Self-locking fastener assembly and method of making same

Abstract

A fastener assembly includes a threaded fastener having a head and an at least partially threaded shaft extending from the head, an annular washer encircling the shaft adjacent to the head and a gel patch adhered to the shaft next to the washer, the gel patch extending from the shaft far enough to overlap the washer. A method of making the assembly is also described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to fasteners. It relates especially to a self-locking fastener assembly especially adapted to secure together components of play structures, furniture and the like, as well as to a method of making the assembly. [0003] 2. Background Information [0004] Structures such as wood and metal play gyms, climbing towers, forts, table and chair sets, etc. are often composed of several wood or metal members secured together by bolts and / or other threaded fasteners. Often these structures are sold in a knock-down condition for assembly by the ultimate purchaser. However, the threaded fasteners used in these structures have a serious drawback in that they can become loosened unintentionally after the structure has been assembled and in use if the fasteners were not installed correctly in the first place. For example, a bolt may back off from its nut due to movement of the structure over time if a washer is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a self-locking fastener assembly which may be color-coded for ease of sorting.

[0017] The present fastener assembly thus assures that every play or furniture structure is safe from customer error by insuring that the very important washers are installed in every unit. The assembly also reduces the chances of washers being lost from the hardware bags that accompany the product thus reducing the number of customer service calls concerning missing hardware and attendant UPS charges to ship replacement parts.

Problems solved by technology

However, the threaded fasteners used in these structures have a serious drawback in that they can become loosened unintentionally after the structure has been assembled and in use if the fasteners were not installed correctly in the first place.

The consequences of this are usually inconvenient, costly and may present serious legal implications for product warrantees.

Each structure is designed to have those components present and without them, or when those components are installed incorrectly, the structure can loosen and become a safety hazard.

The short-term effect of this is possible injury to the user and the long-term effect is that the designed life of the structure may be jeopardized.

However, these are disadvantaged because they require a heavy stamping machine to create the raised upsets and oversized holes in the workpiece to accommodate those raised upsets.

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