The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 2022
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2020
Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US);
Darryl J. Farley, Fort Smith, AR (US);
Darrell E. Binz, Fort Smith, AR (US);
Ken Guinn, Fort Smith, AR (US);
Rheem Manufacturing Company, Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A method of forming an assembly between a panel and a tube includes forming a hole in the panel, where a diameter of the hole is smaller than an outer diameter of the tube, and preforming a first end of the tube to conceal the hole of the panel. A diameter of the preformed portion is greater than the diameter of the hole and the outer diameter of the tube. The method further includes aligning a second end of the tube with the hole of the panel, followed by inserting the tube into the hole by application of axial force on the tube until the preformed first end of the tube abuts a periphery of the hole of the panel. The method also includes achieving an interference fit between the hole of the panel and the tube.