Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Asyst Technologies, Inc.

Michael T Gattone

Kui-Chiu Kwok

Stanley Piotrowski

Adolph G Galinski

Peter B Brazas

Tao-Ming Wang

A headlamp adjuster includes an adjustment gear for axially positioning an output shaft relative to a housing of the adjuster. A driving engagement of the adjustment gear and output shaft runs out at either axial extreme position to which the output shaft can be adjusted, and rotation of the adjustment gear can continue without further movement of the output shaft and without damage to the adjuster or a headlamp assembly in which the adjuster is installed. Biasing assemblies urge the output shaft toward re-engagement with the adjustment gear when the drive direction is reversed.

Travel limiting headlamp adjuster

A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft.

Headlamp adjuster

A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly have a fixed annular boss, a shaft axially moveable through the boss, and a gear having a thread engagement with a threaded portion of the shaft. A cap is non-rotatably engaged with the shaft and the boss.

A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly having a housing, a shaft axially moveable in the housing and a gear having a thread engaging a thread of the shaft for causing axial movement of the shaft from rotation of the gear. The gear and/or housing are adapted to receive rotary input tools for adjustment. All parts can be made of plastic or other non-corrosive materials.

A fastener device is disclosed for fastening a member having a post extending therefrom to a retainer defining an aperture. The arrangement is such that the post is received within the aperture of the retainer for lockably retaining the member relative to the retainer. The device includes a washer which has a peripheral rim and a first and a second face. The washer defines a hole for the reception therein of the post. The washer has a plurality of barbs which surround the hole, the barbs lockably cooperating with the post when the post is inserted into the hole. Also, the washer defines a plurality of ears which extend from the peripheral rim such that when the post is inserted into the aperture of the retainer, the ears engage the retainer for retaining the member relative to the retainer.

Fastener device

The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member includes a lower helical edge with an inwardly extending lip which threadably engages the external threads formed on the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.

Push-in fastener assembly with interfering element

The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture pivot assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member secures around the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.

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Tinley Park, IL, United States of America

Michael T Gattone