Joints and connections – Manually releaseable latch type
Utility Patent
1996-10-23
2001-01-02
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Manually releaseable latch type
C403S192000, C403S345000, C074S558500, C074S523000
Utility Patent
active
06168343
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for fixing knobs to lever arms for gearboxes of automobile vehicles. The fixing device of the invention is applicable to lever arms for manually actuated or automatic gearboxes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known in the art are an extensive variety of embodiments of devices for fixing knobs to lever arms of gearboxes. In general, such fixing devices, in addition to their inherent fixing function, also permit during mounting of the knob on the lever arm the correct positioning of said knob, both in respect of the correct layout of distinguishing emblems or signs which it may include and requirements of an ergonomic nature, especially when the knob has a certain asymmetric configuration.
It is a usual practice for the knobs for gearbox lever arms to be made up of a hollow cylindrical core on which the handle is set. Furthermore, the lever arms are usually of basically tubular configuration. The core, moreover, may include means for fixing an apron or dust cover which covers the portion of the lever arm between the knob and the bodywork.
As examples of such embodiments of fixing devices, amongst others habitually used, the following may be mentioned:
devices in which the core and the free, or front, end of the lever arm have respective screw-threaded sections, the coupling being implemented by mutual screwing together;
devices in which, like those mentioned above, the core and the corresponding front end of the lever arm have respective threaded sections and are mutually coupled by screwing together, further using fasteners which, passing through the knob, fix it to said end;
and devices in which the core and the front end of the lever arm have a respective and complementary positioning guide, the coupling thereof being implemented by sliding of the knob with respect to said end and the position of both being fixed by means of securing pieces such as retainers.
In general, the known embodiments of fixing devices such as those described above present, totally or partially, the following disadvantages:
the coupling of the core with the front end of the lever arm is implemented by screwing on, which necessarily involves a lengthy assembly time which increases the cost of the operation;
in those cases in which the coupling of the core with the front end of the lever arm is implemented by screwing on, the final position of the knob, that is, its orientation, is fixed by the assembling operative, which can give rise to a certain inconsistency of results;
the fixing of the core on the front end of the lever arm using for the purpose accessory pieces such as screws and retainers results in the first case, in which screws are employed, in a finish which is in certain cases scarcely acceptable, and in the second case, where retainers are used, when maintenance operations have to be carried out which call for uncoupling of the knob from the lever arm, the costs of the operation are relatively high, since said retainer generally has to be replaced.
EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
A device of new structure and operation for fixing knobs to lever arms for gearboxes of automobile vehicles is made known hereby in order to provide a solution to all the above-mentioned disadvantages presented by known embodiments of such devices.
The fixing device for knobs of the invention presents the following as its main advantages:
the coupling of the core with the front end of the lever arm is implemented by the sliding of the knob onto said end;
the positioning of the knob with respect to the lever arm does not require complementary pieces such as screws or retainers;
the fixing of the knob onto the front end of the lever arm requires no tools or apparatus at all;
the knob can be coupled and uncoupled frequently without there ever being a need to use any auxiliary part.
The knob fixing device of the invention includes a core of generally long cylindrical shape provided with an axial orifice adapted to permit the coupling by sliding of the core with the corresponding end of the lever arm, the core being provided with means for the fixing of an apron or dust cover which covers the portion of the lever arm between the knob and the bodywork of the vehicle.
The knob fixing device of the invention is characterized in that it includes the following parts:
on the core, and at the open end which receives the lever arm, securing means which include two radial tightening extensions facing each other and with a respective securing projection to their interior, both tightening extensions being linked externally by means of corresponding radial ribs to a circular ring mounted coaxially with respect to the core, and on the closed end and to the interior, a positioning projection mounted axially;
on the lever arm, at the central portion thereof, a coaxial securing groove adapted to receive with a snug fit the securing projections of the axial tightening projections of the core, and on its front end, an axial positioning groove which, starting from the edge of said end, is so dimensioned as to house with a snug fit the positioning projection of the closed end of the core, all this so adapted that when the lever arm is inserted into the core the axial tightening extensions and the circular ring of the core undergo elastic deformation, and during the slide-coupling of the core on the lever arm, the positioning projection of the core is housed in the axial positioning groove of the lever arm and the securing projections of the core are housed in the coaxial securing groove of the lever arm by elastic reaction of said axial tightening extensions and circular ring.
According to another characteristic of the fixing device of the invention, the fixing projections of the tightening extensions of the core form a tubular passage whose receiving opening on the front end of the lever arm presents a configuration of generally truncated-cone shape.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4896556 (1990-01-01), Takada
patent: 5588329 (1996-12-01), Nedachi
patent: 5740586 (1998-04-01), Gomas
patent: 6058797 (2000-05-01), Konig et al.
Botella Octavi Lorente
Graus Xavier Motger
Browne Lynne H.
Cottingham John R.
Fico Triad, S.A.
Striker Michael J.
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