FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A torque indicating washer element
APPLICANTS (S)
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company
INVENTOR (S)
Pandya Ankit and Upadhyay Amarendra; both of Crompton Greaves Limited, Machine (M7) Division, Industrial Area, MPAKVN, Mandideep - 462046, Madhya Pradesh, India; both Indian Nationals.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to the field of mechanical engineering and mechanical assemblies.
Particularly, this invention relates to washer assemblies for mechanical parts.
Specifically, this invention relates to a torque indicating washer element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
A variety of machine and equipment require the use of washer elements. Typically, the use of washer is in conjunction with a fastening or locking element such as a nut or a bolt or a screw or the like.
A washer is a thin plate (typically disk-shaped) with a hole (typically in the middle) that is normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a screw or nut. Other uses are as a spacer, spring (belleville washer, wave washer), wear pad, preload indicating device, locking device, and to reduce vibration (rubber washer). Washers usually have an outer diameter (OD) about twice the length of their inner diameter (ID).
Washers are usually metal or plastic. High quality bolted joints require hardened steel washers to prevent the loss of pre-load due to Brinelling after the torque is applied.

Rubber or fiber gaskets used in taps (or faucets, or valves) to stop the flow of water are sometimes referred to colloquially as washers; but, while they may look similar, washers and gaskets are usually designed for different functions and made differently.
Washers are also important for preventing galvanic corrosion, particularly by insulating steel screws from aluminum surfaces.
Washers can be categorised into three types; plain washers, which spread a load, and prevent damage to the surface being fixed, or provide some sort of insulation such as electrical; spring washers, which have axial flexibility and are used to prevent fastening loosening due to vibrations; and locking washers which prevent fastening loosening by preventing unscrewing rotation of the fastening device; locking washers are usually also spring washers. The term washer is also often used for disc shaped devices used as grommets.
All types of bolts require a specific amount of torque to be applied, to have an efficient and effective operation for a long and safe life. However, there is no way of indicating whether the torque applied for fastening the fastening element coupled with a washer is enough or not.
Hence, there is a need for a torque indicating washer element.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a torque indicating washer element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torque indicating washer element which prevents additional torque application beyond a specific degree of force.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a torque indicating washer element which is fail-proof.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a safe torque indicating washer element.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a torque indicating washer element which is fast and efficient to use.
Another additional object of this invention is to provide washer elements which eliminate the need of torque wrenches for the tightening of the bolts/
Yet another additional object of this invention is to provide washer elements which can be also tightened with normal wrenches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a torque indicating washer element comprising a disk element with a central hole, characterized in that, said disk element being provided with a co-axial frusto-conical substratum having a first operative horizontal face in connection with the underside of said disk element and a second operative horizontal face being the base of the torque indicating washer element.

Typically, said frusto-conical substratum is of pre-defined dimensions.
Typically, said frusto-conical substratum includes a snap clip such that it snaps or ruptures upon application of load or torque to the torque indicating washer element, beyond a pre-determined force or degree of angular displacement, thereby preventing its further angular displacement with the dimensions of said frusto-conical substratum or the rupture quotient of the snap clip being selected, during manufacturing, depending upon the use of said washer element.
Typically, said disk element is a circular disk element.
Alternatively, said disk element is a polygonal disk element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a torque indicating washer element (100) with a disk-shaped washer element.
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section of a first embodiment of a torque indicating washer element (100) with a disk-shaped washer element.
Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of a first embodiment of a torque indicating washer element (200) with a polygonal-shaped washer element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a torque indicating washer element.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a torque indicating washer element (100) with a
disk-shaped washer element.
Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section of a first embodiment of a torque indicating
washer element (100) with a disk-shaped washer element.
Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of a first embodiment of a torque indicating
washer element (200) with a polygonal-shaped washer element.
A washer element (depicted by reference numeral 22) is a thin plate (typically disk-shaped) with a hole (typically in the middle) that is normally used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener, such as a screw or nut. Torque is applied to the fastener. This torque is applied through a torque wrench.
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a co-axial frusto-conical substratum (24) having a first operative horizontal face in connection with the underside of the washer element. Its second operative horizontal face is the base of the torque indicating washer element. This frusto-conical substratum (24) is of pre-defined dimensions and includes a snap clip such that it snaps or ruptures upon application of load or torque to the torque indicating washer element, beyond a pre-determined force or degree of angular displacement, thereby preventing its further angular displacement.
The dimensions of the frusto-conical substratum or the rupture quotient of the snap clip can be selected, during manufacturing, depending upon the use of the washer element.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments of the present invention for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We claim,
1. A torque indicating washer element comprising a disk element with a central hole, characterized in that, said disk element being provided with a co-axial frusto-conical substratum having a first operative horizontal face in connection with the underside of said disk element and a second operative horizontal face being the base of the torque indicating washer element.
2. A torque indicating washer element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frusto-conical substratum is of pre-defined dimensions.
3. A torque indicating washer element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frusto-conical substratum includes a snap clip such that it snaps or ruptures upon application of load or torque to the torque indicating washer element, beyond a pre-determined force or degree of angular displacement, thereby preventing its further angular displacement with the dimensions of said frusto-conical substratum or the rupture quotient of the snap clip being selected, during manufacturing, depending upon the use of said washer element.
4. A torque indicating washer element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disk element is a circular disk element.
5. A torque indicating washer element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disk element is a polygonal disk element.