A lock nut assembly for an actuator, the lock nut assembly comprising a nut configured to be mounted to a bracket of the actuator for axial movement relative to the bracket, and a lock nut retaining and release mechanism configured to be fixedly mounted to the bracket and axially movable between a first engaged position in which the lock nut retaining and release mechanism engages with the nut to prevent rotation of the nut and a second unlocked position in which the lock nut retaining and release mechanism is not engaged with the nut and the nut can be rotated relative to the bracket.

The invention provides a locknut having a nut body having a threaded portion with an internal thread, an adjacent perimetral shoulder and a collar surrounding the shoulder, and having a metal annular washer, the annular washer resting on the shoulder within the collar and the collar being bent inwardly to form an annular groove between the bent collar and the shoulder in which the annular washer is received. An internal thread corresponding to the internal thread of the threaded portion of the nut body is formed at the inner perimeter of the annular washer, and the internal thread of the annular washer is offset axially by a distance with respect to the internal thread of the nut body. For better fixing of the annular washer in the annular groove, a row of projections or recesses is formed on the shoulder or on the annular washer where the annular washer and the shoulder overlap, which projections or recesses project in the axial direction and are arranged distributed around the perimeter of the shoulder or the annular washer. The projections form bearing surfaces, lines or points for the annular washer on the shoulder when the annular washer is placed inside the collar on the shoulder of the nut body. When the collar is deformed to form the annular groove, an axial force is applied to the annular washer, partially deforming the projections or recesses and/or partially pressing them into the opposite surface of the annular washer or the shoulder. As a result, the annular washer is held in the annular groove in a force-locking and form-fitting manner.

The invention provides a locknut having a nut body having a threaded portion with an internal thread, an adjacent perimetral shoulder and a collar surrounding the shoulder, and having a metal annular washer, the annular washer resting on the shoulder within the collar and the collar being bent inwardly to form an annular groove between the bent collar and the shoulder in which the annular washer is received. An internal thread corresponding to the internal thread of the threaded portion of the nut body is formed at the inner perimeter of the annular washer, and the internal thread of the annular washer is offset axially by a distance with respect to the internal thread of the nut body. For better fixing of the annular washer in the annular groove, a row of projections or recesses is formed on the shoulder or on the annular washer where the annular washer and the shoulder overlap, which projections or recesses project in the axial direction and are arranged distributed around the perimeter of the shoulder or the annular washer. The projections form bearing surfaces, lines or points for the annular washer on the shoulder when the annular washer is placed inside the collar on the shoulder of the nut body. When the collar is deformed to form the annular groove, an axial force is applied to the annular washer, partially deforming the projections or recesses and/or partially pressing them into the opposite surface of the annular washer or the shoulder. As a result, the annular washer is held in the annular groove in a force-locking and form-fitting manner.

A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

An enclosure for protecting electrical components, cables and the like. The enclosure has a plurality of faces which define a volume with an opening to provide access. One face has apertures for receiving fixing screws to fix the enclosure to a wall or surface. There is a lid to close the opening. Spacer members separate the enclosure from the surface. Each has a bore extending through it and a threaded portion extending from a surface of the face which engages the apertured face of the enclosure. For each spacer there is a cap for covering the aperture and sealing the apertured face. Also provided for each spacer is a retainer for threading onto the externally threaded portions when the spacer's threaded portion extend through the apertured face.

A bolt includes a main-bolt head, a threaded shaft, and a deformable-bolt head component. The main-bolt head has a recess. The threaded shaft extends from the main-bolt head. The threaded shaft has an external thread wrapped therearound. The deformable-bolt head component has an outer flange and an interior threaded bore. The outer flange of the deformable-bolt head component is coupled to the main-bolt head such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-bolt head component and the recess.

A bolt includes a main-bolt head, a threaded shaft, and a deformable-bolt head component. The main-bolt head has a recess. The threaded shaft extends from the main-bolt head. The threaded shaft has an external thread wrapped therearound. The deformable-bolt head component has an outer flange and an interior threaded bore. The outer flange of the deformable-bolt head component is coupled to the main-bolt head such that a relief space is formed between the deformable-bolt head component and the recess.

A method for releasably securing a sink strainer in a drain hole of a sink by providing a lock nut having a split defined by a pair of opposed surfaces and a locking system comprising a pair of opposed tabs attached to the outer surface of the lock nut with one tab on one side of the split having a threaded hole spaced perpendicularly with respect to the opposed surfaces for receiving a threaded fastener and a second tab attached to the outer surface of the lock nut on the opposite side of the split in opposed spaced relationship to the first tab. The second tab having a hole in axisymmetric spaced relationship to the threaded hole with a diameter of sufficient size to allow a threaded fastener to pass therethrough, and a threaded fastener positioned within the axisymmetric spaced hole and arranged to pass through the hole in the second tab and securely engage the threaded hole in the first tab. When engaged, the threaded fastener holds the opposed surfaces in mating relationship during normal use, and when removed, provide for the lock nut to release from its position in response to application of an external force.

In one aspect, a lock nut is provided that includes a washer, a threaded body, and an actuator that are distinct from one another. The washer is configured to form a non-rotatable connection with a vehicle spindle. The threaded body has threads to engage threads of the vehicle spindle. The actuator has a rotary drive structure and is configured to be turned in a tightening direction to cause turning of the threaded body in the tightening direction relative to the washer. The lock nut includes a lock operably coupled to the actuator and configured to inhibit turning of the threaded body in a loosening direction relative to the washer. The actuator is configured to be turned relative to the threaded body in the loosening direction to disengage the lock and permit turning of the threaded body in the loosening direction relative to the washer.