Patent Publication Number: US-10323679-B2

Title: One-piece self-locking nut

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 14/918,035, filed Oct. 20, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/916,532, filed Jun. 12, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/804,693, filed Mar. 24, 2013, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to threaded nut fasteners and more specifically to one-piece self-locking nuts. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many applications, it is desirable to have a threaded nut fastened on a threaded bolt with a permanent hold that will not loosen when exposed to high vibration environments. Conventionally, one or more locknuts may be fastened on the bolt behind the threaded nut to apply a locking force on the threaded nut to prevent it from loosening. However, the conventional use of locknuts requires added components to be used and manipulated with every permanent fastener, thereby taking up more time to install and more material to implement, and such locknuts may still be subject to loosening over time, for example in high vibration environments. The present disclosure is directed to solving these and other problems. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present disclosure to provide a one-piece self-locking nut for permanent fastening on a bolt that can be readily fabricated with standard manufacturing methods and installed on a bolt with standard tools. It is a further object that the one-piece self-locking nut be easier and less expensive to manufacture, and lighter, stronger, and quicker to install than two-piece (or more) locking nuts. 
     In some implementations of the present disclosure, a self-locking nut is comprised of a rear nut body having internal threading for threading on a threaded shaft of a fastener bolt, and a front nut body having circumferentially arranged, crush-locking lips provided on a forward contact face of the front nut body and being spaced from the internal threading of the rear nut body by an internal relief cut for accommodating deformation of the crush-locking lips therein. When the nut is tightened down on an object on which the fastener bolt is used, the crush-locking lips are forced inwardly and deform on the threaded shaft of the fastener bolt and into the space of the internal relief cut in order to form a permanent lock on the fastener bolt. 
     When torqued down onto a fastener bolt, the one-piece, self-locking nut resembles a conventional nut in the locked position while forming a permanent lock, whereas the conventional nut is subject to loosening. The one-piece, self-locking nut can be fabricated by conventional nut manufacturing methods, and in use it threads on quickly like a conventional nut and installs with conventional tools. The self-locking nut installs faster and is lighter in weight without wasting added material as compared to two-piece locking nuts. 
     In another implementation of the present disclosure, the self-locking nut has a front “flying saucer” shaped part configured to work like a “jam nut” portion, and a rear “nut body” part having a front indentation space configured to work like an inner relief cut. The two parts are initially (e.g., prior to installation) joined together by circumferential welding and further joined together during installation thereof by a flattening and/or deforming of the “flying saucer” part into the inner relief cut space of the “nut body” part while leaving a small gap between the parts. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a self-locking nut includes a main-nut body and a deformable-nut body. The main-nut body has a recess leading into an interior threaded bore forming more than three turns of an internal thread therein. The deformable-nut body has an outer flange and an interior threaded bore forming less than three turns of an internal thread therein. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is fixed to the main-nut body such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-nut body and the recess. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a self-locking nut includes a main-nut body and a deformable-nut body. The main-nut body has (i) a front surface, (ii) an opposing back surface, (iii) an outer surface configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the self-locking nut about a threaded bolt shaft thereby causing the main-nut body to move axially in a first direction towards an object, (iv) an interior threaded bore forming a plurality of turns of an internal thread therein, and (v) a recess in the front surface extending into the main-nut body. The deformable-nut body has (i) a front surface configured to engage the object thereby limiting axial movement of the deformable-nut body, (ii) an opposing back surface, (iii) an outer surface, (iv) an interior threaded bore forming at least a portion of a turn of an internal thread therein, and (v) an outer flange. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is attached to the front surface of the main-nut body such that a relief space is formed between a portion of the opposing back surface of the deformable-nut body and the recess. The relief space provides an area for the deformable-nut body to deform into during installation of the self-locking nut on the threaded bolt shaft. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of making a self-locking nut includes providing a main-nut body having a recess leading into an interior threaded bore forming more than three turns of an internal thread therein. A deformable-nut body is provided having an outer flange and an interior threaded bore forming less than three turns of an internal thread therein. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is fixed to the main-nut body such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-nut body and the recess. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of making a self-locking nut includes providing a deformable-nut body having an outer flange and an interior bore and providing a main-nut body having a recess leading into an interior bore. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is fixed to the main-nut body such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-nut body and the recess. The interior bore of the deformable-nut body is tapped such that less than three turns of an internal thread are formed therein. The interior bore of the main-nut body is tapped such that more than three turns of an internal thread are formed therein. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of permanently locking a self-locking nut on a threaded bolt shaft of a bolt is provided. The self-locking nut has a deformable-nut body fixed to a main-nut body such that a relief space is formed therebetween. The method includes positioning the threaded bolt shaft through an opening in an object such that a portion of the threaded bolt shaft protrudes from the opening. The self-locking nut is threaded onto the portion of the threaded bolt shaft protruding from the opening by rotating the self-locking nut in a first rotational direction, thereby causing the self-locking nut to move axially in a first direction towards a surface of the object. The self-locking nut is continued to be threaded onto the portion of the threaded bolt shaft such that a front surface of the deformable-nut body abuts the surface of the object. With the front surface of the deformable-nut body abutting the surface of the object, a rotational torque is applied in the first rotational direction to the self-locking nut to cause: (i) the main-nut body to move axially in the first direction, and (ii) the deformable-nut body to deform, thereby entering into the relief space formed between the deformable-nut body and the main-nut body, thereby locking the self-locking nut onto the threaded bolt shaft of the bolt. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a self-locking nut includes a main-nut body and a deformable-nut body. The main-nut body has a recess leading into an interior threaded bore forming x turns of an internal thread therein. The deformable-nut body has an outer flange and an interior threaded bore forming y turns of an internal thread therein. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is fixed to the main-nut body such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-nut body and the recess. X is greater than y. In some such implementations, a ratio of x:y is about 2:1. Alternatively, the ratio of x:y is about 3:1. Alternatively, the ratio of x:y is about 4:1. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be explained in the following detailed description having reference to the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a one-piece, self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view of the one-piece, self-locking nut of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  are sectional views illustrating how crush-locking lips of the one-piece, self-locking nut of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are forced inwardly to deform on a threaded shaft of a bolt in order to form a permanent lock; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the one-piece, self-locking nut of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrating its geometry and dimensions according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate a one-piece, self-locking nut having slotted crush-locking lips according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a one-piece, self-locking nut having two-sided crush locking lips according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a one-piece, self-locking nut having equalized two-sided crush-locking lips according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate a one-piece, self-locking nut having crush-locking lips made of different material than the nut body according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate a one-piece, self-locking nut having flanged crush locking lips according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate an example of the stages of manufacturing a one-piece, self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is a rear perspective view of a self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is a partial cross-sectional front perspective view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10D  is an exploded front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10E  is an assembled front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10F  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A  threaded onto a threaded bolt prior to being torqued according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10G  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A  threaded onto the threaded bolt after being partially torqued such that a deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut begins to deform; 
