IP Library Granted Patent US 7,435,045
Granted Patent B2
US 7,435,045 · App. 10/417,638 · Granted Oct 14, 2008

Steel washer integral with nut/cap assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,435,045
App. No.
10/417,638
Granted
Oct 14, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wheel nut and washer assembly for securing a wheel to a motor vehicle axle. The wheel nut includes a body having a longitudinal axis, the nut body also having an axial threaded aperture and a pair of ends, one end being in the form of a smooth steel external surface. The wheel nut also includes a steel washer having an end terminating in a smooth annular surface in surface-to-surface engagement with the body end thereby maintaining axially alignment of the body and washer enabling relative movement of said body and washer about said axis. A decorative cap on the assembly is configured so that it holds the washer on the nut, a gap between the cap and washer to enable the washer to freely rotate and move laterally relative to the nut.

Claims (30)

1. A washer assembly, comprising:

a) a washer having a pair of ends;

b) a body having a surface that is face-to-face with one of said ends on said washer; and

c) a cap that holds said washer to said body.

2. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said body is a nut.

3. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said body is a bolt.

4. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cap is crimped to hold said washer to said body.

5. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said washer is able to rotate relative to said body.

6. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said washer is able to move laterally with respect to said body.

7. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cap extends around an annular protrusion on said washer.

8. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cap extends downward on said body and is crimped at its lower end around said washer.

9. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cap holds said washer to said body via a crimped section having spaced apart jaws.

10. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the surface on the body is flat.

11. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the surface on the body is spherical.

12. The washer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the surface on the body is conical.

13. A washer assembly, comprising:

a) a body;

b) a washer having a pair of ends, one of said ends is face-to-face with a surface on said body, the other of said ends having a conical surface that corresponds to a nut seat on a wheel; and

c) a cap that is telescoped over the body.

14. The washer assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said washer is able to rotate relative to said body.

15. The washer assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said cap holds said washer to said body via a crimped section.

16. The washer assembly according to claim 13 , wherein said cap extends downward on said body and is crimped at its lower end around said washer.

17. A cap assembly for use in a threaded fastener joint, comprising:

a) a body having a longitudinal axis and a spherical surface further comprising:

i) a plurality of ends; and

ii) wrenching flats; and

b) a cap telescoped over the body and having a crimped portion that provides an annular clamp.

18. The cap assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the crimped portion further includes jaws that provide an annular clamp.

19. The cap assembly according to claim 17 , further comprising a washer, wherein said crimped portion is around said washer.

20. The cap assembly according to claim 17 , further comprising a washer, wherein said crimp holds said body and said washer together.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. FROM '6943154' TO --6952154-- PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 67536 FRAME: 651. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY
Reel/Frame 067661/0905 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY
Reel/Frame 067536/0651 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL Recorded Oct 12, 2022
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY; MACLEAN POWER, L.L.C.; MACLEAN SENIOR INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 061658/0161 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL Recorded Oct 12, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ABL COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY; MACLEAN POWER, L.L.C.; MACLEAN SENIOR INDUSTRIES, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 061661/0798 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2018
From: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ABL COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047848/0345 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: MAC LEAN-FOGG COMPANY
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047840/0218 →