Lock nut

Abstract

A lock nut mainly includes a plurality of nut thread convolutions spirally formed inside a head. Each nut thread convolution has a plurality of thread segments. At least one thread segment has a first upper flank section and a first lower flank section respectively extended outwards from an inner wall of the head, a second upper flank section connected to the first upper flank section, a second lower flank section connected to the first lower flank section, and a thread crest formed along a junction of the second upper flank section and the second lower flank section. The thread crest is located in a root area which is defined between two adjacent nut thread convolutions so that the thread segment is arranged in a misaligned manner whereby fastening threads of a fastening unit are interfered and wedged tightly by the misaligned thread segment to achieve a self-locking effect and prevent the lock nut from being rotated reversely or loosened effectively.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a nut design, and more particularly to an anti-loosening nut. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Nuts are an indispensable necessity in daily life, and the use of nuts and fasteners is widely applied in various fields. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a conventional nut 1 includes a head 11, a receiving space 12 surrounded by the head 11, a plurality of anti-loosening threads 13 spirally disposed on the inner wall surface 11' of the head 11, and an opening 14 formed at the bottom of the head 11. Each anti-loosening thread 13 has a plurality of thread segments 13', and each thread segment 13' has a portion extending from the inner wall surface 11' of the head 11. The upper tooth surface 131 and the lower tooth surface 132 extend outward at an angle. The upper tooth surface 131 defines an upper tooth reference line 131', and the lower tooth surface 132 defines a lower tooth reference line 132'. The upper tooth reference line 131' and the lower tooth reference line 132' intersect to enclose a threaded area T. In addition, the upper tooth surface 131 and the lower tooth surface 132 intersect at a tooth peak 133, and the tooth peak 133 of each threaded segment 13' is located within the threaded area T. The fastener 21 that cooperates with the nut 1 is provided with a plurality of fastening threads 211, as shown in Figure 2.

[0003] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in use, firstly a washer 22 is fitted onto the fastener 21, then the fastener 21 is inserted into the receiving space 12 through the opening 14 of the nut 1, so that the washer 22 is located between the nut 1 and the fastener 21. Then, the fastening thread 211 of the fastener 21 and the anti-loosening thread 13 of the nut 1 are screwed together to achieve a tight fit between the nut 1 and the fastener 21. At the same time, the washer 22 disperses the pressure, reduces the wear between the nut 1 and the fastener 21, and achieves the effects of anti-loosening and shock absorption.

[0004] However, in actual use, it was found that the gasket 22 achieves its anti-loosening effect through the friction generated by the tightening of the nut 1. When the nut 1 and the fastener 21 are affected by vibration or other external impacts and loosen, the gasket 22 will quickly lose its anti-loosening effect due to the reduced pressure, causing the nut 1 or the fastener 21 to loosen. Therefore, it is necessary to check and re-tighten frequently, which is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also increases the cost and construction time due to the inability of the gasket 22 to effectively prevent the loosening phenomenon. It is necessary to improve this. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an anti-loosening nut that uses the misaligned anti-loosening thread to achieve an interference wedging effect, thereby effectively improving the self-locking and anti-returning effects.

[0006] Therefore, the anti-loosening nut of the present invention is used for screw-locking with a fastener having a plurality of fastening threads. The anti-loosening nut includes a head with an internal accommodating space, a plurality of anti-loosening threads formed on the inner wall surface of the head, and an opening formed at the bottom of the head. A root region is defined between any two adjacent anti-loosening threads. Each anti-loosening thread has a plurality of thread segments. Each thread segment has an upper thread surface and a lower thread surface respectively connecting the inner wall surface of the head, an upper thread reference line extending from the upper thread surface, a lower thread reference line extending from the lower thread surface, a thread region enclosed by the intersection of the upper and lower thread reference lines, and a thread peak formed at the junction of the upper and lower thread surfaces. At least one threaded segment has an upper tooth surface with a first upper tooth segment extending along the upper tooth reference line and a second upper tooth segment connecting the first upper tooth segment. The lower tooth surface of the at least one threaded segment has a first lower tooth segment extending along the lower tooth reference line and a second lower tooth segment connecting the first lower tooth segment. The second upper tooth segment and the second lower tooth segment are connected at the tooth crest, which is located in the tooth root area, so that the threaded segments are offset. Therefore, when the aforementioned anti-loosening threads and fastening threads are locked together, the fastening threads can be appropriately squeezed through the offset threaded segments to generate an interference wedging effect, increase friction and form a tight lock, thereby improving the self-locking effect and achieving the effect of preventing unscrewing, loosening or separation.

