Fasteners

Abstract

To provide a fastener which can fully suppress a loosening of the fastening over time.SOLUTION: A fastener for fastening a fastened member, includes: a bolt; a washer in which at least one or more notch projection parts formed by providing a notch from an annular outer end peripheral edge of the washer are provided in the vicinity of the annular outer end peripheral edge of the washer, and at least one or more member fitting parts for fitting with the fastened member extended from the annular outer end peripheral edge of the washer are provided; a fastened member on which at least one or more fitting projection parts for fitting with the member fitting part are provided; a nut flange part on which at least one or more fitting parts are provided for fitting when the notch projection part of the washer is projected; and a nut connecting with the nut flange part or integral with the nut flange part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener having a non-loosening nut function via a non-rotating washer. [Background technology]

[0002] Bolts and nuts are fasteners widely used to fasten components together. To ensure sufficient fastening of components, various bolt and nut improvement technologies have become widely known and are being improved every day, such as those that provide stronger fastening properties or those that provide sufficient fastening properties even in a nutless structure.

[0003] As an example of improved technology for bolts and nuts, there is prior art technology relating to a fastening structure using a nut and bolt, in which a locking claw is provided on the nut body and an extension of the locking claw is engaged with the guide surface of the bolt, thereby enabling the locking claw to function to prevent loosening without any strain and with certainty (Patent Document 1).

[0004] Another well-known improvement in bolt and nut technology is a fastening structure that prevents loosening by fastening fastened components using a right-handed nut with a wavy tightening surface and a left-handed nut with a wavy tightening surface (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-122289 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-124746 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the extension of the locking claw of the locking member engages with the male thread of the bolt, preventing the nut below the locking member from rotating any further. However, this does not completely prevent the locking member and the nut from moving in the direction of the bolt's rotation. Therefore, it cannot be said that the technology completely prevents the nut and bolt from loosening. If possible, it is desirable to have a technology that can prevent loosening by further preventing the nut from moving in the direction of rotation.

[0007] Furthermore, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot avoid the phenomenon that conventional nuts, which are designed to be fitted onto bolts, inevitably loosen due to back rotation caused by natural phenomena, etc.

[0008] In addition, as another method for achieving sufficient fastening, measures such as applying excessive torque to prevent loosening due to back rotation may be taken, but in such cases, applying sufficient torque can result in a large force being applied to the fastened parts, causing the fastening portion of the fastened parts to cave in, which can also cause the nut to loosen.

[0009] As described above, conventional nuts inevitably loosen over time, making it necessary to regularly check the safety of fastening parts through periodic inspections.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by making ingenious efforts to design bolts, washers, and nuts to provide a nut structure that will not loosen. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention is a fastener for fastening members to be fastened, comprising: a bolt having at least one vertical groove-like space formed parallel to the axial direction of the bolt in the bolt thread portion of the bolt; a washer having at least one protrusion connected to the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer, the protrusion being upright and connected on a plane perpendicular to the annular surface of the washer, or protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer into the hollow portion of the washer on the same plane as the annular surface of the washer, and having at least one notched raised portion near the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer; and a nut having at least one notched recess formed at the outer peripheral edge of the flange of a flange provided at the bottom of the nut, into which the notched raised portion fits when raised.

[0012] The present invention also provides a fastener in which the nut and the flange are separate bodies, and the nut has a nut member having a screw hole that screws into the bolt thread portion, and a flange-forming member that forms the flange by being fixed to the nut member.

[0013] The present invention also provides a fastener in which the nut member has a reduced-diameter convex portion formed on one side in the central axial direction of the screw hole, the flange-forming member is an annular member having a concave portion that receives the convex portion, and the flange-forming member is fixed to the nut member by the convex portion of the nut member fitting into the notched concave portion of the flange-forming member.

[0014] The present invention also provides a fastening structure comprising a fastened member to be fastened and a fastener, wherein the fastened member is fitted to the bolt, the protruding piece of the washer is fitted to the vertical groove-shaped space of the bolt, and the notched raised portion of the washer is fitted to the notched recess of the flange of the nut, thereby fastening the fastened member by the threading action of the bolt and the nut with the washer interposed on the bolt.

[0015] The present invention also provides a fastener for fastening members to be fastened, comprising: a bolt having at least one vertical groove-like space formed in the bolt thread portion of the bolt and parallel to the axial direction of the bolt; a washer having at least one protrusion connected to the inner end peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer, the protrusion standing upright on a plane perpendicular to the annular surface of the washer and connecting to the inner end peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer; or a protrusion on the same plane as the annular surface of the washer and protruding from the inner end peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer toward the hollow portion inside the washer, and at least one notched raised portion formed by providing a substantially linear notch from the outer end peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer near the outer end peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer; and a nut having at least one fitting side portion for fitting with the notched raised portion of the washer when it is raised.

[0016] The present invention also provides a fastening structure in which fastened members are fixed by a fastener.

[0017] The present invention also provides a fastener for fastening members to be fastened, comprising: a bolt; a washer having at least one notched raised portion formed by making a substantially linear notch from the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer near the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer, and at least one member fitting portion extending from the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer for fitting with the member to be fastened; a fastened member having at least one fitting raised portion for fitting with the member fitting portion; and a nut having at least one fitting side portion for fitting with the notched raised portion of the washer when it is raised.

[0018] The present invention also provides a fastening structure in which fastened members are fixed by a fastener.

