Patent Application
20110037256
This invention relates to mechanical fasteners for vehicle braking systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved tubular fastener and method of joining a brake-line to a braking module related to vehicle braking systems.
Vehicle brake-line fasteners are generally known and are subject to various industries specifications. Many of these known fasteners include an internal bore which is adapted to receive various braking components including a brake-line with flared ends. Generally, to receive the braking components, a brake-line fastener is supplied for pressing the flared ends of the braking components against the extended conical end of adjacent mating components to sealably secure the respective components against the environment.
However, many of these brake-line fasteners have disadvantages which are addressed by the present invention. For instance, as a result of misalignment during installation some brake-line fasteners are cross-threaded. Misalignment during installation often requires additional rotational force to overcome the side load. Side load is often present due to installation fixturing or tolerance stack-up of the brake-lines. Additional torque is required to overcome the side load; however this is often difficult to achieve by hand. Cross-threading of fasteners generally occurs due to insufficient thread engagement during the hand start process. A significant cost is often associated with the cross-threading of brake-line fasteners. Generally the components need to be replaced and the damaged parts scrapped. In addition, the side load effect my result in fasteners being under torqued. This creates the potential for numerous other issues once the system has been filled with fluid.
Some prior attempts to reduce cross-threading issues include engineered threaded fasteners which possess self-aligning features in the point and initial threads of the fastener. However, these self-aligning fasteners can still problematic.
In addition, during shipment various braking components may inadvertently deform causing further misalignment between the mechanical fasteners and braking components. As a result, the initial engagement between fastening components can be less than optimal resulting in the waste and scrapping of braking components due to cross-threading.
It therefore would be beneficial to provide an improved vehicle brake-line fastener which provides a shaped member with directional alignment. The shaped member provides improved fastening characteristics and enables increased rotational forces to be applied to the improved mechanical fastener when fastening components to the vehicle braking system.
The present invention reduces the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method and device for mating two surfaces using a tubular fastener, the method including the steps to introduce the tubular fastener to the component surface and using an interface to apply nominal torque to achieve proper mating and device for mating a first surface and a second surface allowing a tube to pass therethrough. The present invention also includes a device interface addressing the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art comprising an enlarged grippable surface, wherein the surface is longitudinally associated between a first and second end. The first end has an engagement surface and the second end has a directional surface.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
In general, the present invention provides an improved brake-line fastener generally referred to herein by reference numeral 10, which is adapted for rapid manual engagement for securing vehicle braking components (
As illustrated in
As an example, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
In addition, a shaped member 44, is positioned along the longitudinal shaft 24 between the first 26 and second end 28 and is illustrated with a frictional surface 52. Generally, the shaped member 44 facilitates rotational movement of the brake-line fastener 10, allowing for rapid engagement. As illustrated, the shaped member 44 extends radially outwardly from the longitudinal shaft 24, while the shaped member 44 is configured with a relatively large diameter, allowing for ready access to the shaped member 44. While the shaped member 44 is illustrated as being circular, other configurations may be permitted in use with the present invention, including symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes which facilitate ready rotation of the brake-line fastener 10.
As shown in
The brake-line fastener 10 may be fabricated from a variety or known rigid materials including plastic or metal, preferably aluminum or steel, and may be formed utilizing a unitary one-piece fabrication from a mold or otherwise, or may also be formed utilizing a two-piece design with a metal nut and hand start feature 12. The brake line 34 may be fabricated from a variety of materials including rubber or metal, preferably steel tubing.
As illustrated in
A method, according to the present invention, of fastening plural vehicle braking components 22 is disclosed. The method including the steps of providing the brake line 34 and braking component 22 with threaded member 18. Receiving the brake line 34 at the first end 26 and through the passageway 32 associated with the brake-line fastener 10. Positioning the second end 28 near the threaded member 18 with the directional surface 14 overlying a threaded opening 68 associated with the threaded member 18. Rotating the frictional surface 52 of the operator interface 64 until the brake-line fastener 10 is properly aligned. Engaging the shaped member 36 associated with the first end 26 for mechanically securing the braking components 22.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described methods, compositions and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