Implementation Method

[0007] The foregoing description and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention will become clear in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Referring to Figure 4, in a first preferred embodiment of the anti-loosening nut 3 of the present invention, the anti-loosening nut 3 includes a head 31, an inner wall surface 31' formed inside the head 31, a receiving space 32 surrounded by the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31, a plurality of anti-loosening threads 33 spirally disposed on the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31 and located in the receiving space 32, and an opening 34 formed at the bottom of the head 31. The receiving space 32 is interconnected with the outside through the opening 34. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, a root region R' is defined between any two adjacent anti-loosening threads 33. Each anti-loosening thread 33 has a plurality of thread segments 33'. Referring to Figure 10, the anti-loosening nut 3 is used to lock and fix a fastener 4, and the outer surface of the fastener 4 is spirally provided with a plurality of fastening threads 41 that match the anti-loosening threads 33.

[0009] Referring to Figures 4, 5, and 6, each threaded segment 33' has an upper tooth surface 331 extending outwardly from the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31, a lower tooth surface 332 extending outwardly from the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31, and a tooth peak 333 formed at the junction of the upper tooth surface 331 and the lower tooth surface 332. The upper tooth surface 331 defines an upper tooth reference line 331', and the lower tooth surface 332 defines a lower tooth reference line 332'. The intersection of the upper tooth reference line 331' and the lower tooth reference line 332' encloses a threaded region T'. Furthermore, at least one threaded segment 33'... The upper tooth surface 331 has a first upper tooth segment 3311 extending along the upper tooth reference line 331', and a second upper tooth segment 3312 connected to the first upper tooth segment 3311. The lower tooth surface 332 of the at least one threaded segment 33' has a first lower tooth segment 3321 extending along the lower tooth reference line 332', and a second lower tooth segment 3322 connected to the first lower tooth segment 3321. The tooth peak 333 is formed at the junction of the second upper tooth segment 3312 and the second lower tooth segment 3322, and is located within the tooth root region R', so that the threaded segment 33' is offset.

[0010] Referring to Figure 6, the root region R' can be located between the upper reference line 331' defined by the upper tooth surface 331 of one thread segment 33' and the lower reference line 332' defined by the lower tooth surface 332 of another thread segment 33', or the root region R' can be located between the lower reference line 332' defined by the lower tooth surface 332 of one thread segment 33' and the upper reference line 331' defined by the upper tooth surface 331 of another thread segment 33', as shown in Figures 6 and 8, so that the tooth peak 333 tilts in different directions. In addition, referring to Figure 9, in this embodiment, the tooth peak 333 of three thread segments 33' is located in the root region R', and these thread segments 33' are located on the same anti-loosening thread 33 and are arranged symmetrically to each other, while the tooth peak 333 of the other thread segments 33' is located in the thread region T'.

[0011] Referring to Figures 4, 5, 10, and 11, when the anti-loosening nut 3 and the fastener 4 are screwed together, the fastener 4 is first inserted into the receiving space 32 through the opening 34 of the anti-loosening nut 3, and the fastening thread 41 of the fastener 4 and the anti-loosening thread 33 of the anti-loosening nut 3 are screwed together. Since only a portion of the thread segments 33' are misaligned, it will not excessively hinder the screwing operation of the anti-loosening nut 3 and the fastener 4. After the aforementioned screwing operation is completed, the misaligned thread segments 33' are... By appropriately pushing the fastening threads 41, the aforementioned thread segments 33' are brought into close contact with the fastening threads 41 to achieve an interference wedging effect, while increasing friction and achieving a self-locking effect. Therefore, when the anti-loosening nut 3 and the fastener 4 are subjected to vibration or other external impact, the misaligned thread segments 33' can effectively prevent the occurrence of unscrewing, thereby avoiding the loosening or separation of the anti-loosening nut 3 and the fastener 4. In addition, the anti-loosening nut 3 has a simple structure and is easy to install, which can significantly reduce costs and construction time.

[0012] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention still includes the components described in the first embodiment, and its purpose and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, which will not be repeated here. The special feature of this embodiment is that: a flange portion 35 is provided on the outer periphery of the bottom of the head 31. The flange portion 35 has a connecting surface 351 that connects to the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31, and a abutting surface 352 that connects to the connecting surface 351. The abutting surface 352 is inclined to the horizontal line H, and the connecting surface 352... The connecting surface 351 is provided with anti-loosening threads 33. In addition, the connecting surface 351 has a first connecting section 3511 that connects to the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31, and a second connecting section 3512 that connects to the abutting surface 352. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tooth peaks 333 of the two thread segments 33' are located in the tooth root region R', and the thread segments 33' are located on different anti-loosening threads 33 provided on the connecting surface 351, and the thread segments 33' are arranged vertically adjacent to each other, as shown in Figure 13.

[0013] Referring to Figures 12 to 15, when the anti-loosening nut 3 is screwed and fixed to the fastener 4, the gap between the abutment surface 352 and the horizontal line H allows the flange portion 35 to bend slightly. After screwing and fixing, the elastic recovery force of the flange portion 35 can improve the sealing effect. In addition, the flange portion 35 can also be used to distribute pressure, protect the surface, and increase the contact area, which helps to improve the effect of preventing loosening, detachment, or separation. That is, the flange portion 35 can replace the use of conventional gaskets. This significantly reduces costs and construction time. Furthermore, since the misaligned thread segments 33' are located on the connecting surface 351 of the flange portion 35, after the fastener 4 is fully locked into the receiving space 32, not only can the misaligned thread segments 33' act as an interference wedging effect and increase friction, but the anti-loosening threads 33 on the inner wall surface 31' of the head 31 also provide sufficient force to prevent loosening, thereby effectively preventing the anti-loosening nut 3 and the fastener 4 from loosening or separating due to vibration or other external impacts.

[0014] In summary, the anti-loosening nut of the present invention has a tooth peak formed by the intersection of the second upper tooth segment and the second lower tooth segment of at least one thread segment located in the tooth root region between any two adjacent anti-loosening threads, so that the aforementioned at least one thread segment is offset and offset, so as to generate an interference wedging effect between the thread segment and the fastening threads, and increase the friction force, thereby achieving a self-locking effect and effectively preventing the occurrence of unscrewing, loosening or separation.

[0015] However, the above description is only for illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the specification of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional nut. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the conventional nut in use. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in the first preferred embodiment. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the first preferred embodiment. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the first preferred embodiment. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment in use. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the second preferred embodiment in use. Figure 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of the components in Figure 14.

Claims

1. A lock nut for engaging with a fastener having a plurality of locking threads, the lock nut comprising a head, a receiving space formed within the head, a plurality of locking threads spirally arranged on the inner wall of the head and located within the receiving space, and an opening formed at the bottom of the head for the fastener to enter, wherein, A root region is defined between any two adjacent anti-loosening threads. Each anti-loosening thread has a plurality of thread segments. Each thread segment has an upper thread surface and a lower thread surface extending outward from the inner wall of the head, respectively, and a thread peak formed at the junction of the upper thread surface and the lower thread surface. The upper thread surface defines an upper thread reference line, and the lower thread surface defines a lower thread reference line. The intersection of the upper thread reference line and the lower thread reference line encloses a thread region. The characteristic feature is that: The outer periphery of the head is provided with a flange portion, which has a connecting surface that connects to the inner wall surface of the head and a abutting surface that connects to the connecting surface. The abutting surface is inclined to the horizontal line. The upper tooth surface of at least one threaded segment has a first upper tooth segment extending along the upper tooth reference line and a second upper tooth segment connected to the first upper tooth segment. The lower tooth surface of the at least one threaded segment has a first lower tooth segment extending along the lower tooth reference line and a second lower tooth segment connected to the first lower tooth segment. The tooth peak is formed at the junction of the second upper tooth segment and the second lower tooth segment and is located in the tooth root area, so that the at least one threaded segment is misaligned and offset to properly press the fastening threads through the threaded segment and generate an interference wedging effect, thereby preventing the anti-loosening nut from being turned off, loosened or separated from the fastener.

2. The anti-loosening nut according to claim 1, wherein, The tooth base region is located between the upper tooth reference line of one spiral segment and the lower tooth reference line of the other spiral segment.

3. The lock nut according to claim 1, wherein, The base region is located between the lower tooth reference line of one spiral segment and the upper tooth reference line of the other spiral segment.

4. The anti-loosening nut according to claim 1, wherein, The peaks of at least two thread segments are located in the root region of the thread, and the aforementioned at least two thread segments are located on the same anti-loosening thread.

5. The lock nut according to claim 1, wherein, The peaks of at least two thread segments are located in the root region of the thread, and the aforementioned at least two thread segments are located on different anti-loosening threads.

6. The lock nut according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, These threaded segments are arranged symmetrically to each other.

7. The lock nut according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein, These threaded segments are arranged adjacent to each other.

8. The lock nut according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting mask has a first connecting section that connects to the inner wall of the head, and a second connecting section that connects to the top surface.

9. The lock nut according to claim 1, wherein, The flange portion has anti-loosening threads on its connecting surface.

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