Detent structure having a retaining lip with a smooth continuous outer surface free from stress-concentrating corners
US5011324A · kind A · utility
4Cited by
12References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/604
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A detent ball is retained in a recess against a bias spring by deforming the material around the open end of the recess radially and axially inwardly of the recess to define a retaining lip to hold the ball in place, the lip having a substantially part-spherical outer surface. The deformation is accomplished by an embossing tool having a part-spherical embossing surface which converges from an end wider than the recess to an end narrower than the recess. A part-spherical cavity in the end of the embossing tool accommodates the ball during the deformation process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.