Patent ID: 7176368

Claim:
An adjustable nut for use with a bolt having a threaded shaft, said adjustable nut comprising: a main body having an axial passageway through which said threaded shaft is adapted to pass; a locking insert mounted with respect to said main body, said locking insert comprising at least one internal surface facing said threaded shaft, said internal surface defining a portion of said axial passageway, wherein said internal surface is integrally formed with and connected by a flexible hinge adapted to bias said internal surfaces away from said axial passageway and said threaded shaft; said flexible hinge providing an accordion effect so as to permit the internal surface to move in a linear direction transverse to said axial passageway and provide an engagement with said threaded shaft; first and second wing members pivotally mounted to said main body, said wing members including a respective cam surface adjacent said axial passageway, said cam surface adapted to deflect said movable internal surface toward said threaded shaft; wherein said first and second wing members are adapted to provide a locking position where said main body is immovably locked to said threaded shaft, an adjustment position where said first wing member is in said locking position and said second wing member is in an unlock position to permit selective adjustment of said main body with respect to said threaded shaft, and a sliding position where said first and second wing members are in an unlocking position to permit said main body to slide axially along said threaded shaft.