         FIG. 10H  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10A  threaded onto the threaded bolt after being fully torqued such that the deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut is deformed and the self-locking nut is locked on the threaded bolt; 
         FIG. 10I  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 10H  with the threaded bolt removed for illustrative purposes showing the deformation of the deformable-nut body; 
         FIG. 11A  is an exploded front cross-sectional view of a self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11B  is an assembled front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 11B ; 
         FIG. 11C  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 11B  after being installed (e.g., fully torqued on a threaded bolt with the threaded bolt removed for illustrative purposes) showing the deformation of a deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded front cross-sectional view of a self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12B  is an assembled front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 12B ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 12B  after being installed (e.g., fully torqued on a threaded bolt with the threaded bolt removed for illustrative purposes) showing the deformation of a deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut; 
         FIG. 13A  is an exploded front cross-sectional view of a self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13B  is an assembled front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 13B ; 
         FIG. 13C  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 13B  after being installed (e.g., fully torqued on a threaded bolt with the threaded bolt removed for illustrative purposes) showing the deformation of a deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut; 
         FIG. 14A  is an exploded front cross-sectional view of a self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  is an assembled front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 14B ; 
         FIG. 14C  is a front cross-sectional view of the self-locking nut of  FIG. 14B  after being installed (e.g., fully torqued on a threaded bolt with the threaded bolt removed for illustrative purposes) showing the deformation of a deformable-nut body of the self-locking nut; 
         FIG. 15A  is a front cross-sectional view of a deformable-nut body according to some implementations of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 15B  is a front cross-sectional view of a deformable-nut body according to some implementations of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a one-piece, self-locking nut in accordance with the present disclosure, and  FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view thereof. The one-piece, self-locking nut has a nut body  10  with internal threading  11  for threading on a threaded shaft of a fastener bolt, and is integrally formed with external, crush-locking lips  12  provided on a forward contact face  13  of the nut body  10 . The forward contact face  13  of the nut is typically beveled or provided with a slight convex curvature, while the rear face  14  of the nut is typically planar. The dark area  15  indicates a space for deformation of the crush-locking lips  12 . When the nut is tightened down on an object (e.g., one or more plates being bolted together) on which the fastener bolt is used, the external, crush-locking lips  12  are forced inwardly and deform on the threaded shaft of the fastener bolt toward the internal threading  11  of the nut body, thereby locking (e.g., in a permanent fashion) the one-piece, self-locking nut on the fastener bolt. 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  are sectional views illustrating how the crush-locking lips of the one-piece, self-locking nut are forced inwardly to deform on the threaded shaft of a fastener bolt such that the one-piece, self-locking nut is locked (e.g., permanently) on the fastener bolt. In  FIG. 2A , the one-piece, self-locking nut crush-locking lips  12  is threaded on a threaded shaft  22  of a fastener bolt toward an object to be permanently fastened. In the figures, the object to be fastened is not shown, and the bolt head  24  is used for illustration. In  FIG. 2B , the nut is torqued down on the fastener head  24  (object) causing the crush-locking lips  12  to deform inwardly toward the other threads of the nut body  10 . In  FIG. 2C , the nut is shown partially in section before it is torqueing down, and  FIG. 2D  shows the nut after torqueing down.  FIG. 2E  is an enlarged view showing the nut in permanent locking position, with the horizontal sets of arrows indicating the compressive forces between the internal side of the crush-locking lips and the nut body and between the external side of the crush-locking lips and the fastener head  24  (object) that keep the nut in the permanent locking position. The vertical arrows indicate the torqueing forces on the nut. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary geometry and dimensions for the one-piece, self-locking nut according to some implementations of the present disclosure. The crush-locking lips  12  on the forward face of the nut body  10  may be of isosceles right-triangular cross-section arranged circumferentially around internal threading  11 . The triangular cross-section may have right angle #3=90°, and corner angles #1 &amp; #2=45°. The base width “C” is approximately equal to the height “B” of the crush-locking lips  12 . The base width may be about fifty percent of the width of the walls of the nut body  10 . The hollow space  14  for deformation of the crush locking lips  12  may be similarly dimensioned to accommodate the deformation of the crush-locking lips  12  with internal threading  11  therein. The pitch depth of the threading is indicated as “D,” and the combined dimensions of the base width “C” and the pitch depth “D” should be approximately equal to the hypotenuse length A of the crush-locking lips  12  to accommodate its deformation therein. The deformation distance from the crush-locking lips to the space  14  is indicated as “E,” which may be +/−10% to 20% of the nut height. The deeper the internal relief cut, the more vibration resistance the nut provides. The inner diameter of the nut threading  11  is indicated to be “F.” The nut is preferably made of a metal material such as type 304 stainless steel, grade 2, super alloy. 
     As an example, the self-locking nut of half-inch diameter threading at twenty threads-per-inch (“tpi”), made of type 304 stainless steel, would have a target maximum torque of one hundred and twenty foot/pound (ft/lbs), for applying about 10,000 pounds of compression pressure, and about 7,500 pounds of clamp force. In this example the thickness of the lip material must fully collapse/seat at 8000 pounds to 9000 pounds of pressure. If the external self-locking lip does not fully seat at the desired pressure, the thickness of the external self-locking lip must be reduced until it does. 
     The self-locking nuts of the present disclosure may be made of any standard nut materials including brass, steel, stainless steel, titanium, plastic, nylon and other materials depending on usage specifications and demands. The self-locking nuts may be manufactured using conventional nut manufacturing methods, such as cutting/turning on a lathe from a single piece of material, hot forming or forging, cold forming, and/or computer-controlled or automated methods of manufacture including three-dimensional printing. 
     The one-piece self-locking nut functions like two nut portions, one a “regular nut” body and the other a thinner “jam nut” with crush-locking lips that are combined together. The jam nut functions, in part, like a wavy/crush washer that is attached to the nut body. When torqued into the locked position, the material of the crush-locking lips will be deformed by compression forces into the space of the internal relief cut formed between the two parts. The crush-locking lips, which are on the contact face of the nut, thread onto the bolt shaft like a conventional nut until contact is made with an object to be fastened (e.g., the head of the bolt). As torque is applied, the crush-locking lips will start to be compressed into the threads of the bolt and the internal relief cut. As more torque is applied to overcome the resistance of the deforming crush-locking lips (e.g., which are unable to rotate), the gap between the two nut parts begins to close as the two nut parts are compressed together. The “back nut” is encapsulating the “front nut” which is being pushed into the “back nut” because it is unable to rotate. The “back nut” compression acts like a hydraulic press to push the “front nut” into the internal relief cut. 
     Once the target maximum torque is applied, the two nut parts seat together completely and the combined unit resembles a conventional nut. Since the “front nut” is locked on to the threads of the bolt, the nut cannot be loosened or removed without cutting the nut and/or the bolt threads. The self-locking nut has more vibrational resistance than two conventional nuts torqued to the bolt against each other, even when welded together. The self-locking nut also creates clamp forces by the “front nut” pinching the bolt perpendicular to the internal relief cut, and has more clamp strength than a comparable conventional nut because of the self-locking forces. 
