A fastener with a locking nut

Abstract

A fastener for reversibly securing an item to a surface of a piece of equipment is disclosed. The fastener comprising a bolt and a locking nut reversibly threadable to the bolt. The locking nut has a portion which, upon a first rotation, moves from: (a) an unlocked position in which the locking nut can be installed into or removed from a recess; (b) to a locked position in which the locking nut cannot be installed into or removed from the recess. The body of the locking nut is configured to have a twisted taper shape that assists in guiding the locking nut into the recess in the unlocked position.

Description

[0001] A fastener with a locking nut

[0002] This document claims priority from AU2023903822 entitled: A fastener with an improved locking nut, filed on 28 November 2023; and AU2023903823 entitled: A fastener with a split locking nut, filed on 28 November 2023, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a fastener for securing a first item to a second item. In an embodiment, the first item is an abrasion liner or wear liner and the second item is equipment to be protected by the wear liner. The fastener is of the type that can be secured into place even when access is only available from one side of the items e.g. from the front face of the wear liner.

[0005] Background

[0006] Impact and anti-abrasion liners (sometimes referred to as wear liners or abrasion liners) are used to protect the surfaces of equipment that is subject to wear.

[0007] Equipment that is subject to wear includes hoppers, chutes and rotary mills in e.g. the mining industry. Background art impact and anti-abrasion liners usually comprise rubber, heavy molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene and or ceramic-tiled elements mounted on metal backing plates which are bolted to the surfaces they are designed to protect. Due to their sacrificial nature, wear liners require regular replacement as they wear out. Accordingly, it is desirable to be able to replace the wear liners periodically to provide a fresh unworn surface.

[0008] Composite wear liners are usually bolted in place on the surface of the equipment prior to use. The assembly for bolting typically comprises a wear liner attached to the backing plate. The backing plate is provided together with the wear liner so that the wear layer does not bear direct clamping loads. The backing plate can help to ensure that all clamping forces are transferred through the backing plate, advantageously minimising damage to the wear layer itself. In order to attach the wear liner and backing plate to the equipment, a secure connection is required and preferably one which is reversible so that the liners can be replaced. Welding the liners directly to the structure is robust but laborious and hazardous. Furthermore, once the liner is welded into place it is difficult to remove. Conventional fasteners comprising bolts and nuts can be used to attach wear liners. However, these can require access to both sides of the structure in order to thread the bolt through the items to be coupled and then to attach and tighten the nut to the bolt. This approach, while secure, is time-consuming and costly, especially in situations where access is limited.

[0009] Fasteners have been provided that can allow access from only one side of the structure. Usually, access is only available on the side of the structure on which the wear liner is located. One-sided fasteners are usually configured to engage with a slotted mount provided on the equipment. When the fastener is located in the slotted mount it can be tightened from the head portion on the front side of the assembly.

[0010] Such fasteners can suffer some drawbacks. A first drawback is that the fastener can be difficult to install since each fastener must be in the correct orientation to pass through the slotted mount. Furthermore, the fastener must not pass too far through the slotted mount or it will not be properly tightenable into the slotted mount opening. Another drawback is that once installed, and having been in use for some time, the fastener can be difficult to remove and sometimes has to be drilled out when the wear liner requires replacement.

[0011] Summary of invention

[0012] In a first aspect there is provided fastener for reversibly securing an item to a surface of a piece of equipment, the item having at least one opening therethrough, the fastener comprising:

[0013] (i) a bolt comprising: a head; and an elongate body extending from the head, the elongate body having a passageway therethrough, and an outside surface with a first thread;

[0014] (ii) a locking nut reversibly threadable to the outside surface of the elongate body of the bolt via the first thread, the locking nut having a body portion and a locking portion; wherein the elongate body portion of the bolt together with the locking nut threadedly engaged thereon are configured to pass through the opening of the item while the head of the bolt prevents complete passage of the bolt therethrough; the locking nut, once passed through the opening of the item, configured to interact with a complementary shaped recess in the surface of the piece of equipment, such that when the locking portion of the locking nut is located in the recess, upon a first rotation of the head the locking portion moves from:

[0015] (a) an unlocked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut can be installed into or removed from the recess;

[0016] (b) to a locked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut cannot be installed into or removed from the recess; wherein in the locked position further rotation of the head in the same direction causes the elongate body to thread, by the first thread, into the locking nut whereupon the head of the bolt and the body portion of the locking nut are drawn closer to one another so that the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped therebetween; characterised in that the body of the locking nut comprises two or more parts which are releasably assemblable together around the elongate body of the bolt.

[0017] If the fastener needs to be replaced and has become stuck for some reason, a tool can be inserted into the passageway in the elongate body to release the locking nut. The fastener can become stuck when e.g. the head part that is usually used for unscrewing removal is damaged such as by being stripped or “threaded”. To remove the stuck fastener, the tool can be inserted into the passageway in the elongate body and manipulated to release the two or more locking nut parts from being assembled around the elongate body of the bolt. In an embodiment, the two or more parts are releasably assembled together using a sleeve having an end wall which passes over the two or more parts and holds them together. The tool can be inserted into the passageway until a tip of the tool comes into contact with the end wall of the sleeve. A force can be applied to the tool which is transferred to the sleeve and causes the sleeve to fall off. As the sleeve falls off, the two or more parts around the elongate body fall away. The bolt can then be removed from the first and second items through the recess. The two or more half parts will be lost into the equipment; however, this is preferred over the inability to remove a worn fastener.

[0018] In an embodiment, the body of the locking nut is configured to have a twisted taper shape that assists in guiding the locking nut into the recess in the unlocked position.