[0019] The present invention also provides a fastener characterized in that the component fitting portion of the washer has a structure that allows it to be bent so that it forms a plane perpendicular to the plane that forms the main body of the washer, starting from a component fitting portion base that is the base of the component fitting portion.

[0020] The present invention also provides a fastener for fastening members to be fastened, comprising: a bolt; a washer having at least one notched raised portion formed by cutting a notch from the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer near the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer, and having at least one member fitting portion extending from the outer end peripheral portion of the annular portion of the washer for fitting with the member to be fastened; a fastened member having at least one fitting raised portion for fitting with the member fitting portion; a nut flange having at least one fitting portion for fitting with the notched raised portion of the washer when it is raised; and a nut connected to the nut flange or integral with the nut flange. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] By using the bolt, washer, and nut according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fastening structure in which the nut will not loosen over time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view showing an overall image of portions of a bolt, a nut, and the like that fit together when fastened together according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an overall view of a bolt, a nut, fastened members, etc. according to a first embodiment of the present invention when fastened. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of a bolt according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of a washer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of a nut body according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of a flange portion disposed at a lower portion of a nut according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, only the flange portion is shown as a separate body. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a front view, respectively, showing a state in which a flange portion of a nut is fitted onto a washer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an overall view of a bolt, a nut, fastened members, etc. according to a second embodiment of the present invention when fastened. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an overall view showing the parts of a bolt, a nut, and the like that fit together when fastened together according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 10A is a perspective view of a washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the notched raised portion is raised, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the notched raised portion is not raised. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a fastened state when a nut is fitted onto a washer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1A is a perspective view showing an overall image of a bolt, a nut, and fastened members according to a third embodiment of the present invention when fastened together, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an overall image of the fastened members according to the third embodiment of the present invention when fastened together by tightening the bolt. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an overall view showing the overall image of portions of a bolt, a nut, and the like that fit together when fastened, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A is a perspective view of a washer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the notched raised portion is raised (FIG. 10B); FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a washer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the notched raised portion is raised (FIG. 10C); and FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a washer according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the notched raised portion is not raised and the member fitting portion is upright in a vertically upward direction (FIG. 10C). [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a fastened state when a nut is fitted onto a washer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an overall view showing a fastened state according to another embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in a fastened state. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention in a fastened state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention is a fastener for fastening members to be fastened, comprising: a bolt having at least one vertical groove-like space formed in the bolt thread portion of the bolt and parallel to the axial direction of the bolt; a washer having at least one protruding piece connected to the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer, the protruding piece being upright and connected on a plane perpendicular to the annular surface of the washer, or at least one protruding piece protruding from the inner peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer into the hollow portion of the washer on the same plane as the annular surface of the washer, and having at least one notched raised portion near the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer; and a nut having at least one notched recess formed on the outer peripheral edge of the flange provided at the bottom of the nut, into which the notched raised portion fits when raised.

[0024] [1. Bolts, nuts, and washers forming a fastening structure that will not loosen, according to one embodiment of the present invention] First, a description will be given of a non-loosening nut structure according to one embodiment of the present invention (referred to as the first embodiment). First, an overall view of a fastening mechanism using a non-loosening nut according to the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the fastening mechanism according to this embodiment fastens the bolt 30, first washer 22, fastened member 20, fastened member 20, second washer 8, flange 4 of nut 1, and nut 1 in this order, starting from the bottom of FIG. 1. Here, first washer 22 is a very common, flat, doughnut-shaped washer with an annular hollow interior, and the characteristic washer according to the first embodiment is second washer 8.

[0025] 1, the fastened members 20 are sandwiched and fixed between the first washer 22 and the second washer 8. In FIG. 1, two fastened members 20 are sandwiched and fastened together, but the number, thickness, and other aspects of the fastened members 20 are not important as long as they can be fastened.

[0026] The fastening structure of the second washer 8 and the nut 1 in the upper part of FIG. 1 has a characteristic structure as a nut structure that will not loosen, particularly in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows the actual fastened state, as compared to the state in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the bolt 30 fits two fastened members 20, and on top of that are provided the second washer 8, the flange 4 of the nut 1, and the nut member 3, and the tip 47 of the bolt 30 is exposed at the top.

[0028] Next, a bolt 30 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the bolt 30 according to the first embodiment has a vertical grooved space 32, which is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped void, extending longitudinally along the axial direction of the bolt 30 on the surface of the bolt threaded portion 31, where a threaded shape is provided. The protruding piece 12 of the second washer 8 fits into a portion of the vertical grooved space 32 when the fastened member 20 is fastened (FIG. 4). Therefore, in this fastening mechanism, the number, size, thickness, etc. of the vertical grooved spaces 32 in the bolt threaded portion 31 can be flexibly changed depending on the number and size of the protruding piece 12 of the second washer 8, which is used simultaneously during fastening. However, because the presence of the vertical grooved space 32 affects the durability and other functional aspects of the bolt 30, the size, etc. of the vertical grooved space 32 are designed taking into account the durability and other functional aspects of the bolt 30. The length of the vertical grooved space 32 in the axial direction of the bolt 30 may be the entire length of the bolt threaded portion 31 of the bolt 30, or may extend to an intermediate portion of the bolt threaded portion 31 and not the entire length of the bolt threaded portion 31. In one example of an embodiment of the vertical grooved space 32, for example, in the bolt threaded portion 31, three cross-sectional portions of the vertical grooved space 32 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bolt 30 are arranged at equal intervals on approximately the same circumference (FIG. 3c).

[0029] In addition, in one embodiment, head-side vertical grooved space end 46 on the bolt head 34 side of such vertical grooved space 32 is located near the starting point of the bolt threaded portion 31 of the bolt 30, but the head-side vertical grooved space end 46 may also be located midway through the bolt threaded portion 31. Furthermore, the base of the protruding piece 12 of the second washer 8 does not necessarily have to abut against head-side vertical grooved space end 46. In other words, the position of the second washer 8 may be fixed by the head-side vertical grooved space end 46 of the bolt 30, or the position of the second washer 8 may be fixed by the fastened member 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the vertical grooved space 32 extends up to the bolt thread tip 47, which is the side other than the head-side vertical grooved space end 46. Therefore, the second washer 8 can be fitted into a desired position in the vertical grooved space 32 by fitting the base of its protruding piece 12 from the bolt thread tip 47 and sliding it toward the bolt head 34. Furthermore, because the vertical grooved space 32 extends up to the bolt thread tip 47 in this way, a cross section of the vertical grooved space 32 can be seen in Figure 3(c), which is a plan view of the bolt 30 from the bolt thread tip 47 side in Figure 3.

[0031] Next, the second washer 8 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the second washer 8 according to the first embodiment has a washer body 11, which is an annular structure having an internal space with a substantially annular structure. The washer body 11 has a plurality of protruding pieces 12 on an inner peripheral edge 40 of the annular portion, and a plurality of raised notches 10 near an outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion (the applicant calls this second washer a butterfly washer). Note that, although the second washer 8 has an annular structure in one embodiment, the inner peripheral edge 40 and the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion may be angular as long as they can be properly fitted into the bolt body 33 of the bolt 30. An example of such a shape is a regular dodecagon.

[0032] Next, the protrusion 12 will be described. The protrusion 12 has a structure in which a protrusion of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped has its longitudinal end, i.e., a protrusion lower end 50 (the longitudinal lower end of the protrusion 12), connected to the inner peripheral edge 40 of the annular portion of the washer body 11. The longitudinal width of the protrusion 12 is approximately the same as the width of the longitudinal grooved space 32 of the bolt 30 described above, and the protrusion main body 51 of the protrusion 12 fits into the longitudinal grooved space 32 of the bolt 30. The greater the height of the protrusion main body 51 of the protrusion 12, the greater the contribution to the fixing strength of the second washer 8. However, the length of the protrusion 12 only needs to provide a minimum level of durability against the gravity of the second washer 8 and other components disposed above the second washer 8. Alternatively, the protrusion may be, for example, a substantially rectangular protrusion that faces toward cavity 9, which is the space inside second washer 8, and is on the same plane as second washer 8. In such a case, the protrusion has substantially the same shape as the cross section of vertical grooved space 32 of second washer 8, thereby enabling it to be properly fitted into vertical grooved space 32. That is, in such a case, no protrusion that stands perpendicular to second washer 8 is seen, and in a plan view of second washer 8, a protrusion that protrudes inward from inner edge 40 of the annular portion of second washer 8 can be seen.

[0033] Furthermore, although each side constituting the approximate rectangular parallelepiped of the protruding piece 12 is approximately straight and the overall shape of the protruding piece 12 is approximately rectangular parallelepiped, the sides constituting the longitudinal direction of the protruding piece 12 may be arc-shaped in accordance with the arc constituting the annular portion inner end peripheral portion 40 of the washer body 11 (i.e., on the same circumference as the annular portion inner end peripheral portion 40), so that the protruding piece 12 has a shape resembling a piece of Baumkuchen. Note that when the sides constituting the protruding piece 12 are arc-shaped, the vertical groove-like space portion 32 of the bolt 30, which is to be fitted, is naturally also shaped like a piece of Baumkuchen so that the protruding piece 12 of the second washer 8 can be fitted thereto.

[0034] In one embodiment, the protruding pieces 12 provided on the second washer 8 are three, arranged at equal intervals along the inner end peripheral edge 40 of the annular portion of the second washer 8. However, the number of protruding pieces 12 and the longitudinal length of the protruding pieces 12 may be changed regardless of the embodiment, as long as the second washer 8 is stably fitted to the bolt 30.

[0035] Furthermore, the protruding piece 12 may be configured to hang down and extend downward from the surface that constitutes the second washer 8. Even in this configuration, it is properly fitted into the vertical groove-shaped space 32 of the bolt 30 and fixed.

[0036] Next, we will explain the notched raised portion 10 of the second washer 8. The notched raised portion 10 is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion of the washer body 11, from the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion toward the inside of the washer body 11, by a notched portion 52 composed of a first notch 48 and a second notch 49 (FIG. 4(a)).

[0037] More specifically, the notched raised portion 10 extends from the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion toward the center of the circle that constitutes the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion (i.e., along a line that passes through the notch starting point 42 on the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion, is perpendicular to the tangent to the circle that constitutes the outer peripheral edge 41 of the annular portion, and passes through the notch starting point 42), and has a length of approximately one-third of the washer width of the washer body 11 (half the length of the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the washer) (FIG. 4(c)). Furthermore, a second notch 49 is formed from the end of the first notch 48 within the washer body 11 at approximately 90° to the first notch 48. The direction of the second notch 49 may be either to the left or right of the end of the first notch 48 in the plan view of the washer in Figure 4(c), but it is desirable to unify the direction of the second notches 49 of all notched raised portions 10 in the same washer main body portion 11.

[0038] In one embodiment, the raised notches 10 are provided at eight locations on the same circumference of the washer body 11 at equal intervals. However, the number of raised notches 10 may vary, such as by varying the number at equal intervals, as needed. The raised notches 10 can be provided on both right-handed and left-handed bolts.

[0039] Furthermore, the first notch 48 of the cut-out raised portion 10 has a length that is approximately one-third of the washer width, but various other variations are possible, such as making it approximately one-half the washer width, taking into consideration the durability of the second washer 8 and the fixation of the nut 1 arranged on top of the second washer 8.

[0040] The raised notch 10 can be lifted upward at its notch 52 by lifting the area near the first recess 48 along the second notch 49 (FIG. 4(b)). The material of the second washer 8 is a relatively flexible and deformable material such as synthetic resin, or a metal that is relatively easily deformed, and is not a strong material that cannot be deformed by ordinary force. Therefore, the raised notch 10 is flexible and can lift the area near the first recess 48 and maintain the lifted state.

[0041] A specific use of the raised notch 10 of the second washer 8 is that by lifting the raised notch 10, the flange 4 of the nut 1 provided on the top of the second washer 8 is fixed, and as a result, the free rotational movement of the nut 1 itself connected to the top of the flange 4 can be completely restricted (FIG. 7). On the other hand, when rotating the nut 1 to fix it to the bolt 30 or when releasing the fixed state of the nut 1, the raised notch 10 fitted onto the flange 4 of the nut 1 is pushed down, and the raised notch 10 is made flush with the washer body 11 of the second washer 8, thereby allowing the nut 1 on the top of the second washer 8 to rotate freely.

[0042] Furthermore, when fitting the notched raised portions 10 to the flange portion 4 of the nut 1, for example, it is not necessary to use all eight notched raised portions 10 in one embodiment for the fitting. For example, only four notched raised portions 10 spaced at equal intervals may be used. Alternatively, only one or two notched raised portions 10 may be used, and the flange portion 4 of the nut 1 may be fitted to them at one or two locations (FIG. 7). In such a case, the notched raised portions 10 not used for fitting to the nut 1 are not raised and are integrated on the same plane with the washer body portion 11 of the second washer 8. Then, the flange portion 4 of the nut 1 is covered by the upper part of the second washer 8 in this state. In other words, the fitting pattern between the notched raised portions 10 of the second washer 8 and the notched recesses 6 of the flange portion 4 of the nut 1 does not need to be completely complementary in one-to-one correspondence.

[0043] Next, a nut 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 5, the nut 1 according to the first embodiment is a substantially regular hexagonal prism-shaped structure having substantially the same configuration as a general nut 1, and has a cylindrical hole 2 having a twisted portion 31 at the center of the nut 1, and a nut member 3 having a reduced-diameter convex portion 55 at the bottom of the nut 1.

[0044] The lower part of the nut member 3 has a flange 4 as shown in Figure 6. The nut member 3 and flange 4 may be connected and molded as an integral structure, or a nut having the shape of nut 1 and a part having the shape of flange 4 may be molded separately and then joined together to be used as a single nut. However, when the nut 1 and flange 4 are joined as separate parts to be used as a single nut, the convex part 55 of the nut 1 and the concave part 56 of the flange 4 are tightly joined to use as an integrated nut 1, but when joining the nut 1 and flange 4, it is desirable to use a joining style that does not loosen the nut 1 and flange 4 depending on the direction of rotation intended to secure or loosen the nut. 5 and 6, one example of this non-loosening coupling style is to form a hexagonal pillar-shaped protrusion as the convex portion 55 of the nut 1, form a hexagonal pillar-shaped recess 56 in the flange portion 4 that fits appropriately with this hexagonal pillar-shaped protrusion, and then fit the nut 1 and the flange portion 4 together. That is, the nut member 3 and the flange portion 4 are fitted together in the hollow portion 7 of the flange portion 4.

[0045] Moreover, the flange portion 4 may be made of a metal such as steel like the nut 1, or may be made of a synthetic resin or the like.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the collar 4 has three recessed cutouts 6, for example, equally spaced on the same circumference, on the collar body 5, which has a substantially annular shape. The recessed cutouts 6 are formed by removing a portion of the collar 4 near its outer periphery. The recessed cutouts 6 are substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and receive raised cutouts 10 of a second washer 8, which is disposed below the nut 1 in the fastened state (Fig. 7). Note that the number and shape of the three recessed cutouts 6 are merely one example, and the number and shape of the recessed cutouts 6 may be varied depending on the position, number, and shape of the raised cutouts 10 of the second washer 8.

[0047] 6, there is no problem in forming a cutout portion from the cutout recess 6 to the portion indicated by the broken line, so that the cutout recess 6 is formed in a substantially right-angled triangle shape. In this manner, sufficient space can be secured in the cutout recess 6 of the flange 4 for the cutout protrusion 10 to fit into.

[0048] Furthermore, although the flange body 5 has an annular shape in one embodiment, it may also have a shape in which the periphery of the flange body 5 is angular, such as a hexagonal prism.

[0049] [2. Fastening structure according to one embodiment of the present invention] Next, a fastening structure according to the first embodiment will be described. The fastening structure according to the first embodiment is fastened as shown in Figures 1 and 2, as described above. Here, the first washer 22 and the fastened member 20 are fitted onto the bolt 30, and then the second washer 8 is fitted onto the bolt 30. When fitting the second washer 8 onto the bolt 30, the second washer 8 is slid from the bolt thread tip 47 of the bolt 30 toward the bolt head 34 of the bolt 30 so that the protruding piece 12 of the second washer 8 fits exactly into the vertical groove-shaped space 32 of the bolt 30.