     The one-piece, self-locking nut may be formed in other variations depending on the intended environments of usage. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate a version of the one-piece, self-locking nut having slotted crush-locking lips. The outer diameter of the bolt it is to be threaded on is indicated by numeral “1.” The inner diameter of the nut is indicated by numeral “2,” and the difference in diameters being the thread pitch is indicated by numeral “3.” The lands of the crush-locking lips are indicated by numeral “4,” and the slots in between lands are indicated by numeral “5.” The internal relief cut is indicated by numeral “6.” The nut body height is indicated by numeral “7.”  FIG. 4A  shows an external perspective view of the forward face of the nut,  FIG. 4B  shows a sectional view before torqueing, and  FIG. 4C  shows a sectional view after torqueing. The crush-locking lips may be formed in a star-shaped configuration with six or twelve points to align with the torque edges and/or sides of the typical hex nut. The material and design of the crush-locking lips may change, including shape, height, size, number and shape of relief cuts may vary depending on intended specific application. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a version of the one-piece, self-locking nut having two-sided crush-locking lips.  FIG. 5A  shows the nut  50  before torqueing, and  FIG. 5B  shows it after torqueing. Both ends of the nut have self-equalizing locking lips  52   a ,  52   b  which share one inner relief cut  55 . Torqueing the nut on both ends is self-balancing. Once torqued to specification, the self-locking lips are forced, when the material yields, up into the nut and bolt threads for first direction-locking. Threading in contact on the other side of the bolt shaft provides second direction-locking, thus double-locking. This version may also be formed with standard manufacturing techniques and quickly installs using conventional tools and is easily adaptable to specific applications. 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate a version of the one-piece, self-locking nut having equalized two-sided crush-locking lips.  FIG. 6A  shows the nut before torqueing, and  FIG. 6B  shows it after torqueing. Both ends of the nut have self-equalizing locking lips  62   a ,  62   b , each with its respective inner relief cut  65   a ,  65   b . In effect, it is two self-locking nuts combined in a single nut. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate a version of the one-piece, self-locking nut having crush-locking lips made of different material than the nut body.  FIG. 7A  shows the nut before torqueing, and  FIG. 7B  shows it after torqueing. The nut body  70  may be made of a high strength material such as steel, while the crush-locking lips  72  may be made of a more readily deformable or ductile metal for more complete locking strength such as brass, for example. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate a version of the one-piece, self-locking nut having flanged crush-locking lips.  FIG. 8A  shows the nut before torqueing, and  FIG. 8B  shows it after torqueing. The self-locking nut body  80  may be formed with crush-locking lips  82  and built-in flange washer  86 . The flange washer may also be provided in the two-sided self-locking and two-sided combined versions. 
       FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate an example of the stages of manufacturing a one-piece, self-locking nut. In  FIG. 9A , manufacture starts with a formed (raw) “castle nut” as a base (left side of the figure shows a side cut-away view, and the right side shows a ¾ perspective view). The castle nut is made of solid metal material with no center hole or threads. In  FIG. 9B , an inner relief cut (IRC) is drilled or cut into the top of castle nut to form a centered hole. The depth of the hole is determined by the selected external depth of the self-locking lips (SLL) to be formed, and the diameter of the hole is determined by the intended SLL thickness. In  FIG. 9C , the SLL is formed by crimping the sides surrounding the hole with a shaping die (SD). In  FIG. 9D , the SLL is shown crimped in position. In  FIG. 9E , the self-locking nut hole is drilled and tapped in a similar manner as a standard nut (“Std Nut” shown for comparison in the upper part of the left side of the figure). 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 10A-10I , a self-locking nut  100  includes a main-nut body  120  and a deformable-nut body  150 . The self-locking nut  100  can also be referred to as a one-piece Dynamic Inner Relief Cut (“DRIC”) nut. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the self-locking nut  100  can have a height (when the main-nut body  120  is assembled together with the deformable-nut body  150  as shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) that is about the same as a standard nut (e.g., between about 0.2 inches and about 1 inch, about 0.2 inches, about 0.25 inches, about 0.32 inches, about 0.43 inches, about 0.85 inches, or any other height, etc.). The self-locking nut  100  can be made from one or more materials, such as, for example, brass, steel, stainless steel (e.g., type 304 stainless steel, grade 2, super alloy), titanium, plastic, nylon, etc. The main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  are made from the same material (e.g., steel). Alternatively, the main-nut body  120  is made from a first material have a first set of properties and the deformable-nut body  150  is made from a second material have a second set of properties that is different than the first set of properties. For example, in such alternatives, the second material may be relatively more ductile than the first material. 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the height of the main-nut body  120  can range from 10% of to 50 times a standard (e.g., ASTM or SAE) nut-body height and the height of the deformable-nut body  150  can range from 0.5 turns of a thread to 95% of the height of the main-nut body  120 . The sizes of the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  can be selected for a specific application based on the desired installation torque, removal torque, clamping force, and vibration resistance. For example, for a standard (e.g., ASTM A563)¼ inch-20 thread per inch nut, where the standard height is approx. 0.21875 inches, the height of the main-nut body according to some embodiments of the invention can be from 0.021875 inches to 11 inches high and the height of the deformable-nut body can range from 0.5 threads (0.025 inches) to 209 threads (10.45 inches). Similarly, the thickness of the outer flange  170  can range from about 0.0079 inches to over 10.45 inches depending on the desired clamping force of the application. 
     The main-nut body  120  has a front surface  122  ( FIG. 10D ), an opposing back surface  124  ( FIGS. 10A and 10D ), an outer surface  126  ( FIGS. 10A-10E ), an interior threaded bore  130  ( FIGS. 10A, 10C-10E ), and a recess  140  ( FIGS. 10C-10E ). The outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120  is configured to be engaged by a tool (not shown), such as, for example, a torque wrench, to rotate the self-locking nut  100  on a threaded bolt  200  (shown in  FIGS. 10E-10H ) causing the main-nut body  120  to move axially in a direction of arrow A towards one or more objects  300   a ,  300   b  (e.g., a plate) to be secured (e.g., bolted together between a head  220  of the threaded bolt  200  and the self-locking nut  100 ). As shown, the outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120  is shaped such that the main-nut body  120  has a generally hexagonal outer cross-section, but other shapes for the outer surface  126  are contemplated (e.g., square, oval, triangle, rectangle, polygon, etc.) such that the tool can engage the self-locking nut  100  in a non-rotational fashion (e.g., the tool can cause the self-locking nut  100  to rotate relative to the threaded bolt  200 ). 
     The interior threaded bore  130  ( FIGS. 10A, 10C-10E ) of the main-nut body  120  forms a plurality of turns of an internal thread  132  ( FIGS. 10C-10E ) therein. As best shown in  FIGS. 10D and 10E , the interior threaded bore  130  forms about five complete turns of the internal thread  132  therein. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the number of threads in the main-nut body  120  can be a function of the thread pitch and the height of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., a one inch standard eight threads-per-inch nut is about 0.859 inches high and includes 6.875 threads). According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the interior threaded bore  130  forms between about 3.25 turns and about eight turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  130  forms at least two complete turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  130  forms at least three complete turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  130  forms at least four complete turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  130  forms at least five complete turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some implementations, depending on the application for the self-locking nut  100 , the number of turns of the internal thread  132  can vary between about two turns and about four hundred turns of the internal thread  132  therein. In some such implementations, the more torque required for an application requires more turns of the internal thread  132 . 
     The recess  140  ( FIGS. 10C-10E ) is in the front surface  122  ( FIG. 10D ) and extends into the main-nut body  120  towards the opposing back surface  124  of the main-nut body  120 . As best shown in  FIG. 10C , the recess  140  is an inwardly tapered recess that is annular. As shown in  FIG. 10D , the recess  140  is tapered with respect to a central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  100  at an angle, θ, of about 45 degrees. Alternatively, the recess  140  can tapered with respect to the central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  100  at an angle, θ, which is between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, more preferably, the recess  140  is tapered with respect to the central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  100  at the angle, θ, which is between about 30 degrees and about 75 degrees. The recess  140  has a height that is about twenty-five percent of the height of a standard nut (e.g., between about 0.05 inches and about 0.25 inches, about 0.05 inches, about 0.07 inches, about 0.08 inches, about 0.09 inches, about 0.1 inches, about 0.25 inches, etc.). In some implementations, the recess  140  has a height that is between about one percent and about twenty-five percent of a total height of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., about one percent, about two percent, about five percent, about ten percent, about twenty percent, etc.). 
     The deformable-nut body  150  has a central body portion  155  ( FIGS. 10D and 10E ) and an outer flange  170  ( FIGS. 10B-10E ). The central body portion  155  defines an interior threaded bore  160  ( FIGS. 10B-10E ) of the deformable-nut body  150 . The deformable-nut body  150  has a front surface  152  ( FIGS. 10C-10E ), an opposing back surface  154  ( FIG. 10D ), an outer surface  156  ( FIGS. 10C-10E ), an inclined front face  172  ( FIG. 10D ), and an inclined rear face  174  ( FIG. 10D ). The central body portion  155  is generally defined as the portion of the deformable-nut body  150  that is between the outer flange  170  and the interior threaded bore  160  and between the inclined front face  172  and the inclined rear face  174 . As described in further detail below, the central body portion  155  deforms and/or plasticizes during installation of the self-locking nut  100 . According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a lubricant (e.g., oils, WD40, Teflon, etc.) can be used between the self-locking nut  100  and objects  300   a ,  300   b  (see  FIGS. 10E-H ) to be bolted together to enable the central body portion  155  to rotate relative to the objects  300   a ,  300   b  and increase the clamping force and facilitate the deformation or plasticization of the central body portion  155  in the recess  140  of main-nut body  120 . 
     In some implementations, the deformable-nut body  150  has a general “flying saucer” shape that is formed symmetrically about a transverse plane. As best shown in  FIG. 10D , the inclined front face  172  and the inclined rear face  174  are both at angles of α and β, respectively, relative to horizontal and/or relative to the outer flange  170 . As shown, the angles α and β are each about one hundred and fifty degrees. Alternatively, in some implementations, the angles α and β can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and eighty degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, etc.). More preferably, each of the angles α and β is between about one hundred degrees and about one hundred and seventy degrees. While the angles α and β are shown as being the same, the angles α and β can different. For example, the angle α can be about 130 degrees and the angle β can be about 160 degrees. Any combination of different angles α and β is contemplated. In some alternative implementations described further below, the angles α and β can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about two hundred and seventy degrees. 
     Alternatively to the deformable-nut body  150  having a general “flying saucer” shape formed by the inclined front face  172  and the inclined rear face  174  being at angles α and β between ninety degrees and one hundred and eighty degrees, the deformable-nut body  150  can have an inverted central body portion (not shown) that is inverted on the front face and/or inverted on the rear face. In such alternative implementations, the angles α and β are greater than one hundred and eighty degrees. For example, a deformable nut body can have an inverted front face (not shown) and an inverted rear face (not shown) at angles α and β between about one hundred and eighty-one degrees and about two hundred and five degrees. According to some such implementations where the deformable-nut body is inverted, the recess  140  of the main-nut body  120  can be altered from (i) extending into the main-nut body  120  towards the opposing back surface  124  of the main-nut body  120  to (ii) extending out of the main-nut body  120  away from the opposing back surface  124  of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., an outwardly tapered recess). 
     According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the central body portion  155  has a height that is about one-third the height of a standard nut (e.g., between about 0.07 inches and about 0.33 inches, about 0.066 inches, about 0.08 inches, about 0.11 inches, about 0.15 inches, about 0.33 inches, etc.). In some implementations, the height of the central body portion  155  can be in the range from about one-half of the height of a single thread to about 95% of the height of the main-nut body  120 . In some implementations, the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the central body portion  155  has a height that is between about one percent and about ninety-five percent of a total height of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., about one percent, about two percent, about five percent, about ten percent, about twenty percent, about twenty-five percent, about thirty percent, about thirty-five percent, about forty percent, about forty-five percent, about ninety-five percent, etc.). More preferably, the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the central body portion  155  has a height that is between about five percent and about thirty-five percent of the total height of the main-nut body  120 . Any combination of different heights for the deformable-nut body  150  and the main-nut body  120  is contemplated. 
     The front surface  152  of the deformable-nut body  150  is the forward most surface of the self-locking nut  100  that is positioned to engage the objects  300   a ,  300   b  (see  FIGS. 10E-H ) to be bolted together (e.g., between the bolt head  220  and the self-locking nut  100 ), which limits the axial movement of the deformable-nut body  150  during installation of the self-locking nut  100 . 
     The outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  is configured to be engaged by the tool (not shown), in the same fashion as the outer surface  126 . As shown, the outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  is shaped such that the deformable-nut body  150  has a generally hexagonal outer cross-section, but other shapes for the outer surface  156  are contemplated such that the tool can engage the self-locking nut  100  in a non-rotational fashion (e.g., the tool can cause the self-locking nut  100  to rotate relative to the threaded bolt  200 ). 
     The interior threaded bore  160  of the deformable-nut body  150  forms a plurality of turns of an internal thread  162  therein. As shown, the internal thread  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  has the same pitch and depth as the internal thread  132  of the main-nut body  120  such that the self-locking nut  100  can be readily threaded onto (i.e., screwed on) the threaded bolt  200 . Alternatively, the internal thread  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  can have a pitch and/or depth that are different than the pitch and the depth as the internal thread  132  of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., the internal thread  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  is not timed with and/or not aligned with the internal thread  132  of the main-nut body  120 ). As best shown in  FIGS. 10C-10E , the interior threaded bore  160  forms about two complete turns of the internal thread  162  therein. Alternatively, the interior threaded bore  160  forms between about 0.125 turns and about 200 turns of the internal thread  162  therein. More preferably, the interior threaded bore  160  forms between about 0.5 turns and about 4 turns of the internal thread  162  therein. In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  160  forms less than three complete turns of the internal thread  162  therein (see for example  FIG. 10D ). In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  160  forms less than two complete turns of the internal thread  162  therein (see for example  FIG. 15A ). In some implementations, the interior threaded bore  160  forms less than one complete turn of the internal thread  162  therein (see for example  FIG. 15B ). 
     In some implementations, the number of turns of the internal thread  132  of the interior threaded bore  130  of the main-nut body  120  and the number of turns of the internal thread  162  of the interior threaded bore  160  of the deformable-nut body  150  is expressed as a ratio of 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1. In some such examples when the ratio is 2:1, if the internal thread  132  of the main-nut body  120  has four threads, the internal thread  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  would have two threads. Similarly, when the ratio is 3:1, if the internal thread  132  of the main-nut body  120  has six threads, the internal thread  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  would have two threads. 
     The outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  is relatively thinner than the central body portion  155  of the deformable-nut body  150  such that the outer flange  170  is able to act as a pivot and/or fulcrum point for the central body portion  155  to deform/plasticize about during installation of the self-locking nut  100  on, for example, a threaded bolt shaft  240  of the threaded bolt  200 . In some implementations, the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  has a first elastic modulus and the rest of the deformable-nut body  150  has a second elastic modulus that is greater than the first elastic modulus. In some implementations, the outer flange  170  has a thickness between about 0.0004 inches and about 12 inches. More preferably, the outer flange  170  has a thickness between about 0.002 inches and about 0.5 inches. In some implementation, the outer flange  170  has a thickness that is between about 10 percent to about 80 percent of a maximum/total height of the deformable-nut body  150 . More preferably, the outer flange  170  has a thickness that is between about 15 percent to about 30 percent of the maximum/total height of the deformable-nut body  150 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , the outer flange  170  extends outwardly from the central body portion  155  such that the entirety of the outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  is co-planar with the entirety of the outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120  (i.e., about the entire circumference of the self-locking nut  100 ). Alternatively, the outer flange  170  extends outwardly from the central body portion  155  such that only a portion of the outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  is co-planar with the outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120 . For example, if the outer surface  156  has an outer circular cross-section with a diameter equal to a minimum width of the main-nut body  120 , then only tangential portions of the outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  would be co-planar with the outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120 . In another alternative, the outer flange  170  extends outwardly such that none of the outer surface  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  is co-planar with the outer surface  126  of the main-nut body  120  (e.g., when a maximum outer diameter of the deformable-nut body  150  is less than a minimum outer diameter of the main-nut body  120 ). In some such implementations where none of the outer surface  156  is co-planar with the outer surface  126 , the tool engaging the self-locking nut  100  during installation would not directly engage the deformable-nut body  150 . 
     During assembly and/or creation of the self-locking nut  100  as best shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 10D and 10E , the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  is attached to the front surface  122  of the main-nut body  120  such that a relief space  180  ( FIGS. 10C and 10E ) is formed between a portion of the deformable-nut body  150  and the recess  140  of the main-nut body  120 . Specifically, as best shown in  FIG. 10E , the relief space  180  is formed between the recess  140  and (i) a portion of the outer flange  170 , the inclined rear face  174 , and the back surface  154 . The relief space  180  provides an area for the deformable-nut body  150  to deform into (e.g., elastically flow via plastic deformation) during installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240  of the threaded bolt  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 10E-10H ). In some implementations, the central body portion  155  of the deformable-nut body  150  deforms into (e.g., elastically flow via plastic deformation) the relief space  180 . In some implementations, a portion of the flange  170  also deforms into (e.g., elastically flow via plastic deformation) the relief space  180 . The outer flange  170  can be permanently and/or non-rotationally attached/fixed to the main-nut body  120  via welding, soldering (e.g., silver soldered), gluing, sonic-welding, etc. or any combination of attachment methods such that the deformable-nut body  150  and the main-nut body  120  cannot rotate (e.g., about the central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  100 ) relative to each other. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  become an integral unit (e.g., once attached together) such that rotating the main-nut body  120  (e.g., during installation of the self-locking nut  100 ) causes a corresponding/identical rotation of the deformable-nut body  150 . 
