Patent Publication Number: US-2003235481-A1

Title: Torque indicator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/307,259, filed 29 Nov. 2002, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/941,152, filed 27 Aug. 2001, which, in turn, claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/227,892, filed 25 Aug. 2000, each of the foregoing U.S. patent applications hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] This invention relates to safety devices and, in particular, this invention relates to devices which ensure that correct torque levels are applied to connectors.  
       [0004] 2. Background of the Invention  
       [0005] Ensuring that a correct level of torque is applied to connectors can be of critical importance. One instance where applying the correct level of torque is critically important is when engine oil is changed. Typically, the oil plug is removed from the reservoir drain, the oil is allowed to flow from the reservoir, the oil plug is replaced, and new oil is poured into the engine. Overtightening oil plugs can strip the threads from the reservoir drain, thereby causing oil leakage and engine damage. Undertightening oil plugs can cause oil leakage and engine damage as well. While torque wrenches can correctly tighten oil plugs, they are seldom used.  
       [0006] Another issue frequently encountered is leakage itself. After the oil plug has been replaced, oil leaks can arise due to an insufficient seal resulting from improperly tightening the oil plug, from worn components no longer sealing, or from failure to use a seal. The oil leaked from engines onto surfaces pollutes and fouls floors of buildings and soils and, thereby necessitates cleanup protocols that generate materials which are themselves hazardous to the environment. Oil leaked onto floors is itself a hazard. Oil spots may cause injuries to workers by causing the workers to slip and/or fall when encountering surfaces made slippery by leaked oil. Oil may also cause fires by increasing the combustibility of oil-soaked materials. Leaked oil is also an environmental hazard. For example, oil leaked onto soil is resistant to natural decomposition and, if leaked in sufficient quantities, may sterilize areas for appreciable periods of time.  
       [0007] Still another frequently arising issue is prevention and detection of tampering of oil plugs. Often it is desirable to seal the oil plug after an oil change has been performed. Sealing the oil plug serves to deter or detect tampering and can ensure that only authorized persons have serviced the engine.  
       [0008] There is then a need for a device which will ensure that a correct amount of torque is applied to a fastener, which will provide a fluid-tight seal, which can subsequently be easily removed, and which provides a seal to deter and detect the presence of tampering.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] This invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs by providing a torque lock/indicator and seal.  
       [0010] An embodiment of the present torque lock/indicator includes an upper (first) member, a compression ring, a lower (second) member, and an optional encloser cap. The upper member has a cylindrical element, at least three (e.g., up to 12) legs depending from the cylindrical element, and a substantially planar element disposed at one end of the cylindrical element. An angled contact surface is present on each leg distal to the attachment of the leg to the cylindrical element and a locking surface near the contact surface is present. The lower member has a structure with a substantially peripheral contact surface and a locking surface proximate the contact surface. The compression ring is disposed between the upper and lower (threaded hole mating surfaces) members. The upper member, compression ring, and lower member are configured to axially and rotationally receive a fastener, such as a bolt or an oil plug, therethrough. As the fastener is tightened, the upper member contact surfaces are slidingly displaced against the lower member contact surface and the legs are biased outwardly. When a predetermined level of torque has been applied to the fastener, the upper member contact surfaces have been displaced past the lower member contact surface, thereby allowing the legs to return toward an unbiased position and interlocking the upper and lower members by contacting the upper member and lower member locking surfaces. An optional cap either interlocks with the upper or lower member or is cemented into place. The cap can only be removed by destroying its integrity.  
       [0011] Another embodiment of the present torque lock/indicator includes a first member, a second member, and a compression member. The first member may define a bore and may include a sealing surface and first and second contact surfaces. The bore may be dimensioned and disposed to accommodate a shaft of the connector therewithin. The first contact surfaces may be angularly disposed with respect to the second contact surface. The second member may include a ring element and a plurality of extensions, the extensions extending from the ring element in an unbiased position and having first and second contact surfaces. Each second member extension first contact surface may be angularly disposed with respect to each corresponding second member extension second contact surface. The compression member may be substantially disposable within the second member ring element and may define a bore, the bore accommodating the fastener shaft such that the compression member sealingly contacts the first member sealing surface. When the present torque lock/indicator is in a first disposition, the first member first contact surface may slidingly contact the second member first contact surface as the fastener is being tightened and as the compression member is being compressed to outwardly bias each of the second member extensions. When the fastener has been tightened to a predetermined torque level, the first member first contact surface has been displaced past the second member first contact surface to release each extension from the unbiased position, such that the second member second contact surface strikingly contacts the first member second contact surface to generate a mechanical vibration. The mechanical vibration, in turn, may generate an audible sound and may be tactilely sensed as well. Additionally, when the connector has been tightened to a predetermined torque level, the second member extensions engage the first member such that the second member may be freely rotated. Visual indications that the connector has been tightened to a predetermined torque level are the return of the second member extensions to unbiased positions and the ability to freely rotated the second member. The first member, second member, and compression ring may be connected in a preassembled embodiment. In an other embodiment the first member may be configured in the head of a fastener.  
       [0012] It is an object of this invention to provide a torque indicator to ensure that only a predetermined torque level will be applied to a fastener.  
       [0013] It is another object of this invention to provide a torque indicator which ensures that threaded openings will not be damaged by over tightening of fasteners being threaded therein.  
       [0014] It is yet still another object of this invention to provide a torque indicator which provides a means of ensuring that threads of openings are functional under known torque levels.  
       [0015] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a device which will emit an audible signal when a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to a fastener.  
       [0016] It is another feature of the present invention to provide a device which will visually indicate that a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to a fastener.  
       [0017] It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide a device which will vibrationally indicate that a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to a fastener.  
       [0018] It is still another feature of the present invention to provide a device which includes a seal against fluid loss when the fastener has been threaded into an opening.  
       [0019] It is yet still another feature of the present invention to provide a device which will indicate that sufficient torque has been applied to reach a maximum of a predetermined torque range.  
       [0020] It is still yet another feature of the present invention to provide a device which has a tamper-resistant or tamper-indicating structure restricting access to an enclosed fastener or indicating that the enclosed fastener has been accessed.  
       [0021] There is also provided a torque-indicating device for use with a threaded fastener and a threaded opening, comprising:  
       [0022] a first member defining a bore and including a sealing surface and first and second contact surfaces, the bore accommodating a shaft of the fastener therewithin, the first contact surface disposed at an acute angle with respect to the second contact surface;  
       [0023] a second member including a ring element and a plurality of extensions extending from the ring element, each of the extensions in an unbiased position and displaying first and second contact surfaces, each of the first contact surfaces disposed at an acute angle with respect to one of the second contact surfaces; and  
       [0024] a compression member disposable within the second member ring element, with a bore accommodating the fastener shaft, and configured to sealingly contact the first member sealing surface,  
       [0025] the first member first contact surface slidingly contacting the second member first contact surface in a first disposition when the fastener is being threaded into the threaded opening to compress the compression member and outwardly bias each of the second member extensions, the first member first contact surface displaced past the second member first contact surface in a second disposition as the fastener is further threaded into the threaded opening such that each of the second member extensions returns to the unbiased position and such that the first member second contact surface strikingly contacts the second member second contact surface to generate a mechanical vibration when a predetermined amount of torque as been exerted on the fastener.  
       [0026] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member is affixed to at least one of the compression ring and the second member.  
       [0027] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member, second member, and compression ring are attached in a preassembled relationship.  
       [0028] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member accommodates a head portion of the fastener. There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the second member is rotatably fixed to the first member when the torque-indicating device is in the second disposition. There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the mechanical vibration generates an audible sound.  
       [0029] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device,  
       [0030] further comprising a cap,  
       [0031] the first member further comprising a generally cylindrical element accommodating an upper portion of the fastener therewithin and sealingly accommodating the cap.  
       [0032] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member cylindrical element defines a groove and the cap includes a bead, the groove accommodating the bead when at least a portion of the cap is disposed in the first member cylindrical element.  
       [0033] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which each of the second member extensions extends generally orthogonally with respect to the ring element when each of the second member extensions is in the first disposition. There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, each of the second member extensions comprising an inwardly extending lip displaying one of the second member first contact surfaces and one of the second contact surfaces.  
       [0034] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member first compression surface tapers toward the first member sealing surface.  
