Nut connection mechanism

Abstract

Connection mechanisms and methods of use utilizing the nut restraint are provided, particularly when the nut restraint is utilized in high strength bolted connections for steel structures. The nut restraint may have a base plate and a cap that accepts insertion of a nut, and may also have a deformable or removable protrusion that allows the nut and / or cap to move laterally to accept a bolt inserted non-concentrically with the nut. Methods of positioning the nut restraint concentric with a bolt hole to within the radial tolerance of the bolt hole are further disclosed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Citation of Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,283, filed April 11, 2020, which is incorporated by reference and incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] The disclosed technology relates generally to mechanisms and / or methods for holding a nut against a substrate to prevent it from backing out, and more particularly to mechanisms and / or methods for holding a nut against a portion of a substrate to prevent it from backing out while allowing limited lateral movement of the nut.

[0003] Additionally, the disclosed technology generally relates to mechanisms and / or methods for limiting rotational movement of a nut relative to a substrate. In particular, the disclosed technology generally relates to mechanisms and / or methods for limiting rotational movement of a nut relative to a substrate while allowing limited lateral movement of the nut. [Background technology]

[0004] In fields such as construction, it is often necessary to connect two or more pieces of material together using bolts and nuts. However, when the pieces of material are only accessible from one side, traditional methods of bolting cannot be used. Existing methods and products for making one-sided connections are more expensive and labor-intensive than making bolted connections. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a mechanism that allows for pre-positioning and pre-attachment of the nut, while still allowing the nut some lateral movement to maintain assembly tolerances, so that the bolt can be threaded into the nut even when only one-sided access is available if the bolt is not initially aligned with the nut. This and other problems are solved by the embodiments of the disclosed technology described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect is a nut restraint in which a nut is inserted into the nut restraint, and then the nut restraint is attached to a substrate plate having two surfaces with the nut restraint positioned over and covering a bolt hole with a radial tolerance, and then a bolt having a shank and a tip is attached from a surface of the substrate plate opposite to the surface on which the nut restraint is attached, the nut restraint having one or more portions of material formed to define a cavity, the portion including a top flat surface disposed away from the substrate plate, and an open end, the cavity being configured to receive the insertion of the nut with the portion of the one or more portions of material formed to define the cavity shaped to rotationally restrain the nut, and including at least one location providing the nut with a degree of freedom of movement in any lateral direction equal to at least twice the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the nut restraint being removable or the nut restraint includes one or more nut centering elements having one or more portions of a deformable material, the one or more portions extending into the cavity, the one or more portions configured to hold the nut in a position providing the nut with freedom of movement in any lateral direction equal to at least twice the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the one or more portions being removable or deformable such that they no longer extend into the cavity following attachment of the nut restraint to the substrate plate, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accept a bolt even if the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut, the nut restraint being configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate plate, and no portion of the nut restraint preventing direct contact between the nut and the substrate plate or between the shank of the bolt and either the substrate plate or one or more fastening plates.

[0007] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: A method for positioning a nut restraint concentrically with a bolt hole in a substrate plate to within a radial tolerance of the bolt hole is provided, the method including the steps of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, positioning an open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate to prevent removal of the nut, inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from a face of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and mating the bolt with a nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate, attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt from the nut and removing the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate. The nut restraint is configured such that the nut is visible from outside the nut restraint after installation in the substrate plate. The cavity defines a substantially equiangular hexagon. The nut centering element is sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the nut when the nut is subjected to any lateral force having a magnitude no greater than that acting on the nut due to gravity, yet is sufficiently flexible to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally within the nut restraint to accommodate a bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut. In addition to accommodating insertion of the nut, the cavity is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with any lateral freedom of movement at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing escape of the washer after attachment to the substrate plate.The nut restraint has one or more washer centering elements, the washer centering elements having one or more portions of a deformable material that extend into the cavity of the nut restraint and hold the washer substantially concentrically with the nut restraint, the washer centering elements being sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the washer when any lateral force acts on the washer of an magnitude not exceeding the force acting on the washer due to gravity, yet being sufficiently flexible to deform when the washer is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the washer, thereby allowing the washer to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the washer. The nut centering elements are made of one or more of foam, cork, rubber, plastic, and felt, and the remainder of the nut restraint is made of metal. The nut centering elements are positioned side by side and continuous with the remainder of the nut restraint, and the nut centering elements have deformability due to the shape and proportions of the nut centering elements. The nut centering element is attached to the remainder of the nut restraint with an adhesive. Attachment of the nut restraint to the substrate plate is achieved by welding. The nut centering element is attached to the remainder of the nut restraint by snapping one or more pieces of material comprising the nut centering element into place. The top flat has a hole that allows the tip of a bolt to pass through the top flat after passing through the nut, the hole mates with the one or more pieces of material comprising the nut centering element and is shaped to limit attachment of the one or more pieces of material comprising the nut centering element from a position where the nut centering element holds the nut to a position where the nut has freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole. The top flat has a hole that allows the tip of a bolt to pass through the top flat after passing through the nut. The nut restraint has one or more of a recess, a protrusion, and a hole that indicate one or more preferred locations for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

[0008] In one aspect, there is provided a nut restraint including a step of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, and then attaching the nut restraint to a substrate plate having two surfaces with the nut restraint positioned over and covering a bolt hole having a radial tolerance, and then attaching a bolt having a shank and a tip from a surface of the substrate plate opposite the surface on which the nut restraint is attached, the nut restraint having one or more rigid outer portions and a movable central portion, the movable central portion shaped to define a cavity, the movable central portion having a top planar surface disposed away from the substrate plate and an open end, the cavity configured to receive insertion of the nut, and material of the movable central portion defining the cavity shaped to rotationally restrain the nut, the one or more rigid outer portions comprising a plurality of portions of the nut restraint attached to the substrate plate, the one or more rigid outer portions configured such that the movable central portion has a degree of freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, and the one or more rigid outer portions and the movable central portion being spaced apart from one or more rigid outer portions. the nut and the movable central portion are connected to each other by flexible connectors, the one or more flexible connectors being sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the nut when one or more of the nut and the movable central portion are subjected to any lateral force having a magnitude not exceeding the magnitude of the force acting on each element due to gravity and being sufficiently rigid to rotationally restrain the movable central portion when a torque is applied to the movable central portion due to the act of tightening the bolt with the nut, yet being sufficiently flexible to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accept a bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; the nut restraint being configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate plate, and no part of the nut restraint preventing direct contact between the nut and the substrate plate or between the shank of the bolt and either the substrate plate or one or more fastening plates.

[0009] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: the one or more rigid outer portions have one or more of a recess, a protrusion, and a hole that indicate one or more preferred locations for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate; the top flat has a hole that allows the tip of a bolt to pass through the top flat after passing through the nut; attachment of the nut restraint to the substrate plate is by welding; the cavity defines a substantially regular hexagon; in addition to accommodating insertion of a nut, the cavity is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with any degree of lateral freedom of movement at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing escape of the washer after attachment to the substrate plate. A method is provided for positioning a nut restraint concentrically with a bolt hole in a substrate plate to within a radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the method including the steps of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, positioning the open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate thereby preventing removal of the nut, inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from the side of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and mating the bolt with a nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate, attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt from the nut and removing the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate.

[0010] In one aspect, a nut restraint is provided, in which a nut is inserted into the nut restraint, and then the nut restraint is attached to a substrate plate having two faces in a state where the nut restraint is positioned over and covers a bolt hole having a radial tolerance, and then a bolt having a shank and a tip is attached from the face of the substrate plate opposite to the face on which the nut restraint is attached, and the nut restraint has one or more rigid outer portions and a movable central portion, the movable central portion is shaped to define a cavity, and the movable central portion is adapted to be attached to the substrate. The cavity has a top planar surface disposed away from the plate and an open end, the cavity configured to receive insertion of a nut, and material of the movable central portion defining the cavity is shaped to rotationally restrain the nut, the movable central portion further having one or more radial protrusions extending away from the cavity, the one or more rigid outer portions including a plurality of portions of a nut restraint attached to the substrate plate, the one or more rigid outer portions each having one or more deformable protrusions with a tip, the deformable protrusions being configured such that the tip of the deformable protrusion is in contact with the movable central portion prior to insertion of the bolt. the rigid outer portion contacts the nut and is configured to hold the movable central portion in a position where the movable central portion has a degree of freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least twice the radial tolerance of the bolt hole; the deformable projections are further sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the movable central portion when one or more of the nut and the movable central portion are subjected to a lateral force having a magnitude not exceeding the magnitude of the force acting on each element due to gravity, yet are sufficiently flexible to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; the rigid outer portion further has one or more raised elements that do not contact the substrate plate, the space between the raised elements and the substrate plate comprising one or more recesses, the recesses and the radial projections of the movable central portion are configured such that the radial projections fit within the recesses and the movable central portion is rotationally constrained in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top plane toward the open end;and wherein the movable central portion is configured to be prevented from moving away from the face of the substrate plate, the nut restraint is configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate plate, and no portion of the nut restraint prevents direct contact between the nut and the substrate plate or between the shank of the bolt and either the substrate plate or one or more fastening plates.

[0011] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: In addition to accommodating insertion of a nut, the cavity is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with freedom of lateral movement in any direction at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing backout of the washer after installation in the substrate plate; a method for precisely positioning a nut restraint concentrically with a bolt hole in a substrate plate to within the radial tolerance of the bolt hole is provided, the method including the steps of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, positioning an open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate to thereby prevent removal of the nut, inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from a face of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and mating the bolt with a nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate, attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt from the nut and removing the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate; and a method for positioning a nut restraint concentrically with a bolt hole in a substrate plate to within the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the method including the steps of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, positioning an open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate to thereby prevent removal of the nut, inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from a face of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and mating the bolt with a nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate, attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt from the nut and removing the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate. The nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate by welding. The top flat surface has a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut. The raised element and the deformable protrusion are separate pieces of material. The raised element and the deformable protrusion are made of the same piece of material. The one or more rigid outer portions are made substantially of metal, and the movable inner portion is made substantially of plastic. The one or more rigid outer portions have one or more of a recess, a protrusion, and a hole that indicate one or more preferred locations for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

[0012] One aspect includes a nut restraint having a base plate with an inlet, a cap disposed within the inlet of the base plate, and one or more connectors attached to at least one of the base plate and the cap, at least one of the connectors configured to be movable laterally, and at least one of the connectors configured to restrain rotation of the cap about a vertical axis relative to the base plate.

[0013] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: the connector is configured to be laterally deformably movable; the cap has an inlet through the top of the cap; the cap's inner contour is shaped to rotationally restrain the nut relative to the cap; the base plate is configured and arranged to abut against and be attachable to the substrate plate, the inlet extending through the substrate plate, and at least one of the connectors is configured to hold the cap against the substrate plate; the cap's inner contour is shaped to receive a circular washer within the cap, the circular washer separating the nut and the substrate plate; the base plate, cap, and connector are configured as a unitary structure, the connector having a deformable flange that is parallel to and adjacent to the substrate plate; the deformable flange is configured to be attached to a lower end of the base plate adjacent to the substrate plate, the deformable flange having a region extending vertically away from the base plate. Lateral movement of the cap causes simultaneous deformation of all of the deformable flanges. The cap is insertable into the base plate inlet. Lateral movement of the cap causes lateral movement of at least one of the connectors. The cap is configured to be insertable into the base plate inlet from either side of the base plate. The top of the cap is a separate piece of material from the side walls of the cap, and the top is attachable to the side walls.

[0014] One aspect includes a method of implementing a nut restraint, comprising the steps of: providing a nut restraint having a base plate with an inlet provided in the nut restraint; providing a cap provided within the inlet of the base plate; providing one or more connectors attached to at least one of the base plate and the cap; configuring at least one of the connectors to be movable laterally; and configuring at least one of the connectors to restrain rotation of the cap about a vertical axis relative to the base plate.

[0015] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The method for mounting the nut constraint may further include passing a bolt through an opening in the substrate plate, tightening the bolt with a nut, fitting the nut constraint to the nut, attaching the nut constraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt. The method for mounting the nut constraint may further include configuring the nut constraint to allow the bolt to pass through an opening in the substrate plate, configuring the nut constraint to allow the bolt to be tightened with the nut, configuring the nut constraint to be fitted to the nut, configuring the nut constraint to attach the nut constraint to the substrate plate, and configuring the nut constraint to allow the bolt to be removed. The connector is configured to be laterally deformable and movable. The cap includes an opening through a top of the cap. The top of the cap is a separate piece of material from a sidewall of the cap, the top being attachable to the sidewall. The inner contour of the cap is shaped to rotationally constrain the nut relative to the cap. The base plate is constructed and arranged to abut against and be attachable to the substrate plate, with an inlet extending through the substrate plate, and at least one of the connectors is configured to hold the cap against the substrate plate. The inner contour of the cap is shaped to receive a circular washer therein, the circular washer separating the nut and the substrate plate. The base plate, cap, and connector are configured as a one-piece structure, and the connector has a deformable flange. The deformable flange is parallel to and adjacent to the substrate plate. The deformable flange is attached to a lower end of the base plate adjacent to the substrate plate, and the deformable flange has a region extending perpendicularly away from the base plate. Movement of the cap in a lateral direction causes simultaneous deformation of all of the deformable flanges. The cap is insertable into the inlet of the base plate. Movement of the cap in a lateral direction causes movement of at least one of the connectors in a lateral direction.The cap is configured to be insertable into the base plate inlet from either side of the base plate.

[0016] One aspect is a nut capture configured to receive a nut and be attached to a substrate plate, the nut capture having one or more rigid outer portions and a movable central portion, the movable central portion shaped to define a cavity, the movable central portion having a top planar surface disposed away from the substrate plate and an open end, the cavity configured to receive insertion of the nut, material of the movable central portion defining the cavity being shaped to rotationally restrain the nut, the movable central portion further having one or more radial protrusions extending away from the cavity, the one or more rigid outer portions comprising a plurality of portions of the nut capture attached to the substrate plate, the one or more rigid outer portions each having one or more deformable protrusions with a tip, the deformable protrusions being configured such that the tip of the deformable protrusion moves toward the movable central portion prior to insertion of the bolt. the rigid outer portion further has one or more raised elements that do not contact the substrate plate, the space between the raised elements and the substrate plate comprising one or more recesses, and the radial protrusions of the movable central portion are configured to maintain contact with the substrate plate and hold the movable central portion in a position where the movable central portion has freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least twice the radial tolerance of the bolt hole; the deformable protrusions are further flexible enough to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accept the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; the rigid outer portion further has one or more raised elements that do not contact the substrate plate, the space between the raised elements and the substrate plate comprising one or more recesses, and the recesses and the radial protrusions of the movable central portion are configured such that the radial protrusions fit within the recesses and the movable central portion is rotationally constrained.

[0017] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: In addition to accommodating insertion of a nut, the cavity is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with any degree of lateral freedom of movement at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing escape of the washer after attachment to the substrate plate; the cavity defines a substantially regular hexagon; attachment of the nut restraint to the substrate plate is by welding; the top flat surface has a hole that allows the tip of a bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut; the raised element and the deformable protrusion are separate pieces of material; the raised element and the deformable protrusion are comprised of the same piece of material; the one or more rigid outer portions are made substantially of metal and the movable inner portion is made substantially of plastic; and the one or more rigid outer portions have one or more of an indentation, a protrusion, and a hole that indicate one or more preferred locations for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

[0018] One aspect includes a nut capture configured to receive a nut and be attached to a substrate, the nut capture having a structure with a cavity, a top planar surface, and an open end, the cavity configured to receive insertion of the nut, the cavity further configured and shaped to rotationally restrain the nut, the cavity further configured to include at least one location where the nut has a degree of freedom of any lateral movement equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the nut capture having a nut centering element including at least one portion of deformable material extending into the cavity, the at least one portion of deformable material configured to hold the nut at a location where it has a degree of freedom of any lateral movement equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, and the nut capture configured to prevent back-out of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate.

[0019] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: the nut restraint is configured to allow the nut to be visible from outside the nut restraint after installation on the substrate plate; the cavity defines a substantially equiangular hexagon; the nut centering element is configured to be flexible enough to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally within the nut restraint to accommodate a bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; and the cavity, in addition to accommodating insertion of the nut, is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with any degree of lateral freedom of movement at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing backout of the washer after installation on the substrate plate. The nut restraint further includes at least one washer centering element, the at least one washer centering element further including at least a portion of a deformable material configured to extend into the cavity of the nut restraint and hold the washer substantially concentrically with the nut restraint, the at least one washer centering element configured to be sufficiently flexible to deform when the washer is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the washer, thereby allowing the washer to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the washer. The nut centering element is made of one or more of foam, cork, rubber, plastic, and felt, and the remainder of the nut restraint is made of metal. The nut centering element is attached to the remainder of the nut restraint with an adhesive. The structure is configured to be attachable to a substrate plate. The structure is configured to be attachable to a substrate plate by welding. The nut centering element is configured to be attached to the structure by a snap-fit ​​mechanism configured to snap at least one portion of the material comprising the nut centering element into place.The top flat surface is configured with a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut, the hole being configured and shaped to couple with one or more pieces of material including the nut centering element and to limit attachment of the one or more pieces of material including the nut centering element from a position where the nut centering element retains the nut to a position where the nut has freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole. The top flat surface is configured with a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut. The nut restraint has at least one of a recess configured to indicate a preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, a protrusion configured to indicate at least one preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and a hole configured to indicate at least one preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

[0020] One aspect includes a method of implementing a nut restraint, including the steps of configuring a nut restraint such that the nut restraint has a structure including a cavity, a top planar surface, and an open end, including the steps of configuring the cavity to accept insertion of a nut, and configuring the cavity to rotationally restrain the nut, the cavity further configured to include at least one location where the nut has a degree of freedom of lateral movement equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the nut restraint implementation method further includes the step of configuring the nut restraint such that the nut restraint has a nut centering element comprising at least one piece of deformable material extending into the cavity, the at least one piece of deformable material configured to hold the nut at a location where the nut has a degree of freedom of lateral movement equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, and the nut restraint is configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to a substrate.

