In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.

A fastener for retaining a bolt in a hole in a structure, comprising a bushing integrally formed with and extending from the bottom surface of a retainer, the bushing being dimensioned for insertion into the hole in the structure and having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.030 inches, wherein the bushing is configured to be expanded within the hole, thereby securely coupling the expanded bushing within the hole of the structure and anchoring the retainer to the surface of the structure surrounding the hole. A tool for installing a fastener, comprising a tapered mandrel configured for insertion within a fastener situated within a hole of the structure, a drive mechanism configured to retract the mandrel through the fastener and thereby expand the fastener, and a force sensor configured for measuring a force applied by the drive mechanism to retract the mandrel through the fastener.

A locking fastener includes a thermoplastic fastener body, a locking coil, and a support collar. The fastener body defines a cylindrical cavity and a radially extending slot communicating with the cavity. The support collar has an arcuate portion and first and second tabs extending radially outward from the arcuate portion. The support collar is disposed within the fastener body with the arcuate portion adjacent the cavity wall and the tabs extending into the slot. The locking coil has a helical portion and first and second tangs extending radially outward from the helical portion. The helical portion of the locking coil is positioned within the support collar, and the first and second tangs extend into the slot and between the first and second tabs.

The present invention relates to an anti-loosening bolt coupled to a bolt and a spring and, more specifically, to an anti-loosening bolt which can: prevent the bolt from being unintentionally loosened by a rotating object or by continuous long-time or momentary vibration; be fixed on a wall; be combined with a nut; prevent a periodic shaking phenomenon; and be reused.

In order to optimize a nut and a method for the production of a nut, comprising a nut body which is provided or can be provided with an internal thread and has a polygonal section with a polygonal outer contour which has, on the one hand, edge areas and, on the other hand, key faces which are located between the edge areas and extend in key face planes extending in a manner conforming to standards, in such a manner that it has mechanical properties which are as ideal as possible with as low a weight as possible, it is suggested that the nut body have a plurality of recesses which extend into the nut body in the direction of the bore proceeding from the respective key face planes.

In order to optimize a nut and a method for the production of a nut, comprising a nut body which is provided or can be provided with an internal thread and has a polygonal section with a polygonal outer contour which has, on the one hand, edge areas and, on the other hand, key faces which are located between the edge areas and extend in key face planes extending in a manner conforming to standards, in such a manner that it has mechanical properties which are as ideal as possible with as low a weight as possible, it is suggested that the nut body have a plurality of recesses which extend into the nut body in the direction of the bore proceeding from the respective key face planes.

A hub lock nut assembly for retaining a vehicle wheel hub in position. The hub lock nut assembly comprises a hub lock nut and a mating component. The hub lock nut comprises a circumferential inner wall defining a central hole, the inner wall having a threaded portion separated into a first section and a second section by an annular groove, thereby configuring the second section as a resilient portion arranged to flex with respect to the first section in an axial direction. The mating component comprises an inner wall defining a central hole extending in the axial direction, an annular end surface, and a protrusion on the annular end surface. The protrusion is configured to exert a force on the second section of the hub lock nut threaded portion, in the axial direction, when in the mated position, thereby retaining the vehicle wheel hub in position.

A hub lock nut assembly for retaining a vehicle wheel hub in position. The hub lock nut assembly comprises a hub lock nut and a mating component. The hub lock nut comprises a circumferential inner wall defining a central hole, the inner wall having a threaded portion separated into a first section and a second section by an annular groove, thereby configuring the second section as a resilient portion arranged to flex with respect to the first section in an axial direction. The mating component comprises an inner wall defining a central hole extending in the axial direction, an annular end surface, and a protrusion on the annular end surface. The protrusion is configured to exert a force on the second section of the hub lock nut threaded portion, in the axial direction, when in the mated position, thereby retaining the vehicle wheel hub in position.

A hub lock nut assembly for retaining a vehicle wheel hub in position. The hub lock nut assembly comprising a hub lock nut and a mating component with which the hub lock nut is arranged to be mated in a mated position. The hub lock nut comprises a circumferential inner wall defining a central hole, the inner wall having a threaded portion. One of the hub lock nut or the mating component comprises at least one resilient portion adapted to be movable in a radial direction outwardly of the central hole when subjected to an external force provided by the other of the mating component or the hub lock nut. The at least one resilient portion having an engagement area for receiving said external force, wherein the engagement area is located radially outwardly of the threaded portion.