Abstract:
A fastening system and assembly functions as a washer ring components but also provides for locking the bolt head end to prevent rotation of the threaded shaft while tightening the nut. The same device can be used alone on the threaded end of a bolt, or in conjunction with another device on the bolt head end, to locking the nut after tightening. The fastener has a flat face on one surface but is sufficiently thick to receive either the nut or the bolt head in a cavity formed in the other surface. The cavity is co-axial with a central bore passing through the fastener, with the cavity having larger interior dimensions matched to the profile of the intended nut or bolt head. The fastener may also included one or more mounting or fastening holes outside of the central bore for securing it to a fixed object, typically the structure to be joined by the fastener. Thus by inserting the bolt head into the cavity and securing the fastener via the mounting holes rotation of the threaded shaft is prevented as the nut is inserted and threaded onto the shaft of the bolt. Accordingly, one can then readily tighten the bolt without grasping or gripping the bolt head.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to nut and bolt fasteners and fastening systems, and more particularly to locking fasteners used in building structure  
         [0002]     Nut and bolt fasteners are commonly used in joining structure components in building. As bolts must frequently have an end that extends into a crawl space the nut and bolt combination requires two people for installation, one to hold the head of the bolt on one side of the crawl space and other to turn the nut on the other side of the crawl space.  
         [0003]     Further, such fasteners are subject to loosening, from either shrinkage, warpage, settling or vibration of the nut and bolt. Frequently, the crawl space become inaccessible after the bolt is installed, in which case loose bolt are ignored, even if inspection from the nut side reveals they need to be tightened.  
         [0004]     It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved method of installing nut and bolt fasteners, such that a single individual can complete the installation quickly, eliminating the need for two individuals working on opposite sides of an inaccessible area or crawl space.  
         [0005]     Another objective is to provide a method of re-tightening such nut and bolt fasteners without the need to enter an inaccessible area or crawl space.  
         [0006]     Yet another object is to provide a fastening system that is immune to vibration, without compromising the aforementioned objectives.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In the present invention, the first object is achieved by deploying an annular fastening component that replaces a common washer. The fastener has a flat face or flange that faces the structure to be secured or fastened. The opposing face has a cavity for receiving the bolt head. The cavity conforms to the bolt head outer perimeter dimensions but is preferably shallower in depth than the height of the bulkhead. The fastener of the instant invention receives either the nut or bolt head in engaging attachment, and thus rotates about the bolt shaft, when turning the nut. The fastener has one or more through holes disposed around the perimeter for attachment, via a nail or screw, to the structure on the bolt head side. Accordingly, securing the fastener to the structure after engaging the bolt head in the cavity prevents rotation of the bolt as the nut is engaged and tightened onto the bolt shaft, permitting a single person to install the nut and bolt.  
         [0008]     A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the fastener is deployed on the nut side of the bolt. Should the bolt loosen, it can be easily retightened by rotating the nut and fastener together, without the need to access the bolt head in a remote or inaccessible part of the structure.  
         [0009]     A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that securing the fastener deployed in combination with the nut also prevents the nut from vibrating loose.  
         [0010]     The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the fastener.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  is an exterior elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1A  corresponding to section markers B-B′.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1A , corresponding to section markers C-C′.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1D  is a cross-sectional elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1A , corresponding to section markers D-D′.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1E  is an exterior elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1A  corresponding to section markers E-E′.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2A  is an exterior elevation of the fasteners of  FIG. 1  as used in combination with a nut and bolt as a fastening system for joining structure A and B.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a cross section through the elevation of the fastening system in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exterior elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1  as used in combination with the nut and bolt as a fastening system for joining a deck via a decking ledger to the side of a structure. The deck and structure are illustrated in cross-section.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exterior elevation of the fastener of  FIG. 1  as used in combination with the nut with a mudsill anchor bolt as a fastening system for securing a structure to a foundation footing. The foundation footing and portions of the structure are illustrated in cross-section.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an exterior of the fastener of  FIG. 1  as used in combination with a nut and bolt as a fastening system for securing for joining a ledger to concrete. The ledger and portions of the concrete structure are illustrated in cross-section.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the fastener  100 . Circled letter B and D with extending arrowheads correspond with the elevations in  FIGS. 1B  and D respectively, with the arrows orientation reflecting the viewing directions in the elevations. Circled letter pairs B-B and C-C indicate the corresponding positions for the cross-sectional elevations in Figures B and C respectively, with the arrows orientation reflecting the viewing directions in the elevations. Thus, fastener  100  has the general shape of a plate like annulus with the lower surface  110  being substantially planar or flat. A central bore  120  extends from the upper surface to the lower surface  110 , being suitably dimensioned to fully receive the threaded shaft portion of a bolt when inserted of threaded shaft there through. The central bore  120  opens to larger cavity  130  that extends to the upper surface. The cavity  130  is dimensioned for receiving a mating bolt head, nut or other non-circular rotating fastener. Thus cavity  130  is co-axially disposed with respect to the central bore such that a bolt inserted through the bore, by passing the threaded end into the cavity from the upper surface side, will be retained in the fastener at the point at which the bolt head extends laterally to engage the bottom surface of cavity  130  that surrounds bore  120 .  
         [0022]     Referring to orthogonal cross sections of cavity  130  in  FIGS. 1C and 1E  it should be apparent that it has a non-circular shape, in this embodiment being hexagonal, that is slightly larger than the dimensions of a matching of a work piece, such as common nut, bolt head or other non-circular objects with the complimentary external shape such that the work piece when inserted into cavity  130  cannot rotate independently about the axis defining the central bore  120  without also rotating fastener  110 .  
         [0023]     Fastener  100  also includes one or more mounting or fastening holes  140  (such as  140  A, B ,C, D, E or F) that extending from the flat lower surface  110  toward the upper surface, each mounting holes being located in a region outside the perimeter all of the cavity  130  near the edge of the fastener.  
         [0024]     The cross-sectional elevation of the fastener  100  in  FIG. 1C  shows that perimeter region penetrated by mounting holes ( 140 A and  140 D in this embodiment) is thinner than the combined length of bore  120  and cavity  130 . The corresponding exterior elevation, in  FIG. 1B  shows a series of ribs  150  that extend from the wall, which defines cavity  130 , to the edge of fastener  100 , separating each of the holes  140  C, D and E. As shown in the plan view of  FIG. 1A , each of the ribs is preferably curved to form a plateau or ledge about each of the mounting holes  140 . As it is desirable in this preferred embodiment to reduce the mass of fastener  100  by thinning the peripheral region around the mounting holes  140 , the rib structure preserve the strength and rigidity to enable a greater removal of mass. The ribs gradually change in height as they extend in the radial direction from cavity  130 , tapering to conform to about the edge thickness of the fastener  100 . As cavity  130  is optionally formed in any suitable polygonal shape that might be used for the head of a bolt or nut, a separate mounting hole is preferably deployed between each facet of the polygon of cavity  130  and the edge of the fastener. Thus, as cavity  130  is hexagonally shaped to receive and engage a hexagonal nut or bolt head, the ribs are spaced apart by about 60 degrees, thus the exterior elevation in  FIG. 1D , having a viewpoint centered on the rib adjacent mounting hole  140 D, best illustrates a preferred embodiment of for tapering the rib height.  FIG. 1E  is a cross-section through fastener  100  taken orthogonal to the exterior elevation in  FIG. 1D , showing 3 of the 6 polygon facets that in cavity  130 , and the retaining ledge at the bottom of cavity  130  adjacent to the start of the narrower bore  120 . The thickness of the edge of the fastener about hole  140  is preferably about 3/16″ for a fastener intended to be used with a ⅝″ to ½ diameter bolt.  
         [0025]     In preferred embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4  showing alternative methods of use, the inventive fastener  100 , is dimensioned in conforming to a Uniform Building Code mudsill washer, with the circular bore and cavity dimensioned to receive a mudsill anchor bolt.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the use of fastener  100  for joining overlapped structure A and B as part of fastening system  200 .  FIG. 2A  is an exterior elevation of the installed fastening system, comprising the fastener of  FIG. 1  in combination with the nut and bolt for joining structure A and B.  FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional elevation of the fastening system components in  FIG. 2A . One fastener  100  is disposed to engage the non-circular head of bolt  210 , whereas another faster  100  is disposed on the threaded shaft section  215  of bolt  210  wherein the then threaded nut is retained in the cavity forming in fastener  100 ′. It should be appreciated from the Figure that although fastener  100 ′ can be replaced by a common washer of the same diameter, fasteners  100  and  100 ′ replace conventional washers that would otherwise be deployed, being of sufficient size and strength to distribute the compression loading from tightening the nut onto structures A and B.  
         [0027]     Both structures A and B have contiguous pre-drilled holes forming a single bore for receiving bolt  210 . Initially, before installation of bolt  210  into the pre-drilled hole, fastener  100  is inserted onto the threaded end  215  of bolt  210  with the flat face oriented toward the threaded end  215  such that cavity  120  will receive bolt head  220 . Next, the threaded end  215  of bolt  210  is inserted through the pre-drilled hole in structure B in the pre-drilled hole in structure A such that the threaded end  215  of bolt  210  extends outward from structure A. To the extent that a second fastener  100 ′ is used rather than a washer, it is now inserted planar side first on the threaded end  215  of bolt  210  such that the threaded end extends past the cavity opening.  
         [0028]     However, prior to tightening nut  230  fastener  100  is attached to structure B via a mounting hole, illustrated in the cross-section of the fastening system in  FIG. 2B  via at least one screw  250  inserted through at least one mounting hole  140  near the periphery of fastening  100 . Further, in a more preferred method of use, a nail  220  is only partially inserted through another peripheral hole  140 , with the portion of nail  250  extending outward from fastener  100  and bent about 90 degrees to cover the head  220  of bolt  210 . Thus, nail  220  prevent bolt  210  from backing out of the hole in structures A and B while nut  230  is inserted onto the threaded end  215  of bolt  210 . A  16 D nail  220  generally offer sufficient and is readily bent to cover the head of the bolt to prevent the bolt form pushing backward or to the left as force is applied while tightening nut  230  from the right side of structure A. As fastener  100  being secured to structure by screw  250  will not rotate it effectively, lock the bolt head to prevent it from spinning so that a single worker can tighten nut  230  entirely from the right side of structure A.  
         [0029]     It should be noted that as the depth of the cavity in fastener  100 ′ is preferably less that the thickness of the corresponding nut  230 . Accordingly, nut  230  can be inserted into the cavity of fastener  100 ′ before being thread onto the threaded section  215  of shaft  210 . However, as fastener  100 ′ freely rotates and slides about the threaded portion  215  of shaft  210 , fastener  100 ′ can be inserted onto shaft  210  before nut  230  is threaded without detriment to assembly. In this case, fastener  100 ′ is translated toward the end of the bolt to receive nut  100  in the corresponding socket by the installers. As the depth of the cavity in fastener  100  is less than the thickness of the corresponding mating nut, the nut is freely tightened by grasping and rotating the portion that extends beyond the top or upper surface of fastener  100 ′. Fastener  100  prevents the rotation of bolt  210  as nut  230  is rotated to the desired torque to tightly secure structure A and B together without the need to grasp both the nut and the head of the bolt. As will be further described with respect to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5  this greatly simplifies construction, as two workers are not required when structures A and B extend laterally to form a barrier for passing and holding a wrench to secure the head of bolt  210  while nut  230  is tightened by rotating onto the threaded section  215  of bolt  210 .  
         [0030]     Although fastener  100 ′ is intended to rotate to with nut  230  during installation, the subsequent secure attachment to structure A via one or more of the mounting holes prevents rotation of the engaged nut  230  retained in the matching cavity. Accordingly, the fastening system offers several benefits, which include, labor saving through faster installation, or by a single installer when two installers would otherwise be required and preventing the detachment of a structure from vibration that can loosen the retaining nut. Further, to the extent that the structure should move, warp or the material that form structure A and B shrink, the nut is readily re-tightened by removing the screw from the fastening or mounting hole and retightening the nut.  
         [0031]     Z FIG. 3  is an elevation of the installed fastening system, comprising the fastener of  FIG. 1  in combination with the nut and bolt typical on any installation for joining ledgers to wood framed buildings, or other installing for wood-to-wood connections, in this particular example for joining a decking ledger to the side of a structure. The structure are shown in cross-section while the fastening components are shown in an exterior view for simplicity. Deck  300  is attached to the exterior wall  311  of house  310  using fastener  200  to connect rim  312  and adjacent blocking structures  313  of house  310  to rim or ledger  302  of deck  300 . It should be understood that decking boards  303  rest on the joists  304  supported by ledger  302 . As Blocking  313  is generally located in either a crawl space or between the sub floor  314  and sheetrock  315  the installation according to the method described with respect to  FIG. 2  permits the installer to drill hole from the deck side or the hose side, while inserting a plurality of affixed fasteners  100  and bolts  210  on one entry into the crawl space. It should also be noted in the Figure that either a spacer  330  or metal flashing (not shown) is deployed between the siding of the house  316  and the deck ledger  302  to meet building code requirements if the deck contacts the earth, the spacer being preferred to eliminate the entrapment of water at the interface of the decking boards and ledger with the siding.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is an exterior elevation of the installed fastening system, comprising the fastener  100   FIG. 1  in combination with a mudsill anchor bolt  410  secured in the foundation footing. In this application fastener  100  is used as part of a fastening system  400  in combination with a mudsill anchor bolt  410  to secure a mudsill or plate  405  to the concrete foundation or footing  420 . Anchor bolt  410  terminates in the concrete footing with a short section disposed at a right angle to the bolt shaft, which extended upward through a hole drilled in mudsill  405  to terminate in a threaded section.  
         [0033]     After the mudsill plate stock is installed over the anchor bolts, a fastener  100  is inserted over each anchor bolt over such that the flat or planar face  110  is contact with the upper surface of mudsill  405 . As the threaded portion  415  of anchor bolt  410  extended through the bore  120  and past the end of cavity portion  130  on the upper surface of fastener  100 , a ⅝″ machine nut  415  (corresponding to a standing ⅝″ anchor bolt required under the UBC), is then threaded onto the shaft of anchor bolt  410 . The appropriate torque is then applied to tighten nut  430  after it is engaged in cavity  130  of fastener  100 . Fastener  100  is preferably secured to mudsill  405  by a screw or nail to prevent nut  430  from becoming loose due to vibration and/or shrinkage or movement or mudsill  405 .  
         [0034]     It should be noted that in most construction methods it is preferable to secure the faster that engages a nut to the structure by using a screw, such that the nut is easily retightened on movement or shrinkage of the structure, by simply unscrewing the fastener and rotating the nut. Alternatively, once the screw or nail is removed fastener  100  can be rotated directly to turn the nut. In this case, it is desirable that the upper surface of fastener  100  have a standard size hexagonal shape to accommodate standard or adjustable wrenches. It should be further appreciated that the hexagonal, or any polygonal shape, can extend above or be used in place of the rib structure  160  that isolate the planar regions around each of mounting or fastening hole  140 . Alternatively, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the nut and fastener can be rotated by a tool that having a complimentary matching pattern to engage the upper surface of fastener  100  in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an exterior elevation of the installed fastening system, comprising the fastener of  FIG. 1  in combination with a nut and bolt for joining a ledger  513  to concrete retaining wall  520 . In this example, fastener  100  is used as part of a fastening system  500  in combination with a ⅝″ anchor bolt  510  to secure a horizontal ledger  513  to a concrete wall, beam or pier  520 . Anchor bolt  510  terminates in the concrete wall with a short section disposed at a right angle to the bolt shaft, with the opposite or threaded end extending laterally through a hole drilled in ledger  505 . Thus, the bore side of fastener  100  is inserted over the treaded end of bolt  510  such that the flat or planar face  110  is contact with the outer surface of ledger  505 . The threaded portion of bolt  510  thus extends through the central bore  120  and outside the cavity  130  at the upper surface of fastener  100 . Accordingly, machine nut  530  is then threaded onto the shaft of anchor bolt  530 , eventually engaging fastener  100  in cavity  130 . Then, after securely tightening nut  515  to the specified torque, fastener  100  can be secured to ledger  505  by a screw or nail to prevent nut  530  from becoming loose due to vibration and/or shrinkage or movement or ledger  505 . The Ledger is preferably spaced away from concrete wall by a thick washer  506  to prevent the accumulation of condensed moisture at the interface between the wood ledger  505  and concrete wall  520 . Thus, ledger is firmly secured to concrete.  
         [0036]     Other application of the inventive fastener and fastening system include, without limitation, the use with LTT&#39;s, HTT&#39;s and MTT&#39;s to secure one structure to another. The orientation or geometry of the secured structures includes scissoring or lapping two or more members together. As such the fastener is applicable to constructing all manner of retaining walls, post to lagging connections, or locking any through bolt, nut or lag bolt, and can be used to construct stair stringers, docks, piers for permanent or temporary structures.  
         [0037]     Alternative embodiment of the fastener of the instant include variations of the cavity dimensions, for example to receive a nut or bolt head having three or more sides, as well as to receive any common nuts and bolt heads. The depth of the cavity can be less than the thickness of the bolt or nut, or greater provided the nut or fastener can be independently rotated without the need to grasp a portion of the nut that extends beyond the upper surface of the fastener. The outer dimension of the fastener need not be circular, as it can be any arbitrary shape or even square. Alternative shapes may include fastening through hole around the nut or bolt-retaining cavity as well features to receive or create other fixtures that prevent rotation of the fixture. Such fixtures can attach directing to the structure that is being joined or otherwise act as rotation stops, for example by an edge portion extending 90 degrees from the bottom surface, that would be placed flush against the adjacent side of a beam, post or ledge that has a hole drilled there through for receiving the bolt. Further, in fastening systems the bolt head or screws used to fix the fastener to the structure can have specialized shapes or sizes that deter vandalism, such as SEX screw or torx style screw or bolt head.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.