An expandable washer for use with a fastener to maintain tension in the fastener after connection to a component comprises first and second disks. The first and second disks cooperatively define a channel having a dimension parallel to the expansion axis which decreases from a location remote from to a location closer to the expansion axis. The first and second disks are configured to pass the fastener through them and to the component. The fastener operatively engages the first disk for moving with the first disk and to place the fastener in tension when the fastener is connected to the component. The expandable washer further includes a cam located radially outward from the expansion axis and biased for movement toward the expansion axis to drive the first and second disks apart to maintain the application of force against the fastener.

An expandable washer for use with a fastener to maintain tension in the fastener after connection to a component comprises first and second disks. The first and second disks cooperatively define a channel having a dimension parallel to the expansion axis which decreases from a location remote from to a location closer to the expansion axis. The first and second disks are configured to pass the fastener through them and to the component. The fastener operatively engages the first disk for moving with the first disk and to place the fastener in tension when the fastener is connected to the component. The expandable washer further includes a cam located radially outward from the expansion axis and biased for movement toward the expansion axis to drive the first and second disks apart to maintain the application of force against the fastener.

A support bearing of a vibration damper in the wheel suspension of a vehicle has a support bearing flange supported and force-fittingly attached on a body structure of the vehicle. The support bearing flange engages around an annular elastomer element in which the damper piston rod is suspended. With an annular collar which forms a hollow cylinder and the cylinder axis of which is at least approximately coincident with the longitudinal axis of the vibration damper, the support bearing flange penetrates a through-opening in the body structure so far that a nut or a support bearing cover designed as a union nut is screwed on a thread provided on the outer wall of the collar. With a clamping aid element interposed, the nut or support bearing cover draws the support bearing flange towards the body structure in a manner supported on the body structure such that a peripheral ring section of the body structure, which surrounds the through-opening, is clamped between the support bearing flange and the clamping aid element and ultimately the nut or the support bearing cover. As an alternative to the clamping aid element or in addition to same, the collar has a shape that increases its elasticity in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the thread.

A pretensioning element pressure screw (11) having a shank (12) which has a first end (13) and a second end (14), opposite the first end (13). Starting from the first end (13), a threaded portion (16), having an outer diameter (D), is formed adjacent a threadless shank portion (21), having an outer diameter (dg). The threadless shank portion (21) extends to the second end (14) of the shank (12). An engagement mechanism (26) for a tool is arranged at the first end (13) of the shank (12). The outer diameter (dg) of the threadless shank portion (21) corresponds to 1.0 times the outer diameter (D) of the threaded portion (16). A pretensioning element and a pretensioning screw body element having a plurality of such pretensioning element pressure screws (11) is also disclosed.

A pretensioning element pressure screw (11) having a shank (12) which has a first end (13) and a second end (14), opposite the first end (13). Starting from the first end (13), a threaded portion (16), having an outer diameter (D), is formed adjacent a threadless shank portion (21), having an outer diameter (dg). The threadless shank portion (21) extends to the second end (14) of the shank (12). An engagement mechanism (26) for a tool is arranged at the first end (13) of the shank (12). The outer diameter (dg) of the threadless shank portion (21) corresponds to 1.0 times the outer diameter (D) of the threaded portion (16). A pretensioning element and a pretensioning screw body element having a plurality of such pretensioning element pressure screws (11) is also disclosed.

A biasing system for use with a fastener is disclosed. The biasing system can include a sleeve configured to be disposed about a shank of a fastener and operable to form at least a portion of a first load path between the fastener and a component coupled to the fastener to preload the fastener through the sleeve. The biasing system can also include a spring configured to be associated with the sleeve and operable to form at least a portion of a second load path parallel to the first load path between the fastener and the component to facilitate biasing the fastener away from the component.

A biasing system for use with a fastener is disclosed. The biasing system can include a sleeve configured to be disposed about a shank of a fastener and operable to form at least a portion of a first load path between the fastener and a component coupled to the fastener to preload the fastener through the sleeve. The biasing system can also include a spring configured to be associated with the sleeve and operable to form at least a portion of a second load path parallel to the first load path between the fastener and the component to facilitate biasing the fastener away from the component.

An expansion bolt comprises a bolt having an end-face anchoring means for the tension-resistant anchoring of the bolt on or in a first assembly part, which bolt has a truncated-cone-shaped cone section and a bolt threaded section in its end section opposite to the anchoring means with a nut screwed thereon, an expansion sleeve having a cylindrical lateral surface and an inner cone contour interacting with the cone section of the bolt, and a clamping device supported on a second assembly part for widening the expansion sleeve and applying an axial clamping force to the assembly parts to be connected together. The cone section of the bolt is tapered in the direction toward its anchoring means and the inner cone contour of the expansion sleeve is tapered in the same direction. The expansion sleeve bears a clamping flange protruding outward in the radial direction on its end opposite to the inner cone contour. The clamping device comprises a clamping ring having an axial passage opening. The expansion sleeve engages through this passage opening, permitting an adjustability of the expansion sleeve in relation to the clamping ring in the axial direction, and protrudes with its clamping flange beyond a peripheral region of the clamping device enclosing the passage opening. The clamping ring also comprises multiple pressure bolts arranged circumferentially distributed, which mesh with their thread in internally threaded holes extending through the clamping ring in the axial direction and act with their bases indirectly or directly against the second assembly part to widen the expansion sleeve and apply an axial clamping force to the assembly parts. Furthermore, a connection assembly having such an expansion bolt is described.

An expansion bolt comprises a bolt having an end-face anchoring means for the tension-resistant anchoring of the bolt on or in a first assembly part, which bolt has a truncated-cone-shaped cone section and a bolt threaded section in its end section opposite to the anchoring means with a nut screwed thereon, an expansion sleeve having a cylindrical lateral surface and an inner cone contour interacting with the cone section of the bolt, and a clamping device supported on a second assembly part for widening the expansion sleeve and applying an axial clamping force to the assembly parts to be connected together. The cone section of the bolt is tapered in the direction toward its anchoring means and the inner cone contour of the expansion sleeve is tapered in the same direction. The expansion sleeve bears a clamping flange protruding outward in the radial direction on its end opposite to the inner cone contour. The clamping device comprises a clamping ring having an axial passage opening. The expansion sleeve engages through this passage opening, permitting an adjustability of the expansion sleeve in relation to the clamping ring in the axial direction, and protrudes with its clamping flange beyond a peripheral region of the clamping device enclosing the passage opening. The clamping ring also comprises multiple pressure bolts arranged circumferentially distributed, which mesh with their thread in internally threaded holes extending through the clamping ring in the axial direction and act with their bases indirectly or directly against the second assembly part to widen the expansion sleeve and apply an axial clamping force to the assembly parts. Furthermore, a connection assembly having such an expansion bolt is described.

A modular safety fence assembly is disclosed. The safety fence may include a fence panel assembly having a top rail, a bottom rail, and mesh panel. The safety fence panel assembly may also support post assembly capable of supporting the fence panel assembly and an anchor assembly which may anchor the support post assembly to the floor using one or more relatively shallow holes formed in the floor.