[0021] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features: The nut restraint implementation method further includes configuring the nut restraint such that the nut is visible from the exterior of the nut restraint following attachment to the substrate plate; the cavity substantially defines an equiangular hexagon; The nut restraint implementation method further includes configuring the nut centering element to be sufficiently flexible to deform when a lateral force is exerted on the nut due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally within the nut restraint to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; The nut restraint implementation method further includes configuring the cavity to accommodate insertion of a washer in addition to accommodating insertion of the nut and to provide the washer with any degree of lateral movement at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole and to prevent escape of the washer after attachment to the substrate plate. The nut restraint mounting method further includes providing at least one washer centering element, the at least one washer centering element further having at least a portion of a deformable material configured to extend into a cavity of the nut restraint and hold the washer substantially concentrically with the nut restraint, the at least one washer centering element configured to be sufficiently flexible to deform when the washer is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the washer, thereby allowing the washer to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the washer. The nut centering element is made of one or more of foam, cork, rubber, plastic, and felt, and the remainder of the nut restraint is made of metal. The nut restraint mounting method further includes attaching the nut centering element to the nut restraint with an adhesive. The nut restraint mounting method further includes attaching the structure to a substrate plate. The nut restraint mounting method further includes attaching the structure to the substrate plate by welding. The nut centering element is configured to be attached to the structure by a snap-fit ​​mechanism configured to snap at least one portion of material comprising the nut centering element into place.The top flat surface is configured with a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut, the hole being configured and shaped to couple with one or more pieces of material including the nut centering element and to limit attachment of the one or more pieces of material including the nut centering element from a position where the nut centering element retains the nut to a position where the nut has freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least two times the radial tolerance of the bolt hole. The top flat surface is configured with a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top flat surface after passing through the nut. The nut restraint has at least one of a recess configured to indicate a preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, a protrusion configured to indicate at least one preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and a hole configured to indicate at least one preferred location for attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate. The nut restraint mounting method further includes the steps of inserting a nut into the nut restraint, positioning the open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate, thereby preventing removal of the nut, inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from the side of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and mating the bolt with the nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate, attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate, and removing the bolt from the nut and removing the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate.The nut restraint implementation method further includes the steps of configuring the nut restraint to receive a nut; configuring the nut restraint to position an open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate plate, thereby preventing removal of the nut; configuring the nut restraint to insert a bolt into the bolt hole from the side of the substrate plate opposite the nut restraint and couple the bolt with a nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate plate; configuring the nut restraint to be attachable to the substrate plate; and configuring the nut restraint to remove the bolt from the nut and remove the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate.

[0022] The coupling mechanism of embodiments of the disclosed technology can include a nut, a bolt, and a cap that are rotationally and removably attachable to one another. Each of the nut and bolt can have a higher resilience than the cap, allowing the cap to be inserted into a base plate. The base plate can be configured to be welded to a substrate surface.

[0023] "Horizontal" is defined as "a plane orientation parallel to the top and / or bottom planes of the base plate" and / or "an orientation substantially perpendicular to the vertical orientation." "Vertical" is defined as "a plane orientation in which the bolt is at its longest when threaded into a nut on the opposite side of the base plate" and / or "an orientation substantially perpendicular to the horizontal orientation." "Resilience" is defined as "the ability to return to its original shape after deformation."

[0024] The cap may be sized to hold the nut in place relative to the plate while allowing lateral movement of the nut relative to the plate.

[0025] In some embodiments, the cap can further surround a washer, which separates the substrate plate and the nut. In various embodiments, the base plate and the cap can each have a respective plurality of interlocking teeth. The cap, in another embodiment, can be twistable, thereby locking its respective plurality of teeth with the respective plurality of teeth of the base plate.

[0026] In some embodiments, the base plate may have an interlocking mechanism that is removably coupleable to a second base plate.

[0027] In some embodiments, the nut may be further secured to the substrate plate by a bolt, and the inlet in the substrate plate may be positioned laterally away from the center of the base plate, so that the bolt is angled relative to the base plate.

[0028] At least one of the cap and the base plate, in various embodiments, can have at least one deformable protrusion that, in embodiments, deforms when a bolt is inserted through the base plate and into the nut. In other embodiments, the base plate can have at least one deformable protrusion that can be sized to fit around a plurality of radial flanges extending from the cap. "Deformable" is defined as "capable of changing its shape without breaking when pushed by forces representative of the lateral movement of an alignment operation that displaces the nut when a bolt is inserted."

[0029] In another embodiment, the base plate can be operably attached to the cap. The plate, in this embodiment, can have a rigid outer portion connected to the cap by a plurality of flexible connectors extending between the plate and the cap. In other embodiments, the cap can also be the base plate, and the cap can further have deformable protrusions. The phrase "operably attached" is defined as "two items or pieces attached to each other in such a way that each item or piece works in conjunction with the other item or piece to perform a specified function and / or a specified limited range of motion relative to each other."

[0030] In another embodiment, the cap may have an upper retainer or holder. The upper retainer may have a central structure with a plurality of branches extending from the central structure. A plurality of flanges may extend below the central structure from corresponding ones of the plurality of branches. The cap may further have a plurality of deformable protrusions. Each of a plurality of holes in the cap may be sized to hold a corresponding one of the plurality of flanges. The deformable protrusions, in various embodiments, are removably attachable to the cap.

[0031] In other embodiments, the cap can have an upper retainer or holder with a central structure with multiple prongs extending from the central structure. The upper holder can have multiple flanges extending downward from corresponding ones of the prongs or from corresponding sides of the central structure. Additionally, the cap can have holes with edges sized to hold the flanges stationary by friction. The flanges extending downward from corresponding ones of the prongs can be held between the sides of the cap and the sides of the nut. The multiple flanges, in embodiments, can be removably attachable to the upper holder.

[0032] "By friction" is defined as "relating to the force that resists the relative motion of solid surfaces and / or fluid layers and / or material elements sliding against each other." "Removably attachable" is defined as "capable of being attached or detached without damaging (changing the integrity of the physical structure) the item to which the referenced element is attached or detached."

[0033] Any apparatus and method steps described in this disclosure may include or consist of apparatus or method steps of which it may be a constituent part or part. The term "and / or" includes the items with which it linguistically connects and each item itself. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a nut restraint device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a. [Figure 1c] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a nut restraining device according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology, viewed from below. [Figure 2a] 1b is a plan view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a, showing the state in which the nut is inserted. FIG. [Figure 2b] FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a, showing the washer inserted; [Figure 2c] FIG. 1b is another cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a. [Figure 2d] 1b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a, showing the nut inserted therein; FIG. [Figure 2e] FIG. 1b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a. [Figure 2f] 1b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a, showing the state in which a nut and a washer are inserted. FIG. [Figure 3a]1b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted when the nut restraint is attached to a substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 3b] 1b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 4a] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut capture device and a removable cover attached thereto according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology; [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a. [Figure 4c] 4b is a top perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 4a without the removable cover. FIG. [Figure 4d] 4b is a perspective view from below of the removable cover of FIG. 4a. FIG. [Figure 5a] FIG. 4b is a plan view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a. [Figure 5b] FIG. 4b is a top view of the nut capture device of FIG. 4a with the removable cover present and the nut inserted. [Figure 5c] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 4a, showing the washer inserted. [Figure 5d] 4b is another cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 4a, showing the nut inserted. FIG. [Figure 5e] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a, showing the nut and washer inserted. [Figure 6a] 4b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate. FIG. [Figure 6b]4b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 7a] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut capture device and removable cover of another embodiment of the disclosed technology; [Figure 7b] 7b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a. FIG. [Figure 7c] 7b is a top perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 7a without the removable cover. FIG. [Figure 7d] 7b is a perspective view from below of the removable cover of FIG. 7a. FIG. [Figure 8a] FIG. 7b is a plan view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a. [Figure 8b] FIG. 7b is a top view of the nut restraint of FIG. 7a, showing the nut inserted without the removable cover. [Figure 8c] 7b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 7a, showing the washer inserted. FIG. [Figure 8d] 7b is another cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 7a, showing the nut inserted. FIG. [Figure 8e] FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a, showing the nut and washer inserted. [Figure 9a] 7b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate. FIG. [Figure 9b] 7b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a showing the nut and washer inserted during bolt insertion. FIG. [Figure 9c] 7b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate. FIG. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut restraining device according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a. [Figure 11a] FIG. 10b is a plan view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a. [Figure 11b] FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a showing the washer inserted. [Figure 11c] 10b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a, showing the nut inserted. FIG. [Figure 11d] 10b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a, showing the state in which the nut and washer have been inserted. FIG. [Figure 11e] 10b is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a, showing the state in which the nut and washer have been inserted. FIG. [Figure 12a] 10b is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted when the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 12b] 10b is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 12c] 10b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a, showing the nut and bolt inserted therein; FIG. [Figure 13a] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut restraint having a one-piece cap and base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 13b] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut restraint having a one-piece cap and base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 14a] 13b is a plan view of the nut restraint of FIG. 13a, showing the state in which the nut has been inserted. FIG. [Figure 14b] FIG. 13b is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 13a showing the washer inserted. [Figure 14c] FIG. 13b is another cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 13a, showing the nut inserted. [Figure 14d] 13b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint device of FIG. 13a, showing the state in which the nut and washer are inserted. FIG. [Figure 15a] 13b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 13a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted when the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 15b] 13b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 13a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 16a] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a nut capture device having a cap and a base plate. [Figure 16b] FIG. 16b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a. [Figure 16c] FIG. 16b is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 16a seen from above. [Figure 16d] FIG. 16b is a top perspective view of the base plate of FIG. 16a. [Figure 17a] 16b is a top view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a, showing the nut and washer inserted. FIG. [Figure 17b] 16b is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a, showing the nut inserted. FIG. [Figure 17c] 16b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a, showing the nut and washer inserted. FIG. [Figure 18a] 16b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a, showing the nut, washer, and bolt inserted when the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 18b] 16b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 16a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate bonded to the substrate plate; FIG. [Figure 19a]FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of two joined nut restraints having two caps and a common base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 19b] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut capture device having a cap and a base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology; [Figure 19c] FIG. 19c is a top perspective view of the base plate of FIG. 19b. [Figure 19d] FIG. 19c is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 19b seen from above. [Figure 20a] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a nut capture device having an attachable top, a cap body, and a base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. [Figure 20b] FIG. 20b is a perspective view of the cap body of FIG. 20a seen from above. [Figure 20c] FIG. 20b is a perspective view of the base plate of FIG. 20a from above. [Figure 20d] FIG. 20b is a top perspective view of the attachable top of the nut restraint of FIG. 20a. [Figure 20e] 20b is a side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 20a, showing the nut inserted therein; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present disclosure relates to a mechanism for locking a nut in place so that a bolt can be later threaded into the nut. Additionally, the nut may be secured such that it can be moved in the lateral plane to correct misalignment with respect to its placement, misalignment between holes in the substrate plate and fastening plate, and / or the like.

[0036] 1a is a top perspective view of a nut capture device according to an embodiment of the disclosed technology. For purposes of this disclosure, "top" and "bottom" are opposite sides, with "top" generally located at the edge of the convex side of the nut capture and "bottom" generally located at the opposite edge of the concave side of the nut capture. "Bottom" may also be described as being at the substrate plate, with "top" being the side of the nut capture located away from the substrate plate.

[0037] In particular, FIG. 1 a illustrates a nut restraint 101 having a top layer 102 through which a hole 100 may be provided. In particular, the hole 100 may be defined by a surface provided within the nut restraint 101. The hole 100 may be sized, configured, arranged, provided, etc., to allow the insertion of the tip of the narrowest portion of a bolt, such as a centering bolt 125, a fastening bolt 126, and / or the like. For example, the centering bolt 125, the fastening bolt 126, and / or the like may be inserted into the nut restraint 101 from below and may extend beyond the top of a nut 120 inserted into the nut restraint and / or may extend beyond the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 (see FIGS. 3 a and 3 b). The nut restraint 101 illustrated in this embodiment may have sharp corners and sharp edges. In particular, nut capture 101 may have a plurality of flat outer surfaces between the bottom of nut capture 101 and the top of nut capture 101. In various other embodiments, corners and / or edges of nut capture 101 may be filleted, smoothed, softened, and / or otherwise treated. Nut capture 101 may have any outer shape.

[0038] FIG. 1b is a bottom perspective view of the nut capture of FIG. 1a. As shown in FIG. 1b, the nut capture 101 may have an inner sidewall with at least an upper portion and a lower portion. The nut capture 101 may have an upper inner sidewall 103 that may be configured to retain and rotationally restrain the nut 120 (as shown in FIG. 2d). In particular, the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101 may prevent the nut 120 from turning beyond a certain limit. The nut capture 101 may have a lower inner sidewall 104 that may be configured to retain a washer 121 (as shown in FIG. 2b).

[0039] Additionally, nut restraint 101 may be configured to be fixedly attached to a surface, sometimes commonly referred to as a mounting portion, such as a surface of a substrate as described herein. Specifically, a bottom surface of nut restraint 101 may be configured to be fixedly attached to a surface, such as a substrate as described herein. In particular, nut restraint 101 may be configured to be welded to a substrate, adhesively attached to a substrate, attached to a substrate with mechanical fasteners, attached to a substrate with other attachment mechanisms, attached to a substrate with other attachment processes, attached to a substrate with other attachment configurations, and / or otherwise attached.

[0040] A deformable element 105 may be attached to one or more of the upper inner sidewalls 103. In certain aspects, the deformable element 105 may be a protrusion or configured as a flange extending from a surface or shape and / or other discernible and / or flat section of the nut restraint 101. The deformable element 105 may be configured to hold the nut 120 substantially concentrically within the nut restraint 101. If the fastener bolt 126 is non-concentrically inserted into the bolt hole 127 and the substrate hole 123 ( FIG. 3 b), the configuration of the nut restraint 101 and / or the deformable element 105 may enable the fastener bolt 126 to slightly shift the nut 120 laterally to correct the misalignment. In this regard, “slightly” may be defined as up to at least two times the difference between the radius of the fastener bolt 126 and the radius of the substrate hole 123.

[0041] In various embodiments, the deformable elements 105 can be attached to all, some, or one of the upper inner sidewall 103. The deformable elements 105 can be shaped, configured, and / or configured as a prism, a cylinder, and / or any other form of three-dimensional shape. A single configuration of the upper inner sidewall 103 can be provided with one or more of the deformable elements 105. At least one of the deformable elements 105 can be removable and / or reattachable, and such deformable element can be attached by adhesive, by mechanical attachment, by frictional attachment, and / or otherwise. In other aspects, the deformable elements 105 can be integrally formed with the nut restraint 101, the lower inner sidewall 104, the upper inner sidewall 103, and / or otherwise.

[0042] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 1a and 1b above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 1a and 1b above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0043] 1c is a bottom perspective view of a nut capture according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. As shown in this example, the nut capture 101 may include a plurality of holes 107 in the upper inner sidewall 103 and / or the lower inner sidewall 104 of the nut capture 101. In various embodiments, the holes 107 may be provided only in the upper inner sidewall 103 and / or only in the lower inner sidewall 104. The holes 107 may be defined by a surface of the nut capture 101. In various embodiments, the holes 107 may enable inexpensive manufacturing, rapid manufacturing, and / or the like of the nut capture 101 and / or allow for visual confirmation of whether the nut 120 and / or washer 121 are inserted into the nut capture 101.

[0044] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figure 1c above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figure 1c above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2a is a plan view of the nut capture of FIG. 1a with a nut inserted. FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of FIG. 1a with a washer inserted. FIG. 2c is a cross-sectional view of the nut retainer of FIG. 1a. As shown, a central axis 130 of the nut capture 101 is indicated. As shown in these figures, the nut 120 and / or washer 121 can be concentrically aligned with the nut capture 101. As further shown in these figures, the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101 can be disposed about the cavity 133 of the nut capture 101 in a substantially equiangular hexagonal shape with sides of unequal length, such that the distance from the central axis 130 to the midpoint of a cross-section of the upper inner sidewall 103 may not be equal to the distance from the central axis 130 to the midpoint of an alternative cross-section of the upper inner sidewall 103. In this embodiment, the deformable element 105 may be attached to the upper inner sidewall 103, which is located further from the central axis. The nut 120 may, in embodiments, be provided with the deformable element 105 such that the deformable element 105 can move slightly laterally without having to compress to zero thickness.

[0046] 2d is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a with a nut inserted. As shown in this figure, some or all of the deformable elements 105 may be compressed by inserting the nut 120 into the nut restraint 101. Once held in place by the deformable elements 105, the nut 120 may be frictionally held substantially concentric with the nut restraint 101. In one aspect, the nut 120 may be frictionally held in place relative to the nut restraint 101 due to frictional forces and / or otherwise.

[0047] 2e is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a. FIG. 2f is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a with a nut and washer inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, when the nut 120 is inserted into the nut restraint 101 and frictionally held in place by the deformable element 105, the nut 120 may not be in contact with the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 and / or the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut restraint 101 without the deformable element 105 attached. In other embodiments, when the nut 120 is inserted into the nut restraint 101 and frictionally held in place by the deformable element 105, the nut 120 may be in full or partial contact with the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 and / or the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut restraint 101 without the deformable element 105 attached.

[0048] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 2a-2f above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 2a-2f above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0049] 3a is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a with a nut, washer, and bolt inserted, ready for attachment to the substrate plate. FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of FIG. 1a with a nut, washer, and bolt inserted and a fastening plate coupled to the substrate plate. As shown in these figures, the nut restraint 101 with the nut 120 and washer 121 can be attached to the substrate plate 122 substantially concentrically with a substrate hole 123 provided in the substrate plate by inserting a centering bolt 125 through the substrate hole 123 and into the nut 120 prior to coupling the nut restraint 101 to the substrate plate 122. Specifically, the substantially concentric arrangement is such that the lateral distance from the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101 to the central axis 131 of the substrate hole 123 does not exceed the difference between the radius of the substrate hole 123 and the radius of the centering bolt 125.

[0050] Once the nut restraint 101 is attached to the substrate plate 122, the fastening plate 124 may be coupled to the substrate plate 122 by passing a fastening bolt 126 through the bolt hole 127 and the substrate hole 123 and tightening with a nut 120. If the central axis 132 of the fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101, the nut 120 may be moved laterally, thereby compressing the deformable element 105 and allowing the fastening bolt 126 to pass through and exit the nut 120 and through the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. In this regard, the nut restraint 101 and / or the deformable element 105 may provide a self-centering feature.

[0051] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 3a and 3b above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 3a and 3b above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4a is a top perspective view of a nut capture and a removable cover attached thereto according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 4b is a bottom perspective view of the nut capture and removable cover of FIG. 4a. In particular, the nut capture 101 can have a removable cover 108 and a plurality of inner protrusions 109. The removable cover 108 is removably attachable to the nut capture 101 via the plurality of inner protrusions 109. At least a portion of the removable cover 108 can extend beyond the upper inner sidewall 103 and / or the lower inner sidewall 104 of the nut capture 101 when attached. In one aspect, the removable cover 108 can be embodied as a capture, a retention mechanism, and / or the like.

[0053] FIG. 4c is a top perspective view of the nut capture of FIG. 4a without the removable cover present. At least some of the sides of the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101 may be filleted, smoothed, and / or rounded so that the inner protrusion 109 of the removable cover 108 can be easily snapped into place. In this regard, the configuration of the inner protrusion 109 and / or the removable cover 108 may be adapted for a snap-fit ​​attachment method. In other embodiments, the removable cover 108 may be removably attachable to the nut capture 101 by some other mechanism, such as threads, teeth, adhesive, and / or the like. In other embodiments, one or more deformable protrusions may be attached to the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101.

[0054] FIG. 4d is a bottom perspective view of the removable cover of FIG. 4a. The removable cover 108 can have a plurality of spacing protrusions 106 that can be configured to hold the nut 120 concentrically with the nut capture 101 when the removable cover 108 is attached to the nut capture 101. In various embodiments, the spacing protrusions 106 can be removably attached to the removable cover 108. In one or more aspects, the spacing protrusions 106 can be non-deformable. In this respect, the term "non-deformable" can mean that the spacing protrusions 106 are not made of a material with a resilience level greater than the resilience level of the rest of the nut capture 101. In this embodiment, the removable cover 108 can have three implementations of spacing protrusions 106 and three implementations of inner protrusions 109 that hold the removable cover 108 in place relative to the nut capture 101. In other embodiments, the removable cover 108 may have a greater or lesser number of either the spacing protrusions 106 or the inner protrusions 109 .

[0055] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 4a-4d above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 4a-4d above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 5a shows a plan view of the nut capture and removable cover of FIG. 4a. FIG. 5b shows a plan view of the nut capture of FIG. 4a without the removable cover and with a nut inserted. As shown in these figures, when attached to the nut capture 101, the spacing protrusions 106 of the removable cover 108 can be in contact with portions of the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101, and the inner protrusions 109 can be in contact with the inner side of the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101. In other embodiments, the spacing protrusions 106 can be spaced from the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101. In any embodiment, the removable cover 108 can be substantially concentric with the nut capture 101 when attached to the nut capture 101 and with the nut 120 when inserted, as shown.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sides or surfaces of the sidewalls of the nut capture 101 may be substantially equilateral hexagonal in shape. The upper and lower inner sidewalls 103, 104 of the nut capture 101 may also be substantially equilateral hexagonal in shape, with the upper inner sidewall 103 being provided with a notch to allow for the insertion of the substantially circular form of the washer 121. In other embodiments, the outer sides of the sidewalls of the nut capture 101 may be any other shape, such as round, oval, any other polygonal, regular or non-circular, and / or other shape, so long as the upper inner sidewall 103 is capable of rotationally restraining the nut 120 when inserted therethrough.

[0058] FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of FIG. 4a with a washer inserted. FIG. 5d is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of FIG. 4a with a nut inserted. FIG. 5e is a front cross-sectional view of the nut capture and removable cover of FIG. 4a with a nut and washer inserted. As shown in these figures, the nut capture 101 may have spacing protrusions 106. In this regard, when the nut 120 is inserted into the nut capture 101, the spacing protrusions 106 may hold the nut 120 substantially concentrically with the nut capture 101. Furthermore, the removable cover 108 may be configured to be removable after the nut capture 101 is attached to the substrate plate 122, thereby allowing the nut 120 to move laterally within the nut capture 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing protrusions 106 may extend approximately halfway along the side of the nut 120. In various embodiments, the spacing protrusions 106 can extend above and below this point on the side of the nut 120. In other embodiments, the various individual forms of spacing protrusions 106 can be of different lengths.

[0059] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 5a-5e above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 5a-5e above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 6a is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate. FIG. 6b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 4a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate coupled to the substrate plate. In some embodiments, the centering bolt 125 can be inserted after the removable cover 108 can be attached to the nut restraint 101. In other embodiments, the removable cover 108 can be attached after the centering bolt 125 is inserted into and tightened by the nut 120. The removable cover 108 and centering bolt 125 can be removed after the nut restraint 101 is attached to the substrate plate 122, allowing the nut 120 to move laterally within the nut restraint 101. Once nut restraint 101 is attached to substrate plate 122, fastening plate 124 may be coupled to substrate plate 122 by passing fastening bolt 126 through bolt hole 127 and substrate hole 123 and tightening with nut 120. If central axis 132 of fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with central axis 130 of nut restraint 101, nut 120 may be moved laterally within nut restraint 101 so that fastening bolt 126 can pass through and exit nut 120 and through hole 100 in top layer 102 of nut restraint 101. In other words, the above-described configuration of nut restraint 101 is of a self-aligning configuration and structure.

[0061] FIG. 7a is a top perspective view of a nut capture and removable cover according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. The nut capture 101 may be shaped and configured approximately as an equilateral triangular prism with rounded corners. The nut capture 101 may further include holes 107 in the wall of the nut capture 101 at each corner. In other embodiments, the holes 107 may be absent from the nut capture 101, or may be located in other portions of the nut capture 101, and there may be more or less than three holes 107 and nut capture 101. A removable cover 108 may be removably attached to the nut capture 101, with substantially no portion of the removable cover 108 extending beyond the edges of the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable cover 108 may have a central portion shaped substantially as an equilateral triangle with rounded corners. In one or more aspects, the nut restraint 101 may be configured to allow flaps, flap structures, and / or the like to be provided extending from each side of the triangular central portion of the removable cover 108.

[0062] Figure 7b is a bottom perspective view of the nut capture and removable cover of Figure 7a. The upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101 may be substantially regular hexagonal in shape, while the lower inner sidewall 104 may be substantially circular in shape, in the shape of the standard form of the washer 121. Other shapes for the nut capture 101 are also envisioned.

[0063] The removable cover 108 can have a plurality of internal protrusions 109 configured to hold the removable cover 108 in place when inserted into the holes 100 through the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101. The removable cover 108 can further have a plurality of external configurations for the deformable element 105 configured to fit into the external holes 99 in the top layer 102. The external holes 99 in the top layer 102 can be smaller than and surround the holes 100 in the top layer 102, with a central portion of the removable cover 108 resting over the holes 100 when removably coupled to the nut capture 101. The deformable element 105 can be spaced from the upper internal sidewall 103 when inserted into the external holes 99 in the top layer 102. The deformable element 105 may be configured to hold the nut 120 substantially concentric with the nut capture 101 when the nut 120 is inserted into the nut capture 101 .

[0064] Figure 7c is a top perspective view of the nut restraint of Figure 7a without the removable cover. Figure 7d is a bottom perspective view of the removable cover of Figure 7a. Notably, the centrally located hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 may be shaped to substantially match the shape of the central portion of the removable cover 108 in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the shape of the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 and the shape of the central portion of the removable cover 108 may both be substantially circular, oval, rectangular, and / or any other shape. In another embodiment, the shape of the hole 100 in the top layer 102 and the shape of the central portion of the removable cover 108 may be different from one another.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer configuration of the deformable elements 105 of the removable cover 108 may be two rectangular prisms joined together at an angle. This shape matches the shape of the corresponding configuration of the outer holes 99 of the top layer 102. Furthermore, the corresponding configuration of the outer holes 99 of the top layer 102 may match the shape of the vertices of the substantially regular hexagon of the upper inner sidewall 103. In other embodiments, the deformable elements 105 of the removable cover 108 may be a different shape, such as a single rectangular prism without angles, a differently shaped prism, and / or the like. The corresponding configuration of the outer holes 99 of the top layer 102 may be located at the sides, rather than the vertices, of the substantially regular hexagon of the upper inner sidewall 103. In another embodiment, only one embodiment of hole 100 may be provided through top layer 102 of nut restraint 101, with hole 100 having prongs corresponding to deformable element 105 and an inner section corresponding to the central section of removable cover 108.

[0066] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 7a-7d above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 7a-7d above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0067] Figure 8a is a plan view of the nut restraint and removable cover of Figure 7a. Figure 8b is a plan view of the nut restraint of Figure 7a without the removable cover and with a nut inserted. Figure 8c is a cross-sectional view of the nut retainer of Figure 7a with a washer inserted. Figure 8d is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 7a with a nut inserted. As shown in these figures, the nut 120 may be configured and / or structured in the shape of a regular hexagon. The nut restraint 101 may be configured and / or structured in the shape of a rounded triangular prism with corners at locations corresponding to the three corners of the nut 120. The flaps and deformable element 105 of the removable cover 108 may be positioned at locations corresponding to the three sides of the central section of the removable cover 108 and may correspond to the straight sides of the nut 120 rather than the corners of the nut 120. The nut restraint 101 may have a notch in the upper inner sidewall 103 that may be configured and / or structured to provide space for the deformable element 105 to move slightly laterally as needed to accommodate slight lateral movement of the nut 120 when the fastening bolt 126 is inserted into the nut 120.

[0068] 8e is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of FIG. 7a with a nut and washer inserted. As shown in this figure, the height of the hole 107 in the side of the nut restraint 101 can be less than the lowest point of the outer configuration of the deformable element 105 of the removable cover 108. In other embodiments, at least a portion of at least one of the outer configurations of the deformable element 105 can overlap at least a portion of at least one of the holes 107.

[0069] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 8a-8e above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 8a-8e above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0070]

[0033] Figure 9a is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of Figure 7a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint has been attached to the substrate plate. Figure 9b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of Figure 7a with the nut and washer inserted during bolt insertion. Figure 9c is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint and removable cover of Figure 7a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate coupled to the substrate plate. As shown in these figures, various aspects of the nut restraint 101 indicate that once the nut restraint 101 is attached to the substrate plate 122, the fastening plate 124 can be coupled to the substrate plate 122 by passing a fastening bolt 126 through the bolt hole 127 and the substrate hole 123 and tightening with a nut 120. If the central axis 132 of the fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101, the nut restraint 101 may be constructed and / or configured to allow the nut 120 to be moved laterally, bending the deformable element 105 and thereby allowing the fastening bolt 126 to pass through and exit the nut 120 and through the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. In this regard, the nut restraint 101 may provide a self-centering configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the exit of the fastening bolt 126 allows the removable cover 108 to be removed after the fastening bolt 126 passes through the hole 100 in the top layer 102. In other embodiments, the removable cover 108 may be configured to allow the fastening bolt 126 to exit the hole 100 in the top layer 102 without removing the removable cover 108.

