Snap-fit connection

Claim 2

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members having correspondingly axially tapering first and second generally cylindrical sidewall portions in concentric overlapping relation, said first sidewall portion having an annular ring portion projecting therefrom presenting a correspondingly axially tapered cylindrical surface bordered at its opposite axial extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, said second sidewall portion having an annular recess therein accommodating said ring portion and presenting a correspondingly axially tapered cylindrical surface bordered at its opposite axial extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel for wedgelike engagement with the shoulder surfaces of said first sidewall portion, one of said sidewall portions terminates in a circular array of spaced cantilever leg portions, said leg portions having base regions located adjacent one of said shoulder surfaces of the last-named sidewall portion.

Claim 3

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said sidewall portions are axially tapered at approximately 8* .

Claim 4

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said oblique shoulder surfaces are axially beveled at approximately 45* .

Claim 5

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said oblique shoulder surfaces are axially beveled at approximately 45* , said annular ring portion and said annular recess portion each being offset from the corresponding sidewall portion about 0.010 inches.

Claim 6

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members in accordance with claim 1, said cantilever leg portions being of complementary arcuate shape in transverse section.

Claim 7

In a pair of snap-fit interconnected members in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said oblique shoulder surfaces are axially beveled at approximately 45* , each of said sidewall portions are axially tapered at approximately 8* , and said annular ring portion and said annular recess portion each being offset from its corresponding sidewall portion about 0.010 inches.

Claim 8

In a snap-fit mechanical connection of first and second members, the first of said members having an axially tapering cylindrical sidewall portion, the other of said members having an axially tapering cylindrical sidewall portion terminating in a circular array of symmetrically spaced cantilever leg portions of complimentary arcuate shape in transverse section, each of said sidewall portions having a radially offset annular wall portion presenting a correspondingly axially tapered cylindrical surface bordered at its opposite axial extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, the offset annular wall portion of one of said sidewall portions extending outwardly therefrom, the offset annular wall portion of the other of said sidewall portions extending radially inwardly therefrom, the offset annular wall portion of the sidewall portion of the second of said bodies being located so that a portion of its axial extent intercepts the base regions of said leg portions.

Claim 9

In a snap-fit mechanical connection of first and second members, the first of said members having an axially tapering cylindrical sidewall portion, the other of said members having an axially tapering cylindrical sidewall portion terminating in a circular array of symmetrically spaced cantilever leg portions of complimentary arcuate shape in transverse section, each of said sidewall portions having a radially offset annular wall portion presenting a correspondingly axially tapered cylindrical surface bordered at its opposite axial extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, the offset annular wall portion of one of said sidewall portions extending outwardly therefrom, the offset annular wall portion of the other of said sidewall portions extending radially inwardly therefrom, the offset annular wall portion of the sidewall portion of the second of said bodies being located so that a portion of its axial extent intercepts the base regions of said leg portions.

Claim 10

In a snap-fit mechanical connection as defined in claim 7, wherein each of said sidewall portions are axially tapered at approximately 8* , each of said oblique shoulder surfaces being axially beveled at approximately 45* .

Claim 11

In a snap-fit mechanical connection as defined in claim 8, wherein each said offset annular wall portion is offset on the order of about 0.010 inches.

Claim 12

A snap-fit mechanical connection assembly comprising, in combination, a pluglike member of hard molded plastic having a lengthwise tapering insert body provided with a radially outwardly projecting annular ring portion presenting a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindRical surface bordered at opposite lengthwise extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, and a socket member of hard molded plastic having an annular wall terminating in a circular array of symmetrically spaced cantilever leg portions of complementary arcuate shape in transverse section to border and define a central socket region opening endwise towards the plug member and of corresponding lengthwise taper, said annular wall having a radially outwardly projecting annular recess in open communication with the socket to present a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindrical surface bordered at opposite lengthwise extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, said recess being located so that a portion of its lengthwise extent intercepts the base regions of said leg portions.

Claim 13

A snap-fit mechanical connection assembly comprising, in combination, a pluglike member of hard molded plastic having a lengthwise tapering insert body provided with a radially outwardly projecting annular ring portion presenting a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindRical surface bordered at opposite lengthwise extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, and a socket member of hard molded plastic having an annular wall terminating in a circular array of symmetrically spaced cantilever leg portions of complementary arcuate shape in transverse section to border and define a central socket region opening endwise towards the plug member and of corresponding lengthwise taper, said annular wall having a radially outwardly projecting annular recess in open communication with the socket to present a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindrical surface bordered at opposite lengthwise extremities by oblique shoulder surfaces of opposite bevel, said recess being located so that a portion of its lengthwise extent intercepts the base regions of said leg portions.

Claim 14

A snap-fit mechanical connection assembly comprising, in combination, a plug member of hard molded plastic having a lengthwise tapering insert body provided with a radially outwardly projecting annular ring portion presenting a correspondingly lengthwise tapering cylindrical surface bordered at opposite ends by oblique shoulders of opposite bevel, and a socket member of hard molded plastic having a central socket of corresponding lengthwise taper, said socket member having a radially outwardly projecting annular recess in open communication with the socket to present a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindrical surface bordered at opposite ends by oblique shoulders of opposite bevel, said socket member having a circular groove opening endwise towards the plug member and encircling the socket to a depth beyond the adjacent bevel surface thereof, said socket member having radial notches opening endwise toward the plug member and leading from the socket to the groove at peripherally spaced locations about the socket to provide a set of three leg portions for outward flexing to enable lengthwise insertion of the plug body into socket until mechanical interlock of said ring portion in said recess is established.

Claim 15

A snap-fit mechanical connection assembly comprising, in combination, a plug member of hard molded plastic having a lengthwise tapering insert body provided with a radially outwardly projecting annular ring portion presenting a correspondingly lengthwise tapering cylindrical surface bordered at opposite ends by oblique shoulders of opposite bevel, and a socket member of hard molded plastic having a central socket of corresponding lengthwise taper, said socket member having a radially outwardly projecting annular recess in open communication with the socket to present a correspondingly lengthwise tapered cylindrical surface bordered at opposite ends by oblique shoulders of opposite bevel, said socket member having a circular groove opening endwise towards the plug member and encircling the socket to a depth beyond the adjacent bevel surface thereof, said socket member having radial notches opening endwise toward the plug member and leading from the socket to the groove at peripherally spaced locations about the socket to provide a set of three leg portions for outward flexing to enable lengthwise insertion of the plug body into socket until mechanical interlock of said ring portion in said recess is established.