Electrical connectors – Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use – Movement about axis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-20
2001-05-08
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Interrelated connectors relatively movable during use
Movement about axis
C439S164000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227865
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to rotary connector structures and, more particularly, to a screw-fixed rotary connector structure for vehicles, in which a rotary connector is screw-fixed to a base having a switch, such as a turn-signal switch, mounted thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional rotary connector is disclosed by Published Examined Japanese Utility Model Application No. H3-48867. According to the disclosure, the rotary connector is fixed by fastening screws onto a turn-signal switch, after inserting four screws into through-holes provided therein. In the meanwhile, the turn-signal switch is fixed by screwing onto a steering column after inserting separate three or more screws into screw holes provided therein.
In the conventional arrangement, however, the rotary connector is screw-fixed onto the base for the turn-signal switch, and the base is fixed onto the steering column by using other screws, thus increasing the number of screws as well as the number of processes of screw fastening. This results in an increased manufacturing cost. Further, since the conventional technique necessitates screw-fastening operations in very narrow locations, as in the periphery of the steering column for an automobile, it is difficult to insert screws into the screw holes in the rotary connector and the base. This difficulty often results in dropping the screws by mistake.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-stated problems encountered in the conventional art.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to reduce the number of screws and processes of fastening screws for simplification of screw-fastening operations in a rotary connector, by fixing the rotary connector and the turn-signal switch base using common screws attached to the rotary connector.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, there is provided a screw-fixed rotary connector structure for vehicles comprising a rotary connector having a first screw insertion hole formed open for insertion of a screw therethrough, a fixed case for being mounted on a base for a switch, a flange formed on the screw, and a resilient pawl formed on the fixed case or the base for engagement with the flange.
There is also provided a screw-fixed rotary connector structure for vehicles comprising a rotary connector having a first screw insertion hole opened for insertion of a screw therethrough, a fixed case for being mounted on a base for a switch, and a resilient pawl formed in the fixed case or the base for engagement with a threaded portion of the screw.
The screw-fixed rotary connector structure for vehicles of the invention may further comprise an engaging piece formed in either one of the rotary connector or the base, an engaging portion formed in the other of the rotary connector and the base for engagement with the engaging piece, and a second screw insertion hole formed open in the base for insertion of the screw, the second screw insertion hole being provided in a same axis as that of the first screw insertion hole of the rotary connector.
The flange according to the present invention may comprise a washer inserted on a threadless cylindrical portion of the screw.
The resilient pawl according to the present invention may be provided adjacent to or in the first screw insertion hole or the second screw insertion hole.
The screw according to the present invention may have a head and a flange thereof positioned in the first screw insertion hole.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5248260 (1993-09-01), Ida et al.
patent: 5769649 (1998-06-01), Welschholz et al.
Matsumoto Tsuyoshi
Someya Kouichi
Bradley Paula
Kananen Ronald P.
Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
Radar Fishman & Grauer
Tu Tho D.
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