[0019] In a second aspect there is provided a fastener for reversibly securing an item to a surface of a piece of equipment, the item having at least one opening therethrough, the fastener comprising:

[0020] (i) a bolt comprising: a head; and an elongate body extending from the head, the elongate body having an outside surface with a first thread;

[0021] (ii) a locking nut reversibly threadable to the outside surface of the elongate body of the bolt via the first thread, the locking nut having a body portion and a locking portion; wherein the elongate body portion of the bolt together with the locking nut threadedly engaged thereon are configured to pass through the opening of the item while the head of the bolt prevents complete passage of the bolt therethrough; the locking nut, once passed through the opening of the itemjs configured to interact with a complementary shaped recess in the surface of the piece of equipment, such that when the locking portion of the locking nut is located in the recess, upon a first rotation of the head the locking portion moves from:

[0022] (a) an unlocked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut can be installed into or removed from the recess;

[0023] (b) to a locked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut cannot be installed into or removed from the recess; wherein in the locked position further rotation of the head in the same direction causes the elongate body to thread, by the first thread, into the locking nut whereupon the head of the bolt and the body portion of the locking nut are drawn closer to one another so that the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped therebetween; characterised in that the body of the locking nut is configured to have a twisted taper shape that assists in guiding the locking nut into the recess in the unlocked position.

[0024] Description relating to the second aspect relates to the first aspect unless the context makes clear otherwise

[0025] The present fastener is of the type that can join a first item to a second item. The first item can be a wear liner and the second item can be a piece of equipment. The fastener is of the type that can only be installed from one side of the items, namely the front face surface of e.g. the wear liner. Such fasteners must be configured to be installable and tightenable only from the installation side.

[0026] The first item and second item each have openings therein which substantially overlap during joining to allow for the join by the fastener. The openings in the second item are sometimes referred to herein as recesses. An opening in the first item and a recess in the second item can overlap to provide a passageway. The passageway is sized to allow passage of at least a part of the fastener as described. Typically, when installing the first item, such as a wear liner, to a piece of equipment, a plurality of fasteners are first provided in the first item to provide a first item assembly. The first item assembly can comprise up to 2, 4, 6, 8 or more fasteners located in the openings and seeking engagement with a second item. The first item assembly has parts of the fasteners, being a part of the elongate body carrying the locking nut, extending from the rear surface, each ready to find their corresponding recess in the second item. As the first item assembly is brought towards the piece of equipment, it is preferable that the locking nuts of each fastener are located in the unlocked position otherwise the locking nuts will not be able to pass into the slotted recesses. In prior fasteners, each locking nut has to be manually adjusted to ensure that it is in the correct position prior to installation. This can be time consuming and frustrating especially if one of the plurality of locking nuts is not quite properly adjusted. In embodiments of the present fastener in which there is a twisted taper on the locking nut, the twisted taper shape of the locking nut can provide several advantages. The twisted taper shape of the body portion of the locking nut can assist in guiding the locking nut into the slotted recess in the surface of the piece of equipment. As the locking nut comes into contact with the recess, no matter what orientation the locking nut is in, the inside wall of the recess can force the locking nut to rotate into the unlocked position. This unique feature means that the need for manual adjustment of each locking nut prior to installation may be considerably reduced.

[0027] The fastener comprises a bolt, a locking nut, optionally a sleeve and in some embodiments there is a length adjuster. Each of the pieces can be formed from strong materials that are suitable for use under heavy loads. While plastics and other advanced materials including those with reinforcement might become useful in the future, for the present time the components of the fastener are made from metal. Preferably, the metal is steel.

[0028] The bolt comprises a head and an elongate body extending from the head. The elongate body can be integral with the head. The elongate body can be screwed into the head. The head of the bolt will be rotated so it should be configured to be used with a tool. The head can be sized and or shaped to allow for tightening by power tools or manual tools. In an embodiment, the head is shaped so as to be counter-sinkable into the wear liner. In an embodiment, the head can be frusto- conical. In an embodiment, the head is substantially cylindrical.

[0029] The head can have an opening therein for tightening or untightening by a complementary shaped tool such as a screwdriver or Allen key. In an embodiment, the head can have a shaped outside surface that provides a polygonal cross section that allows tightening e.g. by a correspondingly shaped socket. The tightening of the fastener can be by means known in the prior art. Once tightened, the fastener is intended to remain in place securely clamping the first item to the second item. The head part of the fastener can be of a low profile to avoid damage in use.

[0030] The fastener can be replaced periodically. The fastener can be replaced if it is damaged and or if the items that should be clamped together are loosening relative to one another. The fastener can be replaced by untightening it and then reversing the action that caused it to be tightened. Since access can only be gained from one side, to remove the fastener, the head is rotated until the locking portion of the locking nut moves back into the unlocked position and the whole fastener can be removed. Under normal removal conditions, the locking nut is retrieved with the bolt.

[0031] The head of the bolt of the fastener can have a tunnel therein which extends into the elongate body. The tunnel can have an inside wall. The inside wall can have a thread or polynomial cross section to allow unfastening by an inserted tool such as an Allen key. This tunnel may not be used during installation or during use of the fastener. This opening may not be used during normal removal of the fastener. However, if the fastener becomes stuck during removal because the head is damaged such as the turning mechanism is threaded, the tunnel can become useful. The tunnel can act as a secondary means (or backup) for removing the bolt of the fastener from the items. A tool can be inserted into the tunnel and then the screw tool can be used turn the fastener in situ.

[0032] The elongate body has an end proximate to the head and an end distal to the head. The elongate body can be a length sufficient to accommodate the locking nut including the locking portion, and to accommodate the items between the head and the locking nut. In an embodiment in which the second item is a piece of equipment about 10 mm thick, the elongate body is about 30, 35, 40 or 50 mm long. The elongate body can be circular in cross section to accommodate the first thread and can be about 10, 15 or 20mm in width. It should be understood that the length and width of the elongate body can vary according to the size of the items, the size of the locking nut, the width of the bolt. The size of the fastener is not limited.

[0033] The elongate body is hollow from the head portion all the way to the distal end of the elongate body. There is a continuous passageway all the way through the elongate body of the bolt. The part of the passageway starting at the end proximate to the head can serve the function of being the tunnel. The hollow elongate body can have an outside surface and an inside surface. The outside surface can have the first thread. Optionally, the inside surface can have a second thread. The threads referred to herein can have a Metric Thread Pitch calculated as the millimetre (mm) distance between two thread peaks. The thread pitch is not limited other than to say it should be complementary on any of the components intended to be mated. In an embodiment, the thread pitch is about 1 , 1 .25 or 1 ,5mm. Different mateable components can have different thread pitches as required. In a preferred embodiment, the thread pitch on the outside surface can be different to the thread pitch on the inside surface to ensure that one cannot influence the other.

