Improvements in Nut Locks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Nut Locks.
We, LESTER AUGUSTUS ELSTER, Physician, and EDWARD YOUNG, mechanic
of Jeffersonville, and JOHN EDWARD KNAPP, mechanic, of West Lancaster, both
in the County of Fayette, and State of Ohio, United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN NUT-LOCKS, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained.
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in nut locks, and it
consists essentially of a back plate and a locking plate, the former being constructed
at one end to be held and engaged by a nut, and at the other end to project into
the opening or recess in the locking plate; and the latter constructed at its ends to
embrace the nuts, and arranged to be held from displacement by the back plate.
The invention also consists in so constructing the opening in the locking plate and
the engaging end or part of the back plate, that the locking plate when forced out
of engagement with a nut at one end, may be moved longitudinally, and drawn out
of connection with the back plate, all of which will be hereinafter more fully
pointed out.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which
ike reference letters indicate corresponding parts,
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a portion of a railway rail and its fish-plate,
with my improvements applied thereto;
Figure 2, a horizontal section through the web of the rail, the fish-plate, and my
improved devices, showing the locking plate in position to be fastened ;
Figure 3, a detail plan view of the locking plate, and
Figure 4, a bar of stock from which the back plate is cut, showing a mode of
ficilitating the manufacture and economizing in material.
The letter A designates the adjacent ends of two sections of ordinary rail-way
rals, and the letter B, the usual or any approved fish-plate employed to connect the
sctions together, and to secure them by means of bolts C, and nuts D. The letter E
esignates the back-plate of my nut-lock, the same consisting of a strip of metal, prefer-
ably steel, fashioned at one end with an open slot F, to fit over a bolt, while the nut of
the bolt may be screwed against and upon the prongs at either side of the slot, as
The other end of this plate is constructed with a tongue or projection G,.
having shoulders H. From figure 4, it will be observed that these back plates are
intended to be stamped from a strip or ribbon of metal, and that the shape of the
shoulders H forms a flaring entrance to the slot in the other end.
seen.
The letter I designates the locking plate, which is also made from a strip of metal,
preferably steel, and fashioned at either end with recesses to receive the nuts, and
embrace their sides in such a manner as to prevent them from rotating. Near the
middle of the locking plate, it is constructed with a slot or opening J, preferably
stamped or punched out, leaving a lip J', into which slot or opening is projected
the tongue of the back plate. The lip guides the tongue into the slot, and is of
advantage in connecting the plates. It is preferred that these plates shall have such
relative position as to bring the shoulders H of the back-plate, against the locking
plate, with the extreme end of the tongue engaging the face of the locking
In order to
plate, so as to prevent its dislodgement from engagement with the nuts.
remove the locking plate an instrument or device of any kind having a reduced
end, is projected under or at the back of one end of the locking plate, preferably the
end furthest from the tongue, and such end prised out of engagement with the
adjacent nut. This done, the plate is removed lengthwise from the tongue, until
drawn out of engagement. The prising of the end of the locking plate, springs the

page_text: back-plate outward somewhat, and hence the desirability of making it of spring
metal. It will be readily understood that in applying the device, the back plate is
first secured by one of the nuts, and then the locking plate placed in position to
project the tongue into its slot, and then moved longitudinally toward the back plate
until it embraces and fits over the nuts, when the tongue will be found to be properly
projected through the slot.
The device consists of but two pieces, and these are so fashioned that the entire
work may be done by the use of dies, so as to reduce the cost of manufacture to an
extremely low figure. The direct engagement of the two plates, effected by projecting
a part of one through the slot in the other renders their engagement and disengage-
ment readily and easily accomplished, while the nuts are held absolutely free from the
liability of ever getting loose or unscrewed. We have shown and described our
improvements in connection with rail-way rails, but it is obvious that they may be used
in other connections, as on bridges, etc.
The locking plate. I, may have two of the slots J and lips J¹, so as to turn the
plate end for end, should there be occasion to do so.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that wha
we claim is ;
1st. In a nut lock, the combination with bolts and nuts, and a spring back plate
held by one of the nuts, and running in the direction of the other nut, bui
terminating before reaching it, of a locking plate slidingly connected to the back.
plate intermediate of its ends, and extending from one uut to the other, so that the
locking plate only, locks the nuts, while the back plate holds the locking plate, tl
spring of the back plate allowing the locking plate to be sprung off of a nut, and
the sliding connection allowing the locking to be moved longitudinally in and c.t
of place.
2nd. In a nut-lock, the combination with bolts and nuts, and a back-plate hid
by one of said nuts at one end, and having a tongue or projection at the other end,
said latter end terminating about midway between the nuts, of a locking pite
extending from nut to nut on the outer side of the back-plate, and slotted at or rear
the middle to receive the tongue of the back-plate, whereby the locking plate is aeld
from disengagement.
3rd. In a nut-lock, the combination with the back-plate slotted at one end, and
forming a tongue or projection at the other end, the same extending somewhat outw.rd,
of a locking plate constructed at its ends to be engaged with the nuts to be locked,
and transversely slotted at an intermediate point to receive said tongue or projectia,
the slot having a lip at the rear of the plate to guide the insertion of the tonge
or projection.
Dated this 21st day of January 1900
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.