Disposable fluid actuator

Claim 1

A disposable fluid actuator comprising: a cylinder member having a cylindrical portion and a head end closure which is an integral element therewith and wherein a head end fluid port extends through said head end closure, said cylinder member also having a head end mounting tang extending from said closure, said tang also being an integral element of said cylinder member, said cylinder member having a rod end opposite from said head end closure and having an interior cylindrical chamber extending from said rod end towards said closure and also having a shorter counterbore extending inward from said rod end, said counterbore being of greater diameter than said interior chamber to form an annular shoulder in conjunction therewith which shoulder faces said rod end, a circular end cap disposed within said rod end of said cylinder member in coaxial relationship therewith, said end cap having a stepped peripheral surface forming an annular shelf which abuts said shoulder of said cylinder member, said end cap being held therein by a plurality of radially inwardly extending deformed portions of said rod end of said cylinder member, said end cap having a central opening therethrough for a piston rod, said end cap further having a rod end fluid port extending therethrough, a piston rod extending into said cylinder member through said opening of said end cap, and a piston disposed coaxially in said chamber for axial movement therewith, said piston being secured to said piston rod, said end cap and said piston rod and said piston being permanently secured to said cylinder member by said radially inwardly extending portions of said rod end of said cylinder member.