Teleflex, Inc.

Edward C Simon

Larry W Kelley

A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) includes a flexible tubular conduit (12) and a flexible core element (14) slidably disposed in the conduit (12). An end fitting (18) is molded about one end of the conduit (12) and includes an expander tip (20) with a tip rib (22). An expandable retainer (28) having a collar (34) and cantilever legs (36) extending from the collar (34), is disposed about the end fitting (18). Wedge surfaces (42) internally of the legs (36) react against the expander tip (20) and the tip rib (22) of the end fitting (18) to blossom outwardly into gripping engagement with the edges of a hole (30) in a support bracket (32). The fully-blossomed and expanded legs (36) seat behind the tip rib (22) to lock the retainer (28) in place on the end fitting (18). A retainer rib (50) is disposed within the collar (34) and attaches the retainer (28) to the end fitting (18) in an unspread, preoperative position ready for subsequent expansion and attachment to the hole (30) in the support bracket (32).

Expandable retainer for conduit end fitting

Each piece of a two-piece motion-transmitting remote-control assembly (10) has an outer end (122, 124) and an inner end (126, 128). The outer ends (122, 124) are attached to different vehicle components and the inner ends (126, 128) are spliced together after vehicle assembly. Each of the two assembly pieces (130, 132) includes a core element segment (16, 18) movably supported within a conduit segment (12, 14). Attached to the inner end (28, 30) of each core segment (16, 18) is a core splicers (48, 50) snap together to connect the core segments (16, 18) into an integral member. A movable tubular sleeve (90) locks the conduit inner ends (20, 22) in a spaced-apart, end-to-end disposition and connects the conduit segments (12, 14) together into an integral member. The sleeve (90) slidably supports the connected core splicers (48, 50) between the spaced-apart conduit inner ends (20, 22). The assembly is shipped with the sleeve (90) moved away to expose the core splicers (48, 50) for connection. To allow conduit length adjustment, a lockable slider (76) is fixed to one conduit inner end (20) and a slider body (78) is disposed about the slider (76).

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Garden City, MI, United States of America

Edward C Simon