     Generally, during installation of the self-locking nut  100 , the amount of the relief space  180  is reduced. As best shown in  FIGS. 10C and 10E , the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  is fixed to the main-nut body  120  such that a generally cylindrical portion of the relief space  180  is established between the interior threaded bore  160  of the deformable-nut body  150  and the interior threaded bore  130  of the main-nut body  120 . As best shown in the pre-installation (e.g., pre-torqueing of the self-locking nut  100  that causes deformation of the deformable-nut body  150 ) configuration in  FIGS. 10E and 10F , the generally cylindrical portion of the relief space  180  has a first height H 1  prior to installation of the self-locking nut  100 , for example, on the threaded bolt  200 . Additionally, as shown in the fully installed configuration in  FIG. 10H  (bolt  200  shown) and  FIG. 10I  (bolt  200  removed for illustrative purposes), the generally cylindrical portion of the relief space  180  has a second height H 2 , wherein the second height H 2  is less than the first height H 1  (e.g., the second height H 2  is ten percent or twenty percent or thirty percent or forty percent or fifty percent or sixty percent or seventy percent or eighty percent of the first height H 1 ; the second height H 2  is between about ten percent and about ninety percent of the first height H 1 , etc.). For example, the first height H 1  is about one-eighth of an inch and the second height H 2  is about one-sixteenth of an inch. In some implementations, the second height H 2  has a height that is about six percent of the height of a standard nut (e.g., between about 0.01 inches and about 0.06 inches, about 0.015 inches, about 0.02 inches, about 0.025 inches, about 0.03 inches, about 0.04 inches, about 0.06 inches, etc.). 
     Put another way, prior to installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240  ( FIG. 10F ), a first portion of the deformable-nut body  150  is contained in the recess  140  ( FIG. 10D ) of the main-nut body  120 . After installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240  ( FIGS. 10H and 10I ), a second portion of the deformable-nut body  150  is contained in the recess  140  of the main-nut body  120 , wherein the second portion of the deformable-nut body  150  has a larger volume than the first portion of the deformable-nut body  150 . Similarly, due to the deformation of the deformable-nut body  150  during installation, the deformable-nut body  150  has a first shape (e.g., a flying saucer-type shape) prior to installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240  and a different second shape (e.g., a flattened on one-side flying saucer-type shape, such as on the front face  172 ) after installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10D and 10E , a method of making the self-locking nut  100  is described. As shown in  FIG. 10D , the method includes providing the main-nut body  120  having the recess  140  that leads into the interior threaded bore  130  with x number of turns of the internal thread  132  therein (e.g., more than three turns, four turns, one turn, five turns, ten turns, twenty turns, etc.). The method also includes providing the deformable-nut body  150  having the central body portion  155 , the outer flange  170 , and the interior threaded bore  160  with y number of turns of the internal thread  162  therein (e.g., less than three turns, 2.5 turns, 2 turns, 1.75 turns, 1.5 turns, one turn, 0.5 turns, 5 turns, 10 turns, etc.). In some implementations, x is greater than y. In some implementations, a ratio of x:y is 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, etc. As shown in  FIG. 10E , these two provided pieces are then fixed together by, for example, fixing the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  to the main-nut body  120  via welding, soldering, gluing, sonic-welding, etc. or any combination of attachment methods such that the relief space  180  ( FIG. 10E ) is formed between the deformable-nut body  150  and the recess  140 . The deformable-nut body  150  can also be provided with the outer surface  156  that is configured to be engaged by the tool (not shown), in the same fashion as the outer surface  126 . Additionally, the method includes fixing the outer flange  156  of the deformable-nut body  150  to the main-nut body  120  such that the deformable-nut body  150  cannot rotate relative to the main-nut body  120 . 
     The above described method provides the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  already having the threads  132 / 162  therein. Alternatively, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  may be provided without already having the threads  132 / 162  therein. For example, in such a method of making a self-locking nut, a deformable-nut body having a central body portion, an outer flange, and a non-threaded interior bore is provided. Then, a main-nut body having a recess leading into a non-threaded interior bore is provided. The outer flange of the deformable-nut body is then fixed to the main-nut body in the same or similar fashion as described above such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-nut body and the recess. With the deformable-nut body fixed to the main-nut body, the self-locking nut is then tapped (e.g., threads are cut therein). First the interior bore of the deformable-nut body is tapped such that a number of turns of an internal thread are formed therein (e.g., less than three turns of the thread, two turns, etc.) and then the interior bore of the main-nut body is tapped such that a number of turns of an internal thread are formed therein (e.g., more than three turns of the thread, five turns, six turns, etc.). Alternatively, the self-locking nut can be tapped in the opposing direction such that the interior bore of the main-nut body is tapped and then the interior bore of the deformable-nut body is tapped. In either direction of tapping, the tapping occurs with the same tool, one piece after the other. 
     Alternatively, the tapping of the interior bore of the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the tapping of the interior bore of the main-nut body  120  may occur at the same time with two identical tools. In yet a further alternative, the tapping of the interior bore of the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the tapping of the interior bore of the main-nut body  120  may occur with two different tools. In such an alternative implementation, the tapping can yield two threaded bores with differently pitched threads and/or differently sized threads. To aid in the installation of such a self-locking nut with different threaded bores for the deformable-nut body  150  and the main-nut body  120 , the materials of the deformable-nut body  150  and the main-nut body  120  may be different (e.g., the material of the deformable-nut body  150  may be softer than the material of the main-nut body  120 ). 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 10E-10H , a method of permanently locking the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt shaft  240  of the threaded bolt  200  is described. Initially, the threaded bolt shaft  240  is positioned through an opening in objects  300   a ,  300   b  such that a portion of the threaded bolt shaft  240  protrudes from the opening and such that the head  220  of the threaded bolt  200  abuts a surface  301   a  of the object  300   a . Then the self-locking nut  100  is threaded onto the portion of the threaded bolt shaft  240  protruding from the opening by rotating the self-locking nut  100  in a first rotational direction (as shown in  FIG. 10F  as being clockwise, but could be counterclockwise in other implementations). This rotation of the self-locking nut  100  causes the self-locking nut  100  to move axially in the direction of arrow A towards a surface  301   b  of the object  300   b  and towards the head  220  of the threaded bolt  200 . The self-locking nut  100  is continued to be rotated on the portion of the threaded bolt shaft  240  until the front surface  152  of the deformable-nut body  150  abuts and/or first contacts the surface  301   b  of the object  300   b . Then with the front surface  152  of the deformable-nut body  150  abutting the surface  301   b  of the object  300   b , a rotational torque is applied (e.g., using a torque wrench), in the first rotational direction, to the self-locking nut  100 . This torqueing causes the main-nut body  120  to move axially in the direction of arrow A and further causes the deformable-nut body  150  to deform (e.g., the central body portion  155  deforms, the outer flange  170  deforms, or both). As the deformable-nut body  150  deforms, a portion of the deformable-nut body  150  (e.g., a portion of the central body portion  155 , a portion of the outer flange  170 , or a combination thereof) enters into the relief space  180  formed between the deformable-nut body  150  and the main-nut body  120 . 
     As shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 10F and 10G , the deformable-nut body  150  has started to deform and enter into the relief space  180 . Further, as shown by a comparison of  FIGS. 10G and 10H , the deformable-nut body  150  deformed even more with more of the deformable-nut body  150  entered into the relief space  180 . In addition to the deformable-nut body  150  entering into the relief space  180 , the surface  301   b  impedes and/or prevents the deformable-nut body  150  from moving in the direction of arrow A, which results in the front surface  152  and/or the inclined front face  172  flattening out, which can be seen by comparing  FIG. 10F  (prior to torqueing and not flattened) with  FIG. 10H  (after torqueing and flattened). More specifically, in some implementations, the inclined front face  172  flattens out, which changes angle α from about one hundred and fifty degrees to about one hundred and eighty degrees (e.g., essentially flat/co-planar with the outer flange  170  and/or horizontal). 
     The deformation of the deformable-nut body  150  (e.g., the deformation of the central body portion  155 ) during the torqueing causes the self-locking nut  100  to lock onto the threaded bolt shaft  240  of the threaded bolt  200 . Specifically, as best shown in the enlarged portions of  FIGS. 10E-10H , the interaction of the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240  with (1) the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  and (2) the threads  132  of the main-nut body  120  causes the self-locking nut  100  to clamp onto and/or lock onto the threaded bolt shaft  240  by forming a compression zone of opposing compressive forces applied to the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10F , prior to any torqueing of the self-locking nut  100 , the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240  are positioned with generally equal spacing (e.g., equal gaps) above and below the threads  242 . In this configuration, minimal forces (e.g., frictional forces) hold the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt  200 . Once the self-locking nut  100  is torqued in the first rotational direction, because the front surface  152  of the deformable-nut body  150  cannot move in the direction of arrow A, the deformation of the deformable-nut body  150  begins (e.g., the deformation of the central body portion  155 ), which causes the underside of the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  (e.g., the outer surface of the threads  162  with respect to the object  300   b ) to engage the upperside of the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240  (e.g., the inner surface of the threads  242  with respect to the object  300   b ). At the same time, because the main-nut body  120  can move in the direction of arrow A (e.g., due to the relief space  180 ), the torqueing of the self-locking nut  100  in the first rotational direction causes the main-nut body  120  and its threads  132  to move in the direction of arrow A, which causes the upperside of the threads  132  (e.g., the inner surface of the threads  132  with respect to the object  300   b ) to engage the lowerside of the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240  (e.g., the outer surface of the threads  242  with respect to the object  300   b ). The opposing engagement of the threads  242  of the threaded bolt shaft  240  creates the compression zone where the main-nut body  120  applies a force generally in the direction of arrow A and the deformable-nut body  150  applies a force generally in a direction opposite of arrow A such that the self-locking nut  100  clamps onto or locks on the threaded bolt  200 . This compression zone consisting of opposing compressive forces creates permanent internal pressure which, by Newton&#39;s Third Law of physics, is resistant (e.g., fully resistant) to vibration and loosening (e.g., the resistance is limited only by the material strength of the self-locking nut  100  itself). The permanent internal pressure created results in a permanent locking feature that is different from other nut fasteners in that the self-locking nut  100  of the present disclosure does not rely on thread friction for vibration resistance. Vibration resistance is created by internal permanent pressure (pre-compression) which is reinforced by the tensile and compressive strength of the self-locking nut material. 
     In addition to the creation of the compression zone, the plasticizing of the deformable-nut body  150  aids in (e.g., is critical to) the creation of a permanent lock that prevents the self-locking nut  100  from rotating or backing off the threaded bolt  200 . The internal pressure created by the compression zone (opposing compressive forces) becomes permanent once the deformable-nut body  120  is deformed and plasticized to a threshold degree. Specifically, after the deformable-nut body  150  deforms/plasticizes as described herein, the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  remain in time with and/or aligned with the threads  132  of the main-nut body  120 , and each of the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  and the threads  132  of the main-nut body  120  remain in time with and/or aligned with the threads  242  of the threaded bolt  200 . To illustrate this, by way of an example, after installation of the self-locking nut  100 , if the main-nut body  120  were to be circumferentially cut across the affixation point of the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  to the front surface of the main-nut body  120 , both the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  could be freely rotated off of the threaded bolt  200 , with the threads  132 ,  162  remaining intact (e.g., not being stripped). However, if the self-locking nut  100  remains intact (i.e., the deformable-nut body  150  is not circumferentially cut across the affixation point of the outer flange  170 ), once the deformable-nut body  150  has been plasticized (e.g., permanently deformed) during the installation, the internal pressure generated from the compression zone becomes permanent and cannot be released without destruction of the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150 . To illustrate this by way of further example, a sufficient force to overcome the internal pressure, accomplished by applying a reverse direction torque to the main-nut body  120 , would result in the stripping of the threads  162  of the deformable nut body  150  (e.g., destruction of the self-locking nut  100 ) because the main-nut body  120  can withstand the higher pressure due to its increased number of threads  132  relative to the fewer number of threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150 . That is the pressure is beyond the capacity of the deformable-nut body  150 , which has a fewer number of threads relative the main-nut body  120 . The permanent internal pressure is released when forcibly removing the self-locking nut  100  (e.g., by applying sufficient reverse torque) only when the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  strip (e.g., the material of the threads  162  fails). 
     As described above, once the deformable-nut body  150  plasticizes, the internal pressure from the compression zone becomes permanent, and cannot be released without destruction of the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150 . The deformable-nut body  150  threads  162  strip because they require less pressure to strip than to overcome the compressive pressures of the compression zone. Stated another way, the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  will strip before the permanent internal pressure is released. In order for the self-locking nut  100  to be removed by vibration, the vibration force would have to be of such a degree as to cause failure of the material, i.e. overcome the strength of the material. The self-locking nut  100  is vibration-proof up to the limit of the strength of the self-locking nut material itself. The only way the self-locking nut  100  could vibrate loose is if the material strength fails, but then the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  would be stripped and the self-locking nut  100  would not be able to reverse out. 
     As described above, to remove the self-locking nut  100  from a bolt once installed, a significant amount of force would need to be applied such that the threads  132  and/or the threads  162  would be stripped during the attempted removal of the self-locking nut  100 . Further, after the deformable-nut body  150  deforms/plasticizes as described herein, the pressure (in addition to the compressive forces described above) due to the extra material pressed up against the threads  242  of the threaded bolt  200  results in additional (e.g., radial and/or axial) compressive forces plus a relatively increased amount of friction between the threaded bolt  200  and the self-locking nut  100  which further prevents movement of the self-locking nut  100 . 
     The combination of the compression zone permanent internal pressure consisting of opposing compressive forces, plus the additional locking forces created by the applied torque and deformation of the deformable-nut-body  150 , permits the self-locking nut  100  to achieve a superior holding force (e.g., as compared with prior nut fasteners), which can be considered a permanent lock, which retains its clamp load pressure even if the threaded bolt  200  with the installed self-locking nut  100  is cut into quarters axially or profile cut. 
     In some implementations, installation of the self-locking nut  100  on the threaded bolt  200  against the object  300   b  (e.g., with the correct amount of torque applied), results in a majority or most of the space between the threads  162  of the deformable-nut body  150  and the threads  242  of the threaded bolt  200  being removed due to the deformation of the deformable-nut body  150 . In such implementations, the deformation changes at least a portion of the self-locking nut  100  and at least a portion of the threaded bolt  200  into almost one piece of material. Such a self-locking nut  100  has a relatively higher strength-to-weight ratio than a conventional nut. Additionally, such a self-locking nut  100  has a relatively higher/better resistance to vibration than a conventional nut, as the self-locking nut  100  is almost vibration proof or is vibration proof. 
     The self-locking nuts of the present disclosure can be used to replace rivets and welding with an improved/superior faster. The self-locking nuts of the present disclosure are theft-resistant when installed (e.g., on the threaded bolt  200 ), and thus, are useful in many security applications. The locking strength of the self-locking nut  100  can be altered by modifying the depth and position of the recess  140  and/or the profile of the back surface  154  of the deformable-nut body  150  and/or the material(s) used to form the self-locking nut  100 . The self-locking nut  100  weighs about the same as a conventional nut (e.g., between about 0.03 pounds (for a ½ inch nut) and about 0.3 pounds (for a 1 inch nut)). The self-locking nut  100  can be faster to install than one and two-piece conventional nuts. Further, the self-locking nut  100  is threaded such that it threads onto a bolt with no or very little resistance just like a conventional nut and uses relatively less material than conventional two-piece locking nuts. 
     The self-locking nuts of the present disclosure are shown and described as having a variety of configurations and variety of numbers of turns of internal threads. Various other implementations are contemplated, such as, for example, the implementations described in the table below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Number of  
                 Number of  
               
               
                   
                 Self-  
                 Turns of Internal 
                 Turns of Internal 
               
               
                   
                 Locking 
                 Thread of  
                 Thread of 
               
               
                   
                 Nut 
                 Interior Threaded 
                 Interior Threaded 
               
               
                   
                 Imple- 
                 Bore of 
                 Bore of 
               
               
                   
                 mentations 
                 Main-Nut Body 
                 Deformable-Nut Body 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Nut #1 
                 1.75 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #2 
                 2.0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #3 
                 2.25 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #4 
                 2.5 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #5 
                 2.75 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #6 
                 3.0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #7 
                 3.75 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #8 
                 4.0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #9 
                 3.5 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #10 
                 4.0 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #11 
                 4.5 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #12 
                 5.0 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #13 
                 5.5 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #14 
                 6.0 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #15 
                 7.5 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #16 
                 8.0 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #17 
                 7.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #18 
                 8.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #19 
                 9.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #20 
                 10.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #21 
                 11.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #22 
                 12.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #23 
                 15.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 Nut #24 
                 16.0 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In some implementations, a self-locking nut of the present disclosure includes a main-nut body with an interior threaded bore having about 3.5 turns of an internal thread therein and a deformable-nut body with an interior threaded bore having about two turns of an internal thread therein. In some other implementations, a self-locking nut of the present disclosure includes a main-nut body with an interior threaded bore having about 3.5 turns of an internal thread therein and a deformable-nut body with an interior threaded bore having about two turns of an internal thread therein. 
     The self-locking nuts of the preset disclosure are shown and described as having a deformable-nut body  150  with an interior threaded bore  160 ; however, in some alternative implementations, the deformable-nut body  150  does not have an interior threaded bore, but rather has a non-threaded or smooth interior bore (not shown). In such implementations, during installation, the deformable-nut body  150  would still deform. 
     In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, the height of the main-nut body  120  ranges from about ten percent to about fifty times the height of a standard nut height and the height of the deformable-nut body  150  ranges from about 0.5 turns of a thread to about ninety-five percent of the height of the main-nut body  120 . For example, in some such implementations, for a standard (e.g., ASTM A563)¼ inch-20 thread per inch nut, where the standard height is approx. 0.21875 inches, the height of the main-nut body  120  is between about 0.021875 inches and about 11 inches high and the height of the deformable-nut body  150  is between about 0.5 threads (about 0.025 inches) and about 209 threads (about 10.45 inches). Similarly, a thickness of the outer flange  170  of the deformable-nut body  150  is between about 0.0079 inches and about 10.45 inches. 
     According to some alternative implementations of the present disclosure, the deformable-nut body  150  has a relatively coarse internal thread and the main-nut body  120  has a relatively fine internal thread, where the fine and coarse threads are in time with one another (e.g., aligned). In some such implementations, the fine/coarse self-locking nut is designed to be used with a fine threaded bolt that includes an external thread that corresponds with the fine thread of the main-nut body  120 , such that the coarse threads of the deformable-nut body  150  “fit” and thread over the bolt during installation with being stripped. In such an installation, deformable-nut body  150  still deforms as the main-nut body  120  is torqued. 
     While the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  are shown in  FIGS. 10A-10I  and described herein as having certain shapes, sizes, dimensions, features, various alternative self-locking nuts having various alternative main-nut bodies and deformable-nut bodies that are similar to the self-locking nut  100  are contemplated. By way of example, self-locking nuts  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  are described below in reference to  FIGS. 11A-14C  focusing on the main differences between self-locking nuts  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  and the self-locking nut  100  describe above. Features, shapes, and sizes of the self-locking nuts  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  that are not specifically described herein are the same as, or similar to the corresponding feature(s) of the self-locking nut  100 . 
     Generally referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C , a self-locking nut  400  includes a main-nut body  420  and a deformable-nut body  450  that are the same as, or similar to, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  described herein. The self-locking nut  400  mainly differs from the self-locking nut  100  in that the deformable-nut body  450  has a different shape than the deformable-nut body  150  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10E ) prior to installation. As shown in  FIG. 11C , after installation of the self-locking nut  400 , the deformable-nut body  450  looks similar to the deformable-nut body  150  ( FIGS. 10H and 10I ). 
     The deformable-nut body  450  has a central body portion  455  and an outer flange  470 , which are the same as, or similar to, the central body portion  155  and the outer flange  170 . The central body portion  455  defines an interior threaded bore  460 , which is the same as, or similar to the interior threaded bore  160 . The deformable-nut body  450  has a front surface  452 , an opposing back surface  454 , an outer surface  456 , an inclined front face  472  ( FIGS. 11A and 11B ), and an inverted rear face  474  ( FIGS. 11A and 11B ). As best shown in  FIG. 11A , the inclined front face  472  and the inverted rear face  474  are both at angles of α and β, respectively, relative to horizontal and/or relative to the outer flange  470 . As shown, the angle α is about one hundred and twenty-five degrees and the angle β is about two hundred and five degrees. Alternatively, in some implementations, the angle α can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and fifty degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, etc.) and the angle β can be any angle between about one hundred and eighty degrees and about two hundred and thirty degrees (e.g., about 180 degrees, about 190 degrees, about 200 degrees, about 210 degrees, about 220 degrees, about 230 degrees, etc.). Any combination of different angles α and β is contemplated. 
     Generally referring to  FIGS. 12A-12C , a self-locking nut  500  includes a main-nut body  520  and a deformable-nut body  550  that are the same as, or similar to, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  described herein. The self-locking nut  500  mainly differs from the self-locking nut  100  in that the deformable-nut body  550  has a different shape than the deformable-nut body  150  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10E ) prior to installation. As shown in  FIG. 12C , after installation of the self-locking nut  500 , the deformable-nut body  550  looks similar to the deformable-nut body  150  ( FIGS. 10H and 10I ). 
     The deformable-nut body  550  has a central body portion  555  and an outer flange  570 , which are the same as, or similar to, the central body portion  155  and the outer flange  170 . The central body portion  555  defines an interior threaded bore  560 , which is the same as, or similar to the interior threaded bore  160 . The deformable-nut body  550  has a front surface  552 , an opposing back surface  554 , an outer surface  556 , an inclined front face  572  ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ), and a generally flat rear face  574  ( FIGS. 12A and 12B ). As best shown in  FIG. 12A , the inclined front face  572  and the generally flat rear face  574  are both at angles of α and β, respectively, relative to horizontal and/or relative to the outer flange  570 . As shown, the angle α is about one hundred and forty degrees and the angle β is about one hundred and eighty degrees. Alternatively, in some implementations, the angle α can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and eight degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, etc.) and the angle β can be any angle between about one hundred and sixty degrees and about two hundred degrees (e.g., about 160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 190 degrees, about 200 degrees, etc.). Any combination of different angles α and β is contemplated. 
     Generally referring to  FIGS. 13A-13C , a self-locking nut  600  includes a main-nut body  620  and a deformable-nut body  650  that are the same as, or similar to, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  described herein. The self-locking nut  600  mainly differs from the self-locking nut  100  in that the deformable-nut body  650  has a different shape than the deformable-nut body  150  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10E ) and in that the main-nut body  620  has a different shape than the main-nut body  120  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 10D and 10E ). As shown in  FIG. 13C , after installation of the self-locking nut  600 , the deformable-nut body  650  deforms in a similar fashion to how the deformable-nut body  150  ( FIGS. 10H and 10I ) deforms. 
     Instead of the main-nut body  620  having an inwardly tapered recess, like the inwardly tapered recess  140  of the main-nut body  120 , the main-nut body  620  has a protrusion  640  that is outwardly tapered with respect to vertical (e.g., an axis that is parallel with a central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  600 ) at an angle, θ, of about 45 degrees. Alternatively, the protrusion  640  can be tapered with respect to vertical at an angle, θ, which is between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees (e.g., about 30 degrees, about 35 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 55 degrees, about 60 degrees, etc.). 
     The deformable-nut body  650  has a central body portion  655  and an outer flange  670 , which are similar to the central body portion  155  and the outer flange  170 , but with a relatively more elongated shape in a direction along a central axis of the self-locking nut  600 . Further, the outer flange  670  and the central body portion  655  are merged together such that the outer flange  670  is less like a flange and more like a portion of the central body portion  655 . The central body portion  655  defines an interior threaded bore  660 , which is the same as, or similar to the interior threaded bore  160 . The deformable-nut body  650  has a front surface  652 , an opposing back surface  654 , an outer surface  656 , an inclined front face  672  ( FIGS. 13A and 13B ), and an inverted rear face  674  ( FIGS. 13A and 13B ). As best shown in  FIG. 13A , the inclined front face  672  and the inverted rear face  674  are both at angles of α and β, respectively, relative to horizontal and/or relative to the outer flange  670 . As shown, the angle α is about one hundred and fifty degrees and the angle β is about two hundred and forty degrees. Alternatively, in some implementations, the angle α can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and eight degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, etc.) and the angle β can be any angle between about one hundred and ninety degrees and about two hundred and seventy degrees (e.g., about 190 degrees, about 200 degrees, about 210 degrees, about 220 degrees, about 230 degrees, about 240 degrees, about 250 degrees, about 260 degrees, about 270 degrees, etc.). Any combination of different angles α and β is contemplated. 
     Generally referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C , a self-locking nut  700  includes a main-nut body  720  and a deformable-nut body  750  that are the same as, or similar to, the main-nut body  120  and the deformable-nut body  150  described herein. The self-locking nut  600  mainly differs from the self-locking nut  100  in that the deformable-nut body  650  has a different shape than the deformable-nut body  150  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 10E ) and in that the main-nut body  620  has a different shape than the main-nut body  120  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 10D and 10E ). Further, the number of turns of a thread of the main-nut body  720  is less than the number of turns of a thread of the deformable-nut body  750 , which differs from the self-locking nut  100 . As shown in  FIG. 14C , after installation of the self-locking nut  700 , the deformable-nut body  750  deforms in a similar fashion to how the deformable-nut body  150  ( FIGS. 10H and 10I ) deforms. 
     While the main-nut body  720  does have an inwardly tapered recess  740  that is similar to the inwardly tapered recess  140  of the main-nut body  120 , the recess  740  is inwardly tapered with respect to a central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  700  at an angle, θ, of about 15 degrees. Alternatively, the recess  740  can tapered with respect to the central axis X c  of the self-locking nut  700  at an angle, θ, which is between about 5 degrees and about 40 degrees (e.g., about 5 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 35 degrees, about 40 degrees, etc.). 
     The deformable-nut body  750  has a central body portion  755  and an outer flange  770 , which are similar to the central body portion  155  and the outer flange  170 , but with the central body portion  755  having a relatively more elongated shape in a direction along a central axis of the self-locking nut  700 . The central body portion  755  defines an interior threaded bore  760 , which is the same as, or similar to the interior threaded bore  160 , just with relatively more turns of a thread (e.g., five turns of the thread). The deformable-nut body  750  has a front surface  752 , an opposing back surface  754 , an outer surface  756 , an inclined front face  772  ( FIGS. 14A and 14B ), and an inclined rear face  774  ( FIGS. 14A and 14B ). As best shown in  FIG. 14A , the inclined front face  772  and the inclined rear face  774  are both at angles of α and β, respectively, relative to horizontal and/or relative to the outer flange  770 . As shown, the angle α is about one hundred and fifty degrees and the angle β is about one hundred and five degrees. Alternatively, in some implementations, the angle α can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and eight degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 170 degrees, about 180 degrees, etc.) and the angle β can be any angle between about ninety degrees and about one hundred and forty degrees (e.g., about 90 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, etc.). Any combination of different angles α and β is contemplated. 
     As described throughout the present disclosure, the self-locking nuts of the present disclosure perform better than standard nuts (i.e., nuts without a deformable-nut body as described herein). Specifically, a self-locking nut incorporating the deformable-nut body can be torqued, without stripping its threads, to a relatively higher value as compared to a standard nut without the deformable-nut body. Such a relatively higher torque results in a correspondingly higher maximum applied clamp load of the self-locking nut as compared with a standard nut. By way of example, the following chart includes data for a number of different sized nuts illustrating the relatively higher maximum torque and relatively higher maximum applied clamp load for self-locking nuts according to the present disclosure as compared with standard SAE Grade 8 nuts. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Maximum 
                   
