Patent ID: 8506223

Claim:
A low-profile cam locking fastener assembly for coacting with an externally threaded member to apply a tightening force to a workpiece, comprising: a nut comprising: an internal opening formed about an axis, the internal opening having a first inner surface; a bottom cam face that is perpendicular to said axis; and a tubular skirt that projects from the bottom cam face, the skirt having an cylindrical inner bore having a second inner surface that is contiguous with the first inner surface, wherein said first and second inner surfaces have a continuous threading that is complementary to a threaded profile of the threaded member; a locking washer having a central opening and an upper cam face, wherein said skirt is telescopically received within said central opening; and camming means on said nut cam face and said washer cam face, for driving both the nut and the locking washer when the nut is rotated in a tightened direction on said threaded member and for wedging said nut in a locked position when said nut begins to rotate in the direction opposite to the tightened direction; wherein said nut and locking washer have a certain combined height and said locking washer has a radially outmost diameter, wherein a ratio of said combined height to said radially outermost diameter is less than 0.54, such that said nut and locking washer can be used in low-profile application where a nut and washer with a standard ratio cannot be used.