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Control system with bowden wire assembly end clip

  • US 5,511,442 A
  • Filed: 09/02/1994
  • Issued: 04/30/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
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Assignment
First Claim
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1. A remote control system for a vehicle comprising:

  • a flexible Bowden wire assembly having an outer sheath and a wire movably mounted within said sheath so as to expose proximal and distal ends of said wire extending from proximal and distal ends of said sheath respectively,a first actuator mounted for movement in a first location,a second actuator mounted for movement in a remote second location,said sheath being extended between said first and said second locations and having the proximal end thereof fixed in spaced relation to said first actuator and the distal end thereof fixed in spaced relation to said second actuator,one of the ends of said wire being fixed to one of said actuators,the other of the ends of said wire having an elongated member fixed thereto so as to extend axially therefrom, said elongated member having a series of axially spaced annular grooves formed in its exterior periphery, anda clip pivotally carried by the other of said actuators constructed and arranged to receive and retain said elongated member in a selected position of axial adjustment with respect thereto, said clip being formed of sheet metal and comprising;

    a base wall coupled to said other actuator,separate first and second support walls each being bent outwardly from said base wall along respective bend lines disposed transversely with respect to the direction of axial adjustment so as to provide rigid transverse support for said elongated member, said support walls being in spaced relation with respect to one another in the direction of axial adjustment, anda side wall bent outwardly from said base wall so as to extend in generally the same direction as said support walls, said side wall being bent along a bend line extending longitudinally with respect to the direction of axial adjustment and disposed generally transverse to said support walls so as to provide rigid longitudinal support for the elongated member, said support walls, said base wall and said side wall being constructed and arranged to define a cavity extending in an axial direction of the wire, said cavity being open opposite said base wall,said side wall including a resilient camming surface structure integrally formed therewith and extending into said cavity so as to define a holding channel between said resilient camming surface structure and said support walls,said support walls defining a pair of biting edges spaced so as to engage surfaces defining a corresponding pair of annular grooves of said series of annular grooves at a selected axial position with respect to said elongated member,a width of said holding channel being less than a width of said elongated member when said resilient camming surface structure is in an unbiased condition, said holding channel width being expanding upon movement of said resilient camming surface structure within said cavity to a biased condition, said elongated member being disposed within said expanded holding channel such that said resilient camming surface structure exerts a spring force thereagainst in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the wire so that said biting edges engage said surfaces defining a corresponding pair of annular grooves at said selected axial position, thereby holding said elongated member against movement in the axial direction of the wire.

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