Patent US1383424A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3769853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fastener device
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-09-08
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-09-08
Abstract
Abstract In preferred form a fastener device comprising a sheet metal clip assembly including folded over portions forming a duct with a resilient top surface wherein the duct receives a preformed end of a lever having an abutment thereon and the top surfaces of the duct are expanded when the lever is axially inserted into the duct. The lever is inserted a sufficient distance to position its abutment inwardly of the top surfaces of the duct. The top surfaces, due to their resiliency tend to return to their normal shape and contract against the lever engaging the ramp and thereby prevent withdrawal of the lever from the clip assembly. The clip assembly also includes laterally aligned downwardly extending tabs providing pivotal mounting of the clip in one application on a vehicle turn signal switch assembly. The clip assembly can also include a downwardly depending tab positioned in association with a headlamp dimmer switch so that upward and downward movement of the lever would control the vehicle headlamps. A biasing member is formed integral with the clip to engage the free end of the lever so that its abutment is continually urged into engagement with the resilient top surfaces of the clip. The lever can easily be removed by prying the clip top surfaces upwardly so that the abutment on the lever may move outwardly of the clip assembly through the duct.
Inventors
- 👤 F Schluckebier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B2/00; F16B2/20; F16B2/22; F16B2/24; F16B2/241; F16B2/245; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/40; B60Q1/42; B60Q1/425; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A fastener device comprising in combination: a retaining clip assembly including a base and having a body portion forming a duct including at least one resilient side; a pair of spaced depending tabs, one on each side of said base in lateral alignment for pivotally mounting the clip assembly; a biasing member extending upwardly from said base blocking one end of said duct portion; a male member having a preformed end of a size for receipt within said duct portion; a ramp surface on said preformed end flexing said resilient side outwardly of said duct portion when said male member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member engaging said resilient side retaining said male member within said duct when said male member is inserted a sufficient distance within said duct thereby retaining the male member within said clip assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A fastener device comprising in combination: a retaining clip assembly including a base and having a body portion forming a duct including at least one resilient side; a pair of spaced depending tabs, one on each side of said base in lateral alignment for pivotally mounting the clip assembly; a biasing member extending upwardly from said base blocking one end of said duct portion; a male member having a preformed end of a size for receipt within said duct portion; a ramp surface on said preformed end flexing said resilient side outwardly of said duct portion when said male member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member engaging said resilient side retaining said male member within said duct when said male member is inserted a sufficient distance within said duct thereby retaining the male member within said clip assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
A fastener device having particular application for providing a connection between a vehicle turn signal switch assembly and its associated operating lever comprising in combination: a sheet metal retaining clip including a base with integral vertically extending side members and folded over resilient top members terminating in unsecured mating surfaces defining a seam therebetween; said base, side members and top members forming a duct portion of said clip; depending laterally aligned tabs on said base providing pivotal mounting of said clip on said turn signal switch assembly; a biasing member integral with said base and extending upwardly therefrom axially blocking one end of said duct; a male connecting member formed on one end of said operating lever; a ramp surface on said male member expanding said duct top surfaces upwardly when said male connecting member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member at the inner end of said ramp engaged by an edge of said duct top surfaces when they tend to return to their normal positions after said ramp has been inserted in said duct; said biasing member engaging said male member urging the abutment into engagement with said duct top surfaces retaining said lever and said clip connected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A fastener device having particular application for providing a connection between a vehicle turn signal switch assembly and its associated operating lever comprising in combination: a sheet metal retaining clip including a base with integral vertically extending side members and folded over resilient top members terminating in unsecured mating surfaces defining a seam therebetween; said base, side members and top members forming a duct portion of said clip; depending laterally aligned tabs on said base providing pivotal mounting of said clip on said turn signal switch assembly; a biasing member integral with said base and extending upwardly therefrom axially blocking one end of said duct; a male connecting member formed on one end of said operating lever; a ramp surface on said male member expanding said duct top surfaces upwardly when said male connecting member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member at the inner end of said ramp engaged by an edge of said duct top surfaces when they tend to return to their normal positions after said ramp has been inserted in said duct; said biasing member engaging said male member urging the abutment into engagement with said duct top surfaces retaining said lever and said clip connected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
326 words
A fastener device having particular application for providing a connection between a vehicle turn signal switch assembly and its associated operating lever comprising in combination: a sheet metal retaining clip including a base with integral vertically extending side members and folded over resilient top members terminating in unsecured mating surfaces defining a seam therebetween, said mating surfaces including at least one tongue on one of said mating top surfaces freely extending into a groove in the other of said mating top surfaces thereby limiting relative axial movement between the top mating surfaces; said base, side members and top members collectively forminG a duct in said clip; said top members being deformed providing convex surfaces extending downwardly into said duct forming locking edges on each of the mating surfaces; depending laterally aligned tabs on said base providing pivotal mounting of said clip on said turn signal switch assembly; a biasing member integral with said base and extending upwardly therefrom axially blocking one end of said duct; a depending tab integral with said base at the opposite end of said duct from said biasing member capable of being operatively connected with a headlamp dimmer switch assembly associated with said turn signal switch assembly; a male connecting member formed on one end of the turn signal switch operating lever; a ramp surface on said male member expanding said duct top surfaces upwardly when said male connecting member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member at the inner end of said ramp engaged by said locking edges on said mating top member convex surfaces when said duct top surfaces tend to return to their normal positions after said ramp has been inserted in said duct; said biasing member being formed to engage the free end of said male member and continually urge said abutment into engagement with said locking edges of said convex top surfaces thereby retaining said lever and said clip connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
326 words
A fastener device having particular application for providing a connection between a vehicle turn signal switch assembly and its associated operating lever comprising in combination: a sheet metal retaining clip including a base with integral vertically extending side members and folded over resilient top members terminating in unsecured mating surfaces defining a seam therebetween, said mating surfaces including at least one tongue on one of said mating top surfaces freely extending into a groove in the other of said mating top surfaces thereby limiting relative axial movement between the top mating surfaces; said base, side members and top members collectively forminG a duct in said clip; said top members being deformed providing convex surfaces extending downwardly into said duct forming locking edges on each of the mating surfaces; depending laterally aligned tabs on said base providing pivotal mounting of said clip on said turn signal switch assembly; a biasing member integral with said base and extending upwardly therefrom axially blocking one end of said duct; a depending tab integral with said base at the opposite end of said duct from said biasing member capable of being operatively connected with a headlamp dimmer switch assembly associated with said turn signal switch assembly; a male connecting member formed on one end of the turn signal switch operating lever; a ramp surface on said male member expanding said duct top surfaces upwardly when said male connecting member is axially inserted within said duct; and a locking abutment on said male member at the inner end of said ramp engaged by said locking edges on said mating top member convex surfaces when said duct top surfaces tend to return to their normal positions after said ramp has been inserted in said duct; said biasing member being formed to engage the free end of said male member and continually urge said abutment into engagement with said locking edges of said convex top surfaces thereby retaining said lever and said clip connected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3319485A
Cited
US3453901A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |