Patent US3834007A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3834007A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of assembly and joining shift indicator components
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-04-27
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1993-04-27
Abstract
Abstract The shift indicator assembly shown discloses a steering columnmounted one-piece molded polypropylene indicator housing including two generally arcuate shaped members connected by a flexible hinge joint. One member includes a window frame portion having a slot and three side grooves to accommodate the insertion therein of a tapered lens. The other narrower member has two counterbored openings in which are mounted a pair of screws. Confinement of the screw heads, as well as the lens, occurs after the narrower member is mounted on the steering column, the screws threadedly secured to the steering column, and the wider member folded onto the other member, there being tabs and a rib formed on the latter member to ''''snap'''' into openings and past a ridge, respectively, formed on the outer member. An opening is formed on an end portion of the lens to accommodate a fiber optic light tube. A series of steps or ridges, also formed on the end portion of the lens, serves to direct the light from the end of the tube across the lens, whereupon the tapered shape of the lens causes the light to be observed through the window at a substantially constant intensity. The manually rotatable shift bowl shroud and integral pointer are located directly behind the housing, on the side away from the operator, selectively indicating through the window the various P-R-N-D-S and L indicia formed on the lens.
Inventors
- 👤 T Lambiris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H63/00; F16H63/40; F16H63/42; F16H2063/423; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/49876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of adapting an indicator housing to a vehicular steering column assembly, said method comprising the following steps: a. molding a one-piece polypropylene indicator housing including a window frame portion and a fastener portion interconnected by an integral flexible hinge, said window frame portion having tapered grooves formed around three sides thereof, a tapered slot formed on the fourth side thereof, wall portions extending from said slotted side, and connector means formed on an inner surface of said wall portions, and said fastener portion having counterbored openings formed therethrough and connector means formed on an outer surface thereof; b. molding a one-piece tapered lens member; c. inserting said lens member through said slot and mounting same in said tapered grooves; d. placing said fastener portion on said steering column assembly; e. mounting metal screws in said counterbored openings and threadedly connecting same to said steering column assembly; and f. folding said window frame portion about said interconnecting flexible hinge onto said fastener portion such that said wall portions of said window frame portion fit over said fastener portion and are secured thereto by means of the connection between said respective cooperating connector means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of adapting an indicator housing to a vehicular steering column assembly, said method comprising the following steps: a. molding a one-piece polypropylene indicator housing including a window frame portion and a fastener portion interconnected by an integral flexible hinge, said window frame portion having tapered grooves formed around three sides thereof, a tapered slot formed on the fourth side thereof, wall portions extending from said slotted side, and connector means formed on an inner surface of said wall portions, and said fastener portion having counterbored openings formed therethrough and connector means formed on an outer surface thereof; b. molding a one-piece tapered lens member; c. inserting said lens member through said slot and mounting same in said tapered grooves; d. placing said fastener portion on said steering column assembly; e. mounting metal screws in said counterbored openings and threadedly connecting same to said steering column assembly; and f. folding said window frame portion about said interconnecting flexible hinge onto said fastener portion such that said wall portions of said window frame portion fit over said fastener portion and are secured thereto by means of the connection between said respective cooperating connector means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method described in claim 1, and forming an opening in the thicker end of said lens member and inserting the end portion of a fiber optic tube into said opening; and forming a plurality of spaced ridges on the thicker end of said lens member adjacent the bottom of said opening therein, said ridges serving to deflect the light from said end portion of said fiber optic tube across said lens member, and the taper of said lens member serving to cause said deflected light to have a substantially constant intensity as observed through said window frame portion.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of assembling a one-piece flexible hinge-connected molded indicator housing including a window portion and a fastener portion, each having snap-action connector means formed thereon, and a lens member on a vehicular steering column assembly, said method comprising the following steps: a. mounting said lens member into grooves formed around said window portion; b. placing said fastener portion on said steering column assembly; c. inserting metal screws through counterbored openings formed in said fastener portion into threaded openings in said steering column assembly; and d. folding said window portion about said interconnecting flexible hinge onto said fastener portion, thereby snapping said connector means of said window portion over said connector means of said fastener portion.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of assembling a one-piece flexible hinge-connected molded indicator housing including a window portion and a fastener portion, each having snap-action connector means formed thereon, and a lens member on a vehicular steering column assembly, said method comprising the following steps: a. mounting said lens member into grooves formed around said window portion; b. placing said fastener portion on said steering column assembly; c. inserting metal screws through counterbored openings formed in said fastener portion into threaded openings in said steering column assembly; and d. folding said window portion about said interconnecting flexible hinge onto said fastener portion, thereby snapping said connector means of said window portion over said connector means of said fastener portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method described in claim 3, and mounting the end portion of a fiber optic tube in an opening formed adjacent an end of said lens member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |