Locking nut and washer

Abstract

A locking nut (10) and washer (12) for use with a threaded bolt. The locking nut (10) has a tool engaging portion (14), a threaded aperture (20), and a washer engaging portion (18). The washer (12) has a locking nut engaging portion (28, 36) and an aperture (32). When the washer engaging portion (18) engages the locking nut engaging portion (28, 36), the threaded aperture (20) and the aperture (32) align to be at least substantially concentric so as to receive the threaded bolt. In this manner, when the tool engaging portion (14) is appropriately manipulated to force the locking nut (10) in a first direction along the threaded bolt, the engagement between the tool engaging portion (14) and the locking nut engaging portion (28, 36) also causes the washer (12) to move along the threaded bolt in the same direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking nut and washer for use with a threaded bolt, where
 the locking nut has a tool engaging portion, a threaded aperture, and a washer engaging portion; and   the washer has an external lower side, a locking nut engaging portion and an aperture, the locking nut engaging portion having an internal upper side and an internal lower side;   a bonded elastomer for sealing the washer against an independent surface, the bonded elastomer being connected to the external lower side;   
       where, when the washer engaging portion engages the locking nut engaging portion, the threaded aperture and the aperture align to be at least substantially concentric so as to receive the threaded bolt, and where, when torque is applied to the tool engaging portion in a first rotational direction, the washer engaging portion engages the internal upper side and thereby causes the washer to move along the threaded bolt in a first axial direction and when torque is applied to the tool engaging portion in a second rotational direction, the washer engaging portion engages the internal lower side and thereby causes the washer to move along the threaded bolt in a second, opposite, axial direction, the washer engaging portion able to disengage the locking nut engaging portion when the locking nut is not in receipt of the threaded bolt. 
     
     
         2 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , where the washer engaging portion is a collar and the locking nut engaging portion is a channel of size and dimension that may securely receive the collar. 
     
     
         3 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 2 , where the collar passes through an opening in the channel in order to be received therein. 
     
     
         4 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 3 , where the washer further includes a first retaining means, the first retaining means operable to close off the opening when the collar is received within the channel and thereby securely retain the collar within the channel. 
     
     
         5 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 4 , where the first retaining means is one of the following: a clip, a ring, a circlip. 
     
     
         6 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , where the tool engaging portion has an external profile that has a hexagonal cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         7 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , where the tool engaging portion is attached to the washer engaging portion by way of a bridge having a concave external profile. 
     
     
         8 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , where the bonded elastomer is a non-stick elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , where the bonded elastomer has rings formed thereon, the rings operating to deform and thereby seal pits or other irregularities in the surface. 
     
     
         10 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 1 , further including a non-stick film applied to a sealing surface of the bonded elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . A locking nut and washer according to  claim 10 , where the non-stick film is made from polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         12 . A fastening system for a threaded bolt comprising:
 a locking nut having a tool engaging portion, a threaded aperture, and a washer engaging portion;   a washer having an external lower side, a locking nut engaging portion and an aperture, the locking nut engaging portion having an internal upper side and an internal lower side; and   a direct tension indication device,   
       where, the locking nut engaging portion is a channel of size and dimension to securely receive the washer engaging portion and thereunder the direct tension indication device and where, when the washer engaging portion engages the locking nut engaging portion, the threaded aperture and the aperture align to be at least substantially concentric so as to receive the threaded bolt, and where, when torque is applied to the tool engaging portion in a first rotational direction, the washer engaging portion engages the internal upper side and thereby causes the washer to move along the threaded bolt in a first axial direction and when torque is applied to the tool engaging portion in a second rotational direction, the washer engaging portion engages the internal lower side by way of the direct tension indication device, and thereby causes the washer to move along the threaded bolt in a second, opposite, axial direction, the washer engaging portion able to disengage the locking nut engaging portion when the locking nut is not in receipt of the threaded bolt. 
     
     
         13 . A fastening system for a threaded bold according to  claim 12 , where the direct tension indication device is a squirter. 
     
     
         14 . A fastening system according to  claim 12 , where the direct tension indication device passes through an opening in the channel in order to be received therein. 
     
     
         15 . A fastening system according to  claim 14 , where the washer further includes a second retaining means operable to close off the opening when the direct tension indication device is received within the channel and thereby securely retain the direct tension indication device within the channel. 
     
     
         16 . A fastening system according to  claim 15 , where the second retaining means is one of the following: a clip, a ring, a circlip. 
     
     
         17 . A fastening system according to  claim 12 , where the washer incorporates a bonded elastomer, the bonded elastomer acting to seal the washer against a surface.