BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is common in many applications to secure objects using threaded fasteners such as a nut and bolt combination where both the nut and bolt have cooperating threads. The nut is secured onto the bolt by the use of a suitable tool such as a wrench. The use of a nut and bolt combination provides a very secure attachment of objects, however, since the same commonly available tool is typically used to remove the nut, it is not possible to prevent unwanted removal. For this reason, various devices known as tamper- proof fasteners have been suggested which offer an element of security against unwanted removal. A key feature commonly incorporated into the design of such tamper-proof fasteners is a smooth outer surface, which makes it difficult to grasp with commonly available tools such as wrenches. A further key feature of tamper-proof fasteners is to design such fasteners to require a special key for tightening and releasing the fastener. Examples of such tamper resistant fasteners are given in the applicant's previous US patent 5,863,166 and other US patents including 5,199,838,5,033,501 4,674,306,4,302,137,4,125,051, 4,018,011,3,134,292 and UK patent application number 2,095,356.

Applicant's previous US patent 5,863,166 describes a device for attaching bicycle components to the bicycle frame. The device comprises a threaded bolt with a corresponding nut having a rotatable casing surrounding the

outer surface and a key for engaging the nut. The key and the end face of the nut have at least one spigot and at least one hole such that the spigots of each fit in the holes of the other.

US patent 5,199,838 teaches a nut for a threaded bolt, which has a spherical top surface and cylindrical sides.

The nut is provided with a plurality of apertures into which fit complementary pins on a specially designed key.

In this manner, only the uniquely complementary key can be used to turn the nut. Although such design makes removal difficult, it is still possible to rotate the nut using other tools such as needle nose pliers etc.

US patent 5,033,501 relates to fire hydrant caps and ring shaped actuating tools for placement around the outside of the cap. Tool engaging surfaces are provided on the domed surface of the cap. The tool engaging surfaces are engaged by corresponding actuating surfaces on the inside of an internal opening in the tool to tighten or untighten the cap.

US patent 4,674,306 describes a vehicle and assembly locking and wrenching apparatus where the vehicle lock is provided with the key for the tamperproof fastener. The tamperproof fastener is provided by a nut having an incised front face and arcuate sides parallel to the face surrounded by a cylindrical annular ring to prevent the gripping and turning of the nut.

US patent 4,302,137 teaches a nut provided with a plurality of apertures. As before, a specially designed key with complementary pins is used to turn the nut. As a further security measure, this device is provided with a rotating collar, which makes it difficult to grasp the nut with common tools. A design of this type is complicated thereby adding to the manufacturing cost. Further, it is

prone to the same type of tampering as in the'838 patent discussed above.

US patent 4,125,051 teaches a tamperproof fastener including a threaded shank and a head, which has a smooth circular side surface and a flat top surface. The top surface of the head is provided with a plurality of radially extending flanges, which cooperate with complementary flanges on a specific key. In one embodiment, the'051 device allows for a removable fastener but it is indicated that reverse rotation of the fastener is not as efficient as the engagement direction. Thus, if the fastener is engaged too tightly, removal may not be possible.

US patent 4,018,111 teaches a fastener having an axially extending threaded shank and a head having a smooth circular sidewall. The head also has a flat top surface with an offset aperture for receiving a complementary pin on a special key. The fastener is associated with a circular washer having a smooth frustoconical sidewall, which extends over the head thereby forming a smooth outer surface when the fastener is secured. This type of arrangement prevents tampering with a wrench, screwdriver or other such tool.

US patent 3,134,292 describes an irretrievable screw.

Abutment surfaces on the head of the screw permit the screw to be driven in one direction. But once the screw has been driven into position it is impossible to withdraw it.

UK Patent Application teaches an antitheft device having a bolt with a cylindrical head surrounded by a rotatable cylindrical shell. The bolt head is provided with holes in a given pattern and the complementary key has extending pins in the same pattern as the holes and a hexagonal head capable of being engaged by a wrench. Once again, this design is expensive to manufacture

While a number of tamperproof fasteners have been developed, there still remains a need for a tamper resistant fastener or nut, which overcomes the deficiencies of the known devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a tamper resistant fastener which can only be rotated with a specific key. The fastener includes a head for rotation about a vertical axis. The head is provided with the least two cutouts in the head of the fastener spaced away from the vertical axis, the cutouts having a discontinuous sidewall. The side wall of each of the cutouts has a first generally vertical engaging surface for engagement by a mating member on a specific key for clockwise rotation of the head about the vertical axis and a second generally vertical engaging surface for engagement by the mating member on the specific key for counter clockwise rotation of the head about vertical axis. The side wall of the cutout is interrupted adjacent the second engaging surface to prevent engagement by a tool other than the specific key and thereby prevent rotation of the fastener in a counter clockwise direction by a tool other than the specific key.

In an aspect of the invention, the head has an upper convex surface extending to a bottom surface.

In another aspect of the invention, the head is provided with three cutouts spaced around the periphery of the head.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the cutouts have a generally circular mating member receiving recess, the discontinuous side wall being formed by removing material form the head adjacent the second generally

vertical surface and the mating members of the key are generally circular pins extending downwardly for the lower surface.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides for a tamper resistant fastening system comprising a tamper proof fastener for attaching objects, the tamper proof fastener having a head for rotation about a vertical axis, and a specific key for rotating the fastener. The head of the fastener is provided with at least two cutouts spaced away from the vertical axis, the cutouts having a discontinuous sidewall. The side wall of each of the cutouts has a first generally vertical engaging surface for engagement by a mating member on the specific key for clockwise rotation of the head about the vertical axis and a second generally vertical engaging surface for engagement by the mating member on the specific key for counter clockwise rotation of the head about vertical axis. The side wall of the cutout is interrupted adjacent the second engaging surface to prevent engagement by a tool other than the specific key and thereby prevent rotation of the fastener in a counter clockwise direction by a tool other than the specific key.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a tamper-proof fastener according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the nut of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the nut of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side cross sectional elevation of the nut of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a key for the nut of Figure 1 according to one embodiment; Figure 6 is a top plan view of the key of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is side elevation view in cross section of the key of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a key and lever assembly using the key of Figure 5; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the key and lever assembly of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tamper proof fastener according to the present invention for use with a bicycle seat assembly; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the fastener of Figure 1 being used to attach a wheel hub assembly of a bicycle; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the fastener of Figure 11 being used in a bicycle seat assembly DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a tamper-proof fastener 10 in accordance with the present invention. The tamper proof fastener 10 includes a nut 12 and a suitable bolt 14 or other such threaded shaft. The nut 12 is provided with a top surface 16, which is not easily gripable, by ordinary tools such as wrenches or pliers. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the top surface 16 has a smooth generally spherical cross section although as described below, other shaping to the top surface is possible. The nut preferably has no side walls with the top surface 16 extending downward to meet a bottom surface 18. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the bottom surface 18 is preferably provided with a gripping surface such as a plurality of ridges or teeth 20. The nut 12 is also provided with a central bore 22 extending axially through the nut. In the preferred embodiment, the bore 22 is threaded so as to cooperate with the similarly threaded bolt 14 or shaft. The nut top surface 16 also includes a plurality of cutouts 24, which in the preferred embodiment illustrated, are three cutouts 24, extending axially through the nut 12 although not necessarily completely

therethrough. Cutouts 24 are not threaded and are adapted to receive a mating member, preferably in the form of a pin, extending from a key as will be discussed below.

As illustrated in figures 2 to 4 the cutouts 24 preferably have a circular shaped head 26 with a discontinuous sidewall 25 although shapes other than circular may be used as will be described below. The discontinuous sidewall 25 is preferably provided by removing a portion of the sidewall of the circular shaped head 26 and the material of the top surface 16 of the fastener adjacent the circular shaped head 26 to form an extending tail 28 to provide a mating member or pin receiving recess 27 and give the cutout 24 the appearance of an eyebrow or reverse comma. The material removed from the circular shaped head 26 is part of the sidewall which will interact with the mating member on a key during counter clockwise rotation of the fastener. As will be explained in further detail below, the portion of the sidewall opposite the extending tail 28 provides the first generally vertical engaging surface 23 for interaction with the mating member of the key for clockwise rotation of the fastener. The portion of the sidewall adjacent the inside wall of the extending tail 28 provides the second generally vertical engaging surface 29 for interaction with the mating member on the key for counterclockwise rotation of the fastener. By removing part of the sidewall which would generally interact with the mating member during- counterclockwise rotation, there remains sufficient sidewall to interact with the mating member of the key, but not enough of the sidewall to permit a mismatched tool such as a needle nose pliers to apply sufficient torquing force to enable removal of the fastener.

Figures 2 to 4 also illustrate the relative locations of the cutouts 24 and the central bore 22 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As will be explained below, a large number of variations in size and relative

positioning of the cutouts 24 are envisioned as embodiments of the invention. Such variability provides a further security feature to the invention. The cutouts 24 are located radially away from the central bore 22 on the top surface 16 of the nut 12 preferably in positions such that no two of the cutouts 24 align with the central bore 22.

