Packing nut lock and method of use

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing a threaded nut from unscrewing from a threaded bore of a device. The threaded nut has a circular periphery containing a plurality of apertures. The apparatus has a body with a first pin configured to insert into one of the apertures of the threaded nut, and a retainer that releasably holds the first pin within the aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking apparatus for preventing a nut from disengaging from a bore of a device, the locking apparatus comprising:
 a body having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface and an aperture extending at least partially between the top and bottom surfaces;   a non-movable pin extending from the bottom surface, the non-movable pin insertable into a first aperture of a nut;   a retractable pin movable along a central axis of the aperture between an engaged position in which the retractable pin extends at least partially from the bottom surface, for positioning the retractable pin into a second aperture of a nut, and a retracted position, for removing the retractable pin from a second aperture of a nut to facilitate removal of the body; and   a shank extending from the top surface of the body.   
     
     
         2 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central axis is in a same plane as an axis of the non-movable pin. 
     
     
         3 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central axis intersects an axis of the non-movable pin. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member to bias the retractable pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         5 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member disposed within the shank, the resilient member biasing the retractable pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         6 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is arcuate. 
     
     
         7 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a planar surface on an outer end of the shank, opposite the body, the planar surface adapted to transfer a rotational force to the nut. 
     
     
         8 . The locking apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from the retractable pin to retract the retractable pin. 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing a locking apparatus for preventing a nut from disengaging from a bore of a device, the method comprising:
 providing a body having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface and an aperture extending at least partially between the top and bottom surfaces;   securing a fixed pin to the body such that the fixed pin extends in fixed relation from a bottom surface of the body and configured to be insertable into a first aperture of a nut;   positioning a retractable pin within the aperture such that the retractable pin is movable along a central axis of the aperture between an engaged position, for positioning the retractable pin into a second aperture of a nut, and a retracted position, for removing the retractable pin from a second aperture of a nut to facilitate removal of the body; and   securing a shank to a top surface of the body opposite the bottom surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a body having an aperture such that the central axis of the aperture is in a same plane as an axis of the fixed pin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a body having an aperture such that the central axis of the aperture intersects an axis of the fixed pin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing a resilient member to bias the retractable pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising positioning a resilient member inside the shank, the resilient member biasing the retractable pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein securing a fixed pin to a body further comprises securing the fixed pin to an arcuate body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising forming a planar surface on an outer end of the shank, opposite the body, the planar surface configured to transfer a rotational force to the nut. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising securing a handle to the retractable pin to retract the retractable pin. 
     
     
         17 . A reciprocating pump assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a reciprocating pump;   a threaded member in engagement with a threaded bore on the reciprocating pump;   a lock for resisting movement of the threaded member relative to the reciprocating pump, the lock comprising:
 a body having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface and an aperture extending at least partially between the top and bottom surfaces; 
 a first pin non-rotatably attached to and extending from the bottom surface of the body for engagement with the threaded member; 
 a second pin at least partially disposed within the aperture and movable relative to the body between an engaged position, where at least a portion of the second pin is configured to engage the threaded member to secure the body to the threaded member, and a retracted position, to facilitate separation of the body from the threaded member; and 
 a shank extending from the top surface. 
   
     
     
         18 . The reciprocating pump assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a resilient member to bias the second pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         19 . The reciprocating pump assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a resilient member disposed within the shank, the resilient member biasing the second pin toward the engaged position. 
     
     
         20 . The reciprocating pump assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a handle extending from the second pin to retract the second pin. 
     
     
         21 . The reciprocating pump assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the threaded member comprises at least one aperture to receive at least one of the first or second pin therein. 
     
     
         22 . A nut lock comprising:
 a main body having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, and an aperture extending at least partially through the main body;   a shank extending from a top surface of the main body;   a non-movable member extending from the bottom surface of the main body and configured to engage a nut; and   a movable member movable between an engaged position, wherein the movable member extends from the main body and is configured to engage a nut such that rotation of a nut is prevented, and a disengaged position, wherein the movable member is at least partially retracted with respect to the main body and is configured to be disengaged from a nut.