Reply to Cory really,
Think Tuna Lover, gawd bless him is actually correct on this one. A SEMS is a screw AND washer assembly regardless of the washer being flat, helical, toothed or any other shape. The washer is a separate entity form the nut, hence the word 'asSEMblies'
KEPS is a pre-assembled nut and washer combination whereby the nut and the washer are attached so that they cannot fall apart from one another. The origin of the word 'KEP' comes from the word shaKEProof and the 'S' at the end of 'KEP' being aquired due to the pieces normally being purchased in quantities of more than one.
Both SEM and KEP, (or SEMS and KEPS!) are trademarks of the Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Hope Helps,
Happy Trails,
Jeannie