Abstract A method of attaching a tube to a wall and particularly to an automotive radiator tank wall in a fluid tight seal in which the tube is provided with inner and outer end flanges on the end that is to be attached to the wall with these flanges spaced apart to define a groove between them substantially equal in width to the thickness of the wall so as to snugly receive the wall therein, providing a slit in the end flange extending for a distance substantially coinciding with the bottom of the groove, arranging at least one of the flange end portions on opposite sides of the slit at an outward angle to provide thereby an angled tab, providing a tube receiving opening in the wall with a slit also defining adjacent wall ends one of which is arranged at an outward angle similar to the angled flange tab, aligning the tube and the opening in the wall coaxially with the outer tube flange in contact with the tank wall at the outer surface thereof, rotating the tube and wall relative to each other thereby causing the tube outer flange tab to slide over the wall tab and pass inwardly of the wall and engage the wall and the tab groove followed by compressing the two flanges toward each other to grip tightly the wall surrounding the wall opening and then joining the tank wall as by soldering, brazing or the like to the flanges to form a fluid tight seal.
The method of attaching a tube to a wall in a fluid tight seal, comprising: providing a said tube having outer and inner end flanges spaced apart to define a groove therebetween substantially equal in width to the thickness of said wall with the outer end flange having a slit defining adjacent outer flange end portions one of which is arranged at an outward angle to provide an angled tab; providing a tube receiving opening in said wall with a slit defining adjacent wall end portions one of which is arranged at an outward angle similar to said angled flange tab to provide a similar wall tab complementary to said flange tab; aligning said tube and opening coaxially with the outer tube flange in contact with said wall; rotating said tube and wall relative to each other thereby causing said tube outer flange tab to slide over said wall tab and enter said wall slot to engage said wall to said tube groove; continuing said rotating until said tube outer flange completely underlies said wall in the area of said opening; compressing said tube flanges toward each other to grip tightly said wall therebetween; and joining said tank wall and flanges in a fluid tight seal comprising flattening said angled tabs on said tube and said wall.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
The method of attaching a tube to a wall in a fluid tight seal, comprising: providing a said tube having outer and inner end flanges spaced apart to define a groove therebetween substantially equal in width to the thickness of said wall with the outer end flange having a slit defining adjacent outer flange end portions one of which is arranged at an outward angle to provide an angled tab; providing a tube receiving opening in said wall with a slit defining adjacent wall end portions one of which is arranged at an outward angle similar to said angled flange tab to provide a similar wall tab complementary to said flange tab; aligning said tube and opening coaxially with the outer tube flange in contact with said wall; rotating said tube and wall relative to each other thereby causing said tube outer flange tab to slide over said wall tab and enter said wall slot to engage said wall to said tube groove; continuing said rotating until said tube outer flange completely underlies said wall in the area of said opening; compressing said tube flanges toward each other to grip tightly said wall therebetween; and joining said tank wall and flanges in a fluid tight seal comprising flattening said angled tabs on said tube and said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wall comprises an automotive radiator wall, said angled tabs of the tube and tank wall are at essentially the same angles relative to the common axis of the tank opening and the tab when said tube and opening are aligned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said slits are essentially radial and the tab angles each define substantially a thread of a helix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said joining is by soldering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tube comprises sheet metal with the inner end flange being formed by superimposed folded portions of said sheet metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wall comprises an automotive radiator wall, angled tabs of the tube and tank wall are at essentially the same angles relative to the common axis of the tank opening and the tab when said tube and opening are aligned, said slits are essentially radial and the tab angles each define substantially a thread of a helix and said tube comprises sheet metal with the inner end flange being formed by superimposed folded portions of said sheet metal.