Patent ID: 11946500
Assignee: LOOSE WHEEL SENSORS INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  B | IPC B  F

Claim 12:
13. A method for monitoring a clamping force on a threaded fastener comprising;
extending a threaded fastener through a step washer and a compression washer; and
engaging the threaded fastener with a nut;
wherein when a sufficient axial force is applied to the threaded fastener by the nut, the compression washer is compressed to a thickness equal to a depth of a protrusion in the step washer and the protrusion in the step washer contacts a contact plate, thereby closing an electric circuit;
and further wherein when an axial force less than the sufficient axial force is applied to the threaded fastener by the nut, the compression washer is not compressed to a thickness equal to the depth of the protrusion in the step washer and the protrusion in the step washer is not in contact with the contact plate, thereby opening the electric circuit.