The patent’s assignee for patent number 9011060 is United Technologies Corporation (Hartford, CT).
News editors obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Various nuts and bolts are used as fastener assemblies in manufacturing industry, for example, in modern aircraft construction. For instance, when parts of an aircraft need to be joined during operation and to be disassembled or replaced frequently during maintenance, a threaded fastener may be used to allow both riveting and dismantling functions. In addition, when joints require great strength and rigidity, a threaded fastener may be a better choice than a rivet.(…)
via United Technologies : Patent Issued for No Flange Damage Wedge Lock Washers | 4-Traders.