Improvements in Nut-locks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Nut-locks.
I, OCTAVIUS SUTTON EBERT, of Galesburg, in the County of Knox, and State of
Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in nuts and nut-
locking devices whereby a nut may be securely and firmly locked upon a bolt.
spindle, or other part, said invention being particularly applicable to the locking
of nuts upon vehicle-axles, and upon bolts for securing fish-plates in railway
construction.
According to my invention a nut may be held either to an axle of a vehicle or
to any other device and may be unscrewed without the aid of a wrench by simply
forcing the nut against the tension of a spring whereby lugs on the threads of
the bolt or spindle may be caused to be freed from recesses within the internally-
threaded nut, to allow said lugs to freely turn between the threads of the nut.
When my invention is applied to an axle of a vehicle, the axle spindle is
provided with a series of offsets or lugs either integral with the threads or attached
thereto, and these lugs may be produced on the spindle by running the end thereof
through four rollers, or revolving die-wheels which are so arranged that they
can be drawn together by leverage when forming the toothed or lug portions.
The lugs are on the same side of the threads and in alignment in rows and the
upper ends are flush with the outer circumference of the thread.
The nut or cap has a series of internal broken threads having recesses at regular
intervals about the circumference, said recesses being in alignment and the same
distance apart as the lugs on the threads of the spindle, so that as the nut is
screwed on the threads of the spindle, the lugs offer no resistance until pressure
is brought to bear against a spring which is interposed between the inner end
wall of the bore of the nut and the end of the spindle, or between a washer (which
rests on a shoulder of the spindle a portion of its width and a portion of the
washer to overlap the spindle) and the adjacent end of the nut, at which moment,
when the line of lugs comes to register with the said recesses, the pressure on
the end of the axle under tension of the spring forces the nut out, and the
sectional portion of the broken thread fills the recesses in the threads, thus securely
preventing the nut from being moved in either direction either forward or back-
ward, until the nut is forced in under the tension of the spring, forcing the
sections between the said recesses the width of the lugs, when the nut is allowed
to move in either direction.
When it is desired to use a nut without a cap it is my purpose to interpose the
spring between the inside face of the nut and the outer perpendicular face of
the shoulder on the spindle. If desirable, two springs may be utilized at the
same time. It will be seen that there is a slight space of possibly one-eighth of
an inch required to allow the nut to be forced in sufficiently to clear the sections
of the threads from the lugs on the threads of spindle. This space is also essential
to allow the wheel free movement in its revolutions on the spindle.

page_text: The novel principle of locking between the lugs and recesses forms the gist
of my invention.
When my invention is utilized in railway construction, that is, for locking
nuts upon the bolts which secure fish-plates in position, the contracted end of
the bolt is threaded and provided with the offsets or lugs before described. The
nut has, as before, internal broken threads with recesses between the broken
sections, said recesses being in alignment and in series about the inner circum-
ference of the wall of the bore of the nut, each recess being of a width equal to
the width of the lug or offset on the bolt.
The nut is screwed on the threads of the bolt until the nut comes in contact
with the fish-plate and when the broken thread sections are opposite the space
between the lugs, the nut is slightly drawn outward the width of the lug on the
thread, and the nut is securely prevented from screwing in either direction until
the nut is forced inward a sufficient distance to free the broken threads from
the said lugs.
To lock the nut in locked relation when used in connection with railway con-
struction, a U-shape member or wedge is driven in lengthwise of rail between
the inner end of the nut and the fish-plate, and the ends of said member are
slightly bent around the bolt. When it is desired to remove the nut, the ends
of the member may be straightened and then easily removed, after which the
nut may be quickly unlocked and unscrewed.
Dated this 10th day of November 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, OCTAVIUS SUTTON EBERT, of Galesburg, in the County of Knox, and State of
Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention 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 nuts and nut-
locking devices and it relates especially to a nut having a peculiar construction
of thread designed to engage with a thread of an axle, bolt or shaft which thread
has lugs or offsets which are adapted to hold the nut in a locked relation upon
the spindle of the axle, bolt or shaft under the tension of a spring carried either
within the nut, or between the nut and a washer suitably arranged.
A further purpose of my invention resides in the provision of means whereby a
nut may be held either to an axle of a vehicle or to any other device, and may
be unscrewed without the aid of a wrench by simply forcing the end of the nut
against the tension of the spring carried either within the nut cap, or between
the nut and axle skein whereby the lugs on the thread are caused to be freed from
the recesses of the internally-threaded nut, and allow the said lugs or offsets to
freely turn between the threads of the nut.
When a nut is applied to an axle skein embodying my invention, a wheel carried
on the spindle will have a sufficient space left between the outside of the washer
carried on a shoulder of the spindle and the inner end of the nut to allow of its
free revolutions without unnecessary friction caused by any binding against the
axle box. This space is preferably of a width substantially equal to the width of
one of the integral threads on the spindle, and is essentially to render the nut

page_text: capable of being removed by its being slightly forced so as to allow the lugs on
the thread to clear the recesses in the broken thread of the nut.
In splice work on railway construction it is my purpose to hold the nut in a
locked relation by the simple means of a wedge-shaped member placed between
the nut and the fish-plate. I also interpose a spring between a washer and the
inner end of the nut, or when capped nuts are used I insert a spring between
the inner end wall of the bore of the nut and the end of the bolt, whereby in
either case the nut may be, under the tension of the spring or springs, held to
its locked position.
To these ends, and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists
in the novel construction, combination and adaptation of the parts as will be
hereinafter more fully described and then specifically defined in the appended.
claims.
I clearly illustrate my invention in the accompanying drawings which, with
the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a nut as applied to an axle skein, showing a
hexagonal washer, in section carried on a shoulder of the skein.
Figure 2 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view through my improved
nut carried on the threaded end of the spindle of the axle.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the nut on a central longitudinal line, showing
the concaved wall of the nut on one side having the broken threads.
Figure 4 is a view looking into the bore of the nut, showing the coiled spring
carried therein.
Figure 5 is a central vertical sectional view through the spindle and nut cap.
Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6--6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction
of the arrow.
Fig. 6, is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a slightly modified form of lug.
Fig. 7 is a view partially in section, showing a nut with a cap, and the spring
interposed between the inner end of the nut and the washer carried on a shoulder
of the spindle.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a railway rail, showing a bolt inserted
therethrough and provided with my improved locking device.
Figure 9 is an enlarged detail in perspective of the bolt.
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of the nut.
Figure 11 is an enlarged detail view of the U-shape washer which is to be
interposed between the nut and the fish-plate.
Figure 12 is a modified form showing a spring for holding the nut in a locked
relation, and a capped nut shown in dotted lines.
Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter and particu-
larly to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive wherein I show my invention applied to a vehicle
axle, A designates an axle and B an axle-box carried on the skein thereof. C is
a washer which has a hexagonal-shaped outline to its bore, and is designed to
rest on a shoulder of the spindle, a portion of its width, and a portion of the
washer to overlap the spindle as will be readily seen in the drawings.
The threaded portion D of the spindle A is provided with series of offsets or
lugs E, either integral with the threads or attached thereto, and these lugs may
be produced on the spindle by running the end thereof through four rollers, or
revolving die-wheels which are so placed on a movable iron frame that they can
be drawn together by leverage when forming the toothed or lug portions. However
the process of making the thread forms no part of this application. These lugs
are on the same side of the threads and in alignment in rows, and the upper ends
are flush with the. outer circumference of the thread.
The nut or cap G has a series of broken threads H, having recesses K at regular
intervals about the circumference, the said recesses being in alignment and of
the same distance apart as the lugs on the threads of the spindle, so that as the
nut is screwed on the threads of the spindle, the lugs offer no resistance until
pressure is brought to bear against the spring L, which is interposed between the

page_text: inner end wall of the bore of the nut and the end of the spindle, or between the
washer C and the adjacent end of the nut, at which moment when the line of
lugs comes to register with the said recesses K, the pressure on the end of the
axle under tension of the spring causes the nut to be forced out, and the sectional
portion of the broken thread fills the recesses in the threads, thus securely prevent-
ing the nut from being moved in either direction, either forwards or backwards,
until the nut is forced in under the tension of the spring and forces the sections
between the said recesses the, width of the lugs when the nut is allowed to move
in either direction.
If
When it is desired to use a nut without a cap it is my purpose to interpose
the spring between the inside face of the nut and the outer perpendicular face
of the shoulder on the spindle, as illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.
desirable two springs may be utilized at the same time, as illustrated in the two
different positions.
From the foregoing it will be seen that a slight space of possibly one-eighth
of an inch is required when it is desired to unlock the nut by forcing in on the
end of the said nut a sufficient distance to clear the sections of the threads from
the lugs on the threads of the spindle. This space is also essential to allow of
sufficient freedom to the wheel in its revolutions on the spindle.
Owing to the peculiar construction of my invention I can readily unscrew the
nut from its engaging position, when it is holding the wheel on the spindle,
without the use of a wrench, and the nut securely holds the wheel until pressure
is brought to bear upon the end thereof sufficient to relieve the broken sections
of the threads of the nut from engagement with the lugs of the threads of the
spindle, this principle of locking being the gist of my invention.
Referring now to Figs. 8 to 12 of the drawings wherein the invention is shown
as slightly modified and applied to railway construction, A' represents a railway-
rail in section, which is perforated to receive the bolt B', and CC are fish plates.
The contracted end of the bolt is threaded as .seen at which threads have
preferably integral therewith lugs or offsets G. The nut Has in the other
instance is provided with internal broken .threads K¹ having between the broken
sections of the threads, recesses L' which are disposed in alignment and in series
about the inner circumference of the wall of the bore of the nut, each recess
being of a width equal to the width of the lug or offset on the bolt.
The nut H' is screwed on the threads of the bolt in the ordinary way until the
nut comes in contact with the fish plate or other member desired to be engaged
by the nut and when the broken thread sections are opposite the space between
the lugs on the threads of the bolt the nut is slightly drawn outward the width
of the lug on the thread and the nut is securely prevented from serewing in
either direction until the nut is forced inward a sufficient distance to free the
broken threads from the said lugs.
To lock the nut in its locked relation when used in connection with railway
construction, a U-shaped member or wedge I is driven in parallel with the rail
between the inner end of the nut and the fish-plate or a washer N¹ which surrounds
the bolt and bearing against the fish plate and the ends of the wedge are then
slightly bent. When it is desired to remove the nut, the ends of the washer may
be straightened and then easily removed, after which the nut may be quickly
unlocked and unscrewed.
When it is desired to use a bolt equipped with my improved locking means
for the nut on any other construction than railway splicing I employ a spring M
which is interposed between the end of the nut and the object against which the
nut is to be located, the office of the spring being to force the broken threaded
portion of the internally-threaded nut between the lugs on the threads of the bolt
to lock the nut between the lugs on the threads. When it is desired to use a
nut with a cap, a spring S is interposed between the outer end of a bolt and the
inner end wall of the bore of the nut which serves the same purpose as the
spring M. When it is desired to unlock the nut from its contact with the lugs

page_text: on the threads of the bolt, the nut is forced in under the tension of the spring
and released from the lugs and allowed to be readily unscrewed.
Various changes might be made in the details of construction and arrangement
without departing from the principle or scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A lock for axle nuts consisting of a skein of the axle having a screw-threaded
portion, lugs or offsets on said threads, combined with a cap nut having a series
of broken threads, recesses in rows between the said broken thread portions adapted
to register with the lugs on the threads of the spindle, and means for holding the
nut in a locked relation, substantially as shown and described.
2. An axle nut lock consisting of a spindle having a threaded end provided
with lugs or offsets on the same sides of the threads, combined with a nut having
a series of broken threads, the broken sections of the said threads being designed
to interpose between the said lugs on the spindle and a spring interposed between
the end of the spindle and the inner wall of the nut, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In combination with a spindle of an axle, a threaded portion having a
series of lugs on the same sides of the threads and in rows, a nut having a series
of broken threads with recesses between the broken sections of the threads, and
in rows, a spring interposed between the outer end of the said nut and the end
of a shouldered portion of a spindle whereby when the nut is screwed upon the
spindle, the broken threads will be forced between the lugs of the bolt threads
when the recesses register with the said lugs and allowed to be released from
engagement therewith when the nut is forced in against the spring, substantially as
shown and described.
4. In an axle nut lock the combination with the spindle having a portion of
its length screw-threaded with integral lugs on its threads, a shouldered portion
of the spindle hexagonal in outline, a washer having a similarly-shaped aperture
adapted to fit upon the said shoulder, an axle box mounted on the spindle, and
a nut having a series of broken thread nortions and a spring carried within the
nut and adapted to bear against the end of the spindle substantially as shown
and described.
5. In an axle nut lock, the combination with a spindle threaded a portion of its
length and having sets of lugs on the same sides of the threads and in rows, a
shouldered portion of the spindle, a washer having a hexagonal aperture therein,
and a recess portion adapted to be seated over the edge of the shoulder, an axle
box, a nut having the broken threads as described, and the spring interposed
between the inner end of the nut and a portion of the spindle, all substantially
as shown and described.
6. A nut or other lock consisting of a bolt, cylinder or other member having a
portion of its length threaded, with offsets or lugs on said threads designed to
engage with the broken threads of a nut, and means for maintaining the parts
in locked relation, substantially as described
7. A nut lock consisting of a bolt, cylinder or other member threaded for a
portion of its length and having a series of offsets or lugs on the same sides of
the threads, combined with a nut having a series of broken threads and means
for holding the broken sections of the threads between the said lugs, substantially
as shown and described.
8. A nut lock consisting of a bolt having a portion of its length screw threaded
and provided with series of integral lugs on the same sides of the threads and
disposed in rows, combined with a nut having broken threads with recesses in
alignment designed to receive the lugs of the threads of the bolt when the nut
is turned so that the said recesses will register with the said lugs, and a spring

page_text: under the tension of which the broken thread portions of the nut are forced
between the lug of the threads of the bolt, substantially as shown and described.
9. A nut lock, consisting of a bolt having a portion of its length threaded, lugs
or offsets on said threads combined with a nut having internal broken threads,
and a washer interposed between the nut and the fish plate or other member,
substantially as shown and described.
10. In a nut lock the combination with a bolt having a portion of its length
screw-threaded, lugs on said threaded portion, a nut with a cap and provided
with a series of internal broken threads,, a spring interposed between the inner
wall of the bore of the nut and the end of the bolt, the broken thread portions
of the nut being forced between the projections by the tension of the spring
and being released when the nut is pushed inwardly against the tension of the
spring, substantially as shown and described.
11. In a nut lock, the combination with the bolt passed through a railway rail
and a fish plate and threaded a portion of its length, a series of lugs in rows
on the same side of the thread of the bolt, a nut provided with a series of broken
threads designed to work on the thread of the bolt and to be locked thereto in
the manner described, and a U-shaped washer designed to be interposed between
the nut and the fish-plate, and the ends of the washer to be bent about the bolt,
all substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 24th day of July 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.