Speed nut
Encyclopedia
A speed nut, also known as a sheet metal nut, is a type of locknut
with two sheet metal
prongs that act as one thread
. They are made from spring steel
. The fastener serves the functions of both a lock washer and a nut
. As the fastener is tightened in the nut the prongs are drawn inward until they exert pressure on the root of the thread on the fastener. When the fastener is tightened, the base of the nut, which is arched, elastically deforms and applies a force to the fastener, which locks it from loosening under vibrations.
There are many different types of speed nuts, mostly dependent on the shape of the nut, how it attaches to the workpiece, and what type of screw can be used. Most types are designed for either machine screws or sheet metal screws. Some nuts do not attach to the workpiece. These are usually shaped as either a rectangle, a flange nut
, or a hex nut; the rectangular speed nut is also known as a flat-style speed nut. Speed nuts that attach to the workpiece usually are some form of a J-nut or U-nut.
The speed nut was invented by Albert H. Tinnerman, son of George Tinnerman (who founded Tinnerman Stove Company), in 1936. This is why speed nuts are sometimes known as Tinnerman nuts. Albert invented the nut to resolve issues with stove shipping. The invention was so successful it led the company away from building stoves to building fasteners.
Tinnerman Products evolved from the speed nut development with manufacturing plants in Cleveland, Ohio. A modern manufacturing plant was constructed on Brookpark Road in the mid 1950's. Tinnerman Products was later acquired by Eaton Yale & Towne (Eaton Corporation).
Locknut
A locknut, also known as a lock nut, locking nut, prevailing torque nut, stiff nut or elastic stop nut, is a nut that resists loosening under vibrations and torque. Elastic stop nuts and prevailing torque nuts are of the particular type where some portion of the nut deforms elastically to provide a...
with two sheet metal
Sheet metal
Sheet metal is simply metal formed into thin and flat pieces. It is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and can be cut and bent into a variety of different shapes. Countless everyday objects are constructed of the material...
prongs that act as one thread
Screw thread
A screw thread, often shortened to thread, is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. A screw thread is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread...
. They are made from spring steel
Spring steel
Spring steel is a low alloy, medium carbon steel or high carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting.-Grades:...
. The fastener serves the functions of both a lock washer and a nut
Nut (hardware)
A nut is a type of hardware fastener with a threaded hole. Nuts are almost always used opposite a mating bolt to fasten a stack of parts together. The two partners are kept together by a combination of their threads' friction, a slight stretch of the bolt, and compression of the parts...
. As the fastener is tightened in the nut the prongs are drawn inward until they exert pressure on the root of the thread on the fastener. When the fastener is tightened, the base of the nut, which is arched, elastically deforms and applies a force to the fastener, which locks it from loosening under vibrations.
There are many different types of speed nuts, mostly dependent on the shape of the nut, how it attaches to the workpiece, and what type of screw can be used. Most types are designed for either machine screws or sheet metal screws. Some nuts do not attach to the workpiece. These are usually shaped as either a rectangle, a flange nut
Flange nut
A flange nut has a wide flange at one end that acts as an integrated, non-spinning washer. This serves to distribute the pressure of the nut over the part being secured, reducing the chance of damage to the part and making it less likely to loosen as a result of an uneven fastening surface.MATERIAL...
, or a hex nut; the rectangular speed nut is also known as a flat-style speed nut. Speed nuts that attach to the workpiece usually are some form of a J-nut or U-nut.
The speed nut was invented by Albert H. Tinnerman, son of George Tinnerman (who founded Tinnerman Stove Company), in 1936. This is why speed nuts are sometimes known as Tinnerman nuts. Albert invented the nut to resolve issues with stove shipping. The invention was so successful it led the company away from building stoves to building fasteners.
Tinnerman Products evolved from the speed nut development with manufacturing plants in Cleveland, Ohio. A modern manufacturing plant was constructed on Brookpark Road in the mid 1950's. Tinnerman Products was later acquired by Eaton Yale & Towne (Eaton Corporation).