Patent · US Expired

Tamper-resistant lug nut

US4427326A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
9References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 11, 1982
Grant dateJan 24, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 11, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T70/5863
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention comprises a lug nut which has two separable portions connected by a frangible neck, wherein a first portion engages the threads of the stud, and a second portion provides a surface adapted to engage a wrench so that the lug nut may be driven into the stud. When the stud-engaging first portion has been threaded onto the stud and sufficiently tightened, continued application of torque cause the frangible, wrench-engaging second portion to shear off from the stud-engaging first portion. The stud engaging portion has an annular notch which is adapted to engage a snap ring located in the wrench-engaging portion. After the wrench-engaging portion is severed from the stud-engaging portion, the wrench-engaging portion is then reversed and positioned onto the stud-engaging portion. When so positioned, the snap ring engages the notch, which rotatably secures the wrench-engaging portion to the stud engaging portion. The wrench-engaging portion, thus acts as a cover or shroud for the stud-engaging portion, and being rotatable provides a tamper-proof cover for the stud-engaging portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.