Probe locking washer

Abstract

A probe locking washer ( ) for substantially preventing unwanted loosening of a probe mounted on a receiver unit of an animal training device in which the receiver unit is mounted on an animal collar. The probe locking washer ( ) of the present invention includes a disk member ( ) having an upper surface ( ) and a lower surface ( ) and a centrally disposed hole member ( ) which allows the probe locking washer ( ) to be mounted on the mounting post ( ). The probe locking washer ( ) also includes a countersink member ( ) disposed in the lower surface ( ) of the disk member ( ) and which includes a plurality of internal radial spline teeth ( ) for providing radial resistance to any untightening force caused by vibration or other untightening force. Additionally, the upper surface ( ) of the disk member ( ) carries a raised rib ( ) that is configured so as to surround and register with the external shape of the probe ( ) thus engaging the probe ( ) in a manner that substantially prevents rotation of the probe ( ) within the rib ( ). Thus, the rib ( ) locks the probe ( ) to the probe locking washer ( ) and radial spline teeth ( ), which are disposed in the countersink member ( ), substantially lock the probe locking washer ( ) to the mounting post ( ) on which the probe is secured. In this manner, unwanted rotation of the probe is substantially prevented.