Thread locker

Abstract

Primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) installed one into the other gets locked to their position The portion of the primary nut (12) with an ability to change it's circumference is used for anchoring and arresting the rotation of the primary nut (12). The secondary nut (13) when installed into the primary bolt, the tail portion of the primary nut (12) moves into the converging volume of the secondary nut (13). This contracts the circumference of the tail portion and binds the tail portion of the primary nut (12) to adhere to the main thread (16) and the tail portion behaves as an anchor to stop the unwinding of the primary nut (12). The reverser (14) prevents the primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) from unnecessary rotation. When the portion of a nut (primary nut) possessing one or more longitudinal slits experience a circumferentially inward force, the slitted portions bend or compress towards their cross sectional center resulting in the reduction of circumference or diameter. This portion of the nut with reduced circumference binds to the threads of the main bolt and becomes stagnant. Thus the nut gets locked to the threads of the main bolt using the friction created by the inward movement of the slitted portions to bind them to the threads of the main bolt.

Description

[0001] TITLE: THREAD LOCKER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of mechanical engineering. More particularly, this application relates to a thread locking device which locks the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) onto the main thread (16) using the secondary nut (13) thus preventing the unwinding from their position.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Conventional bolts and nuts are used to clamp the parts together. The clamping force created by the conventional nut plays a major role in holding the parts together during the operational conditions of a mechanism or a machine. When a tightened nut undergoes vibration, it tends to lose it’s clamping force and fails from holding the parts together tightly. The tolerance between the conventional bolt and nut is responsible for smooth (easy) sliding of the nut over the threads of the conventional bolt, when tightened against the objects to be clamped, a force resistive in nature capable of preventing the unwinding of the nut is developed between the threads of the conventional bolt and nut, this force holds the nut in position. When subjected to vibration or unintended excessive force the resisting force between the bolt and nut reduces and fails to hold the nut in position and results in unwinding of the nut from its clamped position. Particularly, the nuts used in the vehicles are subjected to vibration and forces which result in unwinding of the nuts from their conventional bolt. Locking the nut in its position is necessary for safe and successful operation of the machines, failing from which may lead to catastrophic failure in terms of life and money. Nuts are over tightened in the vehicles to prevent this unwelcome situation. This general practice of over tightening damages the threads of the bolt and also complicates the maintenance work. Nylon threads are winded around the bolt to increase the friction between the conventional bolt and the nut; this method will not only prevent the unwinding of nut during the working conditions but also during the maintenance work. This will complicate the maintenance work. These problems can be solved by using a component sets (thread locker) in place of a nut.

[0006] OBJECTIVES

[0007] To develop a component set equivalent to nut which prevents unwinding.

[0008] To develop a component set suitable for easy installation and quick maintenance.

[0009] To develop a component set with simple and compact design.

[0010] To develop a component set which doesn't need an adaptive modification on other bodies for it's installation.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Thread locker utilizing two nuts (primary and secondary) of suitable shape customised for installation of one nut into the other to create a strangling force at the tip of the primary nut (12). This force acting over the primary nut (12) contracts the circumference of the portion which is provided with at least one longitudinal slit. This force prevents the primary nut (12) from unintentional unwinding from it’s position. Primary nut (12) of the thread locker is shaped similar to a modified elongated nut with externally threaded body portion followed by converging tail portion. The secondary nut (13) of the thread locker has a converging socket (8) to accommodate the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12). When the nuts are tightened against each other, the converging volume (8) of the secondary nut (13) presses the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) against the circumference of the main thread (16) in inward direction. As a result, the tail portion (3) binds to the main thread (16) and locks the primary nut (12) in it’s position.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings are explained as follows,

[0015] Figure (1) shows the bottom view of the primary nut (12).

[0016] Figure (2) shows the side view of the primary nut (12).

[0017] Figure (3) shows the top view of the primary nut (12).

[0018] Figure (4) shows the sectional view of the primary nut (12).

[0019] Figure (5) shows the top view of the secondary nut (13). Figure (6) shows the side view of the secondary nut (13).

[0020] Figure (7) shows the bottom view of the secondary nut (13).

[0021] Figure (8) shows the sectional view of the secondary nut (13).

[0022] Figure (9) shows the sectional view of the reverser (14)

[0023] Figure (10) shows the side view of the reverser (14).

[0024] Figure (11) shows the top view of the reverser (14).

[0025] Figure (12) shows the sectional view of the Thread locker set.

[0026] 1- Head portion of the primary nut (12).

[0027] 2- Body portion of the primary nut (12).

[0028] 3- Tail portion of the primary nut (12).

[0029] 4- Internal threads of the primary nut (12).

[0030] 5- Body portion of the secondary nut (13).

[0031] 6- Head portion of the secondary nut (13).

[0032] 7- Internal threads of the secondary nut (13).

[0033] 8- Cone shaped socket of the secondary nut (13).

[0034] 9- Body portion of the reverser (14).

[0035] 10- Inner circumference of the reverser (14).

[0036] 11- Internal threads of the reverser (14).

[0037] 12- Primary nut of the thread locker.

[0038] 13- Secondary nut of the thread locker.

[0039] 14- Reverser of the thread locker.

[0040] 15- Locking pin of the thread locker.

[0041] 16- Thread (main thread) of the main bolt.

[0042] Figures (13) to (58) shows the top views and side views of the possible variants of the thread locker set and primary nut that are claimed.

[0043] Figure (13), (14), (15) and (16)- shows the bottom view, side view, top view and sectional view of the primary nut (12) with tail portion consisting of internally diverging conical socket or volume as claimed in claim(5). Figure (17), (18), (19) and (20)- shows the top view, side view, bottom view and sectional view of the secondary nut (13) suitable for the primary nut (12) as claimed in claim(5).

[0044] Figure (21), (22) and (23)- shows the sectional view, side view and top view of the reverser (14) suitable for the secondary nut (13).

[0045] 17,18,19 and 20 - indicates head, body, tail and internal threaded portion of the primary nut (12) respectively as claimed in claim(5).

[0046] 21 , 22, 23, and 24 - indicates body, head, internal threaded portion and slot of the secondary nut (13) respectively as claimed in claim(5).

[0047] 25,26, and 27 - indicates body, internal circumference and internal threaded portion of the reverser (14).

[0048] Figure 24 - shows the sectional view of the thread locker set.

[0049] 28,29,30,31 ,32 - indicates the primary nut with internally diverging tail portion, secondary nut, reverser, locking pin and the main bolt.

[0050] Figure 25 and 26 shows the side view and sectional view of the primary nut with enlarged head and internally diverging tail portion as claimed in claim 3 and claim 5.

[0051] 33,34, 35 and 36 - indicates the head, body, internally diverging tail portion and internal threads of the primary nut with enlarged head as claimed in claim 3 and claim 5.

[0052] Figure 27 and 28 shows the side view and sectional view of the primary nut with enlarged head and converging tail portion.

[0053] 37, 38, 39 and 40 - indicates the head, body, converging tail portion and internal threads of the primary nut with enlarged head as claimed in claim 3.

[0054] Figure 29 and 30 shows the side view and sectional view of the secondary nut.

[0055] 41 , 42 and 43 - indicates the body with diverging tip, head and internal threads of the secondary nut with enlarged head as claimed in claim 3 and claim 5.

[0056] Figure 31 and 32 shows the side view and sectional view of the secondary nut with internally converging socket.

[0057] 44, 45 and 46 - indicates the body, head and internal threads of the secondary nut with enlarged head as claimed in claim 3. Figure 33, 34, 35 and 36 shows the side view and sectional view of the reverser.

[0058] 47, 48 and 49 - indicates the body portion, internal threads and internal circumference of the reverser suitable for secondary nut with diverging tip.