[0071] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 9a-9c above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 9a-9c above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 10a is a top perspective view of a nut restraint according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 10b is a bottom perspective view of the nut restraint of FIG. 10a. As shown in these figures, the nut restraint 101 can be constructed and / or configured to be made from a single piece of bent metal or other material, and can further include a notch. The top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101 can include a hole 100 sized, configured, and / or configured to allow a bolt, such as a centering bolt 125, a fastening bolt 126, and / or the like, to pass therethrough. In one or more aspects, the deformable elements 105 can extend downward from the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. One or more of the deformable elements 105 can have a tip that extends horizontally, generally toward the center of the nut restraint 101 (within 30 degrees radially), and can terminate in a lower end of a U-shaped piece.

[0073] The bottom layer of the nut capture 101 may have a notch 111 sized, configured, structured, and / or otherwise configured to allow a portion of the washer 121 to pass through. The bottom layer of the nut capture 101 may further have lower deformable protrusions 110 that may extend horizontally generally toward a center point of the nut capture 101. Additionally, the lower deformable protrusions 110 may be bent upward at their tips. The bottom layer of the nut capture 101 and the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101 may be connected to each other by at least two configurations for the upper inner sidewall 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper inner sidewall 103 may be substantially vertical and have rounded upper and lower edges that join the bottom layer and the top layer 102 of the nut capture 101.

[0074] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 10a and 10b above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 10a and 10b above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0075] Figure 11a is a plan view of the nut capture of Figure 10a. Figure 11b is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 10a with a washer inserted. Figure 11c is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 10a with a nut inserted. As shown in these figures, the lower deformable projection 110 and notch 111 of the nut capture 101 can be constructed and / or configured to allow the washer 121 to move slightly laterally within the nut capture 101 when pressed by a fastening bolt 126 inserted through the washer 121. In the illustrated embodiment, the nut 120 can be spaced from the upper inner sidewall 103 of the nut capture 101 when not subjected to a force pressing the nut laterally. When the nut 120 is pushed laterally within the nut restraint 101, the tip of the deformable element 105 may be configured and / or structured to bend, twist, and / or otherwise move to allow lateral movement, for example, away from the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101.

[0076] In some embodiments, the nut restraint 101 may be constructed and / or configured such that the force due to friction between the nut 120 and the deformable element 105 is sufficient to hold the nut 120 substantially concentric with the nut restraint 101 against lateral forces on the nut 120 due to the Earth's gravity. In various embodiments, the deformable element 105 and / or the lower deformable projection 110 may be constructed and / or configured to have greater flexibility, resilience, and / or the like than the remainder of the nut restraint 101 and / or may be made of a material with greater flexibility, resilience, and / or the like than one or more other portions or components of the nut restraint 101.

[0077] Figure 11d is a front cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 10a with a nut and washer inserted. Figure 11e is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 10a with a nut and washer inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear sides of the nut capture 101 may each have two instances of the lower deformable protrusion 110. In various embodiments, only one instance of the lower form of the deformable protrusion 110 may be provided on each of the front, rear, right, and / or left sides of the nut capture 101.

[0078] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 11a-11e above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 11a-11e above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0079] Figure 12a is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 10a with a nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint is attached to the substrate plate. Figure 12b is a right side cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 10a with a nut, washer, and bolt inserted and a fastening plate coupled to the substrate plate. Figure 12c is a cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 10a with a nut and bolt inserted. As shown in these figures, nut restraint 101 can be configured and / or structured such that once nut restraint 101 is attached to substrate plate 122, fastening bolt 126 is passed through bolt hole 127 and substrate hole 123 and tightened with nut 120 to couple the fastening plate to substrate plate 122. The nut 120 may be configured and / or constructed such that if the central axis 132 of the fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101, the nut 120 may be moved laterally, thereby bending, twisting, and / or otherwise acting on the deformable element 105, allowing the fastening bolt 126 to pass through and exit the nut 120 and through the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. In this regard, the nut restraint 101 may provide a self-centering feature.

[0080] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 12a-12c above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 12a-12c above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 13a is a top perspective view of a nut capture having a cap and base plate as a one-piece structure according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 13b is a top perspective view of a nut capture having a cap and base plate as a one-piece structure according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. In particular, the embodiment of the nut capture 101 can include a cap 112 and a base plate 113 that can be connected to each other by a flexible connector 114. The flexible connector 114 allows the cap 112 to move in one lateral direction, more than one lateral direction, and / or all lateral directions relative to the base plate 113. The base plate 113 can include indicia 118 indicating welding locations. Additionally, the base plate 113 can be configured to be fixedly attached to a surface, such as a substrate as described herein. Specifically, a bottom surface of the base plate 113 can be configured to be fixedly attached to a surface, such as a substrate as described herein. In particular, the base plate 113 may be configured to be welded to a substrate, adhesively attached to a substrate, mechanically fastened to a substrate, attached to a substrate by other attachment mechanisms, attached to a substrate by other attachment processes, attached to a substrate by other attachment configurations, and / or otherwise attached.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 112 of the nut capture 101 may have an upper section configured and / or shaped like a regular hexagonal prism with an upper inner sidewall 103. A top layer 102 of this aspect of the nut capture 101 may be located above the upper section and may have a hole 100 configured and / or shaped wide enough to accept a bolt, such as a centering bolt 125 extending through a central portion, a fastening bolt 126, and / or other most elongated section. The cap 112 of the nut capture 101 may also be configured and / or shaped to have a lower section shaped like a cylinder. The upper and lower sections of the cap 112 may be configured and / or shaped to accept a nut 120 and a washer 121, respectively.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13a, the base plate 113 may be configured and / or shaped like an equilateral triangle with rounded corners. There may be three configurations for the flexible connectors 114. In particular, the flexible connectors 114 may each be configured and / or shaped to couple to a rounded corner of the base plate 113. The flexible connectors 114 may be configured and / or shaped to bend upward when not deformed by a force that twists or moves the movable central portion of the cap 112 laterally. There may be three implementations for the weld location indicia 118, with each indicia located at a rounded corner of the base plate 113. However, any number of weld location indicia 118 may be utilized in connection with the nut restraint 101.

[0084] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13b, the base plate 113 may be of a square-shaped structure and / or configuration. There may be four example configurations for the flexible connectors 114, with each flexible connector coupled to a corner of the base plate 113. However, any number of flexible connectors 114 may be implemented in this aspect of the nut restraint 101. The flexible connectors 114 lie substantially in the same plane as the base plate 113 when not deformed by forces that laterally twist, move, and / or otherwise act on the movable central portion of the cap 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible connectors 114 may be configured and / or structured to bend, elongate, and then stiffen in response to torque being applied to the nut 120 within the cap 112 in a direction associated with tightening the fastening bolt 126 within the nut 120. There are four embodiments of the weld location indicia 118, with each indicia located at a corner of the base plate 113. However, this aspect of the nut restraint 101 can have any number of weld location indicia 118.

[0085] In various other embodiments, the shape of the base plate 113 and / or the number of flexible connectors 114 and / or the shape of the cap 112 and / or the number of weld location indicia 118 may all vary.

[0086] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 13a and 13b above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 13a and 13b above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0087] Figure 14a is a top view of the nut restraint of Figure 13a with the nut inserted. As shown in this figure, the flexible connector 114 may be coupled to the base plate 113 at a location near the weld location indicator 118. Thus, when the fastening bolt 126 is inserted into the nut 120 and turned within the nut, the greatest torque can be applied to the portion of the base plate 113 that is most firmly attached to the substrate.

[0088] Figure 14b is a cross-sectional view of the cap of Figure 13a with a washer inserted. Figure 14c is a cross-sectional view of the cap of Figure 13a with a nut inserted. Figure 14d is a cross-sectional front view of the nut capture of Figure 13a with a nut and washer inserted. As shown in these figures, the upper inner sidewall 103 and the lower inner sidewall 104 can be constructed and / or configured to be sized to minimize gaps between the upper inner sidewall 103 and the nut 120, and between the lower inner sidewall 104 and the washer 121, such that the nut 120 and washer 121 can be manually inserted into the nut capture 101 without being coupled. Thus, the nut 120 and washer 121 can be held substantially concentric with the cap 112 and / or the nut capture 101 when inserted into the cap 112.

[0089] The flexible connector 114 may be of a structure and / or configuration that is sufficiently rigid to hold the cap 112 and the nut 120 and washer 121 inserted therein substantially concentric with the base plate 113 when acted upon laterally by the Earth's gravity. In some embodiments, the nut capture 101 and / or cap 112 may further include a deformable protrusion for concentrically aligning the nut 120 and / or washer 121 with the cap 112 and / or nut capture 101.

[0090] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 14a-14d above may further include any one or more features described in connection with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 14a-14d above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0091] Figure 15a is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 13a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint has been attached to the substrate plate. Figure 15b is a front cross-sectional view of the nut restraint of Figure 13a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted and the fastening plate coupled to the substrate plate. As shown in these figures, once the base plate 113 is attached to the substrate plate 122, the fastening plate 124 can be coupled to the substrate plate 122 by passing the fastening bolts 126 through the bolt holes 127 and substrate holes 123 and tightening with nuts 120. If the central axis 132 of the fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101, the nut 120 can be moved laterally, thereby deforming the flexible connector 114 and thus allowing the fastening bolt 126 to pass through and exit the nut 120 and through the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. In this regard, the nut restraint 101 can provide a self-centering feature.

