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Publication Number
US-11446071-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A resilient washer has a one-piece washer body. The washer body has a central opening, an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl, a lower structure interfacing section or bowl and a resilient middle portion. The resilient middle portion connects the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl. The resilient middle portion is configured to be locally collapsed when a fastener in the central opening is tightened into a structure. In one embodiment, the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl is annular, wherein the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl has a concavity for holding a head of the fastener. The concavity can be of a hemispherical shape. Preferably, the concavity has a smooth surface to allow polyaxial movement of a fastener.
Core Innovation
A resilient washer includes a one-piece washer body with a central opening and an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl. The upper fastener interfacing section or bowl is annular and has a hemispherical concavity for holding a head of the fastener, and a lower structure interfacing section or bowl is connected to the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl through a resilient middle portion.
The resilient middle portion has a plurality of columns connecting the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl. Each of the plurality of columns is spaced by an enclosed slotted opening forming a plurality of enclosed slotted openings, and the resilient middle portion is configured to be locally collapsed when a fastener in the central opening is tightened or inserted into a structure.
When the fastener is tightened or inserted, the local collapse creates a spring-like compressive force and anti-rotation and anti-loosening effects by bringing the bowls closer during the collapsing. The enclosed slotted openings and columned resilient middle portion enable this local collapsing behavior at a collapsing force. The disclosed washer is described as usable with threaded screw or nail fasteners and as being made from metals or plastics.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features center on an annular hemispherical concavity upper bowl, a lower structure-interfacing bowl, and a resilient middle portion made of columns separated by enclosed slotted openings that locally collapse under a predetermined or collapsing force, including a visual-indicator method to stop tightening or insertion when collapse occurs.
One-piece resilient washer with upper annular hemispherical bowl and resilient columned middle
A resilient washer having a one-piece washer body with a central opening; an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl that is annular and has a hemispherical concavity for holding a head of the fastener; a lower structure interfacing section or bowl; and a resilient middle portion connecting the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl, where the middle portion has a plurality of columns spaced by an enclosed slotted opening forming a plurality of enclosed slotted openings, the resilient middle portion configured to be locally collapsed when a fastener in the central opening is tightened or inserted into a structure.
Method of tightening or securing by torque or insertion force to locally collapse the resilient middle portion
Providing a resilient washer and a fastener, where the resilient washer has a central opening, an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl that is annular and has a hemispherical concavity for holding a head of the fastener, a lower structure interfacing section or bowl, and a resilient middle portion connecting the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl with a plurality of columns spaced by an enclosed slotted opening forming a plurality of enclosed slotted openings, the resilient middle portion configured to be locally collapsed at a collapsing force when a fastener in the central opening is tightened or inserted into a structure; and tightening or inserting the fastener into a structure by torqueing or otherwise applying an insertion force sufficient to locally collapse the middle portion.
Method using visual indicator to stop tightening or insertion when collapse occurs
Providing a resilient washer and a fastener, where the resilient washer has a central opening, an upper fastener interfacing section or bowl that is annular and has a hemispherical concavity for holding a head of the fastener, a lower structure interfacing section or bowl, and a resilient middle portion connecting the upper fastener interfacing section or bowl and the lower structure interfacing section or bowl with a plurality of columns spaced by an enclosed slotted opening forming a plurality of enclosed slotted openings, the resilient middle portion configured to be locally collapsed at a predetermined force when a fastener in the central opening of the resilient washer is tightened or inserted into a structure; tightening or inserting the fastener into a structure by torqueing or otherwise applying an insertion force sufficient to locally collapse the middle portion; visually observing the middle portion of the resilient washer to see the local collapsing; and stopping the tightening or insertion when the collapsing occurs.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the resilient washer architecture with an annular hemispherical concavity upper bowl and a resilient middle portion of columns separated by enclosed slotted openings that locally collapse when tightening or insertion force is applied, including method claims that require torque or force sufficient for local collapse and a visual-indicator method that stops tightening or insertion upon observed collapse.
Stated Advantages
Spring-like compressive force created by local collapse that brings the bowls closer during tightening or insertion.
Anti-rotation effects resulting from collapse of the resilient middle portion.
Anti-loosening effects resulting from collapse of the resilient middle portion.
Documented Applications
Bone/medical implant fastening, including tightening or inserting a bone screw and visually observing localized collapse to stop the procedure.
Construction/roofing/drywall use as examples of fastening applications for the disclosed resilient washer.
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