Abstract: An ice maker for producing and storing ice pieces. The ice maker is mountable to a liner of a fresh food compartment at an intersection of a top wall and a lateral side wall of the liner. The ice maker includes an ice tray for forming ice pieces. An ice bin receives and stores ice pieces produced by the ice tray. A housing contains the ice tray and ice bin. The housing has a first side, a second side, a bottom and a top. A first cavity is formed in the first side and a second cavity is formed in the bottom. A thermal insulation is disposed in the first cavity and the second cavity. The second side of the ice maker housing does not include thermal insulation.

Abstract: A sealing system for an openable panel on a vehicle includes a channel member disposed on the openable panel and extending along a longitudinal axis and a seal member fastened to the channel member. The channel member includes two side portions extending parallel to each other and a recess defined between the two side portions. A plurality of depressions are defined in the side portions and extend along the longitudinal axis and into the recess. The seal member includes a proximal portion disposed within the recess and a distal portion extending away from the channel member. The proximal portion of the seal member has grooves defined on opposing sides thereof. The plurality of depressions on each side portion of the channel are received in a respective groove on the seal member to fasten the seal member to the channel member.

Abstract: A wiring attachment assembly includes a stud having at least one channel, a gripping washer engaging the stud in the at least one channel and a wiring conduit including a receiver engaging and holding the stud. A wiring system, incorporating the wiring attachment assembly and an insulator element, as well as a method of wiring for a power folding seat are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an adjusting device for an exhaust gas turbocharger with a first adjusting member and a second adjusting member for operating a valve element for varying the flow cross-section of a bypass duct of a flow-through exhaust gas guide portion of a turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger, the first adjusting member and the second adjusting member are connected so as to be pivotable relative to one another by a pin-shaped connecting element with a locking element establishing a pivot joint of the first adjusting member and the second adjusting member with a predetermined axial engagement force.

Abstract: A device for clamping a scale to an attachment face of a support, the device including a securing element and a clamping element that is secured to a support by the securing element. The clamping element includes a first spring element that is resilient in a first direction toward an attachment face of the support, wherein the first spring element introduces a first clamping force on a scale in a direction of the attachment face. The clamping element further includes a second spring element that is resilient in a second direction that extends perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the second spring element introduces a second clamping force onto the scale in the second direction.

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A thread cage retainer includes a base having an opening to allow for the passage of a threaded fastener. The retainer also has a plurality of arcuately shaped tabs that extend from the base around the opening a circumferential extent to form a channel for receiving the threaded fastener. Each tab includes at least one engaging member that projects inwardly from a portion of the circumferential extent of each tab.

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: This device for holding screw-like means (1) in position in a through-hole (2) in a first part (3) for clamping the first part to a second part is characterized in that it comprises a one-piece tongue (4) comprising a central portion provided with a tapped hole (5) for receiving screw-like means (1) and either side of which extend two resilient wings (6, 7) intended to engage with clearance in apertures (8, 9) in the first part to allow the screw-like means to be held in position with clearance in the hole (2) in this first part.

Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A connector for securing first and second substrates together, comprising: an outer fastener and an inner fastener is disclosed and claimed. The outer fastener comprises a dowel shaped stud. The inner fastener comprises a flange and a pair of clips. The pair of clips includes a first portion and a second portion. The flange is lanced and includes a punched out portion. The stud interengages the flange and the second portion of the pair of clips urges the clips away from each other and away from the stud. The outer fastener is pressed into the first substrate and the second portion of the clips is pressed into the second substrate. The second portion of the clips include a turned back portion and the turned back portion of the clip grip the second substrate preventing removal of the inner fastener from the second substrate. The connector is tolerant of the misalignment of the inner and outer fasteners and the bores in which the fasteners reside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a securing assembly for securing an object to a profiled element with flanges which delimit a longitudinal slot between them. The securing assembly comprises a metal bearing element which is designed to bear against the outside of the profiled element, an elongate metal anchoring part which is situated on the bottom side of the bearing face of the bearing element, and a support for the anchoring part, which support is provided with one or more spring members and is optionally removably connected to the bearing element and which support supports the anchoring part resiliently in such a manner that the anchoring part can be moved up and down with respect to the bearing element.

