The projeo tion 38 is disposed at an angle with respect to the embracing portion 37 substantially equal to the angle between the channel 3ti and the peripheral groove 27; and the projection 38 extends from said embracing portion 37 to its terminus 49 a distance greater that the length of the channel 39. Moreover, theprojection 39 may be disposed at an angle with respect to the embracing portion 37 substantially equal to the angle between the channel 31 and the groove 27; and in one preferred form, the projection 39 extends from the embracing portion 37 80 to its terminus 41 adistance greater than the length of the channel 31. The anchormember 36 is preferably made of spring material such as'steel wire or the like.

Asimilar anchor member having a substantially similar embracing portion 43, a base projection 44 and an outer projection 45 may be provided for the nut 19 in similar relation to the groove 21 and the channels 32, 32, 32", and the channels 34, 34., 34". I

The plate 18 may also be providedwith receptacles 46 similar to the receptacles 35, 35a, and said. receptacles 46 may be similarly disposed on the plate member 13 with.

respect to the longitudinal axis 26.

In operation, thebolt 15, stud, or similar rotatable member is inserted through the orifice 25 in the base member 17, and any other object to be held by the bolt 15 or the like, said last-mentioned object. to be held being illustrated by the plate 18. The nut 19 or other holding device is then interlocked with the bolt 15 by any suitable means such as the threading 24, and for purposes of adjustment, the.bolthead,16 may be turned 0 about the axis 26 to any extent desired. Thus, trial assemblies maybe made, or temporary holdings alfected, until it is desired to lock the assembly in place.

The base member 17 is then viewed in that portion thereof which is adjacent the channels 30, 30', 30" and It will be found that a receptacle 35, or any of its similar receptacles 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 352, Will be susbtantially exposed by one of the channels 30, 30', 30 or the like. If required, the bolt head'16 may be given a fractional turn to bring one of said channels into it will thus be found that the provision of the receptacles 35, 35a, 35b,

35c, 35d, and 35a in angular relations to the axis 26, which are asimilar to the angular relations of the chain ,nels 30, 3Q, 30 with respect to said axis 26, or any a multiple of said last-mentioned angular relations, pro- 7 vides a Vernier adjustmentwhereby a minimum of turn .may be required in any case to bring one of said receptacles into registry with one'of said channels. Moreover, it is not essential in order to obtain this desired result, to

76 with respect 'to said axis 26 which are asimilar to said angles formed between the channels 30, 30, 30", and said axis 26, or any multiple of said latter angles.

Having thus brought one of said receptacles into registry with one of said channels, the projection 38 of the anchor member 36 is slipped into said channel and urged downwardly into the registered receptacle. Thus, for instance, as illustrated in Figure 6, thebolt head 16 is tightened against the nut 19 and the base member 17, until the channel 39 is in registry with the receptacle 35c; and as illustrated in Figure 7, the projection 33 is slipped into the channel 39' and downwardly urged therethrough until the terminus 5%} of the projection 33 is interlocked with the receptacle 350.

Using the receptacle 35c and the channel 39' as a bearing for the projection 58 as a pivot, the anchor member 36 is swung toward the bolt-head 16 until the embracing portion 37 slips into the peripheral channel 27. When this is done, the upward projection 39 will be found to be in registry with the outer channel 31, and said projection 39 will spring into said outer channel 31 thereby causing the anchor member 36 snugly to embrace and interlock with the bolt-head 16. In this position, it will be found that it is impossible to rotate the bolt-head 16 in any direction, for the channels 30' and 31 interlock with their respective projections 38 and 39 in a manner to prevent displacement of said projections in any direction other than radially outward; and rotation of the bolthead 16 does not permit such radially outward displacement. Moreover, the projection 33 being locked in the receptacle 350, is prevented from all displacement other than longitudinally outward, and such displacement is prevented so long as the embracing portion 36 is interlocked with the peripheral groove 27. The bolt-head 16 is thus securely locked against rotation.

When it is desired to remove the anchor member 36 from the bolt-head 16, it is simply necessary to pull the outer projection 39 radially away from the channel 31, and to swing the embracing portion 37 away from the peripheral groove 27 by using the projection 39 as a handle, and the projection 38 as a pivot; and when said embracing portion 37 is completely free from said groove 27, to lift the projection 38 out of the receptacle 35c, and withdraw said projection 38 from said channel 30'. The bolt-head 16 is thus again free to be rotated about the axis 26.

In a substantially similar manner, the nut 19 may be locked against rotation, and as easily unlocked when it is desired again to rotate the nut 19.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiments to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, is:

l. A locking assembly for a rotatable member comprising a head-type device adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and to be drawn along said axis against a base member; said head-type device comprising a base portion adapted to be drawn against said base member, a groove formed about the periphery of said head-type device, and a plurality of channels formed in said device, each intercepting said groove and disposed substanfially along a separate axis which is substantially coplanar with said longitudinal axis; each of said channels extending from said groove to the base portion of said head-type device; and a pro-formed anchor member comprising a portion having a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of said peripheral groove, and a projection extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of said last-mentioned portion for reception in one of said channels, said projection being of a length greater than the length of said channels; said base memher comprising a plurality of receptacle portions, each of which is spaced from said longitudinal axis a distance equal to the distance between said longitudinal axis and the intersection of said channel with said base portion whereby said head-type device substantially covers all receptacles which are not aligned with said channels, each of said receptacles being of a width and configuration susbtantially similar to that of said projection; a channel intercepting said peripheral groove and extending from said groove in a direction substantially away from said base portion; and said anchor member having a projection extending from a portion thereof and adapted to be removably seated in said last mentioned channel, a portion of said last-mentioned projection extending axially beyond said head-type device and comprising a handle portion.

2. A locking assembly for a rotatable member comprising a head-type, device adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and to be drawn along said axis against a base member; said head-type device comprising a base portion adapted to be drawn against said base member, a groove formed about the periphery of said head-type device, and a plurality of channels formed in said device, each disposed substantially along a separate axis which is substantially coplanar with said longitudinal axs; each of said channels extending from said groove to the base portion of said head-type device; and a pro-formed anchor member comprising a portion having a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of said peripheral groove, and a projection extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of said last-mentioned portion for reception in one of said channels, said projection being of a length greater than the length of said channels; said base member comprising a plurality of receptacle portions, each of which is spaced from said longitudinal axis a distance equal to the distance between said longitudinal axis and the intersection of said channel with said base portion, whereby said head-type device substantially covers all receptacles which are not aligned with said channels, each of said receptacles being of a width and configuration substantially similar to that of said projection.

33. A locking assembly for a rotatable member comprising a head-type device adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis and to be drawn along said axis against a base member; said head-type device comprising a base portion adapted to be drawn against said base member, a groove formed about the periphery of said head-type device, and a channel formed in said device and disposed substantially along a separate axis which is substantially coplanar with said longitudinal axis; said channel extending from said groove to the base portion of said head-type device; and a pre-formed anchor member comprising a portion having a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of said peripheral groove, and a projection extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of said last-mentioned portion for reception in said channel, said projection being of a length greater than the length of said channel; said base member comprising a plurality of receptacle portions, each of which is spaced from said longitudinal axis a distance equal to the distance between said longitudinal axis and the intersection of said channel with said base portion, whereby said head-type device substantially covers all receptacles which are not aligned with said channel, each of said receptacles being of a width and configuration substantially similar to that of said projection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 516,563 Butler Mar. 13, 1894 756,709 Rieman Apr. 5, 1904 FOREIGN PATENTS 468,629 Great Britain July 5, 1937

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