US3756640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Handwheel security lock
Assignee: GEN AM TRANSPORT
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Filing: 1972-04-28
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A handwheel lock particularly designed for use with a hatch cover on a vessel such as a railroad tank car. The apparatus is used with a threaded bolt such as an eye-bolt and includes a handwheel assembly which surrounds a nut which is threadedly connected to the bolt. The handwheel includes a pair of spaced apart sets of ratchet teeth and the nut includes a detent arrangement. In one embodiment, a spring is used to bias the handwheel to a position in which the detent on the nut is in engagement with one set of ratchet teeth so that the handwheel can be turned to tighten the nut on the bolt. If the handwheel is turned in the other direction, it will merely ratchet on the nut and torque will not be transmitted to the nut. To loosen the nut, the handwheel must be lifted against the force of the spring so that the detent engages the other set of ratchet teeth to thereby permit the transfer of torque from the handwheel to the nut. In a modified form, springs are used to center a handwheel so that the detent is between a first and second set of ratchet teeth. In order to tighten the nut on the bolt, the handwheel must be pushed down and then rotated. In order to loosen the nut, the handwheel must be lifted and then turned. A simulated lock is positioned in the handwheel to give a visual impression that a key is required to loosen the handwheel.
Inventors
- 👤 E Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:49
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B41/00; F16B41/005; F16J; F16J13/00; F16J13/02; F16J13/06; F16J13/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/20; Y10T292/221; Y10T292/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch covEr closes an opening in the vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel and including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to said shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handle having a passage therein and surrounding said nut means; hollow cup means surrounding said nut means; means for securing said cup means to said handle to thereby form a hollow handwheel; means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for biasing said handwheel to a position in which said handwheel is free to rotate relative to said nut means and said bolt means in at least one direction; and torque transmitting means operatively associated with said nut means and said handwheel for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in at least one direction of rotation when a force is exerted on said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means to thereby move said handwheel relative to said nut means and torque is applied to said handwheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch covEr closes an opening in the vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel and including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to said shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handle having a passage therein and surrounding said nut means; hollow cup means surrounding said nut means; means for securing said cup means to said handle to thereby form a hollow handwheel; means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for biasing said handwheel to a position in which said handwheel is free to rotate relative to said nut means and said bolt means in at least one direction; and torque transmitting means operatively associated with said nut means and said handwheel for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in at least one direction of rotation when a force is exerted on said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means to thereby move said handwheel relative to said nut means and torque is applied to said handwheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A handwheel assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torque transmitting means includes ratchet teeth on the inside of said handwheel; and detent means on said nut means for engaging said ratchet when a force is applied to said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
152 words
A handwheel assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torque transmitting means includes a first set of ratchet teeth in the passage in said handle, a second set of ratchet teeth in said cup means spaced from said first set of ratchet teeth; detent means on said nut means for selectively engaging said first and second sets of ratchet teeth; said first set of ratchet teeth being shaped to permit torque to be transmitted from said handwheel to said nut means in one direction of rotation and prevent torque from being transmitted from said handwheel to said nut means in the other direction of rotation; and said second set of ratchet teeth being shaped to permit torque to be transmitted from said handwheel to said nut means in said other direction of rotation and prevent torque from being transmitted from said handwheel to said nut means in said one direction of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A handwheel assembly according to claim 3 wherein said nut means includes a shoulder and said cup means includes a flange; and said means for biasing said handwheel includes spring means between the shoulder of said nut means and the flange of said cup means for normally biasing said handwheel to a position wherein said detent means engages said second set of ratchet teeth whereby when a force is applied to said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said nut means and against the biasing force of said spring means, said handwheel moves so that said detent means engages said first set of ratchet teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handwheel assembly according to claim 4 further comprising simulated lock means mounted in said handle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
A handwheel assembly according to claim 3 wherein said passage in said handle defines a shoulder, said cup means includes a flange and said nut means includes a pair of shoulders; and said means for biasing said handwheel includes first spring means positioned between the flange of said cup means and one of the shoulders of said nut means, and second spring means positioned between the shoulder in the passage in the handle and the other shoulder of the nut means whereby said first and second spring means cooperate to position said handwheel so that said detent means is located between and out of engagement with said first and second ratchet teeth so that said handwheel is free to rotate in both directions and when a force is applied to said handwheel parallel to the longitudinal axis of tHe nut means in one direction, said handwheel moves so that said detent means engages said first set of ratchet teeth and when a force is applied to said handwheel parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means in the other direction, said handwheel moves so that said detent means engages said second set of ratchet teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
A security fastener assembly adapted to fit onto a threaded bolt comprising: nut means adapted to threadedly fit onto a threaded bolt; operative means having a passage therein and surrounding said nut means; hollow cup means surrounding the nut means; means for securing the cup means to said operative means to thereby form a hollow fastener; means operatively associated with said fastener and said nut means for biasing said fastener to a position in which said fastener is free to rotate relative to said nut means in at least one direction; and torque transmitting means operatively associated with said nut means and said fastener for transmitting torque from said fastener to said nut means in at least one direction of rotation when a force is exerted on said fastener in a direction parallel to said nut means to thereby move said fastener relative to said nut means and torque is applied to said fastener.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
A security fastener assembly adapted to fit onto a threaded bolt comprising: nut means adapted to threadedly fit onto a threaded bolt; operative means having a passage therein and surrounding said nut means; hollow cup means surrounding the nut means; means for securing the cup means to said operative means to thereby form a hollow fastener; means operatively associated with said fastener and said nut means for biasing said fastener to a position in which said fastener is free to rotate relative to said nut means in at least one direction; and torque transmitting means operatively associated with said nut means and said fastener for transmitting torque from said fastener to said nut means in at least one direction of rotation when a force is exerted on said fastener in a direction parallel to said nut means to thereby move said fastener relative to said nut means and torque is applied to said fastener.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A security fastener assembly according to claim 7 wherein said torque transmitting means includes ratchet teeth on the inside of said fastener; and detent means on said nut means for engaging said ratchet teeth when a force is applied to said fastener in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A security fastener assembly according to claim 7 wherein said torque transmitting means includes a first set of ratchet teeth in the passage in said operative means, a second set of ratchet teeth in said cup means spaced from said first set of ratchet teeth; detent means on said nut means for selectively engaging said first and second sets of ratchet teeth; said first set of ratchet teeth being shaped to permit torque to be transmitted from said fastener to said nut means in one direction of rotation and prevent torque from being transmitted from said fastener to said nut means in the other direction of rotation; and said second set of ratchet teeth being shaped to permit torque to be transmitted from said fastener to said nut means in said other direction of rotation and prevent torque from being transmitted from said fastener to said nut means in said one direction of rotation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
A security fastener according to claim 9 wherein said nut means includes a shoulder and said cup means includes a flange; and said means for biasing said fastener includes spring means between the shoulder of said nut means and the flange of said cup means for normally biasing said fastener to a position wherein said detent means engages said second set of ratchet teeth whereby when a force is applied to said fastener in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said nut means and against the biasing force of said spring means, said fastener moves so that said detent means engages said first set of ratchet teeth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
199 words
A security fastener according to claim 9 wherein said passage in said operative means defines a shoulder, said cup means includes a flange and said nut means includes a pair of shoulders; and said means for biasing said fastener includes first spring means positioned between the flange of said cup means and one of the shoulders of said nut means and second spring means positioned between the shoulder in the passage in the handle and the other shoulder of the nut means whereby said first and second spring means cooperate to position said fastener so that said detent means is located between and out of engagement with said first and second sets of ratchet teeth so that said fastener is free to rotate in both directions and when a force is applied to said fastener parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means in one direction, said fastener moves so that said detent means engages said fiRst set of ratchet teeth and when a force is applied to said fastener parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut means in the other direction, said fastener moves so that said detent means engages said second set of ratchet teeth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: threaded bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel; nut means threadedly engaging the bolt means and bearing against the lug means on the hatch cover; a handwheel operatively associated with the nut means; first ratchet means operatively associated with the handwheel and the nut means for transmitting torque from the handwheel to the nut means in a loosening direction upon engagement; second ratchet means operatively associated with the handwheel and the nut means for transmitting torque from the handwheel to the nut means in a tightening direction when engaged; and biasing means resisting engagement of the first ratchet means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: threaded bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel; nut means threadedly engaging the bolt means and bearing against the lug means on the hatch cover; a handwheel operatively associated with the nut means; first ratchet means operatively associated with the handwheel and the nut means for transmitting torque from the handwheel to the nut means in a loosening direction upon engagement; second ratchet means operatively associated with the handwheel and the nut means for transmitting torque from the handwheel to the nut means in a tightening direction when engaged; and biasing means resisting engagement of the first ratchet means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
205 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to the shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handwheel operatively associated with said nut means; means operatively associated with said handwheel for biasing said handwheel to a position in which said handwheel is free to rotate in a nut loosening direction; first ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut loosening direction; and second ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut tightening direction when a force is exerted on said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said nut means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
205 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to the shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handwheel operatively associated with said nut means; means operatively associated with said handwheel for biasing said handwheel to a position in which said handwheel is free to rotate in a nut loosening direction; first ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut loosening direction; and second ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut tightening direction when a force is exerted on said handwheel in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said nut means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
239 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to the shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handwheel operatively associated with the nut means; means operatively associated with the handwheel for biasing the handwheel to a position in which the handwheel is free to rotate relative to said nut means in both directions; first ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut loosening direction, when engaged; and second ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut tightening direction when engaged whereby when a force is applied to said handwheel in one direction parallel to said nut means, said first ratchet means is engaged and when a force is applied to said handwheel in the other direction parallel to said nut means, the second ratchet means is engaged.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
239 words
A handwheel assembly for releasably securing a hatch cover to a vessel in a position in which the hatch cover closes an opening in a vessel wherein the hatch cover includes lug means, the handwheel assembly comprising: bolt means pivotally connected to the vessel including a head and a threaded shank; nut means threadedly connected to the shank whereby the lug means on the hatch cover is positioned between the nut means and the head of the bolt means when the hatch cover is in a position in which the hatch cover closes the vessel opening; a handwheel operatively associated with the nut means; means operatively associated with the handwheel for biasing the handwheel to a position in which the handwheel is free to rotate relative to said nut means in both directions; first ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut loosening direction, when engaged; and second ratchet means operatively associated with said handwheel and said nut means for transmitting torque from said handwheel to said nut means in a nut tightening direction when engaged whereby when a force is applied to said handwheel in one direction parallel to said nut means, said first ratchet means is engaged and when a force is applied to said handwheel in the other direction parallel to said nut means, the second ratchet means is engaged.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |