Importance

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Abstract

An improved fastener assembly may be used to mount a vehicle wheel on a hub. The fastener assembly includes a nut which is rotatable relative to a washer to enable the fastener assembly to be tightened without marring the wheel. The washer has an annular collar which is loosely connected with the nut by a retainer section which extends from one axial end portion of the nut. The nut and washer collar have abutting annular load transmitting surface areas. The washer also has an annular load transmitting and indicating section which extends radially outwardly from the collar. The load transmitting and indicating section includes a bearing section and a spring section. The spring section flares radially and axially outwardly from the bearing section. When the fastener assembly is tightened with a predetermined preload, the spring section is flattened to provide a visual indication that the desired preload has been applied. Flattening the spring section maximizes the surface area for transmitting the preload to the wheel. The resiliently deflectable spring section may be provided with undulations which are also flattened by the desired preload. In order to minimize the axial extent of the fastener assembly, an inner end surface of the nut is disposed radially inwardly of the top and bottom surfaces of the bearing and spring sections when the fastener assembly is tightened.

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First Claim