Appeal No. 2003-0786
Application 09/059,712
noted in column 3, lines 38-50, the ring (20) has an external
hexagonal or other shape adapted to be engaged by a wrench and
turned thereby, and has a liner of moldable, resilient rubber-
like material (24) integrally bonded to its cylindrical inner
wall (22). The inner face of the rubber-like liner (24) is
formed with a series of ratchet-like teeth or serrations (26)
which are very similar in shape to the teeth or serrations (16)
but of a slightly larger size so that the ring (20) may be
slipped over the nut portion (12) with their respective ratchet-
like teeth in close contact, as shown in Figure 2 of the patent.
Dmitroff notes (col. 3, line 70, et seq.) that when torque
is applied to the hexagonal outer portion of ring (20) in the
direction of the arrow in Figure 6 to apply the nut (10) to a
threaded bolt or stud (S),
the ring and its ratchet-like teeth or serrations 26
will tend to ride up slightly on the corresponding
teeth 16 of the internally threaded nut portion until
sufficient traction or friction has developed and then
the ring will turn the internally threaded nut portion
12 and advance it around and along the stud S. This
will continue until the flange 18 of the nut portion 12
abuts the flat surface in which the stud is secured.
At that moment, the resistance offered by the nut to
rotation will increase sharply until it reaches a point
at which it is equal to the driving force transmitted
between the engaged ratchet teeth. The nut then will
be securely threaded to the stud with the required
torque and the inclined ratchet teeth will begin to
slip to prevent any increase in applied torque.
9
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007