Zero looseness fastener for a linkage assembly
First Claim
1. A method for securing a first link member to a second link member of a linkage assembly for a vehicle seat track assembly comprising the steps of:
- a.) providing a fastener having a centering post at a distal end, a head portion at a proximal end, and a self-tapping portion located between the head portion and the centering post;
providing a first link member having a first aperture; and
providing a second link member having a slot adapted to receive a portion of said first link member and having a second aperture aligned with a third aperture, with said second and said third apertures located transverse to said slot;
b.) placing a first end of said first link member into said slot and aligning said first aperture with said second and said third apertures;
c.) inserting said centering post through said second aperture, through said first aperture, and into said third aperture;
d.) rotating said fastener to tap said first aperture with said self-tapping portion thereby securing said first link member rotatably to said second member.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to a fastener used for connecting a first link member to a second link member in a linkage assembly. The second link member includes a pair of aligned apertures and a slot located transversely between the apertures. The first link member includes an aperture at a first end that is designed to be received in the slot located in the second link member. The fastener has a centering post at a distal end and a head portion at a proximal end with a self-tapping portion located between the head portion and the centering post. The aperture in the first link member is aligned with the apertures in the second link member and the fastener is inserted through the apertures until the self-tapping portion contacts the first link member. Thereafter, rotation of the fastener in a first direction taps the self-tapping portion of the fastener through the aperture in the first link member. The fastener is rotated until the first link member is flush against the head portion of the fastener. Thus, the fastener rotatably secures the first link member to the second link member and prevents lateral free play movement between the fastener and the second link member, and between the first link member and the second link member.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for securing a first link member to a second link member of a linkage assembly for a vehicle seat track assembly comprising the steps of:
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a.) providing a fastener having a centering post at a distal end, a head portion at a proximal end, and a self-tapping portion located between the head portion and the centering post;
providing a first link member having a first aperture; and
providing a second link member having a slot adapted to receive a portion of said first link member and having a second aperture aligned with a third aperture, with said second and said third apertures located transverse to said slot;b.) placing a first end of said first link member into said slot and aligning said first aperture with said second and said third apertures; c.) inserting said centering post through said second aperture, through said first aperture, and into said third aperture; d.) rotating said fastener to tap said first aperture with said self-tapping portion thereby securing said first link member rotatably to said second member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle linkage assembly for a vehicle seat track assembly comprising:
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a first link member having a first aperture at a first end; a second link member having a second aperture, a third apertures and a slot; said second aperture aligned with said third aperture and said slot located transversely between said second and said third apertures; a fastener having a head portion at a proximal end, a centering post at a distal end, and a self tapping portion located between said head portion and said centering post; said first end of said first link member received in said slot and said first aperture aligned with said second and said third apertures; said fastener extending through said first aperture, said second aperture, and said third aperture; and said self tapping portion tapping said first aperture and rotatably securing said first link member to said second link member. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle seat track assembly comprising:
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a vehicle seat track assembly; a first link member having a first aperture at a first end; a second link member having a second aperture, a third aperture, and a slot; said second aperture aligned with said third aperture and said slot located transversely between said second and said third apertures; a fastener having a head portion at a proximal end, a centering post at a distal end, and a self-tapping portion located between said head portion and said centering post; said first end of said first link member received in said slot and said first aperture aligned with said second and said third apertures; said fastener extending through said first aperture, said second aperture, and said third aperture; said self-tapping portion tapping said first aperture and rotatably securing said first link member to said second link member; and said first link member and said second link member secured to said vehicle seat track assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification