System and method for clamping a chassis cover
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsGeorge R. Woody, Edward P. Yankoski, Terence G. Ward, Brooks S. Mann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is provided for securing a cover having a first surface onto a chassis having a rim, the rim having a second surface. The system comprises a clamping rail and a fastener coupled to the rail. The clamping rail is configured to form a loop that circumferentially engages the first surface and the second surface and, when constricted, produces a first force substantially coplanar with the loop. The fastener is configured to constrict the rail, the rail and the first and second surfaces configured to produce a second force having a component substantially orthogonal to the loop when the rail is constricted.
Claims18
A system for securing a cover having a first surface onto a chassis having a rim, the rim having a second surface, the system comprising:
- a clamping rail configured to form a loop that circumferentially engages the first surface and the second surface and, when constricted, produces a first force substantially coplanar with the loop;
- and
- a fastener coupled to the rail configured to constrict the rail, the rail and the first and second surfaces configured to produce a second force having a component substantially orthogonal to the loop when the rail is constricted.
A method for clamping a cover having a first surface onto a vehicular chassis body having a rim, the rim having a second surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- circumferentially aligning a clamping loop to the first and second surfaces;
- constricting the circumference of the clamping loop to engage the first and second surfaces with a first force substantially coplanar with the loop, the clamping loop and the first and second surfaces being configured to convert at least a portion of the first force to a second force substantially orthogonal to the loop that clamps the cover onto the rim;
- and
- fixing the clamping loop in its circumferentially restricted position.
A system for clamping a cover onto a rim of a vehicular chassis, the cover having a first surface residing in a first plane, and the rim having a second surface residing in a second plane, the system comprising:
- a clamping rail circumscribing the first and second surfaces, the clamping rail comprising:
- a first arm configured to engage the first surface and residing in a third plane;
- and
- a second arm configured to engage the second surface and residing in a fourth plane, the rail generating a clamping force that clamps the cover to the rim when the rail is constricted and at least one of the first plane and the second plane is different than the third plane and the fourth plane, respectively;
- and
- a fastener coupled to the rail configured to constrict the rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.