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US 2003/0113158 A1Published application
Technique for providing a pivot structure that faciliates the rapid formation of pivot couplings between components
AssigneeCompaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
InventorThomas T. Hardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for pivotably coupling components. The system comprises a pivot structure having a head, a body, a deformable retention feature and a stop. The stop is positioned to limit movement of a cooperating deformation tool to ensure predictable pivot spacing.
Claims20
A system for forming a pivot, comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member;
- and
- a pivot structure having a head, a body connected to the head, a stop and a lip, the body extending through the first member and the second member, the first member having a plastically deformed region receiving the head, the lip being deformed generally towards the stop to prevent separation of the second member from the first member during relative pivotal motion between the first and the second member.
1 more element
A method of creating a pivot, comprising:
- placing a pivot structure with a head, a body, a stop and a retention feature proximate a first member;
- moving the body through the first member until the head plastically deforms the first member;
- pivotably mounting a second member to a portion of the body extending through the first member;
- and
- deforming the retention feature with a tool until the tool strikes the stop.
2 more elements
A device that may be secured to a first member through plastic deformation of the first member and to which a second member may be mounted for relative pivotal motion between the first member and the second member, comprising:
- a body;
- a head disposed at one end of the body;
- a deformable retention member disposed at a generally opposite end of the body from the head;
- and
- a stop positioned a predetermined distance from the head to permit control of the deformation of the deformable retention member.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.