[0059] 50, 51 and 52 - indicates the body portion, internal threads and internal circumference of the reverser suitable for secondary nut with converging tip.

[0060] Figure 37 and 38 shows the sectional view of the thread locker set with enlarged head portions of primary and secondary nut.

[0061] Figure 39 and 40 shows the sectional view of different versions of thread locker set.

[0062] Figure 41 shows the sectional view of the thread locker set without main bolt.

[0063] 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 - indicates the different forms of locking pins used for the thread locker set.

[0064] Figure 42 shows the sectional view of the thread locker set with opposer (13) and reverser (14) unified to form a single component 61 as claimed in claim(4).

[0065] 59, 60 and 61 - indicates the primary nut, locking pin and unified component of opposer and reverser.

[0066] Figure 43 and 44 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted head, body and tail portion.

[0067] 62, 63, 64 and 65 - indicates the head, body, tail and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8.

[0068] Figure 45 and 46 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted body and tail portion.

[0069] 66, 67, 68 and 69 - indicates the head, body, tail and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8.

[0070] Figure 47 and 48 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted head and body portion as claimed in claim 9.

[0071] 70, 71 , 72 and 73 - indicates the head, body, internal threads and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8 and claim 9. Figure 49 and 50 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted body portion as claimed in claim 9.

[0072] 74, 75, 76 and 77 - indicates the head, body, internal threads and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8 and claim 9.

[0073] Figure 51 and 52 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted head and tail portion as claimed in claim 10.

[0074] 78, 79, 80 and 81 - indicates the head, tail, internal threads and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8 and claim 10.

[0075] Figure 53 and 54 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut with slitted tail portion as claimed in claim 10.

[0076] 82, 83, 84 and 85 - indicates the head, tail, internal threads and slit of the primary nut as claimed in claim 8 and claim 10.

[0077] Figure 55 and 56 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut possessing slitted head option and tapered body portion with slit as claimed in claim 11 .

[0078] 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 - indicates the head, body, internal threads, slit and tapered surface of the primary nut.

[0079] Figure 57 and 58 shows the top view and side view of the primary nut possessing tapered body portion with slit as claimed in claim 11 .

[0080] 91 , 92, 93, 94, and 95 - indicates the head, body, internal threads, slit and tapered surface of the primary nut.

[0081] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0082] Thread locker is a set of components namely primary nut (12), secondary nut (13) and a hollow cylinder (14) threaded internally to slide over the primary nut (12). Secondary nut (13) is called as opposer as it resists or opposes the motion of the primary nut (12), while the hollow internally threaded cylinder (14) is called as reverser (14) as it undergoes counter displacement when connected to the opposer (13). Reverser (14) is internally threaded with opposite threads with respect to the thread (16) of the main bolt. Primary nut (12) is threaded externally with opposite threads to facilitate the sliding of the reverser (14) over it. Reverser (14) is threaded internally for half of it’s length, while the remaining portion is not threaded to aid the locking pin (15) match it’s position (port) on the head of the opposer (13). Reverser (14) rotates freely over the opposer (13) to aid the locking pin

[0083] (15) find it’s port. Primary nut (12) has three portions namely head portion (1), body portion (2) and tail portion (3), while the secondary nut (13) has two portions namely head portion (6) and body portion (5). The body portion (2) of the primary nut (12) is threaded internally similar to main thread while the same is threaded externally similar to reverser (14). The internal threads in head portion (1), body portion (2) and tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) behaves similar to the elongated nut. Primary nut is a nut comprising both body and tail portion or comprising only body portion or comprising only tail portion such that one or more portion of the nut undergoes circumferential contraction to adhere to the main bolt. The circumferential contraction is achieved by provide at least one longitudinal slit in the required portion of the primary nut (12).

