Claims
- 1. A leader pin assembly for attachment to tape, the leader pin assembly comprising the following:
- a leader pin having tape secured thereto;
- a flexible element attached to and covering at least a part of the leader pin; and
- a clip securing the flexible element to the leader pin, the clip being adapted and constructed to be crimped in securing relation over the flexible element.
- 2. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clip is fabricated from a flexible metal.
- 3. A leader pin assembly according to claim 2, wherein the clip is fabricated from a soft steel.
- 4. A leader pin assembly according to claim 3, wherein the clip is fabricated from stainless steel.
- 5. A leader pin assembly according to claim 4, wherein the clip is fabricated from #300 stainless steel.
- 6. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element and the clip form an integral one-piece unit.
- 7. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element is located on a center section of the leader pin.
- 8. A leader pin assembly according to claim 7, wherein the flexible element substantially surrounds a tape-wrapped center section of the leader pin.
- 9. A leader pin assembly according to claim 8, wherein the flexible element is a generally cylindrical member having a generally annular cross-section.
- 10. A leader pin assembly according to claim 9, wherein the clip has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible element.
- 11. A leader pin assembly according to claim 9, wherein the clip comprises a pair of beveled, substantially parallel edges forming the longitudinal opening.
- 12. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clip is a generally cylindrical member having a generally annular cross-section and a longitudinal opening.
- 13. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element includes at least one edge which extends radially outwardly from the clip when the clip is secured over the flexible element.
- 14. A leader pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible element is fabricated from an elastomeric material.
- 15. A leader pin assembly according to claim 14, wherein the flexible element is fabricated from rubber.
- 16. A leader pin assembly according to claim 15, wherein the flexible element is fabricated from urethane.
- 17. A leader pin assembly according to claim 16, wherein the flexible element is fabricated from SANTOPRENE.RTM..
- 18. A method for making a leader pin assembly for attachment to tape, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing a leader pin;
- securing tape to the leader pin;
- providing an integral clip/flexible element unit attached to and covering at least a part of the leader pin, the clip/flexible element unit being adapted and constructed to be crimped; and
- crimping the clip/flexible element unit to the leader pin wherein the tape is secured between the leader pin and the flexible element.
- 19. A method for making a leader pin assembly for attachment to tape, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing a leader pin;
- securing tape to the leader pin;
- providing a flexible element attached to and covering at least a part of the leader pin wherein the tape is secured between the leader pin and the flexible element;
- providing a clip adapted and constructed to be crimped in securing relation over the flexible element; and
- securing the flexible element to the leader pin by crimping the clip over the flexible element.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/055,016, filed Apr. 3, 1998, titled "Tape Leader Pin Assembly and Method for Making the Same", the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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