Push-on bolt stabilizer

Abstract

The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the arms may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toilet system having a horizontal base with a perimeter portion to engage a floor, the improvement comprising, a recess opening in the perimeter portion, an upstanding threaded bolt in the recess opening with a member on a lower end thereof to hold the threaded bolt against upper movement through the recess, a retainer ring on the bolt above the perimeter portion to support the threaded bolt against movement in the recess, the retainer ring comprising a flexible member with an aperture therein, threads formed in the flexible member within the aperture to receive a threaded bolt, and protrusions formed on a surface of the flexible member for facilitating the manual rotation thereof when mounted on a threaded bolt.  
     
     
         2 . The toilet system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member is constructed to be pushed over the bolt to the recess then turned to tighten the bolt in position in the recess.  
     
     
         3 . A retainer for stabilizing a bolt for holding a toilet, comprising: 
 a base portion having an outer perimeter lying in a first plane and defining an opening, and a plurality of elongated fingers extending from the base portion, each finger having a head section having at least one thread groove, said head sections being disposed in a second plane and defining a bolt bore aperture which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane, said fingers deformable in a direction from the first plane to the second place.    
     
     
         4 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein said fingers are symmetrically arranged about an axis.  
     
     
         5 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein said grooves are arranged to define at least a portion of a helix.  
     
     
         6 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein said outer perimeter is substantially circular.  
     
     
         7 . The retainer according to  claim 3 , wherein said retainer comprises a polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The retainer of  claim 7 , and a bolt having a diameter substantially that of the bolt bore aperture, wherein the fingers are constructed to permit the retainer to be pushed in a first direction from the second plane towards the first plane over the bolt, but not in the opposite direction, and that the retainer can be tightened in the first direction by turning the retainer.  
     
     
         9 . A retainer for stabilizing a threaded toilet retaining bolt passed therethrough, the retainer comprising: 
 a base portion having a base bottom and a base top;    a plurality of flexible fingers, separated by slots, extending from said base;    each of said plurality of flexible arms having a gripping section, each of said gripping sections having a thread dimensioned and disposed to threadingly engage the threaded bolt;    said base top being disposed a first distance along a center axis of said retainer from said base bottom, said gripping section of each of said plurality of fingers being disposed a second distance along said center axis from said base bottom, and said second distance being greater than said first distance;    wherein said flexible fingers flex when said retainer is being pushed onto the threaded bolt in only one direction.    
     
     
         10 . A retainer according to claim  13 , further comprising a plurality of nibs disposed about a perimeter of said base.  
     
     
         11 . A retainer according to claim  13 , wherein said flexible fingers are symmetrically arranged about said center axis.