AN IMPROVED WASHIER' FOR LOCKING OR PREVENTING NUTS FROM WORKING LOOSE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Frost, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED WASHIER' FOR LOCKING OR
PREVENTING NUTS FROM WORKING LOOSE."
Sealed the 28th October 1876, and dated the 6th May 1876.
'
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Frost at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1876.
WILLIAM FROST, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Engineer.
'
"AN IMPROVED
WASHER FOR LOCKING OR PREVENTING NUTS FROM WORKING LOOSE."
This Invention relates to an improved simple, effective, and cheap washer for
locking or preventing nuts from turning or working loose on screw bolts, and the
Invention is applicable to nuts used in steam engines and machinery and imple-
ments of all kinds, also in permanent way, fish plates, and anywhere where there is
vibration and liability of nuts working loose or otherwise.
The improved washer is constructed of steel, and is made of one or more
radial corrugations, and with a radial slit or opening which corresponds with the
amount of corrugation, and with a central hole through which passes the bolt on
which the nut is to be secured.
The washer is placed between the nut and the part against which the nut would
otherwise bear, and when the nut is screwed up it compresses and flattens the
washer, which then resembles an ordinary washer, its two ends meeting, and which
in its effort to regain its corrugated shape bears with an equal pressure against the
face of the nut and prevents it working loose through vibration or otherwise. The
nut can, however, be easily unscrewed by a spanner or key.
The pressure exerted against the nut may be varied according to size and other
requirements by using thicker or thinner steel, a greater amount of elasticity mny
also be obtained by using two or more corrugated washers alone or in combination
with ordinary washers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Frost in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd November
1876.
WILLIAM FROST, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Engineer. "AN IMPROVED
WASHER FOR LOCKING OR PREVENTING NUTS FROM WORKING Loose."
This Invention relates to an improved, simple, effective, and cheap washer for
locking or preventing nuts from turning or working loose on screw bolts, and the
Invention is applicable to nuts used in steam engines, machinery, and implements
of all kinds, also in permanent way, fish plates, and anywhere where there is
vibration and liability of nuts working loose.
The improved washer 1, which is illustrated in Figure 5, and in its application
in Figures 1 to 4 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, is constructed of steel,
and is made with one or more (preferably three) radial corrugations 2, and with a
radial slit or opening 3, which corresponds with the amount of corrugation, and
with a central hole 4, through which passes the bolt 5 on which the nut G is to be
Eccured. The improved washer is placed, as shown in Figure 1, between the nut 6
and the part 7, against which the nut would otherwise bear, and when the nut is
screwed up the washer is compressed and flattened, as shown in Figure 2, so that it
then resembles an ordinary washer, its two ends meeting. In its effort to regain
its corrugated shape the washer bears with a considerable pressure against the face
of the nut and prevents it working loose through vibration; the nut can, however,
be easily unscrewed when required by an ordinary key or spanner.
The pressure exerted against the nut may be varied according to size and
other requirements by using thicker or thinner steel in making the washers. A
greater amount of elasticity may also be obtained by using two or more corrugated
washers by themselves or in combination with ordinary washers; and in some
cases it may be found desirable to make and use my improved washers without a
slit or opening therein.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect, I
would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention the application and use,
for the purpose of preventing nuts from turning or working loose on screw bolts,
of washers constructed with radial corrugations and with a radial slit or opening,
substantially as described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Frost, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this First day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
WILLIAM FROST. (L.S.)