Inventors:
Stephan C. Hobson - Buffalo Grove IL
Kerry E. Stokes - Naperville IL
Assignee:
Image Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL
International Classification:
F16B 4100
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a lug nut which has two separable portions connected by a frangible neck, wherein a first portion engages the threads of the stud, and a second portion provides a surface adapted to engage a wrench so that the lug nut may be driven into the stud. When the stud-engaging first portion has been threaded onto the stud and sufficiently tightened, continued application of torque cause the frangible, wrench-engaging second portion to shear off from the stud-engaging first portion. The stud engaging portion has an annular notch which is adapted to engage a snap ring located in the wrench-engaging portion. After the wrench-engaging portion is severed from the stud-engaging portion, the wrench-engaging portion is then reversed and positioned onto the stud-engaging portion. When so positioned, the snap ring engages the notch, which rotatably secures the wrench-engaging portion to the stud engaging portion. The wrench-engaging portion, thus acts as a cover or shroud for the stud-engaging portion, and being rotatable provides a tamper-proof cover for the stud-engaging portion.