[0084] Primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) are capable of moving into one another by rotating in the same direction. Counter displacement of the reverser (14) for the same directional rotation as the opposer (13) is used to prevent the relative motion (rotation) of primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) by coupling them. Primary nut (12) is similar to a hollow bolt which is threaded internally for the entire length to wind (slide) over the main thread (16), the outer circumference of the body portion (2) of the primary nut (12) is oppositely threaded and serves as a platform to install the reverser (14). The body portion (5) of the secondary nut (13) has a socket (8) (converging space) profiled to match the shape of the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12). The body portion (5) of the secondary nut (13) is threaded internally for the remaining length following the converging space (8). Body portion (5) of the secondary nut (13) is designed to accommodate the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12). When the secondary nut (13) is installed, the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) fully covers the converging volume (8) of the secondary nut (13) or opposer (13) . The tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) is shaped like petals to form a hollow cone which deforms to adhere to the main thread (16) on generation of strangulation force created by tightening the secondary nut (13). Internal threads of the primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) are similar (same) with respect to the main thread (16). Main thread (16) refers to the thread of the main bolt over which primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) are installed. Tolerance between the primary nut (12) and main thread (16) is responsible for smooth sliding of the primary nut (12). When the strangulation force is created the tolerance is eliminated at the tail portion (3) where the primary nut (12) makes contact with the main thread (16). This restricts the freedom of rotation of the primary nut (12) and locks the primary nut (12) in it’s position. The tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) is made in such a way to change or reduce it’s circumference under application of circumferentially inward or outward force, which helps in effective gripping of the tail portion (3) to the main thread (16) thereby increasing the friction which results in locking the primary nut (12) on to it’s position. Secondary nut (13) is provided with the converging volume (8) (socket or space) at the tip of it’s body portion (5) followed by internal threads (7) to wind (slide) over the main thread (16). The internal volume (8) provided in the body portion (5) of the secondary nut (13) is converging in nature to induce a strangulation force which shrinks the conical circumference of the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12). Circumferentially inward force is created by the converging volume (8). A locking pin (15) connecting (coupling) both the reverser (14) and opposer (13) prevents their rotational movement. Opposer (13) rotates clockwise to move inwards against the primary nut (12) while reverser (14) rotates clockwise to move outwards away from the primary nut (12). When the counter displacement of the reverser (14) is arrested by coupling it with the opposer (13), the entire set comprising of primary nut (12), secondary nut or opposer (13) and reverser (14) is locked onto their position over the main thread (16) by preventing their relative motion. The locking pin (15) works by arresting the rotation of the reverser (14). This locking mechanism of the thread locker does not damage the main thread (16) so it is safe, cheap and easy for installation. Primary nut and secondary nut need not necessarily have head, body and tail portions, instead they should possess at least one portion dedicated to undergo circumferentially inward contraction to adhere to the thread of the main bolt. This circumferentially inward contraction is possible only when the portion is provided with at least one longitudinal slit. Conventional nut fastens the objects by moving towards the head of the bolt. When the movement of the nut is restricted it creates a force between the threads of the bolt and nut as it presses against the surface of the objects to be fastened. This force acting over the threads in longitudinal direction is responsible for clamping. Whereas the secondary nut (13) of the thread locker when moved against the primary nut (12) squeezes the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) onto the main thread (16) thus creating an additional force which acts laterally inwards around the circumference of the threads creating more friction and binds the tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) to the main thread (16) thus preventing the motion of the primary nut (12). Bolt head or another nut is needed to hold the conventional nut in position, while Thread locker has an advantage of locking to the main thread (16) without pressing against the main head (bolt head) or an object to be clamped so it can be locked anywhere along the main thread (16) in convenient position without a need for a counterpart that work like a nut by moving against the thread locker. For convenient handling, head portion of both the primary nut (12) and secondary nut (13) can be enlarged in diameter which makes them similar to an internally threaded bolt. For a simpler design, the primary nut and secondary nut can be modified to eliminate the reverser.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A Thread locker is a set of components primary nut (12), secondary nut (13), reverser (14) and a locking pin (15), the primary nut (12) consist of an internally threaded head portion (1), externally and internally threaded body portion (2) followed by an internally threaded conical tail portion (3), the secondary nut or opposer (13) consist of a hollow conical volume (8) followed by internal threads (7) to form body portion (5) and internally threaded head portion (6), reverser (14) in the form of hollow internally threaded cylinder rotates over the primary nut (12), a locking pin (15) couples the reverser (14) and opposer (13).