[0050] Then, the second washer 8 is slid until it abuts against the fastened member 20 or the head-side longitudinal grooved space end 46 of the longitudinal grooved space 32, and the second washer 8 is fixed.

[0051] Next, the nut 1 together with the flange 4 is placed on top of the second washer 8, and the second washer 8, flange 4, and nut 1 are fitted together. In this fitting, the nut 1 is rotated in the tightening direction and fixed in place, in accordance with the normal method of using a nut 1. Then, when the nut 1 is sufficiently rotated to tighten it, the notched raised portion 10 of the second washer 8 is fitted into the notched recess 6 of the nut 1.

[0052] Furthermore, when the nut 1 is sufficiently rotated to be in a fastened state, the notched raised portion 10 of the second washer 8 rises and fits into the notched recess 6 of the nut 1. With this fixing method, the second washer 8 prevents the nut 1 from moving in the rotational direction, preventing the nut 1 from loosening and rotating freely.

[0053] Furthermore, tightening of the nut 1 does not require excessive torque to prevent back-rotation of the nut 1, but can be performed with the torque pressure necessary to secure the fastener. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the fastened member 20 due to excessive torque pressure.

[0054] The nut 1 can be removed by rotating the nut 1 in the loosening direction while pressing down the raised notch portion 10.

[0055] [3. Bolts, nuts, and washers forming a non-loosening fastening structure according to another embodiment of the present invention] Next, a bolt, nut, and washer forming a fastening structure that will not loosen according to another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the second embodiment) will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the fastening structure that will not loosen according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that no flange is provided between the nut 1 and the second washer 71. Instead, the second washer 71 is provided directly below the nut member 3.

[0056] Furthermore, the notched raised portion 70 of the second washer 71 differs in shape from the notched raised portion 10 of the second washer 8 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the notched raised portion 10 of the second washer 8 of the first embodiment has a generally rectangular shape in front view, sized to fit into the notched recess 6 of the flange 4. On the other hand, the second washer 71 of the second embodiment has the shape shown in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b). FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of the second washer 71 with the notched raised portion 70 raised, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of the second washer 71 with the notched raised portion 70 not raised. As shown in these two figures, the second washer 71 used in the second embodiment has a protruding piece 12 that stands upright and connects to the washer surface at the inner end peripheral edge 74 of the annular portion of the second washer 71. As in the first embodiment, the protruding pieces 12 may not stand perpendicular to the washer surface of the second washer 71, but may be on the same plane as the second washer 71 and protrude toward the hollow portion 73 of the second washer 71. These protruding pieces 12 that stand perpendicular to and are connected to the second washer 71, or the protruding pieces 12 that are on the same plane as the second washer 71, are fitted into the vertical groove-shaped space 32 of the bolt 30, and have the function of completely suppressing movement of the second washer 71 in the loosening direction.

[0057] The raised notch 70 of the second washer 71 has a generally triangular shape in plan view, rather than a generally rectangular shape as in the first embodiment (FIG. 10). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the raised notch 70 of the second embodiment is formed based on a cutout 76 formed by a generally linear cut extending from the outer peripheral edge 75 of the annular portion of the second washer 71 toward the inside of the second washer 71.

[0058] This notch 76 is formed with a length of approximately one-third of the washer width, along a line that forms an angle of approximately 15° with a tangent line that passes through a certain point on the circumference of the annular portion outer end peripheral portion 75 to a line that passes through the point and is tangent to a circle that constitutes the annular portion outer end peripheral portion 75. However, as shown in Figure 8 or Figure 11, the notched raised portion 70 that is formed by raising along the notch 76 abuts against and fixes the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3, so various angles of the notch 76 may be used as long as it is in an approximately linear form that can follow the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3.

[0059] In addition, in one embodiment, the notched raised portions 70 of the second embodiment are, for example, five at equal intervals, but various other embodiments are possible, such as one, three at equal intervals, and the like.

[0060] Next, an actual fastening method in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 11. In the second embodiment, the bolt 30, the first washer 22, and the two fastened members 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0061] 8, after fitting the fastened member 20 to the bolt 30, the protruding piece 72 provided on the inner peripheral edge 74 of the annular portion of the second washer 71 is fitted into the vertical grooved space 32 of the bolt 30, and the protruding piece 72 is slid through the vertical grooved space 32 of the bolt 30 to fit into the bolt 30. Here, the protruding piece 72 of the second washer 71 may be slid all the way to the base end of the vertical grooved space 32 of the bolt 30 to fit into it, or may stop midway through the vertical grooved space 32, directly above the fastened member 20.

[0062] Furthermore, like the protrusion portion 12 in the first embodiment, the protrusion portion 72 in the second embodiment may be arranged so as to stand perpendicular to the surface that constitutes the second washer 71, or on the same plane as the surface that constitutes the second washer 71, or so as to hang down from the surface that constitutes the second washer 71.

[0063] After the second washer 71 and the nut member 3 are fitted together, the raised notches 70 of the second washer 71 are raised and aligned with the fitting side surface 60 of the nut member 3, thereby fixing the nut member 3. Here, the raised notches 70 used to fix the nut member 3 may be one or more of the raised notches 70 provided on the second washer 71. In this case, the unused raised notches 70 provided on the second washer are disposed on the same plane as the second washer 71 without being raised.

[0064] Here, the notched raised portion 70 is raised approximately 2 mm upward from the notched raised portion base 77 located near the tip of the notch. Then, the tip of the notched raised portion 70 abuts against the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3, preventing the nut member 3 from rotating.

[0065] As described above, in the second embodiment, the second washer 71 fits onto the bolt 30 and can only move in the axial direction of the bolt 30. Furthermore, the notched raised portion 70 of the second washer 71 fits into the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3, which restricts rotation of the nut member 3, completely preventing the nut member 3 from loosening due to natural phenomena.

[0066] Since the second embodiment has the above-described configuration, it is desirable that the notched raised portion 70 be formed linearly along the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3. However, the notched raised portion 70 may be formed in any configuration as long as it can be fixed in accordance with the surrounding shape of the nut member 3.

[0067] Similarly to the second washer 8 in the first embodiment, the second washer 71 in the second embodiment is made of a material such as metal or synthetic resin, which is relatively easily deformable, because the notched raised portion 70 must be raised and fitted onto the fitting side surface portion 60 of the nut member 3. Examples of such materials include iron, stainless steel, rubber, silicon, and plastic.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, when fixing using a nut member 3 that is approximately a hexagonal prism when viewed from above, the notched raised portions 70 of the second washer 8 may be fitted into each of the six side surfaces of the nut member 3, and the nut member 3 may be fixed at six points on the fitting side surface portions 60 of the nut member 3, thereby enabling the nut member 3 to be fixed sufficiently.

[0069] In addition, in the second embodiment, when releasing the fastened state of the fastened member 20, the notched raised portion 70 is lowered until it is flush with the second washer 71, and then the nut member 3 is rotated in the loosening direction to loosen it.

[0070] Furthermore, the tip of the notched raised portion 70 provided on the second washer 71 may be cut out by approximately several millimeters in consideration of convenience and safety.

[0071] In addition, it is desirable that the cutout raised portions 70 provided on the second washers 71 have the cutout portions 76 in the second washers 71 cut in the same direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the fastening structure of the second embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the nut member 3 having a generally hexagonal shape in plan view, and may also be a wing nut. In this case, the shape of the notch 76 of the raised notch 70 is formed according to the shape of the side surface near the knob, which is the portion that adjusts the fastening of the wing nut, and the entire raised notch 70 is brought into contact with the side surface of the wing nut to fix it. Alternatively, the tip of the raised notch 70 may be brought into contact with the side surface of the wing nut to stop rotation of the wing nut.

[0073] Furthermore, if the nut is a wing nut, it is desirable to arrange the notched raised portions 70 of the second washer 71 in an even number, such as two, four, or six, approximately diagonally. In this manner, the knob portions of a wing nut, which generally have two portions approximately diagonally, can be fixed at both portions at once, resulting in a more effective fixing configuration.

[0074] Furthermore, when the nut is a flange nut, a configuration may be adopted in which a portion of the circumferential portion of the flange portion of the flange nut is machined to form a substantially straight line, and the notched raised portion 70 of the second washer 71 is abutted against the substantially straight outer edge of the flange portion, thereby completely suppressing rotation of the flange nut. Also, a single flange may have a plurality of such substantially straight outer edges of the flange portion of the flange nut, and the notched raised portion 70 of the second washer 71 is abutted against each of these edges, thereby achieving an even more excellent fixing effect.

[0075] Furthermore, in cases where the peripheral edge of the nut is generally arc-shaped when viewed from above, by cutting and molding a portion of the arc-shaped edge into a generally linear shape as described above, it is possible to make it possible to fix the nut by abutting the notched raised portion 70.

[0076] Furthermore, nuts whose peripheral edge is hexagonal or rectangular and includes linear portions when viewed from the front can be fixed using the raised notches 70 in the manner of the second embodiment.

[0077] In the first and second embodiments described above, the first embodiment secures the nut at its bottom surface, whereas the second embodiment secures the nut at its side surface. Therefore, the first embodiment provides superior fixation stability during fastening. Therefore, it is generally preferable to use the fastening structure of the first embodiment for fastening. Furthermore, in an emergency, such as when the second washer of the first embodiment is in short supply, it is preferable to use the bolt and washer of the second embodiment for temporary fastening only.

[0078] [4. Bolts, nuts, and washers forming a non-loosening fastening structure according to another embodiment of the present invention] Next, a bolt, a nut, and a washer forming a fastening structure that will not loosen according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment will be referred to as a third embodiment.

[0079] The fastening structure of the third embodiment is shown in Figures 12(a) and 13. As shown in Figures 12(a) and 13, the fastening structure of the third embodiment is composed of, in order from the bottom of Figure 12(a), a bolt 80, a first washer 81 (positioned between the bolt 80 and a fastened member 82, and not shown in Figure 12(a)), a fastened member 82, a second washer 83, a nut 84, etc., and fastens the fastened member 82.

[0080] Here, the third embodiment has a feature in the bolt 80 or the second washer 83 compared to the first and second embodiments described above.

[0081] Specifically, the bolt 80 does not have any groove-shaped space or other processing applied thereto, so that a commercially available bolt can be used for the bolt 80.

[0082] Furthermore, the fastened member 82, which directly fits with the second washer 83, is provided with mating protrusions 85 for mating with the second washer 83. The mating protrusions 85 are provided, for example, in two locations spaced apart on the top of the fastened member 82, and can fit with the wall surface of the second washer 83 to prevent the second washer 83 from moving.

