Wedge shaped lock washer construction and assembly

Abstract

A washer and fastening system for adjustably positioning and rigidly locking a first member relative to a second member, with one of the members having an aperture therein for receiving a fastener adapted to extend through the washer, with the members being provided with planar surfaces of engagement permitting adjustment relative to each other along a common plane and being normally subjected to external forces tending to shift them relative to each other in one direction. The washer includes a body element having an elongated slot for the fastener with oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate the ends, with the surfaces inclined relative to each other, such that one of the surfaces is adapted to engage one of the members in abutting relationship thereto and the other surface is inclined relative thereto, and means for permitting removable positional securement of the body element relative to the aperture in one of the members is provided. The inclined surfaces of the body element are brought into wedging engagement between the member and an enlarged outer end of the fastener as the external forces are applied in order to positively lock the members together.