System and method for fixing a first component with a second component

• US 6,711,859 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lineage Power Corporation (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Kechuan Liu, Michael Ray Bell
• Inventors: Bell, Michael Ray, Liu, Kechuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Hugh B.
• Application Number:
  US09/872,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20020178657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 495/01, 495/03, 493/94, 292/80, 292/81, 292/87, 312/263, 312/265.6, 312/294, 312/111, 403/326, 403/327, 403/329, 403/325, 220/3.8, 220/4.02, 220/324, 220/326, 220/788, 220/784, 220/345.2, 220/345.3, 220/351
• US Class Current: 49/501
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/00 Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing, or tearing of wall portions B65D17/00; pallets B65D19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/86 for electrical components small electrical components attached to cards, sheets or webs B65D73/02; for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure B65D2585/30; for ampoules, lamp bulbs, electronic valves or tubes B65D85/42
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0008 assembled by screws
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/606 Leaf spring

Abstract

A system for fixing two components together includes: (a) a boss integrally formed from one component about a boss axis; and (b) a latch integrally formed from the other component in a depending extension facilitating latch movement in an engaging plane and exerting a spring force urging the latch toward a first position. The latch is oriented about a latch axis in the engaging plane. The latch is in the first position when the components are situated in an initial position with the latch axis and the boss axis separated a first distance. The latch axis and the boss axis are separated a second distance less than the first distance when the components are urged together to an installed orientation with the latch held from the first position by the boss bearing against the latch with the engaging plane crossing the boss axis.

Claims

1. A system for substantially fixing a plurality of components;

the system comprising;

(a) a first component of said plurality of components;

said first component including a first wall;

said first wall being generally planar;

(b) a second component of said plurality of components;

said second component including a second wall;

said second wall being generally planar;

(c) a boss member;

said boss member being integrally formed from said first wall;

said boss member extending from said first wall and being generally oriented about a boss member axis generally perpendicular with said first wall; and

(d) a latch member;

said latch member being integrally formed from said second component;

said latch member depending from said second component in a flexible extension;

said flexible extension facilitating movement of said latch member generally in an engaging plane;

said engaging plane being generally parallel with said second wall and displaced from said second wall;

said flexible extension exerting a spring force urging said latch member toward a first position when said latch member is displaced to a second position different from said first position;

said latch member being generally oriented in said engaging plane about a latch member axis generally perpendicular with said engaging plane;

said latch member including an engagement structure having a receiving rail and a receiving bight;

said latch member being in said first position when said first wall and said second wall are substantially adjacently situated in an initial position poised for assembly with said first wall between said second wall and said latch member;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a first distance when said first component and said second component are in said initial position;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a second distance less than said first distance when at least one of said boss member and said latch member is urged toward the other member of said boss member and said latch member to engage said boss member and said latch member in an installed orientation to establish said fixing with said latch member held in an installed position displaced from said first position by said boss member bearing against said latch member with said engaging plane crossing said boss member;

said receiving rail slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight during said urging from said initial position to said installed orientation.

2. The system for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 1 wherein said receiving rail has a transition structure for facilitating said slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight.

3. The system for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 2 wherein said transition structure is a ramp;

said ramp facing said boss member when said boss member and said latch member are in said initial position.

4. A system for substantially fixing a plurality of component;

the system comprising;

(a) a first component of said plurality of components;

said first component including a first wall;

said first wall being generally planar;

(b) a second component of said plurality of components;

said second component including a second wall;

said second wall being generally planar;

(c) a boss member;

said boss member being integrally formed from said first wall;

said boss member extending from said first wall and being generally oriented about a boss member axis;

said boss member axis being generally perpendicular with said first wall;

(d) a latch member;

said latch member being integrally formed from said second component;

said latch member depending from said second component in a spring arm;

said spring arm facilitating movement of said latch member generally in an engaging plane;

said engaging plane being generally parallel with said second wall and displaced from said second wall;

said spring arm exerting a spring force urging said latch member toward a first position when said latch member is displaced to a second position different from said first position;

said latch member being generally oriented in said engaging plane about a latch member axis generally perpendicular with said engaging plane;

said latch member including an engagement structure having a receiving rail and a receiving bight;

said latch member being in said first position when said first wall and said second wall are substantially adjacently situated in an initial position poised for assembly with said first wall between said second wall and said latch member and with said engaging plane generally perpendicular with said boss member axis;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a first distance when said first component and said second component are in said initial position;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a second distance less than said first distance when at least one of said boss member and said latch member is urged toward the other member of said boss member and said latch member to engage said boss member and said latch member in an installed orientation to establish said fixing with said latch member held in an installed position displaced from said first position by said boss member bearing against said latch member with said engaging plane crossing said boss member;

said receiving rail slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight during said urging from said initial position to said installed orientation.

5. The system for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 4 wherein said receiving rail has a transition structure for facilitating said slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight.

6. The system for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 5 wherein said transition structure is a ramp;

said ramp facing said boss member when said boss member and said latch member are in said initial position.

7. The system for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in any of claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein said first component and said second component are generally perpendicular in said initial position and in said installed orientation.

8. A method for substantially fixing a plurality of components;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) providing, in no particular order;

(1) a first component of said plurality of components;

said first component including a first wall;

said first wall being generally planar;

(2) a second component of said plurality of components;

said second component including a second wall;

said second wall being generally planar;

(3) a boss member;

said boss member being integrally formed from said first wall;

said boss member extending from said first wall and being generally oriented about a boss member axis;

said boss member axis being generally perpendicular with said first wall; and

(4) a latch member;

said latch member being integrally formed from said second component;

said latch member depending from said second component in a spring arm;

said spring arm facilitating movement of said latch member generally in an engaging plane;

said engaging plane being generally parallel with said second wall and displaced from said second wall;

said spring arm exerting a spring force urging said latch member toward a first position when said latch member is displaced to a second position different from said first position;

said latch member being generally oriented in said engaging plane about a latch member axis generally perpendicular with said engaging plane;

said latch member including an engagement structure having a receiving rail and a receiving bight;

(b) situating said first wall and said second wall substantially adjacent in an initial position poised for assembly with said first wall between said second wall and said latch member and with said engaging plane generally perpendicular with said boss member axis;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a first distance when said first component and said second component are in said initial position; and

(c) urging at least one of said boss member and said latch member toward the other member of said boss member and said latch member to engage said boss member and said latch member in an installed orientation;

said latch member axis and said boss member axis being separated a second distance less than said first distance when said boss member and said latch member are engaged in said installed orientation to establish said fixing with said latch member held in an installed position displaced from said first position by said boss member bearing against said latch member with said engaging plane crossing said boss member;

said receiving rail slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight during said urging from said initial position to said installed orientation.

9. The method for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 8 wherein said receiving rail has a transition structure for facilitating said slidingly guiding said boss member to said receiving bight.

10. The method for substantially fixing a first component with a second component as recited in claim 9 wherein said transition structure is a ramp;

said ramp facing said boss member when said boss member and said latch member are in said initial position.