Patent ID: 8591157

Claim:
A direct load indicating fastener assembly that includes: a flange fastener of one-piece construction having a head with an integral flange extending radially outwardly from the head, and a load indicator having a flat, annular base having an outer rim and an inner opening, a plurality of protuberances on said base extending toward the flange fastener from locations on the base between the outer rim and the inner opening, wherein said protuberances are compressible to provide an indication of applied tension or load, said outer rim having a plurality of angularly spaced legs extending from the base, wherein the legs extend in the same direction as the protuberances and beyond the flange of the flange fastener in an assembled condition, wherein at least a portion of each leg includes at least one deformed stake that overlies said flange and captures said fastener in assembly with said load indicator while permitting free rotation of said fastener with respect to said load indicator, and wherein said outer rim of the base includes a plurality of intermediate indents for indicating positions at which load reading can be taken.