[0083] The shape of the mating protrusion 85 may be cylindrical or prismatic, as long as it matches the shape of the mating portion of the second washer 83. The mating protrusion 85 may also be disposed on the fastened member by welding or the like.

[0084] Next, the second washer 83 will be described. A detailed view of the second washer 83 is shown in Fig. 14. As shown in Fig. 14, the second washer 83 is made up of a main body portion 90, a notched raised portion 91, a cavity portion 92, a member fitting portion 93, etc.

[0085] Here, as an example, four notched raised portions 91 are arranged at intervals near the outer circumferential edge of the second washer 83. However, as long as the notched raised portions 91 are capable of fixing the nut 84, the number of notched raised portions 91 may be different.

[0086] Next, the shape and fastening mode of the raised notch 91 will be described. In one embodiment of this embodiment, the raised notch 91 is formed by a notch that extends diagonally inward from the outer periphery of the second washer 83. When the raised notch 91 is used, it is raised from the straight line connecting the tip of the notch and the outer periphery of the second washer 83 as the starting point.

[0087] Alternatively, the shape of the raised notch 91 may be configured to consist of a first notch 96 that extends in a straight line at the outer edge of the second washer 83, parallel to a line perpendicular to the tangent to the outer circumference of the second washer 83, and that slopes toward the hollow portion 92, and a second notch 97 that extends in a straight line at an angle of approximately 90° from near the tip of the first notch.

[0088] Furthermore, the member fitting portion 93 extending from the main body portion 90 of the second washer 83 has a fastened member fitting space 98 into which the fitting protrusion 85 of the fastened member 82 is coupled. The fastened member fitting space 98 conforms to the shape of the fastened member 82, allowing the fastened member 82 to be properly fitted and fixed. One embodiment of the shape of the fastened member fitting space 98 is a U-shaped curved structure, for example.

[0089] Furthermore, the member fitting portion 93 may be formed by adhering a part to the washer by welding or the like, or the member fitting portion 93 may be provided in advance in a mold when the washer is manufactured.

[0090] The member fitting portions 93 are provided, for example, at two locations on opposite ends of the second washer 83. However, it is sufficient that one or more member fitting portions 93 are provided in accordance with the number, position, or shape of the fitting protrusions 85 of the fastened members 82 to be fitted.

[0091] Next, the fastening state of the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 12(a) above, in this embodiment, the second washer 83 is fitted from above the fastened member 82. Then, the notched raised portion 91 of the second washer 83 is raised and abuts against the side surface of the upper nut 84, thereby fastening the members together.

[0092] In this fastened state, first, the fastened member 82 and the second washer 83 fit together, restricting movement of the second washer 83. Then, the raised notch 91 of the second washer 83 abuts against the side surface of the nut 84, thereby restricting rotation of the nut.

[0093] In this embodiment, the nut will not loosen if left unattended. Although the present embodiment does not connect and fasten the bolt 80 and the second washer 83 as in the previous embodiment, it can fasten the fastened member 82, and therefore has a sufficient fastening effect.

[0094] If the third embodiment also has a configuration in which the fixation loosens, a fixing mechanism for connecting the bolt 80 and the second washer 83 to each other may be provided as in the first and second embodiments.

[0095] The fastening structure of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 12(a) may also be configured to be performed by bolt tightening as shown in Fig. 12(b). In this case, the notched raised portion 91 comes into contact with the head side surface portion 102 of the head portion 101 of the bolt 100, thereby suppressing rotation of the bolt.

[0096] The contact points of the cut-out raised portion 91 are not limited to the points shown in FIG. 12, but may be two diagonal points or one point as long as it is fixable.

[0097] Furthermore, the shape of the head 101 of the bolt 100 used in this bolt tightening does not have to be hexagonal as long as it is a fixable form, and it may be, for example, a square bolt.

[0098] 15 is a plan view of the fastened member 82, second washer 83, and bolt 80 in a fixed state. As shown in FIG. 15, the second washer 83 has two member fitting portions 93 near both the left and right ends of FIG. 15, which fit into fitting protrusions 85 of the fastened member 82.

[0099] The raised notches 91 are fixed by rising and coming into contact with the side surfaces of the nut. At this time, the raised notches 91 that come into contact with the nut are, for example, two opposing raised notches 91. However, the number of fixing locations by the raised notches is not limited to two.

[0100] Furthermore, the member having the aforementioned mating protrusion 85 is not limited to the member located below the second washer 83. One example of the arrangement of the other member may be another member located on the same plane as the second washer and connected to the top of the fastened members. That is, in such an embodiment, the fastened member mating space 98 of the second washer 83 is connected to the mating protrusion 85 extending from the fastened member 82 located on the same plane.

[0101] Furthermore, the member fitting portion 93 of the second washer 83 can be bent and deformed so that the fastened member fitting space 98 rises at approximately 90 degrees from a state in which it is exactly parallel to the horizontal plane (FIG. 14(c)). In this case, the member fitting portion 93 bends from the vicinity of the member fitting portion base 99. Therefore, when the member fitting portion 93 is bent, the member fitting portion 93 of the second washer 83 does not come into contact with the fastened member 82, and can freely fasten or loosen the member.

[0102] Furthermore, when fitting the member fitting portion 93 to the fastened member 82, the member fitting portion 93 can be fitted to the fastened member 82 by laying it flat in a state approximately parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0103] Furthermore, instead of the configuration in which the raised notched protrusion 91 abuts against the side surface of the nut 84 as shown in FIG. 13, another configuration may be one in which the raised notched protrusion 91 is fitted into the fitting space 111 of the nut flange 110 as shown in FIG. 16.

[0104] Here, the nut flange 110 may be a separate body from the nut 84 body, or may be integral with the nut body and inseparable therefrom.

[0105] When the nut flange 110 and the nut 84 are separate bodies, the nut flange 110 and the nut 84 are connected to the nut 84 at a hollow portion 112 in the center of the nut flange 110. As long as they are interlockable, the shape of the hollow portion 112 is not limited to a hexagonal shape in a plan view, and any shape may be used.

[0106] 17 (side view) and 18 (plan view) show the fastened state in another aspect of the third embodiment. As shown in the lower center of FIG. 17, the raised notched protrusion 91 of the second washer 83 fits into the fitting space 111 of the nut flange 110.

[0107] As in the above embodiment, the engagement portion formed by the raised notch portion 91 may be provided at one or more locations.

[0108] 18, there is one fitting location between the fitting protrusion 85 of the second washer 83 and the member fitting portion 93. However, as in the above-described embodiment, two or more fitting locations may be provided.

[0109] [5. Effects of the Bolt, Nut, and Washer According to One Embodiment of the Present Invention] Next, the effects of the bolt, nut, and washer according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0110] When fastening workpieces using a bolt, nut, and washer according to one embodiment of the present invention, the protruding portion of the second washer fits into the vertical groove-shaped space of the bolt. Therefore, when the second washer is fitted onto the bolt, it can only move along the longitudinal direction of the bolt (the direction along the axis connecting the head and tip of the bolt) and cannot move at all substantially parallel to the lateral direction of the bolt (i.e., substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the bolt). Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to completely prevent the second washer from loosening.

[0111] In the first embodiment, the raised notch of the second washer fits into the recessed notch of the flange of the nut on the top of the second washer. Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the raised notch of the second washer comes into contact with the mating side of the nut on the second washer. Therefore, when the nut is fully tightened, it cannot rotate freely in the direction of rotation. This completely eliminates the risk of the nut loosening.

[0112] The notched raised portion, which serves the function of fixing the nut, is connected to the second washer that is completely locked onto the bolt, so there is no risk of the notched raised portion moving.

[0113] In the third embodiment, the fastened member fitting space of the second washer and the fitting protrusion of the fastened member are joined, and the notched protrusion of the second washer and the side surface of the nut are abutted and fixed, so that loosening of the nut can be completely prevented.

[0114] As described above, the bolt, nut, and washer according to this embodiment can completely secure the second washer and the nut can be completely secured by the raised notch that is part of the second washer. Because of this configuration, this embodiment can sufficiently prevent the bolt and nut from loosening due to deterioration over time.

[0115] In addition, if it is anticipated that foreign matter such as dust may get mixed in under the raised cut portion, measures such as providing a spare washer or bolt cap under the second washer should be taken.

[0116] In addition, a commercially available socket wrench and spanner are used to attach or remove the nut in the embodiment of the present invention, and when removing it, the engagement portion of the washer is pressed down and the nut can be attached or removed using a commercially available socket wrench and spanner, just as when attaching it.

[0117] In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, if the raised notch portion of the second washer is raised before tightening, the tightening pressure of the nut will push the raised notch portion downward from above. Therefore, pre-tightening or re-tightening the nut may cause the mating portion to move, reducing the raised height of the mating notch portion. To prevent this from happening, a configuration may be adopted in which the operator is required to recheck the raised height of the mating portion of the mating portion after tightening the nut and leaving it in the fastened state.

[0118] In addition, for the purpose of improving user convenience, it is also assumed that the washer will be provided to users with the notched raised portion unraveled. Even in such a case, confirmation of the raised portion of the fitting portion may be included as a condition of use.

[0119] Furthermore, the nuts used in this embodiment can be commercially available nuts.

[0120] The above-described aspects are not limited to this embodiment, and as long as they are considered to fall within the same technical scope, they are naturally considered to be inventions of the same nature as the invention according to this embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1 nut 2 hole 4. Tsuba 6 Notched recess 8 Second washer 10 Cut-out ridge 11 Washer body 12 Projection piece 20 Parts to be fastened 22 First washer 30 volts 32 Vertical grooved space 40 Circumferential edge of inner end of annular portion 41 Circumferential edge of outer end of annular portion 46 End of vertical groove space on head side 47 Tip 52 Cutout 55 Convex part 56 Recess 60 Mating side surface 70 Cut-out ridge 71 Second washer 72 Projection part 74 Circumferential edge of inner end of annular portion 75 Circumferential edge of outer annular portion 76 Cutout 77 Base of notch ridge 80 volts 81 First Washer 82 Parts to be fastened 83 Second washer 84 Nut 85 Mating ridge 91 Cut-out ridge 93 Component fitting part 98 Fastened part fitting space 100 volts 102 Side part of head 110 Nut flange 111 fitting space

Claims

[Claim 1] A fastener for fastening members to be fastened, Bolt and a washer having at least one notched raised portion formed by providing a notch from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer near the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer, and at least one member fitting portion extending from the outer peripheral edge of the annular portion of the washer for fitting with a fastened member; a fastened member provided with at least one mating protrusion for mating with the member mating portion; a nut flange portion provided with at least one fitting portion for fitting with the notched raised portion of the washer when the notched raised portion is raised; a nut that is connected to the nut flange or that is integral with the nut flange, A fastener characterized in that the fitting portion has a shape in which a notch penetrates a portion near the outer peripheral edge of the nut flange in the thickness direction.

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