       [0035] There is also provided torque-indicating device for use with a fastener, the fastener with a threaded fastener shaft and a fastener head, the fastener head with a larger diameter than the fastener shaft and a contact surface proximate the fastener shaft, the device comprising:  
       [0036] first and second members axially accommodating the fastener shaft therethrough, the first member displaying a contact surface configured to contact the fastener head contact surface and a sealing surface;  
       [0037] a compression member axially accommodating the fastener shaft and to sealingly contacting the first member sealing surface; and  
       [0038] means for indicating that a predetermined amount of torque has been exerted on the fastener head.  
       [0039] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque-indicating means comprises a first surface disposed on the first member and a first surface disposed on the second member, the first member first surface engaging the second member second surface when a first amount of torque has been exerted on the fastener.  
       [0040] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque-indicating means further comprises a second surface disposed on the first member and a second surface disposed on the second member, the second member second surface striking the first member second surface when the predetermined amount of torque has been exerted on the fastener head.  
       [0041] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque-indicating means further comprises a ring member and a plurality of legs extending from the ring member, each of the plurality of legs displaying the second member first and second surfaces.  
       [0042] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which each of the plurality of legs extends generally orthogonally from the ring member in an unbiased position.  
       [0043] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, further comprising means for indicating a tampering event.  
       [0044] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the tampering event indicating means comprises a generally cylindrical member extending from a peripheral portion of the first member-contact surface.  
       [0045] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the tampering event indicating means comprises a cap sealingly accommodated by the cylindrical member.  
       [0046] There is also provided a process for making a torque-indicating device for use with a threaded fastener with a fastener head and a threaded opening accommodating the threaded fastener, the device comprising:  
       [0047] forming a compression member;  
       [0048] forming a first member with a generally axial bore accommodating the threaded fastener, a surface for contacting the fastener head, a sealing surface for sealingly contacting the compression member, and first and second contact surfaces;  
       [0049] forming a second member with a ring member and a plurality of extensions extending from the ring member, the ring member accommodating the threaded fastener, each of the extensions displaying first and second contact surfaces, the first member first surface slidingly contacting each second member first contact surface when the fastener is being threaded into the opening, each of the second member contact surfaces strikingly contacting the first member contact surface when a predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the fastener.  
       [0050] There is also provided the preceding process, in which forming the first member includes forming a generally cylindrical member for accommodating the fastener head.  
       [0051] There is also provided the preceding process, further comprising forming a sealing element accommodated by the cylindrical member.  
       [0052] There is also provided the preceding process, in which the first member is formed so that the first member first contact surface tapers toward the first member sealing surface.  
       [0053] There is also provided a torque-indicating device for use with a fastener being threaded into an opening, comprising:  
       [0054] a first member defining a first member bore to axially accommodate the fastener, displaying a first member contact surface, and comprising a first member structure comprising a first member contact surface and a first member locking surface, the first member locking surface disposed at a first acute angle with respect to the first member contact surface;  
       [0055] a second member defining a second member bore to axially accommodate the fastener and comprising a second member structure comprising a plurality of second member contact surfaces and a plurality of second member locking surfaces, each of the second member locking surfaces disposed at a second acute angle with respect to one of the second member contact surfaces; and  
       [0056] a compression ring defining a compression ring bore axially accommodating the fastener and dimensioned for abutting contact with the first member contact surface,  
       [0057] the compression ring being compressed as the fastener is threaded into the opening and as the first member contact surface slidingly contacts the second member contact surface in a first position, the compression ring being further compressed as the fastener is further threaded into the opening and as the second member structure is displaced away from the first member structure and from a generally vertical unbiased position into an non-vertical biased position, the compression ring being still further compressed as the fastener is further threaded into the opening to a predetermined torque level and the first member contact surface is displaced past the second member contact surface, thereby allowing the second member structure to return to the generally vertical unbiased position and bringing the first member locking surface and the second locking surface into an abutting relationship.  
       [0058] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, the second member structure comprising a plurality of extensions, one of the plurality of second member contact surfaces and one of the plurality of second member locking surfaces being displayed on each of the plurality of extensions.  
       [0059] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the second member is rotatable relative to the first member when the fastener is threaded into the opening at said predetermined torque level.  
       [0060] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, further comprising a cap affixable to the first member.  
       [0061] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the first member includes a first member groove and the cap includes a bead dimensioned and positioned to accommodate the first member groove.  
       [0062] There is provided a torque-indicating device for use with a threaded fastener, comprising:  
       [0063] a first member axially accommodating the fastener;  
       [0064] a second member axially accommodating the fastener; and  
       [0065] means for indicating that a predetermined level of torque has been applied to the fastener.  
       [0066] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque indicating means is at least partially operatively disposed between the first and second members.  
       [0067] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque indicating means comprises a compression ring and structure displaying a plurality of opposed contact surfaces and a plurality of opposed locking surfaces.  
       [0068] There is also provided the preceding torque-indicating device, in which the torque indicating means comprises a plurality of extensions, each of said plurality of extensions displaying one of said contact surfaces and one of said locking surfaces.  
       [0069] These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, when considered in view of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0070]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0071]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fork of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;  
     [0072]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the fork of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;  
     [0073]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fork of FIG. 3 along line F-F;  
     [0074]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the compression ring of FIG. 1;  
     [0075]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the compression ring of FIG. 5 along line A-A;  
     [0076]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 1;  
     [0077]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the base of FIG. 7 along line A-A;  
     [0078]FIG. 9 is a magnified view of a portion of the base of FIG. 8 and designated therein as section B;  
     [0079]FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the cap of FIG. 1;  
     [0080]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 10 along line A-A;  
     [0081]FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a second embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0082]FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a third embodiment of the present fork;  
     [0083]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the fork of FIG. 13 along line C-C;  
     [0084]FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present fork;  
     [0085]FIG. 16 a bottom perspective view of the fork of FIG. 15;  
     [0086]FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the fork of FIG. 15;  
     [0087]FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the fork of FIG. 15;  
     [0088]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the fork of FIG. 18 along line F-F;  
     [0089]FIG. 20 is a magnified view of a portion of the fork of FIG. 19 and designated therein as section L;  
     [0090]FIG. 21 is a magnified view of a portion of the fork of FIG. 19 and designated therein as section M;  
     [0091]FIG. 22 is a magnified view of a portion of the fork of FIG. 19 and designated therein as section K;  
     [0092]FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0093]FIG. 24 is a view of a cross section of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 23;  
     [0094]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 23 assembled prior to use;  
     [0095]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 23 after being used to indicate a predetermined torque on a connector;  
     [0096]FIG. 27 is a fragmentary cross section of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 23 depicting an alternate surface configuration for the upper member and compression ring;  
     [0097]FIG. 28 is a sixth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0098]FIG. 29 is a seventh embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0099]FIG. 30 is an eighth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0100]FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0101]FIG. 32 is another exploded perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator;  
     [0102]FIG. 33 is a cross sectional view of an upper member of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 31; and  
     [0103]FIG. 34 is an assembled version of the upper member and cap of the torque lock/torque indicator of FIG. 31. 
    
    
     [0104] It is understood that the above-described figures are only illustrative of the present invention and are not contemplated to limit the scope thereof.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0105] Any references to such relative terms as top and bottom, upper and lower, horizontal and vertical, inner and outer, or the like, are intended for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spatial orientation. All dimensions of the components in the attached figures may vary with a potential design and the intended use of an embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. All documents discussed or referenced are hereby incorporated by reference.  
     [0106] U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,124, issued to Lindstrand 27 Jul. 1971, discloses a controlled torque bolt having a threaded shank and a driving head adapted to shear off the bolt upon the application of a predetermined torque by a driver on the driving head. Although ensuring that a correct level of torque is applied, once tightened, the bolt conceivably cannot be easily removed.  
     [0107] U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,555, issued to Volkman on Jan. 17, 1978, discloses an inherently torque-limited nut, including a nut body having an internal shank-receiving threaded opening to engage a mating thread on a shank. A drive ring is held to the nut body by engagement means and includes inherent limiting means which limits the torque which can be applied to the drive ring by failing at a predetermined torque. However this device would be relatively costly to make and difficult to use, e.g., as an oil plug due to its mechanical complexity. Moreover, a tamper-proof seal is not disclosed as well.  
     [0108] U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,936, issued to Williamson 11 Oct. 1983, discloses a torque-limited threaded locking fastener and method for setting the same. The fastener comprises an externally threaded shank and an internally threaded collar. At least one convolution of the threads on the shank is non-circular. The collar has a nut section and a drive section. The driven section is shaped to be engaged by a driver. Between these sections there is formed a shear section having the least torque resistance of the sections. The shear section fractures when a predetermined torque is exerted between the two sections. While ensuring that a predetermined amount of torque will be applied, subsequent removal of the fastener is problematic and there is no provision to prevent or detect tampering.  
     [0109] U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,379, issued to Wing 25 Mar. 1969, discloses an inherently torque-limited fastener, which has a driving ring that separates from the threaded driven body upon the application of a predetermined torque to the driving ring, thereby leaving the driven body installed at the predetermined torque level. Again, this fastener ensures that a predetermined torque will be applied. However, subsequent removal of the fastener is problematic and there is no provision to detect or deter tampering.  
     [0110] U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,923, issued to Ross et al. 27 Jun. 2000, discloses a hybrid, or captive, panel fastener. The fastener includes a retractable screw having a thermal plastic cap molded around its head. The cap includes a slotted skirt with resilient fingers. When the retractable screw is forced downward through the bore of the ferrule having divergent sides, the fingers of the cap are spread apart by wedging action against the outside surface of the ferrule, thus providing a biasing force urging the screw in an upward retracted direction. The ends of the cap fingers include inward facing ribs which fall into a circumferential groove about the outside surface of the ferrule adjacent its bottom end. The groove may further include a plurality of radial extending teeth, which engage inward facing protrusions located on the fingertip ribs to resist unwanted loosening of the screw. Hence, the fastener of Ross et al., inter alia, fails to provide a visual, audible, or tactile indicator when a predetermined torque has been applied to the retractable screw.  
     [0111] U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,996, issued to Doerr 24 Apr. 1962, discloses a locknut having tension indicating spring means having a multiple-part locknut with an interchangeable spring element. The spring element is interposed between upper and lower parts of the mechanism. The resilient element is made of a shape and dimensions so that, when the locknut is being tightened and a torque of a certain desired strength has been produced, the resilient element will normally prevent such torque from being exceeded. Therefore, the locknut of Doerr fails to provide a plurality of visual indicators and totally fails to provide auditory or tactile indicators when a predetermined level of torque has been applied. The locknut of Doerr further fails to provide a seal against fluid egress when the locknut has been properly tightened.  
     [0112] French Patent Publication 2 421 300 assigned to Michelin (1979) discloses a vehicle wheel-fixing device having a screw (or nut) and a washer. The washer is disclosed as being elastic in the axial direction and having an outer axial extension in the opposite direction to that in which it is to be compressed when tightened. The extension has a device at the end thereof engaging the nut or screw on the washer, when compressed for an amount representing the degree to which tightening must take place. Hence, the wheel-fixing device of Michelin fails to provide a plurality of visual indicators or a single audible or tactile indicator that a desired amount of torque has been applied to the screw or nut.  
     [0113] Representative examples of the teachings of the present invention, which examples utilize many of these additional features and methods in conjunction, will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, specific combinations of features and methods disclosed in the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative and preferred embodiments of the invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that each component of an embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator can be easily adapted to be used with other components of other embodiments.  
     [0114] An exploded view of one embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is shown in FIG. 1 generally at  100  and includes an upper (first) member such as a fork  110 , a compression member such as a ring  120 , a lower (second) member such as a base  130 , and an optional tamper proof mechanism such as a cap  140 .  
     [0115] Now referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the fork  110  is generally unitary in this embodiment, but may be considered to include a cylindrical element  150 , extensions such as legs  152 ,  154 , and  156 , and a lower element such as a platform  158 . The cylindrical element  150  displays an inner surface  160 , an outer surface  162 , a top surface  164 , and a bottom surface  166 . An optional groove  168  is defined in the cylindrical element  150  such that the groove  168  extends outwardly from the inner surface  160 . An optional score (groove)  170  extends inwardly from the outer surface  162 , e.g., to a depth of between about 0.030 and 0.035 inch. A depth of between 60% and 70% of the total thickness of the cylindrical element  150  has been found to be satisfactory for the score  170  in this embodiment and a depth of 0.050 (+/−0.005) inch has been found satisfactory with respect to the groove  168 . By way of illustration and not limitation, this embodiment of the cylindrical element  150  has an outer diameter of 1.300 (+/−0.010) inches, an inner diameter of 1.100 (+/−0.005) inches, and a thickness of 0.100 (+/−0.010) inch.  
     [0116] In this embodiment, the legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  depend (extend) from the cylindrical element  150 . The legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  display respective inner surfaces  172 ,  174  (not shown), and  176 , outer surfaces  178 ,  180 , and  182 , and bottom surfaces  184 ,  186 , and  188 . Extensions such as lips  190 ,  192 , and  194  extend inwardly from the respective legs  152 ,  154 , and  156 . The lips  190 ,  192 , and  194 , in turn, display respective contact surfaces  196 ,  198 , and  200 , inner surfaces  202 ,  204  (not shown), and  206  and lower (contact or locking) surfaces  208 ,  210  (not shown), and  212 . With respect to leg  152  and without limitation (legs  154  and  156  being substantially identical in this embodiment), the distance between surfaces  208  and  166  is 0.275 (+/−0.005) inch, the distance between inner and outer surfaces  172  and  178  is about 0.070 (+/−0.005) inch. Concerning lip  190  and without limitation (lips  192  and  194  being substantially identical in this embodiment), the distance between surfaces  178  and  202  is about 0.145 (+/−0.005) inch, the distance between surfaces  208  and  184  is 0.075 (+/−0.001) inch, the distance from the intersection of surfaces  196  and  202  to the intersection of surfaces  202  and  208  is 0.025 (+/−0.005) inch, and the contact surface  196  is angled from the lower surface  184  by an acute angle, e.g, by about 45 (+/−1.5, 2.5, 5.0) degrees. The legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  and lips  190 ,  192 , and  194  are equidistantly spaced, occupy arcs of about 30 (+/−1.5, 2.5, 5.0) degrees, and are hence separated by arcs of 90 (+/−1.5, 2.5, 5.0) degrees. The legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  may unitarily extend from the cylindrical element  150  such that the leg outer surfaces  178 ,  180 , and  182  are continuous with the cylindrical element outer surface  162 .  
     [0117] In this embodiment, the platform  158  extends inwardly from the cylindrical element  150  and displays respective upper and inner surfaces  220  and  222 . The bottom surface of the platform  158  is coextensive with the bottom surface  166  of cylindrical element  150 . The platform inner surface  222  coaxially defines a bore  224  about an axis  226 . A recess  228  is defined by an inner surface  230  and lower surface  232 . The recess  228  may have a depth of about 0.020 (+/−0.005) inch and a diameter of 0.820 (+/−0.005) inch. The distance between the surfaces  166  and  220  maybe about 0.010 (+/−0.005) inch.  
     [0118] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 5, and  6 , the exemplary compression ring  120  displays respective upper, lower, inner, and outer surfaces  250 ,  252 ,  254 , and  256 . The compression ring inner surface  254  coaxially defines a bore  258  about an axis  260 . By way of illustration and not limitation, the diameter of the compression ring is 0.800 (+/−0.005) inch and the diameter of the bore  258  is about 0.500 (+/−0.005) inch. The distance between the upper and lower surfaces  250  and  252 , hence the thickness, of the compression ring  120  is 0.190 (+/−0.010) inch in this embodiment, although the dimensions of the present compression ring may be determined by such factors as the dimensions of the device, the preset torque level, and the type of materials from which the present compression ring is made. The compression ring  120  is dimensioned to be accommodated in the platform recess  288 .  
     [0119]FIGS. 1, 7,  8 , and  9  depict the exemplary base  130 . The base  130  displays a first inner surface  280  and a first outer surface  282 . The first inner surface  280  may be about 0.050 (+/−0.001) inch in height and may coaxially define a bore  284  about an axis  286 . The base  130  displays respective first and second upper surfaces  288  and  290 , a surface  292  extending generally perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) between the upper surfaces  288  and  290 , and a first lower surface  294 . In one embodiment, the distance between surfaces  288  and  294 , hence the thickness of this portion of the base  130 , is 0.225 (+/−0.005) inch. The upper and transverse surfaces  290  and  292  define a recess  296 . The recess  296  may have a diameter of about 0.820 (+/−0.005) inch and a depth of about 0.020 (+/−0.005) inch. The dimensions (e.g., diameter) of the recess  296  may be substantially identical to those of the platform recess  228  and may be dimensioned to accommodate the compression ring  120  therewithin. A contact surface  298  extends between the upper surface  288  and the outer surface  282 . In this embodiment, the contact surface  298  is angled from the upper surface  288  by an acute angle, e.g., by about 45 (+/−1.5, 2.5, 5.0) degrees. The contact surfaces  196  and  298  may be angled to a greater or lesser extent depending on factors such as the materials from which the present fork and base are made and the preset torque level. A second outer surface  300  perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) extends between the first lower surface  294  and a second lower surface  302 . A second inner surface  304  extends perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) between the second lower surface  302  and a third lower surface  306 . A third outer surface  308  extends perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) between the third lower surface  306  and a fourth lower surface  310 . The fourth lower surface  310  perpendicularly (or otherwise transversely) intersects the first outer surface  282 . The second inner surface  304 , the third lower surface  306 , and the third outer surface  308  define a contact element  312 . As seen in FIG. 9, the second lower surface  302  is generally higher than (offset from) the fourth lower surface  310 , e.g., by about 0.010 (+/−0.005) inch. The contact-element  312  is separated from the main portion of the base  132 , e.g., by about 0.040 (+/−0.005) inch, is offset from the outer surface  282 , e.g., by about 0.045 (+/−0.005) inch, and depends from the main portion of the base  130 , e.g., by a length of about 0.095 (+/−0.005) inch, in this embodiment. The bottom surface  306  may be offset about 0.030 (+/−0.005) inch. As will be explained more fully below, the contact element  312  may have other dimensions depending on factors such as the desired pitch and volume of sound to be emitted and properties (e.g., resilience, weight) of the materials from which it is made.  
     [0120] As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and  11 , the cap  140  unitarily includes a cylindrical element  320  and a top element  322  coaxially disposed about an axis  323 . The cylindrical element  320  has a bead  324  extending from an exterior surface  326 . The bead  324  is sized and dimensioned to be accommodated in the groove  168  of the fork cylindrical element. Moreover, the cylindrical element  320  is dimensioned to fit snugly into the fork cylindrical element  150 . By way of illustration and not limitation, the top element  322  displays a top surface  328 , is 0.100 (+/−0.010) inch in thickness, and 1.300 (+/−0.005) inches in diameter. The cylindrical element  320  has a height of 0.300 (+/−0.010) inch, an inner diameter of 0.900 (+/− 0 . 010 ) inch, an outer diameter of 1.100 (+/−0.005) inch, and a thickness of 0.100 (+/−0.05) inch.  
     [0121] A second embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is depicted in FIG. 12 at  400  and includes an upper (first) member such as a fork  404 , a compression member such as a ring  408 , a lower (second) member such as a base  412 , and an optional tamper preventive device such as a cap  416 .  
     [0122] The fork  404  has a generally central disk element  420  and a pair of oppositely disposed extensions such as legs  422  and  424 , although more legs could be present in some embodiments. The disk element  420  displays an upper surface  426 , a lower surface  428 , an inner surface  430 , and an outer surface  432 . The inner surface  430  coaxially defines a bore  434  about an axis  436 . Respective lips  440  and  442  (not shown) extend from the legs  422  and  424 . Contact surfaces, such as described above, are present on the lips  440  and  442 . A recess may be defined proximate the lower surface  428  and may be dimensioned to accommodate the ring  408 , as more fully described above with respect to the ring  120 .  
     [0123] One embodiment of the present compression ring is shown at  408 . The compression ring  408  displays an upper surface  446 , a lower surface  448 , an inner surface  450 , and an outer surface  452 . The inner surface  450  defines a bore  454  coaxially about the axis  436 . The dimensions of the ring  408  and materials from which the ring  408  is made are determined by considerations discussed and disclosed elsewhere herein.  
     [0124] The base  412  may include a disk element  460 , an outer rim  462 , and an inner rim  464 . The disk element  460  displays respective upper and lower surfaces  470  and  472 . The outer rim  462  terminates in an upper contact surface  474  and a lower contact (locking) surface  474 . The contact surface  474  and the contact surface of the lips  440  and  442  may be configured similarly, or substantially identically, to the contact surfaces described with respect to the embodiment  100 , above. The outer rim  462  displays an inner surface  476  and an outer surface  477 . The inner rim  464  displays respective inner and outer surfaces  478  and  480 . The inner surface  476 , the upper surface  470 , and the outer surface  480  define a recess  482 . The recess  482  is dimensioned to accommodate the compression ring  408  therein. The rim inner surface  478  coaxially defines a bore  484  about the axis  436 .  
     [0125] The cap  416  may be considered to have an upper portion  490  and a lower portion  492 , the upper and lower portions separated at a score (groove)  494 . In one embodiment, the score  494  is about 0.050 (+/−0.005) inch in depth. The upper portion  490  displays an upper surface  496  and an outer surface  498 . The lower portion  492  displays an outer surface  500 . A plurality of extensions, such as a pair of legs  502  and  504  depend from the lower portion  492 . Respective lips  506  and  508  (not shown) extend inwardly from the legs  502  and  504  and include contact surfaces as discussed above with respect to the contact surfaces of the first fork embodiment  100 .  
     [0126] A third embodiment of the present upper (first) member is depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14 as fork  550 . The fork  550  unitarily includes a cylindrical element  552 , a single leg  554 , and a platform  556 . The cylindrical element  552  and the platform  556  may be similar, or substantially identical, to similar elements described with respect to other of the present embodiments, such as that designated as  100 . A recess  558  may be formed in the platform  556  as described above with respect to embodiment  100 , as well. The leg  554  includes a lip  560  with an angled contact surface  562 , a vertical contact surface  563 , and a lower contact(locking) surface  564 . While the lip  560  and contact surfaces  562 ,  563 , and  564  may be similar, or substantially identical, to similarly named elements of embodiment  100  as discussed above, the leg  554  may be between 50% and 75% longer than the legs of previous embodiments. As with previously discussed embodiments, an inner surface  565  of the platform  556  coaxially defines a bore  566  about an axis  568 . The fork  550  may be used in lieu of other forks, e.g., fork  110 , in some embodiments of this invention. Materials used in, and dimensions of, the fork  550  may be determined by considerations such as discussed with respect to the first embodiment  100  of this invention.  
     [0127] An exemplary fourth embodiment of the present upper (first) member is depicted in FIGS.  15 - 22  as an upper (first) element such as a fork  580 . The fork  580  is substantially unitary in this embodiment, but may be considered to include a cylindrical element  582 , a plurality of extensions, such as legs  584 ,  586 , and  588 , and a lower (second) element, such as a platform  590 .  
     [0128] One difference between the cylindrical element  582  and other embodiments discussed above is the presence of an outer portion  592  and an inner portion  594 . In this embodiment, the outer  592  and inner  594  portions are substantially concentric. The outer portion  592  displays respective inner, upper, and outer surfaces  596 ,  598 , and  600 . The inner portion  594  displays respective inner and outer surfaces  602  and  604 . A second upper surface  606  is displayed on a base  608  of the fork  580  and spans between the outer portion  592  and the inner portion  594 . The distance between upper surfaces  598  and  606 , hence the length of the outer portion  592 , may be about 0.725 (+/−0.005) inch. The distance between the inner and outer surfaces  596  and  600 , hence the thickness of the outer portion  592 , may be about 0.020 (+/−0.005) inch and the distance between the inner and outer surfaces  602  and  604 , hence the thickness of the inner portion  594 , may be about 0.050 (+/−0.005) inch. The inner portion  594  and outer portion  592  may be separated by a gap of 0.030 (+/−0.005) inch. A groove  610  is defined in inner portion  594  and may extend inwardly from the outer surface  604  thereof to a depth between about 0.030 and 0.035 inches or to a depth of between about 60% and 70% of the total thickness of the inner portion  594 .  
     [0129] Another difference between this and other embodiments is the conformation of the legs  584 ,  586 , and  588 . Without limitation and referring to the leg  588  (legs  584  and  586  being substantially identical in this embodiment), an upper contact (locking) surface  618  of lip  620  thereof, is angled from a horizontal orientation  622  by an acute angle, e.g., about 12 (+/−0.5, 1.0, 1.5) degrees. Angled contact surface  624  and vertical contact surface  625  are configured similarly, or substantially identically, to similar contact surfaces displayed on legs of other embodiments and are discussed elsewhere.  
     [0130] A groove  628  is defined in the inner portion  594  and may extend from the inner surface  602  to a depth of 0.100 (+/−0.010) inch. The platform  590  displays an inner surface  632 , an upper surface  634 , a first lower surface  636 , a second inner surface  638 , and a second lower surface  640 . The second inner surface  638  and the second lower surface  640  define a recess  642 . The recess  642  may be substantially similar, or identical, to the other recesses of this invention in dimension and function. The first inner surface  632  coaxially defines a bore  644  about an axis  646 . An angular or arcuate portion such as fillets  650  and  652  may be present where the platform surfaces join the cylindrical element inner surface. Moreover, similar angular or arcuate portions may be present at any place where surfaces would otherwise angularly join in the devices of this invention.  
     [0131] Functionally, the preceding embodiments of the present torque lock/torque indicator may be assembled for convenience into substantially two components. However, the present torque lock/torque indicator may also be represented in unitary (or otherwise integral) embodiments, as will be more fully described hereinbelow. The first component would include the fork  110 , compression ring  120 , and base  130  adheringly assembled. One procedure would include cementing (or otherwise adhering, e.g., via sonic welding) the fork  110  to the upper surface of the compression ring  120  and the base  130  to the lower surface of the compression ring  120 . The fork  110 , compression ring  120 , and base  130  would be assembled such that the axes  226 ,  260 , and  286  are aligned as indicated at  580  in FIG. 1. Similarly and referring to FIG. 12, the fork lower surface  428  would be adhered to the disk element upper surface  446  and the disk element lower surface  448  would be adhered to the surface  470  of the base  412 .  
     [0132] In use and referring to FIGS.  1 - 11 , a connector (such as an oil drain plug (not shown)) is inserted through bores  224 ,  258  and  284  such that the connector head contacts the platform upper surface  220  of the fork  110  and such that the fork contact surfaces  196 ,  198 , and  200  contact the base contact surface  298 . The connector may snugly fit within the bores  224 ,  258 , and  284 . The connector is then threaded, e.g., into the drain, and tightened to a desired, predetermined torque level. As the predetermined torque level is approached, the legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  are displaced downwardly and from an unbiased position toward an outwardly biased position in which the fork contact surfaces  196 ,  198 , and  200  slip past the base contact surface  298 , slightly angling the leg ends (e.g., surfaces  184 ,  186 , and  188 ) outwardly, thereby biasing the legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  outwardly. Tightening the connector further compresses the compression ring  120  and displaces the leg inner surfaces  202 ,  204 , and  206  past the base contact surface  298 . Continuing to tighten the connector still further compresses the compression ring  120 , to allow the legs to return to (or toward) their previous, generally vertical (unbiased) positions and interlocks the fork  110 , compression ring  120 , and base  130  together by abutting surfaces  208 ,  210 , and  212  against the surface  310  of the base  130 . The legs  152 ,  154 , and  156  return to their previous, generally vertical, unbiased positions very quickly and with considerable force, thereby generating an audible sound and/or a tactilely discernible vibration in some embodiments of this invention. The sound and/or vibration are believed to be generated as surfaces  202 ,  204 , and  206  forcefully strike the base surface  308 , thereby vibrating the contact element  312 . In one embodiment, the connector has been tightened to a predetermined torque level upon generation of the sound and/or vibration. However, in another embodiment, the connector is then further rotated, e.g., one-fourth of a turn, to arrive at the predetermined torque level.  
     [0133] In the embodiment represented in FIGS.  15 - 22 , the angled lip upper surface  618  functions to eliminate, or minimize, friction-generating contact between the lip upper surface  618  and the lower surface  310  of the base  130 . Otherwise, the force at which the legs return toward an unbiased position would be somewhat dissipated by the friction between the lip upper surface and the base lower surface. Therefore, the force with which the contact element would be impacted by the lip surface would be diminished as well and the resulting sound would be lower in magnitude.  
     [0134] Referring further to the embodiment represented by FIGS.  15 - 22 , the outer portion  592  of the cylindrical element  582  further amplifies the sound emitted when the extension lips strike the base contact element. It is believed that the impact of the lips striking the base contact element causes both the cylindrical element outer portion and contact element to vibrate, thereby amplifying the sound generated.  
     [0135] In addition to the audible indicator, the outward, then inward, displacement of the legs is a visual indicator that the predetermined, desired torque level has been attained. Moreover, the vibration occurring when the sound is generated can also be felt by the person tightening the connector. Thus, the person tightening the connector is alerted by hearing the sound, feeling the vibration, and by seeing the outward, then inward leg displacement, when the desired torque level has been attained. Obviously, operating the torque lock  400  of FIG. 12 and the fork  550  would be substantially identical, or similar, and the same sensory indicators would indicate that the desired, predetermined torque level has been achieved. It is contemplated that the present base, when secured as described above, will also provide a fluid-tight seal. This sealing feature of the present base is especially advantageous when the present device is used to ensure that oil drain plugs are tightened at proper torque levels.  
     [0136] Once the desired torque level has been attained, one of caps  140  or  416  may be used to prevent the connector from being loosened or otherwise tampered with. Referring to FIG. 1, the cylindrical element  320  of the cap  140  is pressed into cylindrical element  150  of the fork  110  until the bead  324  is disposed in the grooves  168 , thereby securing the cap  140  in place. Additionally, the cap  140  can be further secured within the fork  110  by using an adhesive, such as cement or a solvent such as acetone. Referring to FIG. 12, the contact surfaces of the cap  416  are pressed against the contact surfaces of the base  412 , then further pressed, thereby flexing (biasing) the legs outwardly, then still further pressed until the legs straighten into an unbiased position as explained above. The caps are thusly locked into place and cannot be removed without being destroyed. The presence of intact caps locked and/or cemented into place indicates that the assembly has not been tampered with and the connector is in place at the desired torque.  
     [0137] When it is desired to remove the connector, the upper portion of the cap can be grasped, e.g., with pliers, and separated from the upper portion of the cap by breaking the cap along the score  494 . Alternatively, a hammer can be used to break the cap, either method allowing access to the connector for removal.  
     [0138] Referring to FIGS.  23 - 27 , a fifth embodiment of the present invention is depicted generally at  700  and includes an upper (first) member  702 , a compression ring  704 , a lower (second) member (base)  706 , and an optional cap (not shown). In this embodiment, the upper member  702  unitarily defines respective first and second cylindrical elements  712  and  714  such that the second cylindrical element  714  extends (depends) from the first cylindrical element  712 . However, the first cylindrical element  712  (and equivalent structures of other embodiments) may be missing in embodiments when a tamperproof seal is not desired. The first cylindrical element  712  displays respective first and second inner surfaces  718  and  720 , an outer surface  722 , a lower surface  724 , and first and second upper surfaces  726  and  728 . If the optional cap is used in this embodiment, a groove (not shown), such as the groove  168  of the cap  140 , may be defined and positioned to extend outwardly from the first inner surface  718  so as to accommodate the bead  324  of the cap  140  when the cap  140  is positioned to prevent tampering. A notch  730  is defined in the first cylindrical element  712  so as to extend inwardly from the outer surface  722 . A bore  732  is defined by the inner surface  718 . The second cylindrical element  714  displays an inner surface  734 , respective first, second (contact), and third (contact) outer surfaces  736 ,  738 , and  740 , an upper (contact or locking) surface  742 , and respective first and second lower surfaces  744  and  745 . A bore  746  is defined by the inner surface  734  and may be coaxial to the bore  732  of the first cylindrical element  712  (with respect to axis  735 ). The surfaces  738 ,  740 , and  742  are functionally designated as contact surfaces, the significance of which being explained below. The outer surface  740  angles outwardly from the lower surface  744 . In the embodiment shown, the outer surface  740  angles upwardly and away from the lower surface  744 , extends between the lower surface  744  and the generally vertical contact surface  738 , and is generally frustoconical, but may be arcuate (e.g., concave) as well.  
     [0139] By way of illustration and not limitation, the upper member  702  may have a height (as determined by the distance between first upper surface  726  and lower surface  744 ) of about 1.000 (+/−0.010) inch. The first cylindrical element  712  may have an outer diameter of 1.300 (+/−0.010) inch and an inner diameter of 1.100 (+/−0.010) inch (as measured using the second inner surface  720 ) or an inner diameter of 1.000 (+/−0.010) inch (as measured using the first inner surface  718 ). Stated otherwise, the bore  732  has a diameter of about 1.000 (+/−0.010) inch. The height of the first cylindrical element  712  (as measured between surfaces  726  and  745  is about 0.810 (+/−0.010) inch. The notch  730  is centered about 0.710 inch from the top surface  726  to a depth of between 60% and 70% of the thickness of the first cylindrical element  712 . In this and other embodiments the notch may be positioned so as to easily provide access to the fastener (e.g., bolt head) when the sealed upper member has been broken along the notch. The second upper surface  728  is stepped from the first upper surface  726  by about 0.05 (+/−0.010) inch. The first outer surface  736 , upper surface  742 , and second lower surface  745  define a slot  748  about 0.115 (+/−0.010) inch in height (as measured between the surfaces  742  and  745 . The bore  746  is about 0.510 (+/−0.010) inch in diameter and about 0.290 (+/−0.010) inch in height. The contact surfaces  740  extend outwardly from the lower surface  744  by an acute angle, e.g., about 45 (+/− 5 ) degrees.  
     [0140] The compression ring  704  defines an upper surface  754 , a lower surface  756 , an outer surface  758 , and an inner surface  760 , the inner surface  760  defining a bore  762 . In the embodiment depicted, the compression ring  704  has an axial thickness of about 0.185 (+/−0.010) inch (as measured between surfaces  754  and  756 ), has an outer diameter of 0.800 (+/−0.010) inch, and an inner diameter of 0.500 (+/−0.005) inch, the compression ring therefore having a radial thickness of about 0.150 (+/−0.010) inch (as measured between surfaces  758  and  760 ).  
     [0141] In the embodiment shown, the base  706  unitarily (or integrally) includes a ring element  770  and, in contrast to previously disclosed embodiments of this invention, a plurality of extensions, such as legs  772 ,  774 , and  776 . The ring element  770  displays an upper surface  780 , a lower surface  782 , an outer surface  784 , and an inner surface  786 , the inner surface  786  defining a bore  788 . The legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  are separated on the ring element  770  by an arc of about 90 degrees and extend to a width defined by an arc of about 30 degrees. Each leg  772 ,  774 , and  776  is substantially identical in confirmation in the embodiment depicted and displays an outer surface  792 , respective first and second side surfaces  794  and  796 , respective first and second (contact) top surfaces  798  and  800 , an inner (contact) surface  802 , and a lower (contact or locking) surface  804 . In the embodiment shown, the second top surface  800 , inner surface  802  and portions of the first and second side surfaces 0.794 and  796 , and first top surface  798  define an inwardly extending extension such as a lip  806 . In the embodiment depicted, the ring element  770  has an outer diameter of about 1.300 (+/−0.010) inch and an inner diameter of about 1.000 (+/− 0 . 010 ) inch, thereby having a radial thickness of about 0.150 (+/−0.010) inch. The axial thickness of the ring element  770  is about 0.050 (+/−0.010) inch (as measured between upper and lower surfaces  780  and  782 ). The lip  806  is about 0.121 (+/−0.010) inch above the ring element  770  (as determined between the surfaces  780  and  804 ). The lip  806  is about 0.075 (+/−0.010) inch and has an axial dimension (as measured between surfaces  798  and  804 ) of 0.075 (+/−0.010) inch and the upper surface  798  of the lip  806  is about 0.246 (+/−0.010) inch from the lower surface  782  of the ring element  770 . The second top surface  800  angles downwardly from the first top surface  798  at an acute angle, e.g., about 45 (+/− 5 ) degrees in this embodiment. The height of the inner surface  802  is about 0.025 (+/−0.001) inch (as measured between the lower surface  804  and the point at which the second top surface  800  intersects the inner surface  802 ). A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily comprehend that a greater number of extensions such as those designated  772 - 776  may be present, e.g., 4, 6, 8, 10, and that the number of extensions, lip upper surface angle, materials used, and material thickness can be selected to for a given embodiment of the present invention, which will operate at a desired torque or torque range, provide a sound with a desired pitch and volume, and emit a vibration of desired amplitude.  
     [0142] A security cap, such as the security cap  140 , may be utilized to prevent tampering or loosening the tightened connector without destroying the integrity of the upper member  702  and/or cap, the occurrence of a tampering event thereby becoming apparent by the presence of a missing security cap or broken upper member  702 .  
     [0143] In operation, a shaft of a connector (such as an oil plug) is extended through the bore  746  of the upper member  702 , the bore  762  of the compression ring  704 , and the bore  788  of the base  706 , then threaded into the device, e.g., the oil pan. The connector is then tightened by being rotated until the lower surface of the bolt head contacts the lower surface  724  of the upper member  702 . The connector is then further tightened, thereby forcing the lower surface  744  of the upper member  702  against the upper surface  754  of the compression ring  704 . As the connector is yet further tightened, the compression ring  704  is compressed. Simultaneously with the compression ring  704  being compressed, the contact surface  740  of the upper member  702  slidingly contacts the contact (second top) surface of the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  and thereby biases (displaces) the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  outwardly as the upper member  702  is forced downward during tightening. As the connector is still further tightened, the second outer surface  738  of the upper member  702  slidingly contacts the inner surface  802  of each leg  772 ,  774 , and  776 . When the connector has been tightened to the predesignated level of torque by compressing the compression ring  704 , the second outer surface  738  of the upper member  702  has been forced past the inner surface  802  of each leg  772 ,  774 , and  776 , thereby allowing the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  to return to their former generally vertical position. As the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  return the upper surface  800  and inner surface  802  of the legs strikingly contact the first outer surface  736  and the upper surface  742  of the upper member  702  creating an audible sound and generating a vibration which can be sensed by the hands of the person performing this procedure. In this position, the inner portions of the lips  806  of the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  are held within the slot  748  of the upper member  702 , thereby fixing the base  706  to the upper member  702  by abutting the locking surfaces  742  and  804  and such that the base  706  can freely rotate while locked to the now stationary upper member  702  when the predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the bolt. Before the predetermined amount of torque has been applied, the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  of the base  706  are biased so as to frictionally engage the base  706  and thereby prevent the base  706  from being freely rotated. The free rotation of the base thus serves as a second visual indicator that the predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the bolt. A first visual indicator that the predetermined amount of torque has been applied is the return of the legs  772 ,  774 , and  776  to a generally vertical position from being biased generally outwardly. A second visual indicator that the predetermined amount of torque has been applied is the ability to freely rotate the base  706  as discussed above. After the predetermined amount of torque has been applied to the bolt, the cap is then inserted into the upper member  702  and fixed in place, e.g., by using an adhesive or by seating the bead (e.g., bead  324  of the cap  140 ) into the groove (not shown) defined in the inner surface  718  of the upper member  702  in the same manner explained above with respect to the groove  168  of the cylindrical element  150 . In one embodiment, the seated cap cannot be removed from the upper member  702  without breaking the integral bonded cap and upper member, e.g., at the notch  730 . Stated otherwise, the properly torqued bolt cannot then be accessed without breaking the cap or upper member, the presence of a broken cap or upper member or of an accessible bolt being an indicator that the bolt has been tampered.  
     [0144] An alternate surface configuration for the surfaces of the present upper member contacting the connector head, e.g., lower surfaces  724  and  744  of the upper member  702 , and for the surfaces of the lower member contacting, e.g., the compression ring surface and the oil pan surface, such as the upper and lower surfaces  754  and  756  of the compression ring  704  is shown in FIG. 27, wherein one or more raised portions, such as generally concentric ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814 , are formed. By way of illustration and not limitation, the ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  may be formed so as to have a height of about 0.005 (+/−0.001) inch and a width of about 0.015 (+/−0.001) inch. Where three ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  are formed on the surfaces of the upper member  704  and compression ring  704  and where the dimensions of these elements are substantially as described herein, the ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  may be disposed at respective radii of about 0.337, 0.387, and 0.437 (+/−0.050) inches. The presence of the ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  on the surfaces  724 ,  744 ,  754 , and  757  may further ensure a fluid-impermeable seal when a connector has been tightened to a predetermined torque.  
     [0145] A sixth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is depicted in FIG. 28 at  900 , which shows an upper (first) member  910  and a compression ring  914 . A lower (second) member (not shown) suitably compatible with the upper member  910  and compression ring  914  will obviously be present and a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily comprehend how to suitably adapt other lower member embodiments for this purpose. Structures of the upper member  910  and the compression ring  914  are labeled identically to substantially similar structures present in the embodiment depicted in FIGS.  23 - 27 . One difference is the location of the notch  920 . The notch  920  may be dimensioned substantially similarly to the notch  730  depicted in FIGS.  23 - 27 . However, the notch  920  is positioned so as to be proximate the location where the first and second cylindrical elements  712  and  714  adjoin. Locating the notch  920  in the position depicted in FIG. 28 provides for access to a fastener for virtually any tool to be used, e.g., socket, box-end wrench, open-end wrench, and enables faster and more complete access to the fastener in some embodiments. Another difference present in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 28 is that the upper member  910  and the compression ring  914  are bonded together at  930 . The bond  930  may be effected by a “two-shot” molding process (Phillips Plastics Corp., Hudson, Wis. 54016, Phillips, Wis. 54555). The bond  930  may also be effected by using adhesives known to the art, or by such techniques as sonic welding. FIG. 28 also depicts another method of adhering the compression ring  914  to the upper member  910 . A generally arcuate or circular notch  934  is defined so as to extend inwardly from the upper surface  754  of the compression ring  914  and a generally arcuate or circular lip  936  extends from the lower surface  744  of the upper member  910 . The lip  936  is dimensioned and positioned so as to be snugly accommodated in the notch  934  and thereby adhere the compression ring  914  to the upper member  910 , with or without the presence of additional adhesives or other means of adhering synthetic resins known to the art. Obviously, these methods of adhering compression rings to upper members of this invention can be used to adhere the present compression ring to any suitable embodiment of the present base as well. In some cases, adhering upper members, compression rings, and/or lower members is desirable so that assembly of these components prior to use is not necessary. Preassembly is often desirable to eliminate assembly error by persons changing oil and to save time when performing this operation.  
     [0146] In FIG. 29 a preassembled embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is shown at  950  and includes an upper (first) member  952 , a compression ring  954 , and a lower (second) member  956 . This embodiment may be substantially similar to previously discussed embodiments, e.g., those in FIGS.  23 - 27 , except for the presence of the notch  920  (discussed previously in FIG. 28). To this end, elements substantially similar to those discussed and described in FIGS.  23 - 28  are numbered identically. Preassembly is accomplished by means of one or more tabs  960  and one or more tabs  964 . The tab  960  connects the upper member  952  to the lower member  956  and the tab  964  connects the upper member  952  to the crush ring  954 . The connected upper member  952 , crush ring  954 , and lower member  956  are ready for immediate use without assembly. This preassembled embodiment saves time and prevents mistakes, which might otherwise occur if assembly was necessary before use. In one embodiment, the tabs are molded onto the assembled components. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily comprehend that the tabs could be affixed by adhesives, sonic welding, or the like. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further comprehend that the present upper member, crush ring, and lower member could be preassembled using adhesives, sonic welding, or by modifying a snap ring-like structure, in lieu of the tabs  960  and  964 . It may be desirable in some embodiments that the tabs, or other equivalent embodiments of preassembling the present torque lock/torque indicator, would shear at a considerably lower force than the torque level desired for fastener installation, e.g., about five foot-pounds.  
     [0147] An eighth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is depicted in FIG.  30  at  1000  and includes a fastener  1002 , a crush ring  1004 , a lower (second) member  1006 , and an optional cap  1008 . The fastener  1002  advantageously includes a head  1012  and a threaded shaft  1014 . The head  1012  is configured to function as an upper (first) member of the present invention, as more fully explained below. The head  1012 , in turn, has an upper portion  1018  and a lower portion  1020 . The upper portion  1018  may be configured to fit a wrench or socket. The lower portion  1020  displays a first upper (contact) surface  1024 , a first outer (contact) surface  1026 , a first lower (contact/locking) surface  1028 , a second outer surface  1030 , a second upper (contact/locking) surface  1032 , a third outer (contact) surface  1034 , a fourth angled (contact) surface  1036 , and a second lower surface  1038 . A first ledge  1042  is defined by the surfaces  1024 ,  1026 , and  1028 ; an inset (groove)  1044  is defined by surfaces  1028 ,  1030 , and  1032 ; a second ledge  1046  is defined by surfaces  1032 ,  1034 ,  1036 , and  1038 ; and an inwardly extending rim  1084  is defined by the upper surface  1067  and angled surface  1067 . The crush ring  1004  and the lower member  1006  may be substantially identical to the embodiments discussed and disclosed with respect to FIGS.  23 - 27 , elements thereof being numbered identically. The cap  1008  is unitary in this embodiment, but may be considered to include respective upper and cylindrical portions  1050  and  1052 . The upper portion  1050  displays respective upper and lower surfaces  1056  and  1058 . The cylindrical portion  1052 , in turn, displays a first inner surface  1062 , a first lower (contact) surface  1064 , a second inner surface  1066 , an upper (contact/locking) surface  1067 , an angled (contact) surface  1068 , a second lower surface  1070 , a first outer surface  1072 , an upper surface  1074 , and a second outer surface  1076 . The first inner surface  1062 , first lower surface  1064 , and a second outer surface  1076  bound a main portion  1080  of the cylindrical portion  1052  and the other surfaces bound a contact portion  1082 .  
     [0148] The fastener  1002 , crush ring  1004 , and lower member  1006  may be advantageously preassembled, the crush ring  1004  and lower member  1006  preassembled by structure equivalent or substantially identical to that disclosed and discussed with respect to FIGS.  28 - 29 . The fastener  1002  may be preassembled to the crush ring  1004  by being dimensioned such that the shaft  1014  fits snugly within the bore  762  of the crush ring  1004 , by being adhered thereto by an adhesive, or the like.  
     [0149] In use, the fastener  1002  is threaded, e.g., into a drain hole in an oil reservoir so that the surface  1036  of the second ledge  1046  contact the surfaces  800  of the legs  772 - 776  of the lower member  1006 . The fastener  1000  is then further rotated, thereby slidingly displacing the second ledge  1046  past the legs  772 - 776 . As the second ledge  1046  is displaced past the legs  772 - 776 , the legs  772 - 776  are urged into an outwardly biased position. As the fastener  1002  is further rotated to the preselected amount of torque, the third outer surface  1034  of the second ledge  1046  is displaced past the inner surfaces  802  of the legs  772 - 776  and the legs  772 - 776  return to a vertical unbiased position. In the vertical unbiased position, the lower member  1006  is locked to the fastener  1002  via the abutting the locking surfaces  804  and  1032 . As in a previous embodiment, the lower member  1006  may be freely rotated when locked to the fastener  1002 . To prevent or detect access to the fastener, the cap  1008  is affixed to the fastener head  1012  by forcing the angled surface  1068  of the contact portion  1082  against the junction of the first upper surface  1024  and first outer surface  1026  of the fastener first ledge  1042  and flexes the contact portion  1082  outwardly. Force is further applied until the rim  1084  is displaced past the first outer surface  1026  of the ledge  1042  and the contact portion  1082  is allowed to return to a generally unbiased position. At this point, the cap  1008  becomes locked in place. The cap  1008  is locked in place when the first lower surface  1064  abuts the first upper surface  1024 , the first outer surface  1026  abuts the second inner surface  1066 , and the first lower surface  1028  abuts the upper surface  1067 . In this embodiment the return of the legs  772 - 776  to a vertical unbiased position and being able to rotate the lower member  1006  are visual indicators that the correct amount of torque has been applied to the fastener  1002 . Other indicators are the vibration felt by the operator when the legs  772 - 776  impact the second outer contact surface  1030  and the sound generated by the vibration.  
     [0150] A ninth embodiment of the present torque lock/torque indicator is shown in FIGS.  31 - 34  at  1100  and includes a cap  1102  and a first member such as upper member  1104 . It is understood that a compression ring and a lower member would be used with the cap a  1102  and the upper member  1104 . Suitable embodiments of a compression ring and lower member are depicted in the FIGS.  23 - 27  and  29 . It is further understood, however, that any of the present embodiments having the necessary structure could readily be adapted for use with the torque lock/torque indicator  1100 . It is yet further understood that the cap  1102  and the upper member  1104  may be similar, or substantially identical, to the first and second cylindrical elements  712  and  714  depicted in FIGS.  23 - 27 , except as described herein.  
     [0151] The cap  1102  includes a top  1110 , a cap body  1112 , and a plurality of (e.g., 4) tabs  1114 . The cap top  1110  displays an upper surface  1116  and a lower surface  1118  and the cap body displays a generally cylindrical inner surface  1122 , an outer surface  1124 , and a bottom surface  1125 . The outer surface  1124  may be subdivided by a plurality of faces  1126 . In the embodiment shown, the faces  1126  form a hexagonal exterior so that the cap  1102  may be easily removed by a wrench when access to the sealed connector (e.g., oil plug) is desired. The tabs  1114  are depicted as including a two tab elements, such as exterior and interior tab elements  1130  and  1132 . However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments of the tabs  1114  are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, only one of the tab elements  1130  or  1132  may be present. The exterior tab elements  1130  may unitarilly, or otherwise integrally, include a stem member  1134  and a lip  1136  and the interior tab elements  1132  may likewise include a stem member  1138  and a lip  1140 . Each lip  1136  and  1140  may display a lower sloped surface  1142  and an upper surface  1144 . In the embodiment depicted, the upper surface  1144  is generally orthogonal to the stem members  1134  and  1138 .  
     [0152] The upper member  1104  displays an upper surface  1150  and a lower surface  1152 . Optional concentric ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  may be defined on the upper surface  1150 . The concentric ribs  810 ,  812 , and  814  may be similar or substantially identical to those embodiments discussed with respect to FIG. 27 and may be useful to prevent leakage during use. In contrast to the embodiments discussed with respect to FIGS.  23 - 27  and  29 , a disk member  1156  may be present. A plurality of openings  1158  may be defined in of the disk member  1156 . The openings  1158  are dimensioned and located so as to accommodate the tabs  1114 . Lower surfaces  1160  and  1162  are defined by the disk member  1156  and are respectively outboard and inboard to the openings  1158 . The disk member  1156  also defines an outer surface  1164  which adjoins the lower surface  1162 . The lower surfaces  1160  and  1162  serve as locking surfaces when the tabs  1114  are inserted into the openings  1158 . When thusly inserted, the sloped surface  1142  of each tab element  1130  and  1132  biases the tab element as the sloped surface  1142  is pressed against the upper surface  1150  and until the sloped surface  1142  is displaced sufficiently to allow the lips  1136  and  1140  to be pressed through the opening  1158 . Once the tab  1114  has been extended through the opening  1158  to the extent that the lips  1136  and  1140  are free of the opening  1158 , the stem members  1134  and  1138  return to their original orientation. The cap  1102  is thusly locked into place when the upper surfaces of  1144  abut the lower surfaces  1160  and  1162  of the disk member  1156 . The other surfaces of the upper member  1104  are similar, or substantially identical, to the services described in the specification with respect to FIGS.  23 - 27  and  29  and are labeled as such.  
     [0153] Functionally, a connector, such as an oil plug, is extended through the bore  746  of the upper member  1104 . The oil plug may then be extended through a bore of a compression ring, such as bore  762  of the compression ring  704  and through a bore of a ring element, such as bore  788  of the ring element  770 . The oil plug is then tightened until indicators, as described above, show that the oil plug has been tightened to the desired amount of torque. At this point, the cap  1102  is affixed to the upper member  1104  by pressing the tabs  1114  into the openings  1158  (as described above). When access to the oil plug is desired, the cap  1104  may be removed by being twisted with a wrench fitted into the exceptional confirmation.  
     [0154] The compression ring of the present invention may be made from synthetic resins such as polyurethane, neoprene, acetals, or nylon (such as nylon 6/6 discussed below). Properties of a suitable polyurethane include a tensile break of 7500 psi, a 100% modulus of 5500 psi, an elongation of 225%, a compression set as determined by Method A (at 70 degrees Celsius) of 15%, a Shore Durometer of 75D, tear properties (pli, Die C) of 850, a Tabor abrasion resistance (H18 at 1000 gm load, mg loss/1000 cycles) of 450, a specific gravity of 1.18, and an ether base. One suitable polyurethane is marketed by Minnesota Plastics, Eden Prairie, Minn. as MP175TM. An acceptable acetal is marketed by Dupont as Delrin®. Obviously, other materials would be suitable for a given embodiment of the present compression ring as well. Usually an acceptable material for the present compression ring will seal well, be resistant to decomposition from liquids (e.g., petroleum-derived compounds), provide a consistent degree of resistance to compression, and rebound to its original shape well when compression is discontinued. Therefore, a person of ordinary skill in the art would choose a suitable material for the present compression ring to accommodate these and other factors discussed herein.  
     [0155] The other components can be constructed from materials such as synthetic resins as well. Two suitable synthetic resins suitable for this purpose are known as glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6/6 and nylon 6/6. The glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6/6 may be a 30% glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6/6 with a density of 0.0488 lb/cu. in., a specific gravity of 1.35, a water absorption (24 hours at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 0.7%, a tensile strength (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 27,000 psi, an elongation (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 3%, a flexural strength (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 39,100 psi, a flexural modulus (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 12×105 psi, a Rockwell hardness of M101, an Izod impact strength (notched at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 2.1 ft-lb/in, a thermal deflection temperature at 66 psi of 490 degrees Fahrenheit, a thermal deflection temperature at 264 psi of 482 degrees Fahrenheit, a maximum temperature (long term) of 230 degrees Fahrenheit, a maximum temperature (short term) of 465 degrees Fahrenheit, a coefficient of linear thermal expansion (−20 degrees-200 degrees Fahrenheit) of 1.2×10-5 in/in/degree Fahrenheit, a dielectric strength of 530 V/mil, a dielectric constant (60 Hz, 73 degrees Fahrenheit, 50% RH) of 3.5, and an electrical volume resistivity (73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 1015 ohm cm. One suitable glass-fiber-reinforced nylon 6/6 is marketed by Minnesota Plastics, Eden Prairie, Minn. as ENSILON™ 6/6 GF30.  
     [0156] The nylon 6/6 may have a density of 0.0412 lb/cu. in., a specific gravity of 1.14, a water absorption (24 hours at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 8.5%, a tensile strength (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 12,400 psi, an elongation (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 90%, a flexural strength (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 17,000 psi, a flexural modulus (at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 4.1×105 psi, a Rockwell hardness of R120-M79, an Izod impact strength (notched at 73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 1.2 ft-Lb/in, a thermal deflection temperature at 66 psi of 455 degrees Fahrenheit, a thermal deflection temperature at 264 psi of 194 degrees Fahrenheit, a maximum temperature (long term) of 2170 degrees Fahrenheit, a maximum temperature (short term) of 355 degrees Fahrenheit, a coefficient of linear thermal expansion (−20 degrees-200 degrees Fahrenheit) of 4.5×10-5 in/in/degree Fahrenheit, a coefficient of linear thermal expansion (200 degrees-460 degrees Fahrenheit) of 5.0×10-5 in/in/degree Fahrenheit, a dielectric strength of 600 V/mil, a dielectric constant (60 Hz, 73 degrees Fahrenheit, 50% RH) of 4.0, and an electrical volume resistivity (73 degrees Fahrenheit) of 1015 ohm cm. One suitable nylon 6/6 is marketed by Minnesota Plastics, Eden Prairie, Minn. as ENSILON™ 6/6.  
     [0157] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will also readily comprehend that such factors as thicknesses, lengths, and materials can be routinely altered to provide desired sound pitches and amplitudes and to accommodate any desired predetermined torque level. While utility with oil plugs is described, the present torque lock/indicator is obviously suitable for several uses where a fluid-tight seal is achieved by using a fastener such as a threaded bolt. While cross-sectional geometries depicted have been predominantly circular, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other cross-sectional geometries may be suitable in other embodiments of this invention.  
     [0158] When used as described herein, the present torque lock/indicator allows connectors to be tightened to a desired, predetermined torque level and secured against further tightening or tampering. The present torque lock/indicator thus protects the threads in components such as oil pans from being overstressed, stretched and stripped when connectors are being tightened therein. Moreover, the present torque lock/indicator provides a seal against fluid egress. The presence of the secured caps further ensures that the seal is in place, thus further preventing fluid egress or loss from tampering. Another advantage of the present torque lock/indicator is that threads of components are examined for integrity as connectors are tightened therein to desired, preset torque levels.  
     [0159] Because numerous modifications of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.