Clip-on nut
Encyclopedia
A clip-on nut, also known as a sheet metal nut or a speed nut (but this is ambiguous, see speed nut
), is a type of nut
designed to be clipped to sheet metal
. They come in many forms based upon: where they clip on, shape, and type of thread. Each clip-on nut is designed for only a small range of sheet metal gauges (thicknesses). They are usually made from spring steel
.
to sit in a hole in the sheet metal.
may either be of a speed nut
form or have an integrated hex or square nut
. Due to the short retaining leg the nut is allowed to float more, which can help with misalignment, but the nut is free to un-clip from the sheet metal as well.
Speed nut
A speed nut, also known as a sheet metal nut, is a type of locknut with two sheet metal prongs that act as one thread. They are made from spring steel. The fastener serves the functions of both a lock washer and a nut. As the fastener is tightened in the nut the prongs are drawn inward until they...
), is a type of nut
Nut (hardware)
A nut is a type of hardware fastener with a threaded hole. Nuts are almost always used opposite a mating bolt to fasten a stack of parts together. The two partners are kept together by a combination of their threads' friction, a slight stretch of the bolt, and compression of the parts...
designed to be clipped to sheet metal
Sheet metal
Sheet metal is simply metal formed into thin and flat pieces. It is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and can be cut and bent into a variety of different shapes. Countless everyday objects are constructed of the material...
. They come in many forms based upon: where they clip on, shape, and type of thread. Each clip-on nut is designed for only a small range of sheet metal gauges (thicknesses). They are usually made from spring steel
Spring steel
Spring steel is a low alloy, medium carbon steel or high carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting.-Grades:...
.
G-nut
A G-nut, or G-style nut, is shaped like a "G" and clips to the edge of a sheet metal object. It is different from all of the other types in that it is meant to clip over a small flange on the edge of the sheet metal. The threads are from an integrated nut that has a special bossBoss (engineering)
In engineering, a boss is a protruding feature on a workpiece.A common use for a boss is to locate one object within a pocket or hole of another object...
to sit in a hole in the sheet metal.
J-nut
A J-nut is a nut that clips to the edge of the sheet metal. It is named after the way it is shaped; the thread is on the long side of the "J". The threadScrew thread
A screw thread, often shortened to thread, is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. A screw thread is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread...
may either be of a speed nut
Speed nut
A speed nut, also known as a sheet metal nut, is a type of locknut with two sheet metal prongs that act as one thread. They are made from spring steel. The fastener serves the functions of both a lock washer and a nut. As the fastener is tightened in the nut the prongs are drawn inward until they...
form or have an integrated hex or square nut
Square nut
A square nut is a four-sided nut. Compared to standard hex nuts, square nuts have a greater surface in contact with the part being fastened, and therefore provide greater resistance to loosening . They are also much less likely to become rounded-off after repeated loosening/tightening cycles...
. Due to the short retaining leg the nut is allowed to float more, which can help with misalignment, but the nut is free to un-clip from the sheet metal as well.