[0092] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 15a and 15b above can further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 15a and 15b above can further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 16a is a top perspective view of a nut capture device having a cap and a base plate. FIG. 16b is a bottom perspective view of the nut capture device of FIG. 16a. In one or more aspects, the nut capture device 101 can include a cap 112. The cap 112 can be surrounded by and held in place unconnected to a base plate 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 113 can include deformable protrusions 116 that engage three of six sides of a regular hexagonal prism-shaped upper portion of the cap 112. In other embodiments, the number of deformable protrusions 116 and / or the number of sides that engage the deformable protrusions 116 and / or the shape of the cap 112 can vary. In the absence of lateral forces acting on the cap 112 and / or any components disposed within the cap, the deformable protrusions 116 can hold the cap 112 substantially concentric with the base plate 113.

[0094] Protrusions 115 can extend from the cap 112. The base plate 113 can have raised portions 117 corresponding to the protrusions 115, which can be configured and / or structured to be sized to allow the protrusions 115 to pass through. The raised portions 117 can be strong enough to prevent the protrusions 115 from disengaging from the raised portions due to torque and / or normal forces acting on any portion of the cap 112 and / or any components disposed within the cap. In various embodiments, the number and / or location of the protrusions 115 and the corresponding configuration of the raised portions 117 of the cap 112 can vary.

[0095] Figure 16c is a top perspective view of the cap of Figure 16a. The cap 112 of the nut restraint 101 may have a bottom layer from which the protrusions 115 originate. Above the bottom layer may be a cylindrical portion sized to fit over a washer 121. Above this may be an upper portion in the shape of a regular hexagonal prism.

[0096] Figure 16d is a top perspective view of the base plate of Figure 16a. In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 113 may be of a regular hexagonal shape with rounded corners corresponding to the regular hexagonal prism shape of the majority of the vertical extent of the cap 112. In other embodiments, the shape of the base plate 113 may vary.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable protrusions 116 and raised portions 117 may be positioned on alternate sides of a regular hexagon so that the base plate 113 can have a total of three configurations of deformable protrusions 116 and a total of three configurations of raised portions 117. Additionally, three configurations of weld location indicia 118 may be positioned on alternate rounded corners of the base plate 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the weld location indicia 118 may be positioned immediately to the right of each of the raised portions 117 to counteract the force exerted by the corresponding feature of the protrusion 115 to the right of the raised portion 117 when the fastener bolt 126 is tightened within the nut 120 and / or washer 121 in the cap 112. In other embodiments, the number and / or location and / or order of the deformable protrusions 116 and / or raised portions 117 and / or weld location indicia 118 may vary.

[0098] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 16a-16d above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 16a-16d above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0099] Figure 17a is a plan view of the nut capture of Figure 16a with a nut and washer inserted. Figure 17b is a cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 16a with a nut inserted. Figure 17c is a front-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 16a with a nut and washer inserted. As shown in these figures, one or more of the deformable protrusions 116 of the base plate 113 may be configured with, be in the form of, and / or have other configurations of an inclined plane extending upward from one side of the base plate 113 to the corresponding side of the cap 112. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the deformable protrusions 116 may terminate in a second, smaller inclined plane extending upward away from the cap 112. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the width of each deformable protrusion 116 may be wider at points located closer to the bottom portion of the base plate 113, and such width may be narrower at points located closer to the cap 112. In various other embodiments, the number and / or shape and / or size of the deformable protrusions 116 may vary.

[0100] Additionally, the upper and lower inner sidewalls 103, 104 may be constructed and / or configured to minimize gaps between the upper and lower inner sidewalls 103, 104 and the nut 120, respectively, such that the nut 120 and washer 121 can be manually inserted into the nut capture 101 without being coupled together. Thus, the nut 120 and washer 121 can be held substantially concentric with the cap 112 and / or nut capture 101 when inserted into the cap 112. The deformable protrusions 116 may be constructed and / or configured to be sufficiently rigid to keep the movable central portion of the cap 112 and its contents substantially concentric with the base plate 113 when the Earth's gravity exerts a lateral force on the nut 120, washer 121, and / or cap 112.

[0101] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 17a-17c above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 17a-17c above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0102] Figure 18a is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of Figure 16a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted once the nut restraint has been attached to the substrate plate. Figure 18b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of Figure 16a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted to couple the fastening plate to the substrate plate. Figure 18b is a cross-sectional front view of the nut restraint of Figure 16a with the nut, washer, and bolt inserted to couple the fastening plate to the substrate plate. As shown in these figures, once the base plate 113 is attached to the substrate plate 122, the fastening plate 124 can be coupled to the substrate plate 122 by passing the fastening bolt 126 through the bolt hole 127 and the substrate hole 123 and tightening with the nut 120. If the central axis 132 of the fastening bolt 126 is not aligned with the central axis 130 of the nut restraint 101, the nut 120 and / or cap 112 may be moved laterally, allowing the fastening bolt 126 to pass through and exit the nut 120 and through the hole 100 in the top layer 102 of the nut restraint 101. In this regard, the nut restraint 101 may provide a self-centering configuration. When the cap 112 is moved laterally by a force due to the fastening bolt 126, this movement may deform one or more of the deformable protrusions 116. This movement may also cause the cap 112 to be spaced apart from at least one instance of the deformable protrusions 116 and / or at least one instance of the protrusions 115 to be laterally displaced relative to the raised portion 117 of the base plate 113.

[0103] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 18a and 18b above can further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 18a and 18b above can further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0104] FIG. 19a is a top perspective view of two interlocking nut restraints having two caps and a common base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. As shown in this figure, aspects of the present invention may include a structure with two caps 112 constructed and / or configured to share a common configuration of a base plate 113 with two inlets. In other embodiments, three or more configurations of caps 112 may share a common configuration of a base plate 113 such that the caps 112 are arranged in a line and / or grid. In other embodiments, multiple base plates 113 may be constructed and / or arranged to be removably and reattachably coupled to one another such that, in embodiments, two configurations of base plates 113 may be coupled and detached at least ten times while maintaining their respective original dimensions and shapes. The base plates 113 may be coupleable to one another by a mechanism or mechanisms, such as teeth, latches, links, and / or the like. In other embodiments, the base plates 113 may be connected to one another by structures, configurations, and / or other means, such as welding, that cannot be reversed without changing the shape and / or dimensions of at least one exemplary configuration of the base plates 113.

[0105] 19b is a top perspective view of a nut capture device having a cap and base plate according to another embodiment of the disclosed technology. In this embodiment, both the base plate 113 and the cap 112 of the nut capture device 101 can have "tooth"-shaped protrusions 119 and protrusions 115. The protrusions 115 and protrusions 119 can be dimensioned and shaped to lock together when the cap 112 is twisted in a counterclockwise direction relative to the base plate 113 when viewed from above. The protrusions 115 and protrusions 119 can also be dimensioned and shaped to remain locked together when the movable central portion of the cap 112 of the nut capture device 101 is not twisted in a clockwise direction relative to the base plate 113. In some aspects, the protrusions 115 and protrusions 119 can be radial protrusions.

[0106] Figure 19c is a top perspective view of the base plate of Figure 19b. Figure 19d is a top perspective view of the cap of Figure 19b. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 119 on the base plate 113 are shaped to hold the cap 112 against the substrate plate 122 when the nut restraint 101 is coupled to the base plate 113. The base plate 113 can have at least one configuration of weld location indicia 118, such as a recess, on each side of its periphery. In other embodiments, the base plate 113 can have weld location indicia 118 located within that region of the base plate 113 and / or can have more or fewer weld location indicia 118. In some embodiments, the protrusions 119 of the base plate 113 may be constructed and / or configured to be radially deformable (e.g., flexible along a line passing through the center of the base plate 113 and through each of the corresponding protrusions 119) so that the cap 112 can move laterally when a lateral force is applied to the nut 120 disposed within the cap due to insertion of the fastening bolt 126.

[0107] The cap 112 of the nut restraint 101, in the illustrated embodiment, may have a lower portion with a lower inner sidewall 104 that is of a cylindrical structure and / or configuration, and an upper portion with an upper inner sidewall 103 that is of a regular hexagonal prism structure and / or configuration. A hole 100 may be provided through the center of the top layer 102 of the cap 112 and may be wide enough to accommodate the narrowest portion of a bolt, such as a centering bolt 125 or a fastening bolt 126, that passes through the hole. Teeth on a protrusion 115 on the movable central portion of the cap 112, in the illustrated embodiment, may be configured and / or configured to extend from the lower portion of the cap 112. In other embodiments, the height of the lower circular portion of the cap 112 may be configured to be equal to the height of the protrusion 115 on the cap 112.

[0108] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 19a-19d above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 19a-19d above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0109] FIG. 20a is a top perspective view of a nut restraint having an attachable top, cap body, and base plate in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technology. FIG. 20b is a top perspective view of the cap body of FIG. 20a. FIG. 20c is a top perspective view of the base plate of FIG. 20a. FIG. 20d is a top perspective view of the attachable top of the nut restraint of FIG. 20a. In one or more aspects, the nut restraint 101 can include a cap with a cap body 140 and an attachable top 141, which can be surrounded by, unconnected to, and / or held in place by a base plate 113. In the illustrated embodiment, the base plate 113 can include deformable protrusions 116 that engage four of the six sides of the cap body 140. In other embodiments, the number of deformable protrusions 116 and / or the number of sides engaging the deformable protrusions 116 and / or the shape of the cap body 140 can vary. In the absence of lateral forces acting on the cap body 140 and / or any components disposed therein, the deformable protrusions 116 can hold the cap 112 substantially concentric with the base plate 113. The attachable top 141 can have, for example, two exemplary barbed prongs 142 insertable into channels 143 in the cap body 140, which can engage with the cap body 140 to prevent removal of the removable top 141. The protrusions 144 can mate with ledges 145, thereby preventing deformation of the cap body 140 due to torque applied by a nut 120 disposed within the cap body 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 144 and ledges 145 are hexagonal. In other embodiments, the protrusion 144 and the ledge 145 may have different shapes, including in some cases interlocking shapes.

[0110] A protrusion 115 can extend from the cap body 140. The base plate 113 can have a raised portion 117 that can be constructed and / or configured to accommodate the protrusion 115 and include an opening sized to allow the protrusion 115 to pass therethrough. The raised portion 117 can be constructed and / or configured to have sufficient strength to prevent the protrusion 115 from disengaging from the raised portion due to torque and / or normal forces applied to any portion of the cap 112 and / or any component disposed within the cap.

[0111] Figure 20e is a side cross-sectional view of the nut capture of Figure 20a with a nut inserted. An attachable top 141 can be attached to a cap body 140. The tips of the barbed prongs 142 and corresponding surfaces of the cap body 140 can be beveled and / or configured to prevent the barbed prongs 142 from disengaging from the cap body 140 when an upward force is applied to the attachable top 141.

[0112] Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 20a-20c above may further include any one or more features associated with any other figure of this disclosure. Additionally, the nut capture 101 described in connection with Figures 20a-20c above may further include any one or more features described in this disclosure.

[0113] Thus, this disclosure has described a wide variety of embodiments of nut restraints of the structures, configurations, arrangements, and / or other configurations described herein that allow for pre-positioning and pre-installation of the nut while still preserving erection tolerances by allowing the nut to retain some lateral movement, thereby allowing a bolt to be threaded into the nut when access is available from only one side.

[0114] Any one or more of the components of the nut capture device 101 as described herein may be constructed from a variety of materials, including one or more metals, one or more plastic materials, one or more composites, one or more synthetic materials, and / or others. Additionally, the nut capture device 101 may be manufactured using any number of manufacturing techniques, including machining, molding, 3D printing, and / or others.

[0115] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "substantially" is defined as "at least 95%" of the term it modifies, except in the phrase "substantially concentric," which is defined as "having a deviation from perfect concentricity within ±5%."

[0116] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "substantially concentric" is defined as "concentric to within a dimension equal to the difference between the radii of the hole in the substrate and the shank of the bolt inserted into the substrate hole."

[0117] Any device or aspect of the present technology may, for example, "comprise" or "consist of" the item in question, whether expressly described or not.

[0118] When the term "or" is used, this term creates a group that includes either term connected by the conjunction as well as both terms connected by the conjunction.

[0119] Although the present technology has been disclosed with particular reference to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limiting of the invention. All changes that come within the literal meaning and range of equivalency of the invention as set forth in the claims are embraced within the scope of the invention. Combinations of any of the above-described methods and apparatus are also contemplated and are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A nut restraint is configured such that a nut is inserted into the nut restraint, and then the nut restraint is attached to a substrate plate having two surfaces in a state where the nut restraint is positioned over and covers a bolt hole having a radial tolerance, and then a bolt having a shank and a tip is attached from the surface of the substrate plate opposite to the surface on which the nut restraint is attached, and the nut restraint is configured as follows: having one or more rigid outer portions and a movable central portion; the movable central portion is shaped to define a cavity, the movable central portion having a top planar surface disposed away from the substrate plate and an open end; the cavity is configured to receive an insertion of a nut, and the material of the movable central portion defining the cavity is shaped to rotationally constrain the nut; the one or more rigid outer portions include portions of the nut restraint attached to the substrate plate, and the movable central portion is configured to have any degree of lateral freedom of movement; the one or more rigid outer portions and the movable central portion are connected to one another by one or more flexible connectors that are sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the nut when one or more of the nut and the movable central portion are subjected to any lateral force having a magnitude not exceeding the magnitude of the force acting on each element due to gravity, and are sufficiently strong to rotationally restrain the movable central portion when a torque is applied to the movable central portion due to the act of tightening the nut on the bolt, yet are sufficiently flexible to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; the nut restraint is configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate; A nut restraint wherein no portion of the nut restraint prevents direct contact between the nut and the substrate plate or the shank of the bolt and either the substrate plate or one or more fastening plates.

2. A nut restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more flexible connectors have protrusions on the one or more rigid outer portions and protrusions on the movable central portion.

3. The movable central portion has a cap, the one or more rigid outer portions have a base plate; The nut restraint of claim 1 , wherein the one or more flexible connectors include a protrusion on the cap and a protrusion on the base plate.

4. A method for positioning the nut restraint of claim 1 to a precise position concentrically with the bolt hole in the substrate plate within the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the method comprising: inserting the nut into the nut restraint; placing the open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate, thereby preventing removal of the nut; inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from the side of the substrate opposite the nut restraint and engaging the bolt with the nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate; attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate; and removing the bolt from the nut to remove the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate.

5. A nut restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein the cavity is configured to accept insertion of a washer in addition to accepting insertion of the nut, and to provide the washer with a degree of freedom of movement in any lateral direction at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole and to prevent the washer from escaping after attachment to the substrate plate.

6. A nut restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein the cavity defines a substantially regular hexagon.

7. A nut restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment of the nut restraint device to the substrate plate is performed by welding.

8. A nut restraint device as described in claim 1, wherein the top plane has a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top plane after passing through the nut.

9. A nut restraint as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more rigid outer portions have one or more recesses, protrusions, and holes that indicate one or more preferred locations for mounting the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

10. A nut restraint device in which a nut is inserted into the nut restraint device, and then the nut restraint device is attached to a substrate plate having two faces in a state where it is positioned over and covers a bolt hole having a radial tolerance, and then a bolt having a shaft and a tip is attached from the face of the substrate plate opposite to the face on which the nut restraint device is attached, and the nut restraint device is having one or more rigid outer portions and a movable central portion; the movable central portion is shaped to define a cavity, the movable central portion having a top planar surface disposed away from the substrate plate and an open end; the cavity is configured to receive an insertion of a nut, and the material of the movable central portion defining the cavity is shaped to rotationally constrain the nut; the movable central portion further includes one or more radial protrusions extending away from the cavity; the one or more rigid outer portions include a plurality of portions of the nut restraint attached to the substrate plate, the one or more rigid outer portions having one or more deformable protrusions each having a tip; the deformable projection is configured to hold the movable central portion in a position where the tip of the deformable projection contacts the movable central portion prior to insertion of the bolt and the movable central portion has freedom of movement in any lateral direction substantially equal to at least twice the radial tolerance of the bolt hole; the deformable projection is further sufficiently rigid and strong to substantially prevent any lateral movement of the movable central portion when one or more of the nut and the movable central portion are subjected to a lateral force of no more than the force acting on each element due to gravity, yet is sufficiently flexible to deform when the nut is subjected to a lateral force due to contact between the tip of the bolt and the nut, thereby allowing the nut to move laterally to accommodate the bolt even when the bolt is inserted non-concentrically relative to the nut; the rigid outer portion further comprises one or more raised elements that do not contact the substrate plate, the space between the raised elements and the substrate plate comprising one or more recesses; the recess and the radial protrusion of the movable central portion are configured such that the radial protrusion fits within the recess and the movable central portion is rotationally constrained in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top plane toward the open end, and the movable central portion is prevented from moving away from a face of the substrate plate; the nut restraint is configured to prevent escape of the nut from the cavity following attachment to the substrate; A nut restraint wherein no portion of the nut restraint prevents direct contact between the nut and the substrate plate or the shank of the bolt and either the substrate plate or one or more fastening plates.

11. A method of positioning the nut restraint of claim 10 concentrically with the bolt hole in the substrate plate to an accurate position within the radial tolerance of the bolt hole, the method comprising: inserting the nut into the nut restraint; placing the open end of the nut restraint in flush contact with the substrate, thereby preventing removal of the nut; inserting a bolt into the bolt hole from the side of the substrate opposite the nut restraint and engaging the bolt with the nut previously inserted in the nut restraint so that the bolt and nut are in tight contact with the substrate; attaching the nut restraint to the substrate plate; and removing the bolt from the nut to remove the bolt from the bolt hole in the substrate plate.

12. A nut restraint device as described in claim 10, wherein the cavity, in addition to accommodating insertion of the nut, is configured to accommodate insertion of a washer and provide the washer with a degree of freedom of movement in any lateral direction at least equal to the radial tolerance of the bolt hole while preventing the washer from escaping after attachment to the substrate plate.

13. A nut restraint device as described in claim 10, wherein the cavity defines a substantially regular hexagon.

14. A nut restraint as described in claim 10, wherein the attachment of the nut restraint to the substrate plate is performed by welding.

15. A nut restraint device as described in claim 10, wherein the top plane has a hole that allows the tip of the bolt to pass through the top plane after passing through the nut.

16. A nut restraint device as described in claim 10, wherein the raised element and the deformable protrusion are separate pieces of material.

17. A nut restraint device as described in claim 10, wherein the raised element and the deformable protrusion are made from the same piece of material.

18. A nut restraint as described in claim 10, wherein the one or more rigid outer portions are made substantially of metal and the movable inner portion is made substantially of plastic.

19. A nut restraint as described in claim 10, wherein the one or more rigid outer portions have one or more recesses, protrusions, and holes that indicate one or more preferred locations for mounting the nut restraint to the substrate plate.

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