                 Maximum Torque 
                 Maximum 
               
               
                 Size 
                   
                 Torque (ft-lbs) 
                 Maximum 
                 (ft-lbs) prior to 
                 Applied Clamp 
               
               
                 (nominal 
                 Threads 
                 prior to 
                 Applied 
                 stripping of 
                 Load (lbs) for 
               
               
                 maximum 
                 Per Inch 
                 stripping of 
                 Clamp Load 
                 threads for a Grade 
                 a Grade 8 Self- 
               
               
                 diameter of 
                 (per inch 
                 threads for a 
                 (lbs) for a 
                 8 Self-Locking 
                 Locking Nut of 
               
               
                 threaded 
                 of nut 
                 Standard SAE 
                 Standard SAE 
                 Nut of the Present 
                 the Present 
               
               
                 bore of nut) 
                 height) 
                 Grade 8 Nut 
                 Grade 8 Nut 
                 Disclosure 
                 Disclosure 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 ¼ 
                 20 
                 10.17 
                 2,864 
                 19.20 
                 5,410 
               
               
                  5/16 
                 18 
                 20.92 
                 4,719 
                 39.51 
                 8,914 
               
               
                 ⅜ 
                 16 
                 37.00 
                 6,794 
                 69.89 
                 12,833 
               
               
                  7/16 
                 14 
                 59.00 
                 9,568 
                 111.44 
                 18,073 
               
               
                 ½ 
                 13 
                 90.00 
                 12,771 
                 170.00 
                 24,123 
               
               
                  9/16 
                 12 
                 130.00 
                 16,375 
                 245.56 
                 30,931 
               
               
                 ⅝ 
                 11 
                 180.00 
                 20,340 
                 340.00 
                 38,420 
               
               
                 ¾ 
                 10 
                 320.00 
                 30,101 
                 604.44 
                 56,857 
               
               
                 ⅞ 
                 9 
                 515.00 
                 41,556 
                 972.78 
                 78,495 
               
               
                 1 
                 8 
                 772.00 
                 54,517 
                 1458.22 
                 102,977 
               
               
                 1¼ 
                 7 
                 1545.00 
                 87,220 
                 2918.33 
                 164,749 
               
               
                 1½ 
                 6 
                 2688.00 
                 126,473 
                 5077.33 
                 238,893 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The self-locking nuts of the present disclosure are suitable for use in extreme, high vibration and security environments that demands reliability, durability, heavy duty or high performance in a lightweight permanent locking nut. Examples of industrial environments where the self-locking nuts of the present disclosure may be used include:
         Aerospace   Automotive   Aviation   Bridges   Buildings   Civil engineering projects   Construction equipment   Dams   Expressways   Extreme environment applications   Guard rails   Heavy duty applications   High vibration applications   Industrial equipment   Machinery   Marine applications   Metal presses   Military equipment   Nuclear power plants   Racing applications   Railroads   Railway cars   Rock crushers   Shipbuilding   Steel-making machinery   Steel towers   Street lights   Traffic lights   Transportation—machinery and infrastructure       

     It is to be understood that many modifications and variations may be devised given the above description of the general principles of the present disclosure. It is intended that all such modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the following claims.