Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Assembling or joining
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-17
2001-10-30
Bryant, David P. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Assembling or joining
C029S441100, C029S450000, C074S502400, C074S502600, C264S274000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308395
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path by a flexible motion transmitting core element. More specifically, the invention relates to such a control assembly wherein a swivel tube is supported by an end fitting for swivelling movement as a rod attached to the core element moves to and fro in the swivel tube.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to overcome problems in the molding of the end fitting about the male convex spherical end of the swivel tube, an insert has been embedded in the end fitting for engaging and supporting the spherical end of the swivel tube. Such an solution is disclosed in co-pendinig U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,380,178 and 4,649,010, both in the names of Bennett et al. and assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. In accordance with the solution disclosed therein, the end fitting is molded sufficiently about the spherical end of the swivel tube to prevent the swivel tube from being removed from the assembly and/or requires the swivel tube to be assembled in place when the end fitting is molded about the insert and swivel tube. An alternative construction is to mold an end fitting without an insert and sized so that the male spherical end of the swivel tube is snapped into the spherical pocket in the end fitting. There remains a need to mold an end fitting about the insert while allowing the spherical end of the swivel tube to be assembled with the insert in a later operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
A motion transmitting remote control assembly including a flexible motion transmitting core element having a terminal portion and a rod attached to the terminal portion of the core element. A conduit movably supports the core element and has an end portion with an end fitting disposed about the end portion of the conduit. An insert has a neck portion embedded in the end fitting and a spherical portion presenting a ball-shaped pocket and extending from the neck portion through a maximum inner diameter. A swivel tube has a bore therethrough for movably supporting the rod and has a convex spherical surface slidably supported in the ball-shaped pocket for swiveling movement relative to the end fitting. The assembly is characterized by the spherical portion extending from the maximum inner diameter to an open end which is smaller than the maximum inner diameter and smaller than the convex spherical surface for engaging and retaining the convex spherical surface of the swivel tube in the ball-shaped pocket.
The method is therefore characterized by the steps of placing the end portion of the conduit and the insert in a mold cavity with the mold cavity terminating at least at the maximum inner diameter for leaving the insert out of the mold cavity between the maximum inner diameter and the open end, and injecting organic polymeric material into the mold cavity for molding the end fitting about the end portion of the conduit and about the insert from the neck portion to a position not beyond the maximum inner diameter of the spherical portion.
Accordingly, the subject invention provides an insert molded into the end fitting but which can receive and retain the spherical end of the swivel tube in a later assembly operation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3081497 (1963-03-01), Scherry
patent: 3994185 (1976-11-01), Gilardi
patent: 4380178 (1983-04-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 4649010 (1987-03-01), Bennett et al.
patent: 4769198 (1988-09-01), Bechtold et al.
patent: 4988472 (1991-01-01), Orimoto et al.
patent: 5529743 (1996-06-01), Powell
Bryant David P.
Cozart Jermie E.
Howard & Howard
Teleflex Incorporated, Inc.
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