[0034] The fastener has a locking nut mateable with the elongate body of the bolt. The locking nut has a body portion. The body portion has a hole therethrough. The hole in the body portion can be threaded.

[0035] The locking nut is reversibly threadable to the outside surface of the elongate body. The elongate body passes into the hole in the body portion of the locking nut and the first thread mates with the thread of the locking nut. By reversibly threadable it is meant that the locking nut can be screwed onto the elongate body of the bolt and then be advanced towards the head or away from the head as required. Prior to installation, the locking nut is threaded onto the elongate body. It should be understood that if a length adjuster as described below is present, the length adjuster may need to be removed before the locking nut can be engaged onto the distal end of the elongate body. The locking nut can be threaded along the elongate body to leave a land on the elongate body that is at least the distance of the first item and the second item together. This ensures that once in position the first item and second item can be arranged between the head of the bolt and the locking nut ready for clamping between the two.

[0036] In an embodiment, the fastener comprises a length adjuster at the distal end of the elongate body. The length adjuster can be threaded to the inside surface of the elongate body via the second thread. The length adjuster can be for adjusting the overall length of the fastener measured from the head to an end of the length adjuster. The length adjuster can be a second bolt, screw threaded into the hollow of the bolt of the fastener. The length adjuster in the form of a second bolt can comprise a length adjuster head and a length adjuster elongate body. The length adjuster elongate body has a screw thread that is complementary to the second thread. The length adjuster head can comprise an opening therein for tightening or untightening by a complementary shaped tool such as a screwdriver or Allen key.

[0037] The length of the fastener can be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing the length adjuster into the elongate body to different distances. In one embodiment, the length adjuster can be screwed to its maximum depth into the elongate body where the length adjuster head is in contact with the distal end of the elongate body and further advancement of the length adjuster into the body is prevented. In another embodiment, the length adjuster can be screwed part way out or almost all the way out of the elongate body with a lot or only a small portion of a distal end of the length adjuster body remaining screw threadedly connected with the second thread to ensure stable engagement. Depending on the length of the length adjuster elongate body, the length of the overall fastener can be adjusted to various lengths. The length of the overall fastener can be measured from the head to an end of the length adjuster e.g. the end of the length adjuster head.

[0038] The length adjuster head can provide a stop at the distal end of the elongate body of the fastener. This stop provided by the length adjuster head can be useful during removal of the fastener since when the locking nut abuts the length adjuster head, there can be no further screwing movement of the bolt relative to the locking nut. This is the case when the thread pitch of each of the first thread and the second thread are different so that turning the locking nut cannot cause the length adjuster to turn. Instead, the elongate body together with the locking nut threadedly engaged rotate together as one piece into the unlocked position. This can help to ensure that the valuable locking nut is retrieved during removal of the fastener. In some embodiments, the locking nut can be re-used if it remains in good condition.

[0039] The stop can prevent the locking nut from moving too far along the first thread and falling off the distal end of the elongate body. Furthermore, the length adjuster can cause the locking nut to “stop” at a desired location along the elongate body so that the distance between the head of the bolt and the locking portion of the locking nut is fixed. If this distance is fixed, when the fastener is inserted into the passageway formed by the openings of the items, the operator can be certain that the locking portion of the locking nut once attached will engage with the slotted recess in the piece of equipment. The fixed distance can be about the total thickness of the items being joined being X + Y. In an embodiment, where the wear liner is about 6mm in thickness and the equipment wall is about 10mm in thickness, when the length adjuster is fully threaded into the elongate bolt, the distance measured from the underside of the head to the beginning of the body portion of the locking nut is about 18mm. Preferably, there is a 1 or 2 mm tolerance to allow for movement of the components of the fastener. If a different liner is used which is thicker than 6 mm then the length adjuster can be screwed out of the elongate body to lengthen the fastener.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention there is a different configuration in which there is no length adjuster and therefore no length adjustment available. Instead, the bolt is provided at a pre-determined length with a barrier at the end of the elongate body. The barrier can provide the stop. The pre-determined length of the elongate body is selected with the known dimensions of the first and second items X, Y in mind. The length can be selected to ensure that the locking portion of the locking nut is located in the recess of the second item (piece of equipment).

[0041] In an embodiment, the body portion of the locking nut is provided in two or more parts. Each of the two or more parts can come together to form the complete body portion of the locking nut having the hole therethrough. The two or more parts of the locking nut body can be assembled around the elongate body and held into position. The means of holding the parts into position can be mechanical. The parts can be shaped so as to clip together by interference fit via e.g. protrusions and corresponding recesses. Alternatively or in addition there can be clips or other holding mechanisms that hold the parts together. In an embodiment, a sleeve can pass over the one or more parts to hold them firmly together within the sleeve. A sleeve can be advantageous since the locking nut is unlikely to come apart under forces applied to it in use. The sleeve need only pass over a part of each body portion part to prevent them from moving away from one another. In an embodiment, there are two half parts of the body portion of the locking nut. The two half parts when held together form the body portion of the locking nut. Each of the two half parts can comprise half of the locking portion, half of the body portion and half of the portion engageable with the sleeve. In order to engage with the sleeve, a tool can be used which holds the two half parts in the correct orientation. The sleeve can then be screwed onto the two half parts or pushed over the parts as held. If the sleeve is screw threaded, removal of said screwed sleeve may require a mechanism for rotation no bigger than the hole through the bolt located in the end of the sleeve. Once the sleeve is in place, the two half parts are then held together by the sleeve by either the screw thread or the tight interference fit. The sleeve can be an open cylinder. A cap can be added to the end of the open sleeve to provide an end wall. The sleeve can be a closed cylinder with an end wall.

[0042] In order to limit movement of the bolt inside the locking nut held by the sleeve, the sleeve can have one or more locking arms. The locking arms can reduce a likelihood that the sleeve will be inadvertently removed during use of the fastener by over screwing of the bolt. The locking arms can prevent the nut halves and the sleeve assembly from screwing itself off the end of the bolt when the bolt is screwed out. The locking arm(s) can be a portion of the side wall of the sleeve biased inwardly. The elongate body of the bolt can be inserted over the locking arm but cannot be removed because of the inward bias. The bolt can have a land that is thread free that allows for some free movement of the elongate body of the bolt into and out of the sleeve once attached. This thread free land on the elongate bolt body allows for some tightening or normal untightening of the bolt in use. In an embodiment, the thread free land is about 5 to 10 mm of the elongate body towards the distal end and is provided to align with the locking arm of the sleeve in use. In a preferred embodiment, there are two locking arms located on opposite sides to one another around the sleeve body.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve is a tight interference fit over the one or more parts. The advantage of not making use of a screw thread to join the sleeve to the parts is that the sleeve can be more easily removed if the bolt becomes stuck in the assembly during replacement. In an embodiment, the two or more half parts once held together appear to have a cut or a split. When viewed from above while in the locked position, the split is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the widest part of the recess in which the locking portion of the locking nut will be disposed in, in use. This orientation of the split in the body of the locking nut can provide the most room for the parts to fall away from one another when the sleeve is removed by the rod.

[0044] Once the sleeve is in place, the elongate body of the bolt can be screwed into the assembled locking nut. In an embodiment the elongate body will screw into the locking nut until the distal end of the elongate body contacts with the end wall of the sleeve.

[0045] The elongate body of the bolt together with the locking nut threadedly engaged thereon are sized and shaped to allow them to pass through the opening of the first item. The head of the bolt prevents complete passage of the bolt through the item. Accordingly, the head is of a wider diameter than the diameter of the elongate body. It follows that the head is also of a wider diameter than the opening provided in the first item. The wall of the first item abuts a flange provide by the underside of the head. A washer can be provided between the underside of the head and the first item if desired.

[0046] The elongate body together with the locking nut threadedly engaged and arranged in the first item can be referred to as a first item assembly. As mentioned above, there can be a plurality of fasteners in the first item assembly. The first item assembly is advanced, in use, by the user towards the wall of the second item which can be a surface of a piece of equipment.

[0047] The second item is a piece of equipment modified to have one or more openings therein which align with the location of each fastener in the first item assembly. Each of the openings in the piece of equipment can be referred to as a recess. Each recess has depth, a height and a width. The recess has a depth thickness usually equivalent to the wall thickness of the equipment. The depth thickness of the wall of the piece of equipment can be about 8, 10, 12, 15, or 18mm or more. The recess is configured so that the height and width dimensions are not the same. The result is a slotted recess. The width of the slotted recess is typically larger than the height of the slotted recess. The slotted recess can be arranged in any orientation in the surface of the equipment from horizontal to vertical or any angle therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, and for description purposes herein, the slotted recess is described and shown as arranged horizontally with its longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the horizonal plane.

[0048] The body of the locking nut is configured to have a complementary shape to the shape of the recess to allow passage of the body portion of the locking nut in use. If the sleeve is attached to the body portion, the sleeve also passes through the recess.

[0049] The body portion of the locking nut is associated with a locking portion. The locking portion can be integral with the body portion. While the body portion of the locking nut is configured to pass through the recess to the other side, the locking portion of the locking nut is configured to be located inside the slotted recess of the piece of equipment. The locking portion is configured to have a depth corresponding to approximately the thickness of the recess.

[0050] The locking portion is shaped to slot into the recess whereupon it is rotatable through a fixed angle. The fixed angle can be 90 degrees. Upon reaching the 90 degree position the material of the locking portion can be shaped to be too large to allow further rotation of the locking portion in the recess.

[0051] The body portion of the locking nut can only pass through the recess in one orientation. That is, the orientation in which the body portion has a substantially complementary shape at its widest part to the recess. Once the body portion is through the recess, any rotation of the locking nut causes the widest part of the body portion to move outside the scope of the recess opening and the body portion cannot then be removed through the recess. The locking nut can be rotated by rotating the head, which in turn rotates the elongate body attached thereto, which in turn rotates the locking nut threadedly engaged thereon. Accordingly, when the locking nut is located in the recess, upon a first rotation of the head the locking nut moves from:

[0052] (a) an unlocked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut can be installed into or removed from the recess;

[0053] (b) to a locked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut cannot be installed into or removed from the recess.

[0054] In the locked position, the body portion of the locking nut is aligned with the recess and so it can be moved into (installed) or moved out of (removed) the recess. In the unlocked position, the body portion of the locking nut is not aligned with the recess opening and is at least partially occluded by the walls around the recess and so it cannot be moved into (installed) or moved out of (removed) the recess.

[0055] Once the locking portion is no longer able to rotate any further in the recess, further rotation of the head in the same direction causes the elongate body of the fastener to have no choice but to screw along the first thread into the locking nut. As the elongate body is screwed into the locking nut, the head and the locking nut are drawn closer together. Accordingly, the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped between them. The clamping force can be as tight or as loose as the operator requires.

[0056] In an embodiment, the widest part of the body of the locking nut closest to the locking portion has a corresponding shape to the height of the recess and can be slightly wider than it is in height. As the body tapers, the cross-section of the body portion substantially retains that the original shape, but the shape can be rotated incrementally with the taper. At the smallest part of the taper, the cross section of the shape becomes substantially circular. Thus, the body portion of the locking nut can have a shape with a varying cross-sectional profile, the cross-sectional profile being such that

[0057] (i) at the first end of the body closest to the locking portion, the shape substantially corresponds to at least the height of the recess and is thicker than the height of the recess,

[0058] (ii) while at the second end of the body closest to the distal end of the elongate body the shape is substantially circular.

[0059] Over the distance between the first end and the second end the cross-sectional shape of the body portion can be rotated. The result is the appearance of a twisted taper or helix as if the shape at the first end had been slightly twisted through about 10 to 20 to 30 degrees. This twisted taper shape is useful when the second end of the locking nut is approaching the recess and entering into the recess for location of the locking portion. As the substantially circular second end of the locking nut moves into the recess and is advanced into the recess under force, the inside wall of the recess starts to turn the body portion of the locking nut into the unlocked position. Essentially, the body portion of the locking nut can be self-locating into the unlocked position in the recess. The locking portion can then slot into position in the recess and the system is ready for the fastener to be activated.

[0060] In an embodiment in which the body portion is in two or more half parts, the substantially circular second end of the locking nut can extend as a protrusion and can be the part engageable by the sleeve.

[0061] The twisted taper or helix on the exterior of the locking nut body not only functions when the first item assembly is gyrated in a rotary fashion but also when a linear force is applied through the first item assembly. Then a substantially linear force is applied to the first item assembly with the fasteners lined up in the slotted recesses, the fasteners can each automatically align its phase to synchronize with the shape of the slots respectively without the provision of any external torque.

[0062] Also provided is a method of securing a first item to a piece of equipment using a plurality of the fasteners according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprising: inserting each fastener through a respective opening in the item to form a first item assembly; wherein when the first item assembly is adjacent the piece of equipment each of the fasteners align with a respective complementary shaped recess in the piece of equipment; rotating the head of the bolt of the fastener to cause the locking portion to move to the locked position in the recess; further rotating the head in the same direction to cause the elongate body to thread, by the first thread, into the locking nut whereupon the head of the bolt and the body portion of the locking nut are drawn closer to one another so that the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped therebetween.

[0063] Brief Description of the Figures

[0064] Embodiments of the invention and other embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are not drawn to scale and which are exemplary only and in which:

[0065] Figures 1 is a perspective view of the components of the fastener.

[0066] Figure 2A and 2B show the components once assembled.

[0067] Figure 3A and 3B is a close up of the bolt of the fastener.

[0068] Figure 4A to 4D is a close up of the locking nut of the fastener.

[0069] Figure 5 shows the first item with the opening therein.

[0070] Figure 6A and 6B shows the formation of the first item assembly which is the first item with the fasteners ready for engagement with the piece of equipment.

[0071] Figure 7 is the recess in the piece of equipment to which the first item assembly will be coupled.

[0072] Figure 8 is an example of how the fastener will pass through the opening in the second item (the recess in the piece of equipment). The fastener is shown without the first item for clarity.

[0073] Figure 9A to 9C shows that the locking nut of the fastener can only pass through the front side of the recess in one orientation. Figure 10 shows the rear side of the recess with the locking nut in the unlocked (10A) and locked (10B) positions.

[0074] Figure 11 shows how the twisted taper shape of the locking nut can allow for the easy installation of the fastener.

[0075] Figure 12A and 12B show the components of an alternative embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention.

[0076] Figure 13 show the components of Figure 12 assembled.

[0077] Figure 14 show the two half parts of the locking nut in exploded view.

[0078] Figure 15A and 15B show the rod which can be used to remove the fastener of Figure 13.

[0079] Figure 16 shows two configurations of the split locking nut.

[0080] Figure 17 shows the holder that can be used to assemble the fastener.

[0081] Figure 18 shows an adapter socket for assisting in removal of a stuck locking nut.

[0082] Figure 19 shows the adapter socket of Figure 12 in use.

[0083] Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0084] Figure 1 shows the components of a first embodiment of the fastener 10. Fastener 10 is for reversibly securing an item to a surface of a piece of equipment. The components of the fastener 10 comprise a bolt 12 comprising a head 16 and an elongate body 14 extending from the head 12. The elongate body 14 has an outside surface with a first thread 34. The locking nut 18 can be reversibly threaded to the outside surface of the elongate body 14. The elongate body 14 shown in Figure 1 is integral with the head 16. The head 16 is substantially cylindrical. The cylindrical head 16 has an opening 36 therein for tightening or untightening by an Allen key (see Figure 3A).

[0085] The head 16 of the bolt 12 of the fastener 10 has a tunnel 37 therein which extends into the elongate body 14 (see Figure 3). The elongate body 14 therefore becomes at least partially hollow from the head portion 16. The tunnel 37 can have an inside wall 38. The inside wall 38 can have a hexagonal cross section extending about 5, to 10 mm into the head as seen in Figure 3B. If the fastener 10 becomes stuck during removal because the head 16 is damaged such as the primary hexagonal turning mechanism 36 is threaded, the tunnel 37 can become useful. The tunnel 37 can act as a secondary means (or backup) for removing the bolt 12 of the fastener 10 from the items X,Y. An Allen key can be inserted into the tunnel 37 then the Allen key can be used turn the fastener 10 in situ.

[0086] The elongate body 14 has an end proximate to the head (A) and an end distal to the head (B) (see Figure 1 ). The elongate body 14 can be a length sufficient to accommodate the locking nut 18 including the locking portion 22 as shown in e.g. Figure 2A, and to accommodate the items X, Y between the head 16 and the locking nut 18 as shown in Figure 2B. In the embodiment shown, the elongate body 14 is about 35 mm long. The elongate body 14 in this embodiment is circular in cross section and is about 15 mm in width.

[0087] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, the elongate body 14 is hollow from the head 16 portion A all the way to the distal end B of the elongate body 14. The part of the passageway starting at the end proximate to the head 16 can serve the function of being the tunnel 37.

[0088] The present fastener 10 is of the type that can join a first item X to a second item Y. The location of the joined items X, Y is shown schematically in Figure 2B. The first item X can be a wear liner X and the second item Y is a piece of equipment such as a hopper. The fastener 10 is of the type that can only be installed from one side of the items X,Y. The installation is from the front face surface as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2B. Once assembled as shown in Figure 2, the fastener 10 is intended to remain in place securely clamping the first item X to the second item Y.

[0089] The head 16 of the fastener 10 can be of a low profile to avoid damage in use.

[0090] The first item X and second item Y each have openings 46 (see Figure 5) and 52 (see Figure 7) therein, respectively, which overlap during joining to allow for the join by the fastener 10. The openings 52 in the second item are sometimes referred to herein as recesses 52. An opening in the first item 46 and a recess 52 in the second item can overlap to provide a passageway. The passageway is sized to allow passage of at least a part of the fastener 10 as described herein.

[0091] Typically, when installing the first item such as a wear liner 42 to a piece of equipment, a plurality of fasteners 10 are first provided in the first item 42 to provide a first item assembly 48 (e.g. Figure 6B). The first item assembly 48 shown in Figure 6B has four fasteners 10 located in the openings 46 of item X (wear liner) with the locking nut 18 seeking engagement with a second item (not yet shown). As the first item assembly 48 is brought towards the piece of equipment, it is important that the locking nuts 18 of each fastener 10 are located in the unlocked position otherwise the locking nuts 18 will not be able to pass into and through the recesses 52.

[0092] In an embodiment, the fastener 10 comprises a length adjuster 23 at the distal end B of the elongate body 14. The length adjuster 23 can be threaded to the inside surface 38 of the elongate body 14 via the second thread. The length adjuster 23 can be for adjusting the overall length of the fastener 10 measured from the head 16 (A) to an end of the length adjuster (C) (Figure 2). In the Figures, the length adjuster 23 is a second bolt 23, screw threaded into the hollow 37 of the bolt 12 of the fastener 10. The second bolt 23 can comprise a length adjuster head 28 and a length adjuster elongate body 26. The length adjuster elongate body 26 has a screw thread 24 that is complementary to the second thread on the inside wall 38 of the bolt 12. The length adjuster head 28 can comprise an opening 30 therein for tightening or untightening by a complementary shaped Allen key.

[0093] The length of the fastener 10 can be adjusted by screwing the length adjuster 23 into the elongate body 14 to different distances. In one embodiment, the length adjuster 23 can be screwed to its maximum depth into the elongate body 14 as shown in Figure 2B. The length adjuster head 28 is now in contact with the distal end B of the elongate body 14 and further advancement is prevented. In another embodiment, the length adjuster 23 can be screwed almost all the way out of the elongate body 14 with only a small portion of a distal end of the length adjuster body 26 remaining screw threadedly connected with the second thread 38 (as shown in Figure 2A). From Figures 2A and 2B, it should be clear that depending on the length of the length adjuster 23 elongate body 26, the length of the overall fastener 10 from A to C can be adjusted to various lengths.

[0094] The length adjuster head 28 can provide a stop at the distal end B of the elongate body 14 of the fastener 10. The stop can prevent the locking nut 18 from moving too far along the first thread 34 and falling off the distal end B of the elongate body 14. The length adjuster head 28 can also fix the distance between the head 16 of the elongate body 14 and the locking portion 20 of the locking nut 18. An advantage of fixing the distance to be approximately equal to the thickness of the first item (e.g. wear liner 42) and the second item (e.g. piece of equipment) is that the locking portion 22 of the locking nut is always engageable with the slotted recess 52 as described further below.

[0095] The locking nut 18 has a body portion 20 and a locking portion 22 (see close ups in Figure 4). The locking nut 18 has a threaded passageway therethrough with an opening 32 that allows it to be reversibly threadable to the outside surface of the elongate body 14 via the first thread 34. Figure 4A to Figure 4D show various views of the locking nut 18. The locking portion 22 can be seen integral with the body portion 20. The locking portion 22 comprises a substantially diamond shape or leaf shape. The curved walls of the locking portion 22 allow the locking portion 22 to rotate in the recess 52 of the second item. The non-curved walls or right-angled edges 40, 40’ prevent rotation of the locking portion 22 in the recess 52. The body portion 20 has a twisted taper shape. The twisted taper can be seen in Figure 4A and Figure 4C. The twisted taper starts near the locking portion towards the first end with a shape that is similar to the recess 52 and tapers towards the second end to the shape of circular cross-section as seen in Figure 4D. Prior to installation, the locking nut 18 is threaded onto the elongate body 14. The length adjuster 23 is removed before the locking nut 18 can be engaged onto the distal end B of the elongate body 14. The elongate body 14 of the bolt 12 together with the locking nut 18 threadedly engaged thereon are sized and shaped to allow them to pass through the opening 46 of the first item 42 as shown in Figure 6A and 6B. The head 16 of the bolt 12 prevents complete passage of the bolt 12 through the item 42. Accordingly, the head 16 is of a wider diameter than the diameter of the elongate body 14. It follows that the head 16 is also of a wider diameter than the opening 46 provided in the first item 42 as shown in Figure 5.

[0096] Each recess 52 in second item 50 as seen in Figures 7 to 11 has depth 54, a height (h) and a width (w). As seen in Figure 7, the recess 52 has a depth thickness 54 equivalent to the wall thickness of the equipment. The recess 52 can have a thickness different to the wall of the equipment, but most commonly they will be the same. The depth thickness 54 of the wall of the piece of equipment in the embodiment of Figure 7 is about 10 mm. The recess 52 is configured so that the height (h) and width (w) dimensions are not the same. The result is a slotted recess. In Figure 7, the slotted recess 52 is arranged horizontally with its longitudinal axis (width (w)) on substantially the horizonal plane.

[0097] The body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 is configured to have a complementary shape to the shape of the recess 52 to allow passage of the body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 in use. Figure 8 shows the fastener 10 passing into slot 52. It should be understood that the first item assembly 48 has been omitted from this figure for clarity and instead the fastener 10 is just being held into its position. While the body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 is configured to pass through the recess 52 to the other side, the locking portion 22 of the locking nut 18 is configured to be located inside the recess 52 of the piece of equipment. The locking portion 22 is configured to have a depth (d) as seen in Figure 4A corresponding to approximately the thickness 54 of the recess 52.

[0098] Given that in use the head 16 will be abutted next to the first item 42, as can be seen in Figure 6A, it should be understood that if the length adjuster 23 is properly adjusted, the locking portion 22 should sit snugly into the recess 52 for engagement with the wall 54 of the recess 52. For thicker liners 42 or thicker walls of equipment, the length adjuster can be screwed out of the elongate body 14 to lengthen the fastener 10. The skilled person can determine what the thickness is of the items being joined, and can then quickly adjust the length of the fastener 10 without having to get a replacement fastener 10. In prior art systems, a new fastener is required when the overall length dimension changes due to new items being joined or variations in the thickness of items joined.

[0099] As seen in Figure 8, the locking portion 22 is shaped to slot into the recess 52 whereupon it is rotatable through a fixed angle in this case 90 degrees. Upon reaching the 90 degree position the material 40, 40’ of the locking portion is shaped to be too large to allow further rotation of the locking portion 22 in the recess 52.

[0100] The body 20 of the locking nut 18 can only pass through the recess in one orientation as shown in Figure 9. That is, the orientation in which the body 20 has a substantially complementary shape at its widest part to the recess. Figure 9C shows the orientation in which the body portion 20 can pass through recess 52. Figure 9A and 9B show that the locking nut 18 has to be rotated before it can pass through recess 52. Once the body portion 20 is through the recess 52, the locking portion 22 is in the recess 52, as described above, and the locking nut 18 body portion 20 is through the recess 52 at the rear of the second item as shown in Figure 10. Any rotation of the locking nut 18 causes the widest part of the body portion 20 to move outside the scope of the recess 52 opening and the body portion 20 cannot then be removed through the recess. The locking nut can be rotated by rotating the head 16, which in turn rotates the elongate body 14 attached thereto, which in turn rotates the locking nut 18 threadedly engaged thereon. Accordingly, when the locking nut 18 is located in the recess 52, upon a first rotation of the head 16 the locking nut 18 moves from:

[0101] (a) an unlocked position (Figure 10A) in which the elongate body 14 together with the locking nut 18 can be installed into or removed from the recess 52;

[0102] (b) to a locked position (Figure 10B) in which the elongate body 14 together with the locking nut 18 cannot be installed into or removed from the recess due to the location of the body portion 20 material 51 , 5T. In the locked position, the body 20 of the locking nut 18 is aligned with the recess 52 and so it can be moved into (installed) or moved out of (removed) the recess (Figure 9C and 10A). In the unlocked position, the body 20 of the locking nut 18 is not aligned with the recess opening 52 and is at least partially occluded by the wall 50 around the recess 52 and so it cannot be moved into (installed) or moved out of (removed) the recess 52 (Figure 10B).

[0103] Once the locking portion 22 is no longer able to rotate any further in the recess 52 (Figure 8), further rotation of the head 16 in the same direction causes the elongate body 14 of the fastener 10 to have no choice but to screw along the first thread 34 into the locking nut 18. As the elongate body 14 is screwed into the locking nut 18, the head 16 and the locking nut 18 are drawn closer together. Accordingly, the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped between them. The clamping force can be as tight or as loose as the operator requires.

[0104] As seen in Figure 11 , the widest part of the body of the locking nut 51 has a corresponding height to the recess 52. The recess can be about 22, 23 or 24 mm in height which is common in the industry. The recess here is shown as a slot with a defined width but other slots are in scope.

[0105] As the body 20 of the locking nut 18 tapers, the cross-section of the body portion 20 substantially retains the original shape of the widest part 51 closest to the locking portion 22, but the shape is rotated incrementally with the taper (see Figure 4A to D for the close ups of the locking nut 18). At the smallest part of the taper seen in Figure 4D, the cross section of the shape becomes substantially circular. Thus, the body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 has a shape with a varying cross- sectional profile, the cross-sectional profile being such that:

[0106] (iii) at the first end of the body 20 closest to the locking portion 22, the shape substantially corresponds to the height of the recess and is wider than the recess optionally with rounded edges,

[0107] (iv) while at the second end of the body closest to the distal end of the elongate body 20 the shape is substantially circular. Over the distance between the first end and the second end as seen in Figure 4D the cross-sectional shape of the body 20 is rotated. The result is the appearance of a helix or twisted taper as if the shape at the first end had been slightly twisted through about 10 to 20 to 30 degrees. This twisted taper shape is useful when the second end of the locking nut 18 is approaching the recess 52 and entering into the recess 52 for location of the locking portion 18 as shown in Figure 11 . As the substantially circular second end of the locking nut 18 moves into the recess 52 and is advanced into the recess 52 under force (Figure 11 A), the inside wall 54 of the recess 52 starts to turn the body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 into the unlocked position in the direction of the arrow shown. Essentially, the body portion 20 of the locking nut 18 is self-locating into the unlocked position in the recess 52. The locking portion 22 can then slot into position to engage with the shelf 54 of the recess 52 and the system is ready for the fastener 10 to be activated.

[0108] To remove the fastener 10, the process for installation can be reversed and the fastener 10 can be removed back out of the passageway way formed by the recess 52 and opening. However, sometimes an attempt to undo the fastener 10 by the front means fails and the locking nut 18 will not move. This could happen if the recess and opening, are blocked e.g. by debris. If the locking nut is unable to rotate, then the bolt will turn until the locking nut 18 engages with the length adjuster head 28. The stop will provide positive drive; however, the system is designed so that the torque required to shear off the length adjuster stop head 28 by continued rotation of the bolt is more than that required to wear out the drive mechanism on the bolt comprising the threads.

[0109] In some embodiments, when the locking nut 18 is stuck, the installer / remover can cut off the locking nut 18 using a cutting means. The cutting means can be one or more of a plasma cutter, oxyacetylene torch or heat axe. The cutting method of removing the locking nut 18 can be undesirable because the fastener is destroyed, and there is inherent risk in hot working. Furthermore, the nut would be irretrievable or if the back of the equipment / chute is accessible, the nut ejecting upon removal could cause a falling object hazard. Instead of cutting the locking nut 18 from the fastener, an adapter socket 100 can be used which assists in rotating the locking nut 18.

[0110] The adapter socket 100 is shown in Figure 18. The adapter socket 100 can have a sleeve body 101 which passes over the locking nut 18 from the rear of the assembly X,Y. The sleeve body 101 has an engagement portion 102 for engagement by a correspondingly shaped socket tool or shifter. In order to improve grip of the locking nut 18, the adapter socket 100 is advantageously configured for the length adjuster 23 to be inserted into the engagement body 102 at the rear of the adapter socket 100 in a direction as shown by the arrow in Figure 19. A front face of the adapter socket 100 is directed towards the second item Y. To remove locking nut 18, the socket tool or shifter applies pressure at the engagement portion 102 to turn the adapter socket 100 and in turn, turn the locking nut thereby unscrewing it from the bolt 12.

[0111] Figures 12 to 17 show a fastener 110 that is an alternative embodiment to the fastener 10 of Figures 1 to 11 . It should be understood that the description in relation to how the fastener 110 can be installed is substantially the same as fastener 10. The optional twisted taper shape of the locking nut body 120 can be seen in Figure 13 and in exploded view Figure 14. The fastener of this embodiment does not have to have that shape, but it can be convenient.

[0112] In this embodiment there is no length adjuster and therefore no length adjustment available. Instead, the bolt 112 is provided with a pre-determined length as shown. The length can be selected to ensure that the locking portion 120 of the locking nut 118 is located in the recess 152 of the second item (piece of equipment) once installed.

[0113] In this embodiment, the body portion 120 of the locking nut 118 is provided in two parts 118A and 118B. These can be seen most clearly in Figure 14 where it should be understood that each of the parts 118A, 118B can come together to form the complete body portion 118 of the locking nut having the hole 132 therethrough.

[0114] The parts 118A, 118B of the locking nut body 120 can be assembled around the elongate body 114 and held into position by holder 168 as shown in Figure 17. The parts 118A and 118B can be arranged into the holder temporarily so that sleeve 160 can be passed over the protruding ends 170A and 170B. In an embodiment, a sleeve 160 is hammered over the protruding ends 170A, 170B to hold them firmly together within the sleeve 160.

[0115] Each of the two half parts 118A, 118B can comprise half of the locking portion 122A, 122B, half of the body portion 120A, 120B and half of the portion engageable with the sleeve 170A, 170B. As shown in Figure 16, the two or more half parts 118A, 118B once held together appear to have a cut or a split. The split can be along any axis. In Figure 16 there are two possible configurations shown. When viewed from above as in Figure 16, the configuration on the RIGHT shows that the split can be oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the widest part of the recess 152 in which the locking portion 122 of the locking nut 118 will be disposed in, in use. This orientation shown on the RIGHT can provide the most room for the parts 118A and 118B to fall away from one another when the sleeve 160 is removed by the rod 170.

[0116] In order to limit movement of the bolt 112 inside the locking nut 118 held by the sleeve 160 as shown in Figure 13, the sleeve 160 has a pair of locking arms 166. Only one can be seen in the Figures. The locking arms 166 are a portion of the side wall of the sleeve 160 biased inwardly. Once the sleeve 160 is in place, the elongate body 114 of the bolt 112 can be screwed into the assembled locking nut 118. The elongate body 114 of the bolt 112 is inserted by screwing the bolt 114 into the locking nut 118 and into sleeve 160. The elongate body 114 will screw into the locking nut 118 until the distal end of the elongate body 114 contacts with the inside of the end wall of the sleeve 164. Once inserted, the bolt 112 cannot be removed because of the inward bias of the locking arms 166 which allow passage of the bolt 112 into the sleeve but which prevent removal of the bolt 112 from the sleeve 160.

[0117] The bolt 112 can have a land 162 (see Figure 12) that is thread free that allows for some free movement of the elongate body 114 into and out of the sleeve 160. The locking arms 166 can move freely over the land 162. If the fastener 110 becomes is stuck, a rod 170 can be inserted into the passageway in the elongate body as shown in Figure 15. The rod 170 can be inserted until it comes into contact with the end wall 164 of the sleeve 160. A force can be applied to the rod 170 e.g. a tap with a hammer, and the sleeve 160 will fall off. As the sleeve 160 falls off, the parts 118A and 118B around the elongate body 114 of the body fall away. The bolt 112 can then be removed from the first and second items X, Y through the recess 152.

[0118] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0119] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0120] Any promises made in the present description should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be promises made about the invention as a whole. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant / patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and does not rely on these promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A fastener for reversibly securing an item to a surface of a piece of equipment, the item having at least one opening therethrough, the fastener comprising: a bolt comprising: a head; and an elongate body extending from the head, the elongate body having an outside surface with a first thread; a locking nut reversibly threadable to the outside surface of the elongate body of the bolt via the first thread, the locking nut having a body portion and a locking portion; wherein the elongate body portion of the bolt together with the locking nut threadedly engaged thereon are configured to pass through the opening of the item while the head of the bolt prevents complete passage of the bolt therethrough; the locking nut, once passed through the opening of the item, configured to interact with a complementary shaped recess in the surface of the piece of equipment, such that when the locking portion of the locking nut is located in the recess, upon a first rotation of the head the locking portion moves from:(a) an unlocked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut can be installed into or removed from the recess;(b) to a locked position in which the elongate body together with the locking nut cannot be installed into or removed from the recess; wherein in the locked position further rotation of the head in the same direction causes the elongate body to thread, by the first thread, into the locking nut whereupon the head of the bolt and the body portion of the locking nut are drawn closer to one another so that the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped therebetween; characterised in that the body of the locking nut is configured to have a twisted taper shape that assists in guiding the locking nut into the recess in the unlocked position.

2. The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the head of the bolt has a tunnel extending into the elongate body.

3. The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate body has a passageway therethrough, the passageway comprising a second thread.

4. The fastener of any claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the fastener is adjustable.

5. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein there is a length adjuster having a length adjuster body and a length adjuster head, the length adjuster body screw threaded via the second thread into the passageway from a distal end of the elongate body, wherein the length of the fastener measured from the head to the length adjuster head is adjustable.

6. The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body portion of the locking nut has a first end and a second end, a. at the first end of the body portion closest to the locking portion, the shape of the body portion substantially corresponds to at least the height of the recess and is thicker than the height of the recess, b. at the second end of the body portion closest to the distal end of the elongate body of the bolt the shape of the body portion is substantially circular.

7. The fastener according to claim 6, wherein to provide the twisted taper shape in cross-section the first end of the body portion is twisted through about 10, 20 or 30 degrees.

8. The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the item is a wear liner.

9. The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piece of equipment is equipment that is subject to wear such as a hopper, chute or rotary mill.

10. The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking portion is substantially a diamond shape that allows for 90 degrees of rotation of the locking portion in the recess.11 . The fastener according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the recess that the fastener engages with is a slotted recess.

12. A method of securing a first item to a piece of equipment using a plurality of the fasteners according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: inserting each fastener through a respective opening in the item to form a first item assembly; wherein when the first item assembly is adjacent the piece of equipment each of the fasteners align with a respective complementary shaped recess in the piece of equipment; rotating the head of the bolt of the fastener to cause the locking portion to move to the locked position in the recess; further rotating the head in the same direction to cause the elongate body to thread, by the first thread, into the locking nut whereupon the head of the bolt and the body portion of the locking nut are drawn closer to one another so that the item and piece of equipment are caused to be clamped therebetween.

13. A method of removing a fastener installed by the method of claim 12 comprising: applying an adapter socket to the locking nut rotating the adapter socket to thereby rotate the locking nut.

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