Abstract: A resilient clip is disclosed for engaging a structure having a body with a pair of extending body portions and an elastic flange. The flange has an engagement surface and an engagement member, which engages the mounting structure. The elastic flange also has a base portion and a transition portion. A ramped surface of the engagement feature extends above the base portion. A substantially flat peripheral surface of the engagement feature in the transition portion is adapted to engage the panel to provide resistance to removal of the fastener from the mounting aperture. To manufacture a clip, a punch is used to apply a force to displace material of the elastic flange into a die cavity to form the engagement. The elastic flange portion is bent at a location passing through the engagement feature.

Abstract: A bolt and nut structure has a bolt nail, a nut nail and an elastic tube. The elastic tube has several outward plates, several convex blocks, a convex edge, and an elastic gap. The edge of the elastic tube has a ring hook. Inward plates on an inner side of the elastic tube will slide along a planar surface of the bolt nail but will engage an oval surface of the bold nail. Accordingly, the elastic tube is first placed in an interior space of the nut nail, an objected is then clamped between the bolt and nut nail, and the bolt nail is rotated 90 degree to fasten the object. The bolt nail can also be rotated 90 degree in an opposite direction to loosen the bolt nail. Therefore the bolt and nut structure are very convenient in use.

Abstract: A connector for securing first and second substrates together, comprising: an outer fastener and an inner fastener is disclosed and claimed. The outer fastener comprises a dowel shaped stud. The inner fastener comprises a flange and a pair of clips. The pair of clips includes a first portion and a second portion. The flange is lanced and includes a punched out portion. The stud interengages the flange and the second portion of the pair of clips urges the clips away from each other and away from the stud. The outer fastener is pressed into the first substrate and the second portion of the clips is pressed into the second substrate. The second portion of the clips include a turned back portion and the turned back portion of the clip grip the second substrate preventing removal of the inner fastener from the second substrate. The connector is tolerant of the misalignment of the inner and outer fasteners and the bores in which the fasteners reside.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly including a protective wear sleeve that is fixed in the cavity of a bit holder by a tapered wedge portion that is compressed in a correspondingly tapered portion of the bit holder cavity and an accompanying retainer both combine affix the wear sleeve to the bit holder cavity in a secure manner. The applicant's protective wear sleeve invention can be set in the bit holder by several axial blows with a hammer or other appropriate tool. Unlike some other designs in the prior art which require the insertion of a pin or nut threaded onto a bolt or clip connected to the rear end of the cutting to secure the wear protection sleeve to the bit holder in the invention no other assembly step is necessary to secure the protective sleeve inside the bit holder cavity. The protective sleeve will remain in this position with no relative axial movement or rotation between the wear sleeve and the bit holder during operation of the cutting tool machinery.

Abstract: A captive fastener system having a fastener and a retention member is provided. The retention member includes a cylindrical body having a flange at one end thereof. Work piece retention members project outwardly of the body for securing the retention member in a bore of a work piece. A plurality of dimples project inwardly in the retention member, and are narrow in a circumferential direction and elongated in an axial direction of the body. The dimples frictionally engage a shank of the fastener, to hold the fastener in the retention member.

Abstract: A fastener assembly having an elongated shaft with an exterior surface defining a plurality of open-ended longitudinaily-extending splines on one end of the shaft and a second plurality of longitudinally-oriented closed-ended spline circumferentially spaced from the first splines. The assembly includes a substantially triangular retaining ring having an inwardly directed tab is positioned in the middle of each side of the ring. Cross-over slots interconnect the first and second splines and are sized to require the retaining ring tabs to flex to permit transition of the ring tabs between the first splines and the second splines.

Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member includes a lower helical edge with an inwardly extending lip which threadably engages the external threads formed on the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.

Abstract: A compressible structure for temporarily protecting a glass pane of a window structure includes a shaping member for removable securement on the window structure and defining a cavity over the glass pane and a layer of solidified compressible material in said cavity providing protection for the glass pane. A window protection system includes a shaping member and a supply system for supplying a compressible material in fluidic form to a cavity of the shaping member, wherein the fluidic compressible material sets to form a layer of solidified compressible material. A protected window structure comprises a window structure and a panel of solidified compressible foam material disposed over at least a portion of one or more glass panes of the window structure.

Abstract: A retention mechanism (6, 6′) for an LGA package assembly (1, 1′) consists of a spring clip (60, 60′) and a lever (62, 62′) both attached to a heat sink (5, 5′). The spring clip has a biasing strip (612, 612′) and a pair of opposite engaging legs (610, 610′). The lever includes an arcuate section (680, 680′) positioned beneath the biasing strip, whereby the lever is rotatable from a vertical position where the arcuate section is contained in a plane parallel with the biasing strip to a horizontal position where the arcuate section is contained in a plane perpendicular to the biasing strip and engages with the biasing strip. When the lever is rotated to the horizontal position, the biasing strip is biased upwardly to cause the engaging legs to abut against a bottom surface (22) of a PCB (2), whereby the components of the LGA package assembly are mechanically and electrically connected to one another.

Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture pivot assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member secures around the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.

Abstract: The present invention is a roofing fastener assembly. The assembly includes a fastener, a barbed washer, and a screw. The screw projects through the fastener and exits the free end of the fastener. Upon installation of the screw and fastener, the barbs of the washer penetrate into the roof membrane and insulation layer. An extending rim on the washer receives the head of the fastener to resist the relative lateral movement of the washer and fastener. Stabilizing fingers project from a free end of the fastener and hold the screw in place during assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle steering wheel (10) for attachment to a vehicle steering column (12). The steering wheel (10) is rotatable and has a hub (130) for non-rotatable attachment to an end (162) of the steering column (12) so that the steering column rotates about an axis (B) upon rotation of the steering wheel. The hub (130) has a first surface (138) defining a first passage (140) for receiving the end (162) of the steering column (12) and a second surface (152) defining a second passage (150) extending transverse to the first passage and partially intersecting the first passage. A hollow cylindrical member (200) blocks axial movement of the hub (130) relative to the steering column (12). The hollow cylindrical member (200) is radially contractible for insertion into the second passage (150) and is radially expandable into contact with the second surface (152) and the steering column (12).

Abstract: A push nut formed of an annular rim and an elastic prong member having a fragile portion capable of being easily bent with a pushing force can be easily engaged with a rod-shaped article such as a shaft, consequently to firmly secure the rod-shaped article onto a frame of an electrical appliance or the like. The fragile portion of the prong member is formed by one or more slots, thin-walled parts, or grooves. The push nut engaged with the rod-shaped article can easily be disengaged by pressing down the prong member with a cylindrical tool to bend the prong member at the fragile portion, so that the rod-shaped article can be freed from the frame of the electrical appliance with little damage and can be reused effectively.

Abstract: A pushnut fastener for use in conjunction with a cylindrical shaft having a pair of opposed flat surfaces extending therealong. The pushnut has an opening that complements the shape of the shaft and includes arcuate blades that are, in assembly, biased in contact with the arcuate surfaces of the shaft and straight blades that are biased in contact with the flat surfaces of the shaft. In a relaxed condition, the straight blades are generally parallel with the horizontally disposed base of the nut and the arcuate shaped blades are set at an angle of about 45.degree. with the base.

Abstract: A flat plate is used to cover a mounting hole in a masonry wall face and is held in place by a set of wire hooks. The hooks are able to slide into holes in the plate and catch onto the interior surface of the wall in order to hold a clearance hole in the plate concentrically with respect to the mounting hole. An anchor bolt is supported at the center of the mounting hole by the clearance hole in the plate while grout is poured into the masonry blocks thereby assuring that the bolt is positioned properly in accordance with building code.

Abstract: A sheet metal device for mounting a component on a circuit board is formed by stamping to defining a head portion and a base portion. The head portion is formed for insertion into a slot in a component such as a heat sink and the base portion is formed for insertion into a printed circuit board. The head portion has spade-form members which engage the walls of the slot and retain the head portion in the slot. The component is mounted on a printed circuit board by inserting the base portion into an aperture in the printed circuit board and soldering the base portion to the reverse surface of the board.

Abstract: An assist strap is made of a flexible exoskeleton of a tubular shape which overlies a high density foam core to provide a strong yet cushioned strap. Opposite ends of the strap are held by clamps which in turn are secured to a vehicle for attaching the strap to a vehicle.

Abstract: A screw anchoring device for aperture sealing attachment with an apertured panel to confine insulating material foamed in place between the panel and an attached spaced wall or other structure. The device includes a plate member having corners and a generally flat portion lying in a plane with a central aperture forming a helical screw receiving impression. The device also has a pair of upstanding tabs projecting from one face of the generally flat portion of the plate member at opposite sides of and adjacent to the screw impression. The plate member has a raised portion formed from the plate member at the corners and along each of two opposite edges of the flat portion of the plate member. These raised portions are convexly curved upwardly from the plane of the flat portion and from the face opposite from the face with the upstanding tabs and the corners of the plate member are semi-spherical shaped.

Abstract: A tube connector comprising a first member and a second member, each member being made from a sheet metal stamping. Each member includes an annular portion, a tubular barrel, and plural legs. The tubular barrel extends from an inner periphery of the annular portion. The legs extend outwardly from the annular portion and are adapted to flex axially so as to facilitate insertion of such member into the tube through one end of the tube. The legs have sharp edges tending to dig aggressively into an inner wall of the tube so as to resist withdrawal and rotation of such member. The tubular barrel of the first member fits within and extends through the tubular barrel of the second member and is crimped at one end so as to secure the tubular barrel of the second member bears at one end agains the annular portion of the first member. The tubular barrel of the first member is internally threaded and consequently deformed so as to fit tightly within the tubular barrel of the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compensating roll pin securing a heat sink to a circuit board. The roll pin comprises a deformable body of resilient material, such as annealed spring steel, formed into a generally cylindrical body having first and second end portions separated by a middle portion of enlarged external diameter and an axially extending gap in the surface of the body. A method of use is also disclosed wherein the first end portion of the roll pin is inserted into an aperture in a heat sink and the middle portion deformed within the aperture to form a tight fit between the pin and heat sink. A substantial part of the middle portion remains outside the aperture in the heat sink. The second end portion is inserted into a hole in a circuit board and forms an interference fit therewith. The middle portion forms a stop to prevent further insertion of the roll pin into the circuit board so that a gap of predetermined distance separates the heat sink and circuit board to enhance cooling.

Abstract: A retainer includes a cylindrical sleeve projecting downwardly into a hole in a plate with a flange at the lower end of the sleeve engaging the underside of the plate. Resilient fingers struck out from the sleeve engage the top of the plate to cooperate with the flange in holding the sleeve in place. A fastener initially is threaded along dimples in the sleeve to hold the fastener while permitting the latter to be threaded down into a member beneath the plate. As the fastener is threaded down, its head engages the sleeve which is crushed between the head and the plate so as to be out of the way.

Abstract: A push-on type fastener (40) is provided for securing a cylindrical member such as a stud shank to an object. Fastener (40) includes generally axially aligned entrance opening (4) and exit aperture (6) surrounded by a resilient hollow projection (2) having a circumferentially continuous side wall. Aperture (6) is a non-circular opening defined between at least two retaining edges of projection (2) that are operative to provide engagement with the cylindrical member enabling the member to slide axially through exit aperture (6) from entrance opening (4) but inhibit movement in the opposite direction and which respectively include warped arcuate sections (3) adjacent the intersection between the respective extermities thereof that are operative to provide a stiffener for the retaining edges for smaller shank diameters and to stretch and prevent the retaining edges for splitting for larger shank diameters.

Abstract: A lock bolt is disclosed for introduction into a through hole in a structural component. The lock bolt generally is a one piece tubular bolt member having a shank with two sections joined at a first end by a bridge and with a resilient locking member integral with a first of the two sections at a second end and extending within the bolt shank and then radially outward of the bolt shank at the second of the two sections to define an end portion to in conjunction with an abutment on the bolt secure the bolt in the through hole.

Abstract: A fastening clip device forming a nut in the form of a resiliently deformable U section adapted to be fitted by its legs onto the edge of a panel, and having a member interposed between the legs so as to hold them positively apart prior to their fitting onto the edge of the panel and being movable relatively to the legs so as to be displaceable therebetween under the action of the panel as the legs are passed over the edge surfaces thereof. At the end of the fitting operation, one of the legs is released to allow the U section to resiliently close onto the edge of the panel.

Abstract: A pair of legs depending from the ring of a lock nut carrier pass through oppositely disposed arcuate slits in a spring clip and cleave to the lock nut so that the spring clip will support the nut within a metal channel framing member. The carrier and nut are locked into position ready to receive a fastener by pushing down on the carrier and spring clip with a thumb or finger and rotating the carrier legs within the arcuate slits.

Abstract: A panel hanger assembly for attaching soft panels of insulation material to a structural surface, such as the metal wall of a furnace, the hanger assembly including an elongated stud member having one end for welding to the furnace wall and being pointed at the other end, the stud member being of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and having spaced apart pairs of opposed notches formed in the cross-sectional end walls, and a clip having an aperture therein, the first portion of the aperture being dimensioned to freely slidably receive the stud member thereon and the other portion of the aperture being longitudinal and adapted for slidably receiving the stud member at a notched area, the outer surface of the clip being configured to resist reverse lateral displacement of the clip relative to the stud so that when the clip is positioned on the stud to retain insulation previously impaled thereon, the clip is not inadvertantly disengageable from the stud.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for joining a molded part to a mating part by use of a self-retained, press-in-place nut that accepts transverse loading. The loaded part is defined to have ribs, each presenting pairs of planar locking surfaces and a side shoulder for transferring side loads. A nut element is formed having a supporting plate and a threaded member; the plate has opposed shoulders to mate with the shoulders of the ribs. Pairs of fingers project from the plane of the plate and toward each other within a pair; the tips of opposed fingers are spaced to be resiliently sprung by the planar surfaces of the rib when the element is wedged thereover. When the nut is pressed-in-place by said wedging with the mating shoulders interengaged, the mating part is fitted to the molded part and a threaded member in the mating part is threadably engaged with the nut permitting transverse loads to be transferred between the parts.

Abstract: A one-piece sheet metal fastener (10) for joining two or more panels (14, 16) having a combined axial thickness (18) within a given range and aligned apertures (22, 24) of a given diameter (24) is provided. The fastener comprises two sidewall portions (28, 30) joined by a bight portion (32) which are aligned in the initial configuration of the fastener and which may be nonresiliently deformed by relative transverse movement of tab portions (46, 48) extending downwardly from transverse opposite sides of each sidewall portion.

Abstract: An earnut for use in securing earrings of the type worn on pierced ears is provided with a safety shield for preventing any earring post portion at the posterior side of the wearer's earlobe from coming into contact with the head and neck surfaces adjacent the earlobe to thereby prevent discomfiture or injury to the wearer.

Abstract: A coupling pin for agricultural implement hitches and other mechanical couplings includes an elongated generally cylindrical body portion and a ring-like retainer portion integrally formed with the body portion. The coupling pin is formed from spring steel plate or the like by a shearing or blanking operation and successive bending operations to form the pin body from opposed overlapping or abutting blade portions. The ring-like retainer portion which is concomitantly formed with the pin body has opposed sides drawn to shorten the retainer to provide engagement of a recessed portion formed on the retainer with the distal end of the pin body.

Abstract: A screw retainer comprises a substantially flat clip having a central resilient tang engaged by a screw for preventing withdrawal of the screw from an opening. Engagement of the screw with the tang also causes a reversely curved porton of the tang to engage an abutment for preventing withdrawal of the clip from a slot in which it is positioned adjacent a screw receiving hole.

Abstract: A carburetor with a number of threadedly adjustable fuel/air metering jets, rods or screws is provided with a spring metal flexible retainer clip that surrounds portions of two adjacent metering rods or screws with an interference fit to provide continuous side or lateral compressive forces on the screw threads to prevent backoff of the metering rods or screws during operation of the engine upon which the carburetor is installed due to vibration and temperature changes; the clip consisting of a continuous band of spring steel having reversely bent oppositely located end portions, one portion being formed in the shape of a hook and the other being formed more open to permit the assembly around the pair of adjacent metering rods or screws.