In this way, should one attempt to remove the fastener by using, for example, needle nose pliers, the force is applied off center and not in a manner to allow for easy removal.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a key 30 for use with the nut 12. The key 30 includes a nut engaging portion 32 and a handle engaging portion 34. The nut engaging portion 32, as shown in Figure 7, is contoured concavely to match the shape of the top surface 16 of the nut 12 so as to fit thereover. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the nut engaging portion 32 would reflect the generally spherical top surface 16 of the nut 12. As best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the key 30 includes a number of mating members to match the number of cutouts 24 in the head of the fastener. In the preferred embodiment illustrated where the cutouts 24 have a circular head 26, the mating members are provided by a number of pins 36 to match the number of cutouts 24 in the nut 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the key 30 has three pins 36, each of which engages a cutout 24 of the nut 12. The key 30 also includes a central opening 38 which allows any portion of the bolt 14 that may pass through the nut 12 to extend therethrough so that proper engagement of the nut 12 may be attained.

The handle engaging portion 34 includes two opposing flanges, 42 and 44, which include openings 46 and 48, respectively. Openings 46 and 48 serve as hinge points for a handle 50 as shown in Figure 9. The handle 50 comprises a leverage arm 52 having a hinge portion 54. Hinge portion 54 preferably includes a pair of axial extensions 56 and 58 having, respectively, openings 60 and 62. In order to

attach the handle 50 to the key 30, a pair of pins 64 and 66 are extended through each of the openings on the key and the handle. In this manner, one pin 64 is extended through openings 46 and 60 while the other pin 66 is extended through openings 48 and 62. Such an arrangement allows the handle 50 to pivot about the pins 64 and 66 and provides sufficient leverage to turn the key 30 when it engages the nut 12. Additional leverage may be obtained by providing a telescoping feature to the handle. By telescoping the handle the key is made smaller when not in use.

Figure 10 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention being another combination of a nut 12 and a bolt 14 adapted to attach a seat post to a bicycle. The bolt 14 includes an at least partially threaded portion, which engages a similarly threaded central bore 22 of the nut 12. The fastener of this embodiment includes an adapter 68 to adapt the generally flat bottom surface of the nut to the rounded surface of the seat post. The adapter 68, in addition to be used with the fastener of the present invention, is also usable in other applications requiring a flat surface of a fastener to be attached to a round or other non-flat surface. The adapter 68 has a flat lower surface for contact with the nut or other fastener and a concave top surface. Preferably, as illustrated in the figures, the top surface has a second concave portion at an angle to the first concave portion. In this way, the adapter is usable not only with simple rounded surfaces but also with surfaces that may be offset or of other shapes.

The operation of the nut 12 and key 30 combination will now be discussed. A nut 12 is threaded onto a bolt 14 or other such item where the nut 12 is to be secured. When the nut 12 is to be tightened, a key 30 specific to the cutouts 24 of the nut top surface 16 is placed thereover such that the pins 36 of the key 30 are inserted into the cutouts 24 of the nut 12. The extending tail 28 allows for

easier insertion of the key 30 onto the fastener 10 as is not necessary to properly align the pins 36 of the key 30 with the circular recesses 26. Rather the key 30 is rotated on the nut 12 in a clockwise manner such that the pins 36 ride along the tails 28 of the cutouts 24 until they enter the pin receiving circular recess 26. The interaction of the pins 36 and the first generally vertical engaging surface 23 of the circular pin receiving recess 26 join the key 30 and nut 12 so that any torsional force applied to the key 30 is transferred to the nut 12 thereby enabling rotation thereof. In a similar manner, when removal of the nut 12 is desired, the same key 30 is placed over the nut top surface 16 and turned first clockwise to seat the pins 36 in the pin receiving circular recesses 26.

An opposite rotational force is then applied to the key 30, which due to the interaction of the pin 36 and the second generally vertical engaging surface 29, rotates the nut 12.

The handle 50 is provided to increase the torque applied to the key 30 thereby assisting in the tightening or loosening of the nut 12.

As will be understood, the specificity of the key and nut combination is achieved in part by the spatial arrangement of the cutouts 24 on the nut top surface 16.

Such arrangement is correlated to the arrangement of the pins 36 of the key 30. For example, with three cutouts 24 evenly spaced around the nut 12, there will be 120° between any two adjacent cutouts 24. The spacing between the cutouts 24 may be varied to provide for unique combinations so that the same key will not fit all nuts.. The spacing between the cutouts 24 can be varied over a broad range so long as preferably no two of the cutouts 24 align with the central opening 22. Preferably, for three cutouts 24, the spacing between the cutouts 24 varies between about 100° and 140°, more preferably between about 105° and 135°. By maintaining close manufacturing tolerances as little as a five degree variation in the spacing may be sufficient.

The variation in the spacing prevents a key 30, which does

not have the complementary spacing of the mating members from being utilized to remove the nut 12. The mismatched mating members will not be able to properly enter into and engage the recesses of the cutouts 24 and thus will not be able to exert enough force to remove the nut 12. Rather, the mating members will ride along the extending tail 28 and the key 30 will disengage from the nut 12.

Further, in other embodiments, a plurality of cutouts 24 such as four or five may be provided. Additionally, the shaping of the cutouts 24 and mating members may be varied to give even more combinations. Some of the possible variations in shaping include D-shaped, elliptical, triangular, etc, as well as many others. As can be seen, a multitude of arrangements are possible thereby resulting in a unique nut and key combination. In the result, only the specific key can be used on a given nut thereby preventing any tampering or unwanted removal.

As discussed above, the preferred embodiment of the nut 12 as illustrated in the figures has a partially spherical surface. However, it will be appreciated that any smooth inclined surface is also possible. The feature of the nut surface is that it does not have any horizontal surfaces perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the nut.

Such a design thereby prevents any turning of the nut with conventional wrenches etc. For example, the nut may have a pyramidal or frustoconical structure and may, in plan view, also be elliptical or parabolic.

As illustrated in the Figures, the nut 12 of the invention may also have a bottom surface 18, which includes a plurality of teeth 20 which provide a gripping surface for the part against which the nut is tightened. Such teeth 20 provide an additional force against any torque applied to the nut in a loosening direction. In such manner, the teeth 20 make it more difficult to remove the nut without the respective key.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the mating members 36 of the key 30 bear the torquing force when the nut 30 is being tightened or loosened. As such, the dimensions and material of the key 30 is selected to accommodate such forces. For example, in one embodiment, a nut 12, as illustrated in Figure 1, would have an overall diameter of approximately 0.8", a central bore with a diameter of approximately 0.2" and a height of approximately 0.213". In such case, the circular pin receiving recesses 26 of the cutouts 24 of the nut 12 would have a diameter of approximately 0.125". The pins 36 of the respective key 30 would therefore be of a similar diameter.

The above dimensions apply for a nut 12 and key 30 made of 316 stainless steel.

The above discussion was focused on a nut 12 and threaded bolt 14 combination wherein the nut 12 is separate from the bolt 14. However, in other embodiments, it is possible for the nut 12 to be attached to the bolt 14 to form a fastener. Further, the fastener can be in the form of a screw with the head having the shape and arrangement as the nut 12 described above.

The nut 12 and key 30 of the present invention can be made from a variety of materials depending upon the tensile strength required. For example, the nut and key can be made from stainless steel, aluminum, zinc alloys or any other known materials.

The invention will now be described by means of specific examples wherein the nut and key combination can be used.

Example 1: Bicycle Axle As mentioned above, one application of the present invention is in securing the wheels of a bicycle to the

frame. In the usual case, hexagonal bolts are used to secure the bicycle wheel to the forks on the frame. The bolts are tightened onto to a threaded axle using a wrench or other similar tool. The axle may have a 24", 26", or 28"thread as known in the art. The problem inherent in this arrangement is that the nut is removed using the same commonly available wrench. In the result, anyone is able to remove the nut and, therefore, the wheel. The present invention serves to prevent such event by providing a nut which can only be removed by a specific key held by the owner. Further, the smooth top surface 12 of the nut prevents it from being grasped by a tool such as a wrench etc.

In one embodiment both sides of the bicycle axle would have a nut as taught herein. In another embodiment, the axle 70 can be as illustrated with one end having a smooth flange 72 which cannot be rotated with a tool and the opposite end having a threaded portion as usual. The threaded portion can then be inserted through the frame 74 and wheel 76. The exposed threaded portion can then be secured with a nut 12 as taught herein.

Example 2: Bicycle Seat In a similar manner, it is possible to secure a bicycle seat to the frame. In this case a bolt 14 as illustrated in Figures 10 and 12 would extend through a clamp 80 on the bicycle frame 82 and be secured with a nut 12 of the present invention. As shown, the bolt 14 comprises a shaft including a head at one end and a threaded portion on an opposite end. The nut 12 is threaded onto the threaded portion and tightened with the respective key 30 thereby securing the seat to the bicycle frame.

Example 3: Bicycle Handlebars Bicycle handlebars are secured to the frame by means of a long threaded bolt with a fixed head adapted to be rotated by a wrench or Allen key. In one embodiment of the present invention, the head of the handlebar bolt can be replaced with one having the surface as in the nut taught herein. In this way, only the specific key can be used to remove the handlebars.

Example 4: Other Fasteners/Locks In other embodiments, the present invention can be fixed onto any device where a locking mechanism is used such as in vending machines, automobile tires, racks, luggage, the access plates for appliances such as TV's washers dryers etc), safety guards over belts and gears to prevent their removal, strong boxes or locks for recreational vehicles or equipment including motorcycles, snowmobiles, jetskis, snow boards, skis etc. On a U-Lock for bicycles, for example, the present invention can be used in place of a traditional key to activate the locking mechanism. In other cases, the nut can be placed on the exterior of the lock or box and the specific key used to turn same. In this manner, the nut of the present invention can be used on bicycle locks or bicycle racks etc.

Further, the nut of the invention can be used on computers or safes etc. where tamper resistant locking is required.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.