2. As claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking pin (15) can be replaced by any other suitable locking component like wedge, grooved washer or nut locker.

3. As claimed in claim 1 , the head portion (1) of the primary nut (12) and the head portion (6) of the secondary nut (13) can be enlarged in diameter with respect to their body portion to aid in convenient handling.

4. As claimed in claim 1 , Opposer (13) and reverser (14) can be unified to form a single component (61) so that it winds (slides) over the primary nut (59), this component is internally threaded to slide over primary nut (59) instead of main thread, here the locking pin (60) couples the primary nut (59) and the secondary nut (61).

5. As claimed in claim 1 , the linearly reducing girth in a converging nature to form the conical tail portion (3) of primary nut (12) and the linearly reducing cross sectional area in a converging nature to form the hollow conical volume (8) of secondary nut (13) can be interchanged, i.e the male tip of the primary nut (12) and female tip of the secondary nuts (13) can be interchanged.

6. As claimed in claim 1 , reverser (14) can have similar internal threads comprising different pitch or opposite internal threads with respect to main thread (16).

7. As claimed in claim 1 , the conical tail portion (3) of the primary nut (12) should contain at least 2 petals or at least one longitudinal slit.

8. The primary nut (12) is slit longitudinally along the entire length or in certain portion i.e head, body and tail, to make the internal diameter or circumference adaptable on application of strangulation force and adhere to the main bolt.

9. As claimed in claim 8, the tail portion of the primary nut (12) is eliminated as the slitted body portion does the work of the tail portion.

10. As claimed in claim 8, the body portion of the primary nut (12) is eliminated to eliminate the reverser and simplify the design, appropriate locking pin alone is sufficient to hold the primary nut and secondary nut together while the tail portion is sufficient to lock the primary nut.

11. As claimed in claim 8 and claim 10, the primary nut (12) without body portion can be threaded along the tail portion in converging nature.

12. The primary nut (12) should have at least one longitudinal slit arranged circumferentially in head, body and tail portion to make their circumferences adjustable and adhering to the main thread.

13. As claimed in claim 1 and claim 5, the primary nut (12) without tail portion can have similar or opposite external threads on the body.

14. As claimed in claim 1 and claim 9, the threaded body portion of the primary nut (12) is tapered to eliminate the tail portion i.e shaped like a thread cutter.

15. As claimed in claim 1 , the primary nut (12) can have similar external threads comprising different pitch or opposite external threads with respect to the main thread.

16. Primary nut and secondary nut need not necessarily have head, body and tail portions, instead they should possess at least one portion dedicated to undergo circumferentially inward contraction to adhere to the thread of the main bolt, which is possible only when the portion is provided with at least one longitudinal slit.

17. As claimed in claim 1 , a modification in primary nut or secondary nut is accompanied by a suitable modification in it’s counterpart to make it suitable for installation.

18. As claimed in claim 1 , claim 11 , claim 14 and claim 17, the conical volume of the secondary nut is provided with internal threads in converging nature.

19. As claimed in claim 1 , claim 10 and claim 17, hexagonal edges are provided externally for the body portion of the secondary nut to replace the head portion.

20. As claimed in claim 12, two or more longitudinal slits provided to the primary nut (12) cuts the primary nut (12) into two half nuts or more fragments respectively, these half nuts or fragments are put together and work as a whole primary nut when secondary nut is employed.

21. As claimed in claim 13 and claim 17, the secondary nut (13) can have similar or opposite internal threads on the body.

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