Apparatus and method of attaching a tube member to a housing of a vacuum brake booster
First Claim
1. A connector apparatus attached to a housing of a vacuum brake booster comprising a tube member including a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, a first collar portion between the first end and the body portion, the first collar portion extending outward from the outer surface, a lip portion at the first end and extending outward from the outer surface, the first collar portion and the lip portion defining a recess receiving a first housing member of the housing,wherein the tube member further includes a second collar portion spaced apart from the first collar portion, the second collar portion extending outward from the outer surface, the second collar portion defining a contact surface contacting an inner surface of a second housing member of the housing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for attaching a tube member to a housing of a vacuum brake booster is provided. A tube member includes a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A first collar portion is disposed between the first end and the body portion, and extends outward from the outer surface. A lip portion is disposed at the first end and extends outward from the outer surface. The first collar portion and the lip portion define a recess to receive a first housing member. The tube member may further include a second collar portion spaced apart from the first collar portion and extending outward from the outer surface. The second collar portion may preferably define a contact surface for contacting an inner surface of a second housing member.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A connector apparatus attached to a housing of a vacuum brake booster comprising a tube member including a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, a first collar portion between the first end and the body portion, the first collar portion extending outward from the outer surface, a lip portion at the first end and extending outward from the outer surface, the first collar portion and the lip portion defining a recess receiving a first housing member of the housing,
wherein the tube member further includes a second collar portion spaced apart from the first collar portion, the second collar portion extending outward from the outer surface, the second collar portion defining a contact surface contacting an inner surface of a second housing member of the housing.
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3. A method of attaching a tube member to a housing of a vacuum brake booster comprising the steps of:
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providing a first housing member including an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening formed therein, the tube member including an outer surface, a first end, a first portion, and a body portion, the first portion between the first end and the body portion;
inserting the first end of the tube member through the opening in the first housing member;
applying a force to the first end of the tube member;
deforming the first portion to create a first collar portion extending outward from the outer surface;
contacting the first collar portion against the inner surface of the first housing member;
applying a second force to the first end of the tube member;
deforming an end portion of the first portion to create a lip portion extending outward from the outer surface; and
contacting the lip portion against the outer surface of the first housing member to create a seal between the first housing member and the tube member. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
the first housing member further includes a flange portion;
the step of contacting the first collar portion against the inner surface of the first housing member comprises contacting the first collar portion against the flange portion; and
the step of contacting the lip portion against the outer surface of the first housing member comprises contacting the lip portion against the flange portion.
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein the flange portion is angled with respect to the first housing member.
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10. The method of claim 3 wherein the first housing member is a planar member.
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11. The method of claim 3 wherein the tube member further includes a third portion, the third portion disposed between the body portion and a second end of the tube member and further comprising the steps of:
deforming the third portion to create a second collar portion extending outward from the outer surface.
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12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:
contacting the second collar portion against a second housing member to create a seal between the tube member and the second housing member.
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13. The method of claim 12 wherein the second housing member includes an inner surface and further comprising the steps of:
contacting the second collar portion against the inner surface of the second housing member.
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14. The method of claim 11 wherein the body portion includes a second wall thickness and the third portion includes a third wall thickness, the third wall thickness being less than the second wall thickness.
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15. The method of claim 11 wherein the second collar portion extends outward substantially perpendicular from the outer surface of the tube member.
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16. A connector apparatus for attaching to a housing of a vacuum brake booster comprising a tube member including a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a first portion for creating a collar portion extending outward from the outer surface, the first portion between the first end and the body portion, the first portion including an end portion for creating a lip portion extending outward from the outer surface,
wherein the first portion includes a first wall thickness and the body portion includes a second wall thickness, the first wall thickness being less than the second wall thickness.
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18. A vacuum brake booster comprising:
a housing member including an outer surface and an opening formed therein, the housing member including a flange portion surrounding the opening, a tube member including a body portion, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, a first collar portion between the first end and the body portion, the first collar portion extending outward from the outer surface of the tube member, a lip portion at the first end and extending outward from the outer surface of the tube member, the first collar portion and the lip portion defining a recess receiving the flange portion of the housing member. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification