Actuator rod connector

Claim 1

In combination, a pivoted lever member having an aperture at one end, an elongated substantially L-shaped actuating rod for swinging the lever member in a predetermined plane, and a connecting device for coupling the actuating rod to the apertured end of the lever member, the long leg of the L-shaped actuating rod substantially paralleling the plane of swinging movement of the lever member and the short leg of the L-shaped actuating rod projecting through the aperture in the lever member, the connecting device being an integrally molded plastic unit having a short flat base member with an aperture at one end, a substantially cylindrical retention means projecting from the apertured end of the base member and having a bore therethrough axially aligned with the base member aperture, the cylindrical retention means comprising a reduced shank portion having a diameter complementary to the lever member aperture and a compressible tapered shoulder portion slightly larger in cross sectional area than the shank portion, the tapered shoulder portion being compressible to a size at which it will pass through the lever member aperture, the shoulder portion upon projecting through the lever member aperture expanding to prevent disconnection of the connection device and lever member, the base member having spaced upstanding side walls adapted to receive the long leg of the L-shaped actuating rod therebetween, the side walls having opposed retention flanges having a space therebetween less than the thickness of the actuating rod whereby the long leg of the L-shaped rod must be forced between the retention flanges as its short leg is inserted into the cylindrical means bore, and a non-circular formed section on the long leg of the actuating rod engageable with the retention flanges inhibiting separation of the actuating rod from the connecting device.