Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 7th May,
1898
I, JOHN HERMANN ECKART, of the City of Joplin, State of Missouri, U.S.A.,
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: -
My invention has relation to improvements in nut locks, and consists in the novel
combination and arrangement of parts more particularly described in the
specification and pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings Fig. 1, is a side elevation of my complete invention as applied
to the rail and fish plates, Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the same, Fig. 3, is a front
view of the washer which I employ in carrying out my invention, Fig. 4, is a
vertical longitudinal 'section taken on the line - of Fig. 3, Fig. 5, is a rear
elevation of the nut or that surface that comes in contact with the washer, Fig. 6,
is a front elevation of a washer showing a modification of my invention, Fig. 7, is
a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line y-y of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8, is a rear
view of the washer, shown in Fig. 6.
The object of my invention is to construct a washer and nut in such a manner
that when the nut is turned against the washer the nut will be automatically
locked, and thus prevented from being turned in the opposite direction or loosened
under the constant vibration of the rails, and it consists of an ordinary bolt, which
is adapted to be passed through suitable openings in the fish plates and rail in the
well known manner, a washer provided with an opening for receiving the bolt,
and having radially arranged ratchet teeth formed on one of its faces, or that face
with which the nut comes in contact, a base or foot portion formed integral with
the washer and adapted to come in contact with the upper surface of the base of
the rail, a groove formed or cut a suitable depth, the metal left by said groove
which connects the washer and foot portion being comparatively weakened,
whereby the foot portion may be readily severed from the washer for removing the
nut, the said foot portion preventing the washer from being turned when the nut
is screwed against the said washer, and thus preventing the nut from turning off
the bolt, a nut the engaging face of which is also provided with radially arranged
ratchet teeth which co-operates with the ratchet teeth on the washer, and in other
details now to be specifically described.
In the drawings 1, represents an ordinary rail, 2, the fish plate, and 3, a bolt,
all of which are of the ordinary construction.
The washer 4, which forms a part of the nut lock is circular and provided with
a central opening 5, of such a size as to be readily passed over the screw threaded
end of the bolt 3, and its plane surface 6, brought in contact with the vertical plane
surface 7, of the fish plate 2. The opposite or outer surface of the washer 4, is
provided with radially arranged ratchet teeth 8, with which co-operates the
0 radially arranged ratchet teeth 9, formed on one side of the nut 10, when the
latter is turned against said washer in drawing and holding the several parts
together. Formed integral with the washer 4, is a base or foot portion 11, having
a lower straight edge 12, which comes in contact with the upper edge of the base of

page_text: the rail 1, when the washer is passed over the bolt and is in proper position with
the fish plate 2, as shown in Fig. 1, for preventing the washer from being turned
when the nut is screwed against the same, thus thoroughly locking the nut against
rotation.
13, represents a groove which is formed or cut a suitable depth, where the
washer 4, and foot portion unite, the metal left being comparatively thin in order
that the said foot portion may be easily severed from the washer when it is
desired to remove the nut a chisel or other suitable instrument being driven
between the foot portion and the fish plate whereby the said foot portion will either
break off of the washer or bend outwardly according to the character of the metal
of which the same is made.
In either instance however the foot portion being out of contact with the base
of the rail the nut and washer can easily be simultaneously turned and both
removed from the bolt.
In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have shown a modification of my invention in which the
same principal is employed for locking the nut, but is principally designed for
wooden construction or bridge work, and wherein two lugs 14, are formed integral
with the washer, and are oppositely located, each lug being provided with a pin 15,
which are forced into the wood against which the washer is brought in contact
for preventing the same from turning when the ratchet teeth on the nut is brought
in contact with the ratchet teeth on the washer. Grooves are formed in the metal
where the lugs and washer connect for easily bending or severing the said
lugs when it is desired to remove the nut.
It can be easily seen that this construction can be successfully used for rail
joints with effective and practical results, by forming holes in the fish plate for
receiving the pins and causing the washer to come in contact with the said fish
plates.
It will be readily seen that the bolt and nut is never disabled in applying and
removing the same, the washer being the only part that is at all destroyed which
can be manufactured at a very nominal cost.
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 nut lock, comprising an ordinary bolt, a fixed washer, ratchet teeth formed
on one side of said washer, a nut having ratchet teeth formed on the same and
adapted to co-operate with the ratchet teeth on the washer, and means forming a
temporary part of the washer for holding it against rotation, substantially as
described.
2. A nut lock, comprising an ordinary bolt, a circular washer having a rear
smooth surface, ratchet teeth formed on the opposite surface of the same, a foot
portion formed integral with said washer, a groove formed between the washer
and foot portion, whereby the metal is reduced, and a nut having a ratchet formed
on its engaging surface, and adapted to co-operate with the ratchet teeth formed on
the washer, substantially as described.
3. A nut lock, comprising an ordinary rail and fish plate, a bolt passing through
the same, a circular washer having a central opening for receiving the bolt, radially
arranged ratchet teeth formed on the outer surface of said washer, a foot portion
formed integral with the washer and having a straight lower surface which comes
in contact with the base of the rail, a groove formed in the metal between the
washer and foot portion whereby the metal is reduced, and a nut having radially
arranged ratchet teeth formed on one of its faces which co-operate with the ratchet
teeth formed on the washer, substantially as described.
4. In a nut lock, comprising a suitable washer, ratchet teeth formed on one
surface thereof, lugs formed integral with said washer, grooves in the metal

page_text: between said washer and lugs whereby the metal is reduced, and pins projecting
from one side of the lugs, substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of February 1898.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.