Mechanical & Motion Systems

10 Ways to Use the Ubiquitous Retaining Ring

Feb. 14, 2017

Long considered a fastener outsider, retaining rings are showing up more frequently in a variety of items.

Doorknob

The next time you enter a room, you may indirectly be coming into contact with a retaining ring. This external retaining ring is holding the threaded portion of this doorknob in place. Notice how the lugs of the ring are reversed so as not to interfere with the threads, which must be screwed into the knob’s base. There are many variations of standard retaining rings that accommodate specific fastener requirements like this one.

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When engineers think of fasteners, they usually think along traditional lines: screws, nuts, bolts, cotter pins and washers, rivets, etc. But if these same engineers are tasked with reducing costs, they look outside of their comfort zone for a fastener that will do the job and meet their reduction targets. That is why engineers are increasingly turning to retaining rings to replace traditional fasteners and deliver savings in labor, materials, and overall costs. This is by no means a complete list. Take the time to look around your space (home, office, gym, etc.). You are sure to find more examples in addition to the ones described here one or more retaining rings holding something together that you need and use without giving it a second thought. Here are just 10 examples of products that use a retaining ring as a fastening component.