The locking nut and bolt system utilizes a bolt with thread having a plurality
of notches generally longitudinally spaced in a predetermined pattern. Each notch
has a lock face and an opposing slope. The locking unit carries one or more tines.
The tine has a distal tine end adapted to latch onto the lock face of the notch
on the bolt and, when the distal tine end is not disposed in one or more notches,
the tine end moves on the bolt thread crest. When the distal tine end is in the
notch or notches, the lock face of the notch prevents counter-rotational movement
of the bolt with respect to the nut when the distal tine end abuts the lock face.
The locking unit supports the tine and may be cylindrical, rectangular or on a
perpendicular support face normal to a radial plane through the axial centerline
of the nut thread. The locking unit may be on a nut insert or may be carried on
the leg of a U, J or S-shaped clip. The locking unit may be recessed as a blind hole.
