Interference fit joint and method and indexable ratchet wrench utilizing same
First Claim
1. An interference fit joint comprising:
- a first member having a plurality of internal splines defining a splined aperture having a first axis, wherein each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second internal sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis;
a second member having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines engageable with the internal splines to form a press fit therebetween wherein each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis,the first and second external sides being respectively shaped differently from and engageable with first and second internal sides of adjacent internal splines wherein the internal and external splines are respectively separated by internal and external valleys, the internal and external valleys being respectively spaced from the external and internal crests, each internal valley cooperating with its associated external crest to define a first space substantially devoid of material, each external valley cooperating with its associated internal crest to define a second space substantially devoid of material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interference fit joint is provided and includes a first member having a plurality of internal splines separated by valleys and defining a splined aperture having a first axis. Each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second internal sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis. This joint also includes a second member having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines separated by valleys and engageable with the internal splines to form an interference fit therebetween. Each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis. The first and second external sides are respectively shaped differently from and engageable with first and second internal sides of adjacent internal splines, there being no engagement at the crests and valleys. An indexable head ratchet wrench employing the joint is also disclosed.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An interference fit joint comprising:
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a first member having a plurality of internal splines defining a splined aperture having a first axis, wherein each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second internal sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis; a second member having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines engageable with the internal splines to form a press fit therebetween wherein each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis, the first and second external sides being respectively shaped differently from and engageable with first and second internal sides of adjacent internal splines wherein the internal and external splines are respectively separated by internal and external valleys, the internal and external valleys being respectively spaced from the external and internal crests, each internal valley cooperating with its associated external crest to define a first space substantially devoid of material, each external valley cooperating with its associated internal crest to define a second space substantially devoid of material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An indexable head ratchet wrench comprising:
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a ratchet head; a handle; a first one of the head and the handle having a plurality of internal splines defining a splined aperture having a first axis, wherein each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second head sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis; and a pin coupled to a second one of the head and the handle; the pin having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines engaged with the internal splines to form a press fit therebetween, wherein each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis, the first and second external sides being respectively shaped differently from and engageable with first and second internal sides of adjacent internal splines, the internal and external splines define an interference fit joint wherein the internal and external splines are respectively separated by internal and external valleys, the internal and external valleys being respectively spaced from the external and internal crests, each internal valley cooperating with its associated external crest to define a first space substantially devoid of material, each external valley cooperating with its associated internal crest to define a second space substantially devoid of material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of forming an interference fit joint comprising:
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providing a first member having a plurality of internal splines defining a splined aperture having a first axis, wherein each of the internal splines has a crest and first and second internal sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the first axis; providing a second member having a second axis and an exterior surface having a plurality of external splines, wherein each of the external splines has a crest and first and second external sides and is symmetrical about a plane which includes the second axis, the first and second external sides being respectively shaped differently from the first and second internal sides of the internal splines; and axially pressing the second member into the aperture to create an interference fit between the first and second sides of the internal splines and the second and first sides of the external splines, wherein the adjacent internal and external splines are respectively separated by internal and external valleys, the internal and external valleys being respectively spaced from the external and internal crests, each internal valley cooperating with its associated external crest to define a first space substantially devoid of material, each external valley cooperating with its associated internal crest to define a second space substantially devoid of material, the members being pressed together substantially without contact of valleys by crests. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification