US4898493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for assembling parts
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-03-16
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Granted: 1990-02-06
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Expires: 2009-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for joining parts together in spaced relation especially in production assemblies which includes a plurality of carrier elements to be fastened to one part by conventional fastening elements. A plurality of receiver elements are fastened to a second part by being integrally molded to that part or bonded by sonic welding or adhesives or other appropriate fastening means. The carrier elements and the receiver elements are shaped to telescope together and interlock when so telescoped. The parts are prepared independently with similar orientation of the carrier and receiver elements. The final assembly is achieved when the parts are brought together and the elements interlocked in the telescoping relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Blankenburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08; F16B21/088; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S403/00; Y10S403/14; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion having a perforate top to receive bolt fasteners and resilient, dependent leg portions, a lateral latch projection on each of said leg portions, and (h) said receiver elements comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion dimensioned to have a sliding fit with said carrier element, and apertures formed in the wall of said receiver elements to receive said latch portions in an interlock engagement when said elements are telescoped together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion having a perforate top to receive bolt fasteners and resilient, dependent leg portions, a lateral latch projection on each of said leg portions, and (h) said receiver elements comprising a hollow cylindrical body portion dimensioned to have a sliding fit with said carrier element, and apertures formed in the wall of said receiver elements to receive said latch portions in an interlock engagement when said elements are telescoped together.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements each comprising a hollow cylindrical body having a top to receive a conventional fastener and having depending leg portions and a lateral latch projection on each of said leg portions, and (h) said receiver element comprising an upstanding ring on said second part having a transverse opening formed therein, said body being recessed to receive said rib whereby said latch projections may enter said openings to lock said elements together.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements each comprising a hollow cylindrical body having a top to receive a conventional fastener and having depending leg portions and a lateral latch projection on each of said leg portions, and (h) said receiver element comprising an upstanding ring on said second part having a transverse opening formed therein, said body being recessed to receive said rib whereby said latch projections may enter said openings to lock said elements together.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements comprising a first rib-like element having a first wall normal to said first part and resilient tabs on said first wall having lateral projections, and (h) a receiver element comprising a second rib-like element on a receiver element shaped to lie adjacent said first wall in a sliding fit, and recesses formed on said second rib-like element to receive and interlock with said lateral projections when said elements are telescoped together.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) said carrier elements comprising a first rib-like element having a first wall normal to said first part and resilient tabs on said first wall having lateral projections, and (h) a receiver element comprising a second rib-like element on a receiver element shaped to lie adjacent said first wall in a sliding fit, and recesses formed on said second rib-like element to receive and interlock with said lateral projections when said elements are telescoped together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as defined in claim 3 in which said first rib-like element comprises a U-shaped elongate channel member with the bight of the U facing the carrier element and resilient wall tabs on at least one leg of the channel member, and a second rib-like member on a receiver element shaped to enter the channel of said U-shaped member and having openings to receive the wall tabs on said channel member to latch the two members together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system as defined in claim 3 in which said carrier elements each comprise a body member having depending latch tabs positioned on diameters normal to each other and said receiver element comprises ribs on said receiver element disposed at right angles to each other and positioned to be received by said body member and having openings to receive said latch tabs to lock said elements together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A system as defined in claim 3 in which said carrier elements each comprise a body member having depending latch tabs in a line on said body, and channel extensions on each side of said body aligned with said line also having latch tabs on a wall of the channel, and a receiver element comprises an elongate rib positioned to be received on said body and said channel extensions having openings to receive said latch means to lock said elements together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as defined in claim 6 in which each said carrier element comprises a hollow cylindrical, inverted cup-shaped body having depending latch tabs on a diameter of said body and a boss atop said body to receive a conventional fastener to secure said first part to said carrier element.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) each said carrier element comprising a hollow body having depending resilient tabs and lateral latch projections thereon arranged in two planes normal to said first part and at angles to each other, and (h) said receiver element comprising two or more ribs at angles to each other to register with said depending tabs and having openings to engage said respective tabs when said elements are moved together.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for joining parts together in spaced relationship such as opposed panels which comprises: (a) a plurality of carrier elements, (b) a plurality of receiver elements, (c) means on said elements to interlock in engagement when said elements are moved axially into a juxtaposed position, (d) a first part fastened to one or more carrier elements by conventional fastening means, (e) a second part fastened to one or more receiver elements by conventional fastening means, (f) said parts being joined together when said carrier element and receiver element are moved together, (g) each said carrier element comprising a hollow body having depending resilient tabs and lateral latch projections thereon arranged in two planes normal to said first part and at angles to each other, and (h) said receiver element comprising two or more ribs at angles to each other to register with said depending tabs and having openings to engage said respective tabs when said elements are moved together.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |