A nut retainer

专利摘要:
A nut retainer preventing a nut on a commercial vehicle wheel from unscrewing off its threaded member. The nut retainer comprises a cup-like member closely fitted to the nut and spring-loaded clips attaching the cup-like member to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member.
公开号:CA2289334A1
申请号:C2289334
申请日:1999-11-12
公开日:2001-03-29
发明作者:Dena Mabel Porter；Robert Curtis Porter
申请人:Dena Mabel Porter；Robert Curtis Porter；
IPC主号:F16B39-28

专利说明:
Title: A nut retainer Field of the Invention:This invention relates generally to nut retainers, and specifically to such nut retainers which do not utilise washers or retainer rings. Background of the Invention: Even though nuts on commercial vehicle wheels are screwed onto their threaded members with a great amount of torque, they may loosen during driving. Al0 slightest loosening of a nut causes vibration in a wheel, which may eventually lead to the wheel falling off the vehicle causing injuries and even death of passengers on board. To improve safety, a number of nut retainers have been invented and are currently used on commercial vehicle wheels. These nut retainers comprise I S retainer rings or washers or, alternatively, clips attaching to retainer rings or washers. These nut retainers are effective but they cannot be used on all wheels because some of the commercial vehicle wheels do not contain washers due to safety regulations. An example is tractor trailer wheels (such as Dayton wheels). As a result, a number of deaths are reported every year due to wheels 20 coming off tractor trailers during driving. The above described problem is solved by the present invention, which comprises a cup-like member fitting over a nut on a threaded member and clipped to any part stationary with respect to the threaded member. A prior art most closely related to the present invention is described in the US Patent No.5,163,797. It describes a cup-like member with two integral clips designed to fit over a nut. While structurally similar, this cup-like member serves a limited purpose of decorating and protecting a lug nut and an exposed stud or lug bolt from harsh weather conditions. The two clips are designed to clip to a washer and serve a purpose of securing the cup-like member on the nut, not the nut on the threaded member. Thus, this previously described device does not prevent a nut from unscrewing off its threaded member. Objects of the Invention: An object of the present invention is to provide a device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.It is a related object of the present invention to provide a nut retainer which does not utilise washers or retainer rings.
One general object of this invention is to assure the safety of passengers on board of commercial vehicle wheels as well as passengers of nearby vehicles and general public. Another general object of this invention is to prevent loosening of nuts on commercial vehicle wheels.Brief summary of the Invention: Accordingly, the invention provides a nut retainer for preventing a nut from backing off a threaded member comprising a cup-like member sized to closely fit around the sides of a nut screwed onto a threaded member and having an open first end, a closed second end, a side wall extending between the first end and the second end, and at least one clip for removably attaching the cup-like member to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member. In one embodiment, the cup-like member of the nut retainer is hexagonal around its circumference. In another embodiment, the closed second end of the cup-like member is flat and perpendicular to the side wall. In a different embodiment, the closed second end of the cup-like member is dome-shaped.
In another embodiment, at least one clip of the nut retainer is integral to the nut retainer. In a further embodiment, at least one clip of the nut retainer is spring loaded.In another embodiment, at least one clip of the nut retainer is affixed to the cup-like member at the closed second end. In a further embodiment, the clip of the nut retainer comprises a strap having a middle point and two ends, wherein the middle point is affixed to the closed second end of the cup-like member and the two ends are bent inwardly for removably attaching to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member. In yet another embodiment, the clip of the nut retainer comprises a strap having a middle point and two ends, wherein the middle point is affixed to the closed second end of the cup-like member and the two ends are bent outwardly for attaching to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member.In another embodiment, the clip includes at least one handle for easy grip on the clip during locking or unlocking. In a further embodiment, the part stationary with respect to the threaded member to which the clip of the nut retainer attaches is a rim clamp. In a further embodiment, the part stationary with respect to the threaded member to which the clip of the nut retainer attaches is a wheel hub.
A different aspect of this invention provides a method of preventing a nut from backing off a threaded member comprising the steps of screwing the nut onto the threaded member, placing a cup-like member of a nut retainer over the nut, and clipping the nut retainer to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member using at least one clip of the nut retainer. Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer. FIG. 4 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer.FIG. 5 is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the nut retainer. FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the nut retainer.FIG. 7 is a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer clipped to a rim clamp on a hub of a spoke wheel of a commercial vehicle.
FIG. 8 is a top view of the first and the third preferred embodiments of the nut retainer clipped to a hub of a stud pilot wheel of a commercial vehicle through two side apertures. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments As shown in FIGs. 1, 2, and 3, the first preferred embodiment 1 of the nut retainer comprises a cup-like member 3 sized to closely fit around the sides of nut 5 screwed onto a threaded member 7 and having an open first end 9, a closed second end 11, a side wall 13 extending between the first end 9 and the second end 11, and two integral clips 15 and 17 for removably attaching the cup-like member 3 to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member 7. The clip 15 has an integral end 19 and a free end 21. The clip 17 has an integral end 23 and a free end 25. The free ends 21 and 25 of the clips 15 and 17 are spring-loaded and are bent inwards for attachment to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member 7. In a spoke wheel, such as Dayton wheel (has five spokes), the threaded member 7 attaches a spoke 27 to a rim clamp 29. The spoke 27 has a threaded circular aperture 31, fitted to accept the threaded member 7. The rim clamp 29 has two flat parts 33 and 35 integral to each other and positioned at a 90 degrees angle. The flat part 33 has a circular aperture 37, which is large enough to loosely fit the threaded member 7. Thus, the threaded member 7 is screwed into the circular aperture 31 of the spoke 27. The rim clamp 29 is put on the threaded member 7 through the circular aperture 37 of the flat part 33 of the rim clamp 29. The rim clamp 29 is then secured in its position by the nut being screwed on the threaded member 7.In order to prevent unscrewing of the nut 5 off the threaded member 7, the first embodiment of the nut retainer of the present invention is used. The cup-like member 3 is positioned over the nut 5 and the spring-loaded clips 15 and 17 are pulled apart and then released so that to fit around the rims of the flat part 33 of the rim clamp 29. FIG. 4 shows the top view of the first preferred embodiment of the nut retainer illustrating the hexagonal shape of the cup-like member 3. The size of the cup-like member 3 is slightly larger than the size of the nut 5. Thus, the cup-like member 3 closely fits over the nut 5, restricting the nut 5 from rotating inside the cup-like member 3. FIG. 5 shows the second preferred embodiment of the nut retainer. While used essentially in the same way as the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment has two additional features: (i) the closed end of the cup-like member is flat, which is convenient for putting various engravings or labels for decoration and (ii) the spring-loaded clips contain integral handles 16 and 18, which ease the grip on the clips when pulling them apart. As shown in FIG 6, the third preferred embodiment 40 of the nut retainer comprises a cup-like member 42 sized to closely fit around the sides of a nut screwed onto the threaded member 46 and having an open first end 48, a closed second end 50, a side wall 52 extending between the first end 48 and the second end 50, and two integral clips 54 and 56 for removably attaching the cup-like member 42 to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member 46. The clip 54 has an integral end 58 and a free end 60. The clip 56 has an integral end 62 and a free end 64. The free ends 60 and 64 of the clips 54 and 56 are spring-loaded and are bent outwards for fitting into two side apertures and 72 of a wheel hub 68. In a stud pilot wheel, the threaded member 46 is inserted in a circular aperture 66 of a wheel hub 68 and is affixed by the nut 44. In order to prevent the nut 44 from unscrewing of the threaded member 7, the second embodiment 40 of the nut retainer of the present invention is used. The cup-like member is positioned over the nut 44 and the spring-loaded clips 54 and 56 are pressed together, inserted into the side apertures 70 and 72 of the wheel hub 68, and subsequently released. The spring-loaded outwardly bent free ends of the clips 54 and 56 then move apart and clip to the hub 68.
FIG. 7 shows a top view of the first preferred embodiment 1 of the nut retainer clipped to a rim clamp 29 on a hub 30 of a spoke wheel of a commercial vehicle. FIG. 8 shows a top view of the first preferred embodiment 1 and the third preferred embodiment 40 of the nut retainer clipped to a hub 74 of a stud pilot wheel of a commercial vehicle through two side apertures 70 and 72.

权利要求:
Claims (13)
[1] 1. A nut retainer for preventing a nut from backing off a threaded member comprising a cup-like member sized to closely fit around the sides of the nut screwed onto the threaded member and having an open first end, a closed second end, a side wall extending between the first end and the second end, and at least one clip for removably attaching the cup-like member to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member.
[2] 2. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the cup-like member is hexagonal around its circumference.
[3] 3. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the closed second end of the cup-like member is flat and perpendicular to the side wall.
[4] 4. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the closed second end of the cup-like member is dome-shaped.
[5] 5. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one clip is integral to the nut retainer.
[6] 6. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one clip is spring loaded.
[7] 7. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one clip is affixed to the cup-like member at the closed second end
[8] 8. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a strap having a middle point and two ends, wherein the middle point is affixed to the closed second end of the cup-like member and the two ends are bent inwardly for removably attaching to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member.
[9] 9. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a strap having a middle point and two ends, wherein the middle point is affixed to the closed second end of the cup-like member and the two ends are bent outwardly for attaching to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member.
[10] 10. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip includes at least one handle for easy grip on the clip during locking or unlocking.
[11] 11. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the part stationary with respect to the threaded member is a rim clamp.
[12] 12. A nut retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein the part stationary with respect to the threaded member is a wheel hub.
[13] 13. A method of preventing a nut from backing off a threaded member comprising the steps of screwing the nut onto the threaded member, placing a cup-like member of a nut retainer over the nut, and clipping the nut retainer to a part stationary with respect to the threaded member using at least one clip of the lug nut retainer.

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US5630653A|1997-05-20|Wheel cover mounting bracket

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US4171851A|1979-10-23|Wheel cover locking device

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US4869084A|1989-09-26|Automotive vehicle wheel cover lock

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US5131796A|1992-07-21|Security fastener for threaded objects

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US4723818A|1988-02-09|Wheel trim center retention system

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US4116490A|1978-09-26|Cable type lock for wire wheel hubcaps

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US4161896A|1979-07-24|Theft prevention assembly for use with car wheels

同族专利:

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引用文献:

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公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题

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法律状态:
2003-11-12| FZDE| Dead|

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US40823899A| true| 1999-09-29|1999-09-29||

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US09/408,238||1999-09-29||

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