Appeal No. 2003-1352
Application 09/282,865
portion (12) is provided on an external surface thereof with a
series of ratchet-like teeth or serrations (16) which extend
circumferentially around the nut portion. As 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
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