Patent ID: 8403611

Claim:
A single piece locking nut assembly, comprising: a nut having (i) a top surface, (ii) a bottom surface, (iii) a substantially cylindrical nut opening through the center thereof, at least a portion of which having threads that are adapted to engage with corresponding threads of a spindle, and (iv) one or more cavities that each receive a holding element that extends into said cylindrical nut opening; a washer comprising (i) a substantially cylindrical washer opening through the center thereof, (ii) a washer base, (iii) an inner wall extending up from said washer base extending around at least a portion of said cylindrical washer opening and extending into said cylindrical nut opening, and (iv) a locking feature located on a side of said inner wall that is opposite said cylindrical washer opening, said locking feature comprising a plurality of ridges that engage said one or more holding elements; and a biasing member located between said nut bottom surface and said washer base that prevents said one or more holding elements from engaging said locking feature when said nut assembly is not fully engaged with a spindle.