Abstract: A bushing assembly for tubular structures is disclosed. The bushing assembly includes a body having a substantially flat configuration and defining a planar surface and an outer edge; and a plurality of projections extending from the outer edge and traverse to the planar surface, each projection defining a longitudinal axis, each projection including at least one ridge extending at least partially along a surface of the projection and along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cable gland for an armored cable comprising at least an exposed portion of the armor, comprising a clamping ring and a compression ring intended to be tightened or rotatably engaged to each other, said cable gland comprises a current conducting circular member, intended to surround the exposed portion of the armor of said cable and being attached at one end to the compression ring and at another end to the clamping ring, so that when the clamping ring and a compression ring are tightened or rotatably engaged to each other, the circular member is collapsed against an exposed portion of the armor of the cable.

Abstract: A control arrangement (9) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger (1), having a regulating unit (4) which has a regulating rod (5), and having a guide piece (6) which is connected to a free end region (8) of the regulating rod (5). The free end region (8) is connected to the guide piece (6) by way of a spring clip (10) which engages around the free end region (8) and which is clamped to the guide piece (6).

Abstract: There is disclosed a panel fastener and method of attaching multiple panels. A panel fastener may include a pin and a receptacle, the pin having a head and a shank extending from the head and the receptacle having an aperture to receive the shank and a retainer configured to engage the shank to prevent the shank from being withdrawn from the aperture. The head and the receptacle may have respective openings to receive a key to disengage the retainer from the shank.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly for mounting on a substrate to be protected includes a support plate having a first surface and an opposing second surface and a wear plate having a wear surface and an opposing attachment surface affixed to the first surface of the support plate, wherein the wear surface is a continuous, uninterrupted surface. The assembly also includes a shaft having a base portion attached to the second surface of the support plate, a head portion distal from the base portion and a groove formed between the base portion and the head portion. The assembly also includes a retainer spring adapted to be received in the groove on the shaft, wherein the retainer spring includes a plurality of compressible tabs configured for cooperating with the substrate to releasably attach the wear plate assembly to the substrate.

Abstract: A retention clip for hardware may include a support surface having an aperture extending through the support surface. The support surface may surround an entire perimeter of the aperture. The clip may further include at least one anti-rotation surface extending from the support surface in a non-parallel direction, and a plurality of angled tabs extending from the support surface in non-parallel directions towards the aperture. At least a portion of each angled tab may be disposed directly below the aperture. The tabs may be elastic below a preset load placed on the tabs, and the tabs may deform and lose their elasticity above the preset load.

Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.

Abstract: A take-up fastener is disclosed for fastening a level in a frame construction to the level below so as to resist upward forces generated by wind and other sources on the framed construction. The take-up fastener in general includes a take-up plate, or washer, fastened to a portion of the upper level and a take-up screw fit through the take-up plate and fastened to the adjacent level below. Once the take-up fastener is fully assembled, the take-up plate includes a pair of tabs which are capable of engaging threads on a take-up screw in a way that allows one-way motion of the take-up screw relative to the take-up plate. In particular, the take-up plate can move downward relative to the take-up screw, for example on constricting of the wooden members to which the take-up plate is affixed. However, the engagement between the take-up plate and take-up screw prevents movement of the take-up plate upward with respect to the take-up screw, for example upon an upward load due to wind or other external force.

Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.

Abstract: An assemblage (8) comprises an electrical connector (10) having body (12) with a tubular projection (14) having a push-through portion (16) having a first diameter and an engaging portion (18) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A support (20) for the electrical connector (10) has a major part 22 that is substantially rigid and includes an aperture (24) formed by a plurality of deflectable spokes (26). The aperture (24) has a center opening (28) with a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second diameter, whereby the tubular projection push-through portion (16) slides through the aperture (24) and the spokes (26) engage the second diameter of the engaging portion (18) and mount the electrical connector (10) with the support (20).

Abstract: The invention provides for a retainer for stabilizing a threaded member. The retainer may include a base portion having an opening and an outer perimeter lying in a first plane, the opening having a plurality of elongated sections each extending toward the outer perimeter so as to define in the base portion one or more arms. Each of the aims may have a head section having at least one groove, the head sections being located in a second plane which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane. The elongated sections may be symmetrically arranged about an axis. The grooves may be arranged to define at least a portion of a helix. The outer perimeter of the retainer may be circular.

Abstract: A mounting unit (1) serves to rotatably and captively fasten a screw (2) to a mounting part (3), especially the fastening eyelet (4) of a belt buckle of an automobile, a truck or a different commercial vehicle. The mounting unit (1) includes a screw (2) including a head (5), a shank portion (6) and a threaded portion (7) including a thread (8), the shank portion (6) being arranged in a region between the head (2) and the threaded portion (7).

Abstract: A mechanical stop is adapted to be mounted onto a rigid bar and includes a single piece conically shaped body having a plurality of inwardly extending projections. Each of the inwardly extending projections have a distal end that is contoured to match an outer surface of the bar. The distal ends define an opening. The conically shaped body is adapted to be plastically deformed to a substantially flat shape after being placed onto the rigid bar. The opening includes a first dimension larger than the rigid bar prior to being plastically deformed and a second dimension smaller than the rigid bar after being plastically deformed. After the conically shaped body is plastically deformed into a substantially flat shape, the distal ends will frictionally engage the outer surface of the rigid bar to secure the mechanical stop thereon.

Abstract: An attachment clip 10 is provided to attach a heat shielding plate 4 to an under-panel 2. The under-panel 2 has a bolt 5 projecting from a floor tunnel 2a. The heat shielding plate 4 has a bolt hole 4a formed to allow passage of a shank 5a of the bolt 5. The attachment clip 10 has a clip body 11 having an abutting part 13 for abutment on the heat shielding plate 4. The abutting part 13 has a shank hole 12 for passage of the shank 5a of the bolt 5. The attachment clip 10 further includes six engagement claws 10A–10F projecting from the inner periphery of the clip body 11 inwardly. The engagement claws 10A–10F have respective engagement tips 10a–10f formed to depart from the clip body 11 along the axial direction of the attachment chip 10, providing a substantial cone-shaped configuration. The engagement claws 10A–10F elastically engage with threads of the shank 5a while urging the heat shielding plate 4 toward the under-panel 2 along the axial direction of the bolt 5.

Abstract: The structural unit (12) is comprised of a securing element (11) and a wiper device (10) and the wiper device 10 is detachably fastened to the securing element (11). In this instance, the detachable connection is embodied as a detent connection. A detent element (14) is embodied on the securing element (11) and elastically engages in detent fashion in a detent seat (13) embodied on a wiper bearing (15) of the wiper device (10).

Abstract: A fastener system having a fastener and a fastener retention member is provided. The fastener includes a threaded portion, a head, and a shank portion extending therebetween. The threaded portion includes threads having a major diameter greater than a diameter of the shank portion. The fastener retention member includes a body member having an axial opening therethrough, and at least one shank engagement member protruding into the axial opening of the body member. The shank engagement members define a diameter smaller than the major diameter of the threads of the threaded portion of the fastener. The shank portion of the fastener is received in the axial opening of the fastener retention member and is axially movable therein and trapped between a position where the head of the fastener abuts the fastener retention member and a position where the threaded portion of the fastener engages the shank engagement members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle structural component, especially a specialized front wall, comprising a functional part made of molded plastic intended to support functional members of the vehicle and a structural part intended to withstand the various mechanical stresses generated by the use of the vehicle, the structural part consisting of the combination of two rigid assemblies, namely, in the first place, an array of stiffening ribs and, in the second place, metal reinforcements. The functional part and one of the rigid assemblies are made as one piece when molding the plastic functional part, while the other rigid assembly is attached to the first rigid assembly to which it is fixed by snap-fastening.

Abstract: A fastening device including a shaft portion having first and second sections, and at least two slide-on heads each having an opening defined therethrough and being adapted to engage the first and second sections of the shaft portion. The first and second sections each include a plurality of axially aligned, outwardly oriented locking members. The locking members of the second section are oriented oppositely of the locking members of the first section.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink (80) and an assembling device for securing the heat sink to a, chip (90) mounted on a printed circuit board (100). The heat sink has a pair of ears (82) each defining an aperture (84) therein. The assembling device includes a clip (70), a pair of sleeves (50) each defining a cavity (62) therethrough, and a pair of springs (60). Each sleeve extends through the aperture of a corresponding ear of the heat sink, and the springs are disposed respectively between the ears and an end of the sleeves. The clip has a pair of posts (66) for extending through the printed circuit board to engage with the corresponding cavities.

Abstract: A fastener retention system having a retention member with an opening therein, a flange protruding outwardly from the retention member, a plurality of resilient work piece engagement tabs protruding outwardly from retention member, and a shank disposed in the retention member opening and engaged by a plurality of fastener engagement tabs, whereby the retention member is axially retained about the shank.

Abstract: A cartridge-style pump [10] for a vehicle power steering system can be assembled, tested and shipped independently of an associated pump housing [37]. The pump [10] includes an upper plate [12], a cam plate [16] having a bore [20] formed therein for receipt of a rotor [18], and a lower plate [14]. A plurality of alignment pins [22] are pressed into the lower plate [14] with the cam plate [16] and the upper plate [12] placed onto the alignment pins [22] to locate the plates in their proper position. A plurality of retaining clips [32] are placed onto a respective alignment pin [22] to hold the pump [10] together.

Abstract: An identification tag for various size lube oil plugs for mobile vehicles. The identification tag has a mounting hole with an intentional flash in each comer. Each side to the hole has a flap with a living hinge adjacent. The living hinges run between the flashes. The flaps will pivot on installation to allow engagement of the inner edges of the flaps on receiving slots of the receiving slots of the various size lube oil plugs.

Abstract: A latch assembly is mounted in an aperture formed in a first member for releaseably retaining the first member against a corresponding second member and in a latched position. The latch assembly includes a handle which is adapted for pivotal rotation, a shaft connected with the handle for movement corresponding with the pivotal rotation of the handle and a latching member on the shaft which is adapted to engage the second member in the latched position when the handle is pivoted to the closed position.

Abstract: A quick-clamping nut for a fastener assembly with mutually cooperating threaded bolts and nuts. The nut is a circular-cylindrical or prismatic hollow body of hard-elastic material, in particular plastic. A protrusion, which is integrally formed with the nut body, projects from the inner wall of the hollow body and it is oriented obliquely towards the axis. The free end of the projection cooperates with the thread of the bolt such that the threaded bolt is axially displaceable in one direction relative to the nut, causing elastic deformation of the protrusion. In the other direction, the is locked, but it is threadable similarly to a conventional, rigid nut and a force can be transmitted in the axial direction between the threaded bolt and the nut The protrusion is formed with an axial extension, which extends to approximately the plane of the contacting surface of the nut with the component to be clamped in the fastener assembly.

Abstract: A push nut having a washer member and a push spring with radial blade pieces arranged like a truncated cone serves to firmly retain a shaft or rod onto a frame or chassis of an electrical appliance or the like. The push nut, comprising the washer member and the push spring connected by one or more connectors, can easily be formed in one body by cutting or punching out an elastic plate into an elementary flat plate and folding the elementary flat plate so as to place the push spring and washer member one on another. The push nut having the united push spring and washer member is easy to handle and produce.

Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and a container including spaced apart end walls. An elongated inflator extends between the end walls for discharging gas to inflate the air bag. A lug projects outwardly from an inflator end of the inflator and the lug engages one of the end walls of the container. First and second opposing spring tabs are included on the one end wall of the container. The spring tabs each include a retention end which are spaced apart from each other and define a retention opening therebetween which is narrower than the lug on the inflator end. Upon insertion of the lug into the retention opening, the lug engages the retention ends of the spring tabs and deflects the spring tabs such that the retention ends of the spring tabs each grip against the lug to cooperatively capture the lug between spring tabs and prevent removal of the inflator from the container.

Abstract: In a fastening arrangement for a sensor (1) which can be inserted through a bore (3) in a wall (2) of a housing and is sealed and held releasably by means of an O-ring (10) and a cup-spring-like retaining ring (11), the sensor (1), together with the cup-spring-like retaining ring (11) seated on a shoulder (7), can be forced in axially with the cylindrical outer circumference (12) of the retaining ring (11) in clamping engagement with the enlarged portion (4) of the bore (2) in the wall, the O-ring (10) can be axially loaded between the shoulder (7) and the step (5) which terminates the enlarged portion (4), and the sensor (1) can be fixed axially by the inner circumference (13) of the retaining ring clamping its cylindrical shaft (6).

Abstract: A low conductivity mounting stud for attaching an electronic component to a base structure such as a heat sink eliminates the need for several insulating washers and other insulators around the shaft of the mounting stud. The mounting stud may be composed of ceramic material such as partially stabilized zirconia. The mounting stud is secured with a press-on fastener such as a "Tinnerman nut".

Abstract: A spring element for a shock isolating mount is adapted for multiple assembling and disassembling. The spring element comprises an annular segment having holding tabs extending radially inwardly from one end thereof; and aligning tabs which are shorter and wider than the holding tabs, and which extend radially inwardly from the same end of the annular segment.

Abstract: A segmented combustor wall panel for a gas turbine engine is retained by a clip secured to a post extending radially from the segmented panel. This post passes through a hole in the outer wall support structure and is machined to have a square cross section at a region spaced from its end. A double looped spring clip composed of spring sheet metal is received on the post and has its free opposed ends provided with cutouts to conform to the shape of the square cross section portion of the post to thereby prevent rotation of the clip on the post. The double looped arrangement of the clip provides a fail safe feature in that the clip will retain the post even in the event half the clip should fail.

Abstract: A retractable and reusable self-locking fastening device in the form of a commercially available rivet, pin, threaded bolt or stud and the like for insertion into a sized clearance hole in a workpiece includes a shank means having tenon and pilot means which comprises two successive steps of lesser diameter formed on at least one end of the shank means. Mounted on and fixedly connected to the pilot means is a lug means having a generally truncated conical shape with one closed end and the end remote therefrom being opened to define a space in which the tenon means is disposed, and a sized aperture in the closed end to enable the lug means to be fixedly connected to the pilot means. The tapered walls of the lug means have at least four outwardly extending movable sections separated by at least four longitudinal slots defining a truncated cone configuration.

Abstract: A door latch lever handle fitting includes a retaining member which is pushed onto a shank portion of a lever handle. The retaining member has tongues which engage flats of the shank portion and tongues which engage in grooves formed in the surface of the shank portion to thereby grip the shank portion. In other embodiments where there are no grooves, different retaining members have modified gripping tongue arrangements. The retaining member is stressed to give axial thrust to take up any residual play in the assembly. Ears of the retainer member are engageable with an abutment lug on the rear face of a base plate of the assembly so that the door handle may be turned through a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An insert which ensures contiguity and proper alignment during installation of a plurality of gasket elements used to seal the joint between the mating surfaces of components comprising an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fastening device for connection to threaded bolts or studs. The device is preferably molded from plastic and has an internal opening provided with one or more resilient catch projections distributed about the circumference of the opening. The projections extend axially and radially into the opening. A series of graduations or thread-form configurations are carried by each projection. When a bolt is received in the opening, the projections are resiliently deflected and the graduations engage the threads of the bolt.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for holding at least two valve rocker trunnions in predetermined, fixed relationship prior to and during installation in a diesel engine assembly. The retainer is an elongated strip arcuate in cross-section and provided with shoulders. At least two cut-out sections provided with pairs of opposing spring members are adapted to receive the trunnions in an interference fit and hold them in fixed relationship while the retainer and trunnions are installed in the engine. Means are provided for holding the retainer in position on the engine assembly during installation.

Abstract: A device for attaching a bellows to a cylindrical member, particularly a ball pin of a rack articulation for automotive vehicles. In order to permit a nonslippable attachment of the bellows even to unmachined pins which vary slightly in diameter, it is proposed to arrange between the bellows and the ball pin an annular disk having a closed outer edge and an inner edge which is interrupted by radially extending slots, the inner edge consisting of a plurality of resilient segments which are bent alternately in opposite directions and are pre-stressed against the ball pin.

Abstract: A two part fastener is provided for securing an elastomeric membrane on a roof deck or the like. The fastener includes a post secured to the roof deck by a screw and having a peripheral laterally extending flange at the upper edge. The membrane is draped over the post and a ring is installed over the membrane and post. The ring includes a plurality of inwardly and upwardly directed resilient fingers lying on a conical surface. The fingers snap over and then lock beneath the membrane and flange. The upper end of the post is recessed so that part of the membrane can be stretched into it during assembly and then released to reduce stress in the membrane.

Abstract: A sensing mechanism has a retainer ring which is secured in an aperture formed in a housing in which the sensor is to operate. The retainer ring has a plurality of tabs which cooperate with axial and circumferential slots on the sensor to permit removal and replacement of the sensor without the need for adjustment. On original installation of the sensing mechanism, the retainer ring is positioned in the housing aperture by radially extending tines cooperating with the aperture. A resilient member permits the mechanism to be installed to a depth deeper than the operating depth. The resilient member urges the sensor axially, as permitted by a gap between the retainer ring and the circumferential slots, to achieve the proper operating depth.

Abstract: A connector for connecting jacketed, metal clad cable to an electrical box includes a tubular metallic body with a stamped and formed retainer element preferably staked therein. This retainer element has an annular rim with radially inwardly directed fingers formed or bent toward the electrical-box end of the connector for permitting insertion of the cable therein preparatory to affixing the two together, for preventing withdrawal of that cable in the opposite direction, and also for providing an electrical grounding continuity. The connector also features an elastomeric compression grommet that compresses into the cable jacket upon the tightening of a nut onto the connector body. A Teflon washer between grommet and nut minimizes the frictional resistance therebetween as the nut is tightened onto the connector body.

Abstract: A frangible lock apparatus utilizes a pair of pan-shaped washers, each having shaft engaging tines. The shaft portion of a locking device, having the tumbler mechanism rotatably coupled to one end thereof, and the locking portion rotatably engaged the other, is provided with three pairs of notches along its length. Two pairs of such notches engage the pan-shaped washers located on opposite faces of the locking portion of the apparatus. The remaining pair of notches are disposed immediately adjacent the pan-shaped washer located closest to the tumbler end of the shaft. Upon pulling the tumblers, the shaft parts and the remaining portion thereof presents a virtually ungraspable nub and smooth shaped pan washer, accessible only through the small opening formerly used to house the tumbler mechanism.

Abstract: A chain-like toy made of a plurality of isosceles triangular hollow prism units that are connected serially with one another at slanted side planes thereof by means of a connecting rod interposed with a resilient member, each unit being connected rotatably for an angle of 360.degree. so that various shapes of things can be simulated by rotating each of the triangular hollow prisms.