Abstract: A tube connector (10) to enable a straight tube or even a curved tube of tight radius of curvature to be connected to a structural member has a flat cutter disc (11) shaped to fit in the end of an internally splined tube (20). The outer edge of the cutter disc has a series of teeth (12) which cut into and locate with the splines when the cutter disc is rotated in the tube. The cutter disc may have a floating central insert (25) screw threaded to allow connection to another structural member without a need for precise alignment.

Abstract: A nock system including an insert and a nock. The insert having an introduction end, a receiving end located opposite the introduction end, a substantially cylindrical body extending from the receiving end to the introduction end, and a receiving chamber having an opening at the receiving end and extending a distance into the cylindrical body. The receiving chamber is axially aligned and communicates with a threaded duct which extends farther through the cylindrical body toward the introduction end. The nock comprises a string receiving end for receiving a bow string and an engaging shank located opposite the string receiving end. The engagement shank has a shape and size permitting self-tapping, threaded engagement between the engaging shank and the threaded duct. A compression shank extends between the furrowed end and the engaging shank. The compression shank has a shape and size to produce a friction fit within the receiving chamber as the engaging shank is positioned within the threaded duct.

Abstract: A structural reinforcement for a vehicle door has an energy absorbing tubular bar, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The tubular bar extends substantially across a length of the vehicle door approximately parallel to a lower edge of the door. The tubular bar has a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis passing through the first end and the second end. The first bracket retains the first end of the tubular bar such that there is a predetermined amount of rotational float between the first bracket and the first end of the bar. The second bracket has a seat portion receiving and fixed to the second end of the bar.

Abstract: An anchor clip for holding an edge of a cushion-supporting upholstery spring in position on a wooden rail of an article of furniture, the clip having a base portion, a leg portion, and reversed curved portion, the reversed curved portion defining a hook which is inwardly lined with a plastic liner. Lateral edges of the hook are flared outwardly to relieve pressures at both sides of the liner. The free end of the hook is folded-over to entrap one end of the liner and subsequently staked. In another embodiment, the hook, at the acme of the curvature, is provided with a cut-out and flared area on each lateral side of the hood for relieving pressure on the liner.

Abstract: A driveshaft assembly has external profiled teeth at its end and a slide-on hub with a shaft bore with corresponding inner profiled teeth. A first securing mechanism form-fittingly engages a groove or thread radially cut into the profiled teeth and provided at the free end of the driveshaft and axially supporting the hub in the direction of the end of the driveshaft. External profiled teeth, which are provided at the driveshaft and which, when the hub is fully slid on to the driveshaft while being in contact with the first securing mechanism, extend axially relative to the shaft shank and beyond the length of the hub. A second securing mechanism, with a radially undisturbed profile of the profiled teeth, is supported on the run-out of the profiled teeth or on an adjoining conical face of the driveshaft. The second securing mechanism is plastically formed in-situ and axially supports the hub in the direction of the shaft shank of the driveshaft.

Abstract: The connecting link is manufactured from an elongated hollow extrusion of aluminum, which can be cut to any desired length and bent, as required. Molded plastic coupling members have tongues which are inserted into the open ends of the hollow extrusion and crimped in place to hold them securely. The coupling members have integrally formed socket structures to receive complementary ball structures which form the pivot connections of the wiper system.

Abstract: An airbag module cover having downwardly extending sidewalls is mounted in the base of an airbag housing. The base has downwardly extending peripheral legs thereon having inner and outer walls forming a generally U- or V-shaped integral groove at the lower extremity thereof. The legs have locking tabs positioned above the grooves which tabs are adapted to protrude into or through the sidewalls of the cover. When the sidewalls of the cover are locked in the grooves of the legs, the inner and outer walls of the legs provide lateral support for the sidewalls for preventing separation of the cover sidewalls from the housing during airbag deployment.

Abstract: Connection piece (3), which is mounted on the end of a wire cable (2), for connecting the wire cable (1) to a mounting support taking up tensile forces caused by longitudinal stresses in the wire cable (2), in which the external dimensions of the connection piece (3) in the direction transverse to the extended axis of the wire cable end (1) are substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of the wire cable (2) and in which the wire cable is compressed in its end region until the wire cable end (1) fits into a cutout (6), provided for receiving the latter, in the connection piece (3).

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a collapsible energy absorbing steering column includes a lower support bracket for pivotally attaching a lower portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure. The steering column assembly includes an upper mounting mechanism for pivotally attaching an upper portion of the steering column to vehicle support structure. The steering column assembly includes a locking structure for locking the steering column in a plurality of tilt positions relative to the upper mounting mechanism. The steering column assembly further includes tilt release lever assembly for actuating the locking structure to allow the steering column to be tilted to a desired position and locked in place. The tilt release lever assembly includes a tilt release lever being made as one-piece from a plastic material.

Abstract: A connecting assembly for fixing the tubular stem/stud of a portable lamp to the base of the same comprising a tube having a butting shoulder to abut upon the upper end of a top hole in the base of a portable lamp, and folding tabs at the lower end of the tube which are folded outwardly to fix the tube tight to the base. As the tube is expanded during a folding procedure, a tight fit is realized. The top hole in the base may include one or two recessed tubular portions to facilitate assembly and ensure rigidity of the assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a tube joint which can be used in a desalination plant includes providing a fluted tube, applying a sealant to the tube end and inserting the tube end into a tube sheet or plate to form a joint therebetween. After insertion, the inner surface of the fluted tube is worked to deform external ridges of the fluted tube and uniformly distribute the sealant throughout the joint area. The fluted tube is deformed using a roll expanding method. The fluted design of the tube retains sealant in the joint area during tube insertion and expansion and takes advantage of the heat transfer characteristic of the flutes to provide an improved joint construction especially adapted for heat exchange use.

Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (24), with opposingly situated open sided, channels (50a,b), each channel having at least one open end (61). The module includes a cover (100) for protecting an air bag (150) folded upon the base plate. The cover includes a top (102) and sides wall (106a,b), each side wall includes outwardly extending flanges or shoulders (114a,b) slidably receivable within the open end of each channel (50a,b).

Abstract: A stack of parts, such as the stator disks of a turbomolecular pump, the parts being stacked alternately with spacers, includes a spacer having a knife-shaped deformable portion. When the stack is installed for the first time, the portion is compressed so as to take up the tolerances of the stack between abutment surfaces, e.g. delimited by a pump body and a corresponding casing. The invention applies in particular to turbomolecular pumps and aims to eliminate the operations of adjustment, re-machining, or matching that are usually required when installing a stator assembly.

Abstract: A self-clinching fastener to be embedded into a first sheet material. The self-clinching fastener is used to secure the first sheet material 40 to a second sheet material wherein the first sheet material is oriented at a right angle to the second sheet material 42.

Abstract: A thermostatic valve having a working element that has a housing and an extendable working piston with a valve disk. A valve seat and a closing spring which loads the valve disk in the direction of the valve seat are provided. A holder constructed as a sheet metal preform stationarily holds the housing of the working element, the holder having a flange. A connection sleeve and a housing part are provided, the flange being clampable between the connection sleeve and the housing part. The holder and the connection sleeve are connected with one another as a transportable constructional unit, the connection sleeve having an interior with at least one abutment for the closing spring. The connection between the holder and the connection sleeve is dimensioned such that the connection has a holding force which exceeds a prestressing force of the closing spring.

Abstract: A method for fastening an input shaft and a torsion bar together in a power steering mechanism, and the associated torsion bar. A ball-receiving hole is bored in the end of the torsion bar. The end of the torsion bar is inserted into a bore in the input shaft and a ball is pressed into the hole to provide an interference fit between the shaft and the bar. Subsequently, the peripheral edge of the hole in the torsion bar is elliptically deformed so as to retain the ball in the hole and the bar in the shaft. Since a portion of the opening is slightly diametrically broadened by the ball, the periphery of the portion closely contacts the inner wall of the input shaft, thereby strengthening the connection between the torsion bar and the input shaft.

Abstract: A hollow shaft tube and shaft member with functional members like a paper feed roller for business machines etc., and its manufacturing method.The shaft tube has a bulge and dent, thereon a functional member to be fixedly secured. The bulges and dents having spring effect are formed symmetrically concerning the shaft tube center axis. The shaft and the functional members are fixedly secured by the spring effect.The shaft tube is made with half molds, having punchs in holes of both halves. The punchs hit the tube set in the molds to form the bulge and dent. The shaft tube is pressed in the functional member, using a press-in tool, to construct the shaft member.

Abstract: A machine element has a shaft and at least a fitting member such as a cam or gear mounted on the shaft by pressure-fit. The fitting member has a bore for receiving the shaft. The shaft is formed with protrusions at least an area of the shaft on which the fitting member is fitted. The protrusions preferably extend continuously or discretely, peripherally or helically on the outer surface of the shaft and have a diameter larger than than the remaining areas of the shaft. The bore of the fitting member is formed with at east an inner chordal surface having a perpendicular from the center of the bore smaller than the radius of the protrusions. The fitting member is configured to be forced onto the protrusions of the shaft with at least one inner chordal surface forming a corresponding outer surface on the protrusions in a shaving and/or deforming operation.

Abstract: A captive ball and end connector assembly having an annular bearing half positioned within the cavity is disclosed. The bearing half has an inner spherical surface on which are disposed a plurality of crush elements or ribs, and a bottom planar surface on which is disposed an annular crush element or rib. The plurality of crush elements crush against the spherical surface of the captive ball, and the annular crush element crushes against an annular shoulder in the cavity to retain the ball within the cavity with a zero clearance. A ball retaining ring is disposed within a groove in the cavity and bears against the bearing half to hold the ball firmly in the cavity.

Abstract: A novel fixture (8) for securing personal computers has a tether cable (10) connected to a loop portion (13) which is in turn connected to an expansion slot cover plate (12) for a personal computer. Once the fixture (8) is installed in an expansion slot opening (15) of a personal computer, the computer is secured if the tether cable (10) is attached to a fixed location such as a table (16) using a padlock (17).

Abstract: A system for inserting and retaining a fastener between two generally parallel spaced apart webs formed on a first workpiece. The fastener is inserted using ultrasonic energy to deform the material of the webs to engage an axial force resisting portion and a torsional force resisting portion of the fastener with the material of the webs. The present invention includes the fastener which is constructed for use in the system, as well as an article employing the fastener for attaching the first workpiece, to which the fastener is attached, to a second workpiece.

Abstract: A method of joining a frame tube to a lug, including steps of making through holes on the lug, squeezing a first elastomer to deform the frame tube causing a plurality of outward projections raised from the frame tube and engaging the through holes, then inserting a reinforcing tube into the frame tube after removal of the first elastomer and then squeezing a second elastomer to deform the reinforcing tube causing a plurality of outward projections raised from the reinforcing tube to engage the inside wall of the frame tube.

Abstract: A garage door bottom seal assembly includes a garage door bottom panel presenting a pair of elongated, laterally spaced apart bottom wall sections, and an elongated intermediate wall section extending between the bottom wall sections and presenting a recess extending along the length of the bottom panel. An elongated seal support presents an upstanding connector element extending along the length thereof and is located within the recess. The intermediate wall section is formed to interfit with the connector element at locations along the length of the intermediate wall section for securing the seal support to the bottom panel. An elongated, resilient seal is operatively coupled with the seal support. Preferably, the seal and seal support present an astragal seal which can be affixed to the normal groove structure of a conventional tongue and groove garage door panel.

Abstract: In a unit of a piston and a piston rod, a piston and a piston rod are connected with each other in a gas-proof manner. To this end, the piston has a closed bottom and a blind hole, into which a sleeve-shaped section of the piston rod is pushed. By means of a force being applied between the piston and the piston rod, the sleeve-shaped section is provided with a bulging which projects into an annular groove of the blind hole. This serves to attain a connection of the piston and the piston rod by form locking.

Abstract: Fishplates for welded wire trellisworks which include an angled member having a first arm forming two segments which are separated by an open space with each segment having a clip-shaped profile. A second arm has four tongues therein which are each undulated to form recessed passages with the tongues being separated from one another by open spaces so that one of the open spaces therebetween is opposite the open space between the segment of the first arm.

Abstract: A preassembled handrail structure is supplied in relatively long lengths and consists of top and bottom rails separated by a row of pickets. The structure makes use of a special joint where the ends of the pickets are attached to the rails. These joints are made so that they can be put together by application of pressure. In this way an entire length of the handrail structure can be assembled in one operation by pressing both top and bottom rails into engagement with the corresponding ends of the pickets in one compressing operation. Handrail structures are delivered as complete units to the site. In place of posts to mount the handrail structure on a deck, use is made of a series of mounting brackets bolted to the deck on which the lower rail is anchored by use of a specially designed attachment.

Abstract: A shaped connecting member or piece for connecting structural profile members, in particular door or window casement sections, includes at least one attachment leg that can be inserted into an attachment chamber of the structural profile member and fixed in position therein. To make fabrication of the shaped connecting piece and its application as simple as possible, at least one resilient element is provided in the at least one attachment leg to project beyond a side surface thereof. When the attachment leg is inserted into the attachment chamber, at least an outer segment of the resilient element gives way elastically inwardly and blocks the attachment leg from being pulled outwardly from the attachment chamber.

Abstract: A wiper system for motor vehicles is described, which wiper system includes at least one wiper bearing as well as one drive member cooperating with a motor, which drive member is operatively connectable to the wiper bearing via a carrier. At least the connecting section between the wiper bearing as well as the carrier and/or the drive member is provided with a medium impermeable coating.

Abstract: A press fit assembly boss for aligning and assembling the case walls of a diskette includes a circular cylindrical post formed on the upper case wall and a cylindrical socket formed on the lower case wall. The inner surface of the socket includes two opposing planar sections separated by a distance less than the outer diameter of the post. Insertion of the post in the socket deforms the post to secure the post within the socket without creating any debris during assembly or disassembly. The cylindrical post has thin walls.

Abstract: A method of permanently attaching a fastening element, such as a nut or bolt to panels having a range of panel thicknesses, such as the metal panels used by the automotive and appliance industries. The fastening element includes a tubular barrel portion and preferably an annular bearing face surrounding the barrel portion. The method includes punching a hole in the panel, then plasticly deforming and drawing the panel surrounding the hole into a dome or frusto-conically shaped portion. The panel hole is thus enlarged to receive the fastener element barrel portion from adjacent the apex of the frusto-conically shaped panel portion and the bearing face is then driven against the panel, deforming the panel to a generally planar shape. The panel surrounding the hole is thereby driven against the tubular barrel portion which, in the preferred embodiment, includes radially projecting ribs, providing securement against rotation even in very thin panels.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is disclosed having a first part constructed or powdered metal and having a lip which extends outwardly from one end of the first part. A second part, for example a steel stamping, has a first side, a second side and an opening extending between its sides. The opening is dimensioned so that, with the second part positioned on the end of the first part, the lip extends through the opening and outwardly from the second or outer side of the second part. The first and second parts are then mechanically secured together by deforming the lip so that a portion of lip overlies and entraps an edge portion of the second part between the deformed lip and the end of the first part.

Abstract: A conveniently assembled positive connection of a magnetically operated valve with a housing block which will withstand high stresses. The housing block has a stepped locating bore which, as the bore depth increases, leads into an undercut. A valve body section has a smaller diameter than the bore in the housing and has a shape which is adapted to the locating bore which leaves a gap between the bore and the valve body section. A sleeve is pressed into the gap which fills the gap, and which engages in the region of the undercut. The sleeve which is subjected to a deforming action, fixes the magnetically operated valve and can withstand high stresses.

Abstract: A drive shaft made of fiber reinforced plastic includes pipe made of fiber reinforced plastic to which a fitting is connected. A connecting portion of the fiber-reinforced resin-made pipe and a connecting portion of the fitting engage each other through the bite of serrations formed on the outer side or inner side of the fitting, with a film, e.g., a metallic foil, being interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A camshaft for controlling the valves in internal combustion engines, including a shaft 1 and at least one forged cam slid- or pushed-upon the shaft and solidly connected with it, with the cam having an opening for receiving the shaft. The shaft having a segment with an increased diameter at the location of the cam compared to the other regions or segments of the shaft, this region is manufactured rollers or rolls, wherein circumferential beads or webs are generated by material displacement in the circumferential direction of the shaft, the opening in the cam for receiving the shaft is widened in a funnel-shaped manner at least on one side and at least over a portion of its axial length, and the dimension of the mouth aperture of the funnel-shaped widening corresponds approximately to the radial height of the beads or webs.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a screw pump has a light alloy rotor main body having an axially extending central bore. A steel shaft is press-fitted into the central bore. A diametrically extending fixing pin is press-fitted through the rotor main body and the shaft. Friction forces between the rotor main body and the shaft are arranged to be larger on a discharge side of the rotor assembly than on a suction side thereof. The fixing pin is disposed at substantially a central position of entire friction forces in terms of their directions and magnitudes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for a vehicle rearview mirror, the positioning of which is achieved by means of a worm gear mounted by means of a coupling part in a single bearing, which is provided with an annular collar that engages in an upper annular slot of the coupling part. The intention is to improve the retaining force of the bearing.

Abstract: A mechanical element has a shaft pressure-fitted into at least one composite engaging member. The shaft has at least one engaging region disposed thereon, and at least one swollen portion formed radially outwardly around the engaging portion. The composite engaging member comprises an engaging body made of sintered alloy and having a recess therein, and a ring-shaped steel inner piece having a hardness not greater than the swollen portion. The inner piece is secured to the inside circumference of the recess of the engaging body by a securing method. The inner piece has a shaft hole formed therein, the shaft hole having a plurality of a larger inside diameter portions and a plurality of a smaller inside diameter portions arranged circumferentially, with the smaller inside diameter arranged to be smaller than the outside diameter of the swollen portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A fixing member comprising a tie bar (4) having an expandable buffer (5) mounted thereon, the buffer being surrounded by a split ring (14) which is shorter than the length of said buffer (5), said expandable buffer bearing against an endpiece (6) linked to one end of the tie bar, and a nut (11) being screwed onto the opposite end of the tie bar to compress the expandable buffer (5) axially, thereby causing both the buffer and the split ring (14) to expand radially, the fixing member being characterized in that the inside surface of the split ring (14) has a helical groove (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to component connecting fastener especially flange connecting fasteners for the propeller shaft in a motor vehicle. The two flanges 4, 5 contain bores 8, 9 which align with each other. Axially slotted tensioning sleeve 10 is introduced into each bore 8, 9. The tensioning sleeve 10 is axially elongated and radially expanded by tensioning pin 22 driven into bore 12. After completion of the assembly operation, contact face 17 provided at collar 16 is supported on contact face 18 of flange 4, with supporting face 20 being supported on abutment face 21 of further flange 5. In this way it is possible to automate the assembly procedure while requiring less space and achieving a higher compression between flanges 4, 5.

Abstract: A heating or air conditioning apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a casing which is mounted on the bodywork of the vehicle by a mounting means comprising a mounting foot carried by the casing and fitting in a U-shaped support member which is carried by the bodywork of the vehicle.The mounting foot is a hollow profiled element which includes a flat rigid wall defining a reference face and joined to a deformable curved wall of the mounting foot which is concave towards the flat wall, both walls being engaged against respective opposed faces of the support member. The mounting foot is integral with a shoe portion which is attached to the casing by slide elements of the former gripping two rails of the casing.

Abstract: A shaft assembly is assembled by press-fitting a tube of fiber-synthetic material and a rigid connection structure which includes an outer sleeve and an inner connecting member. The outer sleeve has axially extending inward projections which engage the tube at one end of the sleeve and the inner connecting member at the other end of the sleeve. This permits the sleeve and the inward projections therein to be made in a simpler manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a joint, in which method around the sections (14, 15) to be joined to each other sections of a sealing element (12, 13) are placed and the joint (16) is heated by a form (10). A reinforced plastic is used for the joining compound (12, 13), and sections (11a, 11b) of the form (10) are pressed, in a manner known per se, around the members (14, 15) surrounded by the reinforced plastic sealing member sections and to be joined to each other in the joint (16). The invention also relates to a joint manufactured by the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A jointing structure of a rotor and a shaft has a rotor made of aluminum alloy having a through-hole at a center thereof, and a shaft made of steel which is to be press fitted into the through-hole of the rotor, the shaft being formed at least at a part of a surface to be jointed with the through-hole of the rotor with a hump and valley portion along an axis thereof, the outer diameter of the hump portion being larger than the inner diameter of the through-hole, the hump and valley portion of the shaft being press fitted into the through-hole of the rotor.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a seat assembly is disclosed in which the seat back is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion by an eccentric pivot pin which enables the location of the seat back pivot point to be adjusted during assembly. The seat back forms a sector gear meshing with a pinion gear on a seat cushion as part of the recliner mechanism. By adjusting the position of the seat back pivot point, backlash between the sector gear and pinion gear can be eliminated.

Abstract: A fastener and a workpiece assembly comprises a fastener composed of a relatively strong, inflexible material and having a shank portion. Wings are disposed upon the shank, and the workpiece has portions thereof composed of a relatively flexible, resilient material. An aperture having a predetermined diameter is located within each one of the workpiece portions. The wings define an outer diameter substantially greater than the diameter of each aperture. The wings are capable of swaging the apertures, thereby increasing the diameters thereof, so as to allow for passage of the wings therethrough. The relatively flexible, resilient material has sufficient elastic memory so that the diameter of each aperture will become smaller than the outer diameter defined by means of the wings after being swaged by means of the passage of the wings therethrough.

Abstract: A joint structure for joining two pole members is disclosed. A female component of the structure is formed on a first end of a first pole member. At least one, and in some embodiments two, diverging segments are provided on an end of pipe member to form the female component of the joint. A complementing male component is formed on an end of another pipe member. The male component includes at least one, and in some embodiments two, converging segments. The values of the angles and lengths of the converging and diverging segments are preferably as close to each other as possible. The joint structure can be adapted to allow pole members of many different shapes, sizes, and materials to be securely joined together without the need of fasteners such as bolts. Once assembled, the joint structure resists disassembly and lateral deflection of the pole members and provides for long service even under rigorous use.

Abstract: A clinch joint of the leak proof type and method and apparatus for forming several joint embodiments is disclosed. The joint retains overlapping sheets of deformable material together by simultaneously drawing nested cup-shaped cavities formed out of the plane of the sheets having a central spot and a continuous wall region extending from the spot to the cavity periphery. The region of the sheets adjacent the cavity periphery is pinched together causing the cavity walls to inwardly radially deform, securely interlocking the sheets firmly together. Alternative embodiments of the joint additionally squeeze the cavity spots together outwardly radially deforming the spot material to further interlock the nested cavities.

Abstract: A apparatus for joining a pair of molded plastic pieces and an interference fit joint including a plurality of pegs on a first piece and a plurality of elongate sockets on a second piece. The elongate sockets have a first dimension less than 1.0 times the diameter of the pegs to achieve an interference fit and a second dimension of at least 1.25 times the diameter of the pegs. This invention has particular utility in the manufacture of disposable laboratory slides.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for accurately fitting together two elements (1,2) one of which is provided with a projection (8) and the other with a recess (4) adapted to receive the projection, one (1) of the elements being machined to exact dimensions, whereas the other (2) element is manufactured by extrusion or like process. The novelty of the invention resides in that the machined element (1) of a hard material is provided with portions (9-11) serving as cutting means, while the other element of a softer material, adjacent its portions (12) for engaging the former element, is provided with excess material (14) which is adapted to be wholly or partly removed while the elements are being assembled.

Abstract: A joint structure of an annular member and a shaft member softer than the former is produced by(a) providing a shaft member with an oil spreading over its circumference, the shaft member having a plurality of discrete grooves, on its circumference in an inclined angular configuration about the axis of the shaft member, and(b) press fitting the annular member to the bore of the annular member with an interference such that the inner periphery of the annular member bore meshingly expands into the grooves. Press fitting proceeds under resilient deformation of the inner periphery of the annular member in the boundary friction state. A continuous oil film remains on the mating surfaces while securing firm joint.