Patent ID: 9463538
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: B23P,F16B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. An alignment system for aligning components to each other, comprising: a first component; a second component; a plurality of upstanding, elongated tabs connected to at least one of the first and second components, each elongated tab having a tab wall; a plurality of deformable elongated tab apertures formed in at least one of the first and second components, each deformable tab aperture comprising opposing deformable aperture walls; wherein the plurality of apertures are geometrically distributed in coordinated relationship to a geometrical distribution of the plurality of elongated tabs such that each elongated tab is receivable into a respective aperture and each tab has a width larger than a cross-sectional width of its respective aperture measured in a same direction; wherein each aperture is configured to elastically deform upon disposition of each tab into each respective aperture at an interface between the tab wall of each tab and the aperture wall of each respective aperture; an assembly of the first component and the second component, wherein each elongated tab is disposed in the corresponding elongated tab aperture and deforming the deformable aperture walls thereof, wherein each elongated tab has a top end that projects above a top edge of the respective aperture; and a third component that is attached to the assembly having a surface disposed proximate the top ends of the elongated tabs, the surface having a plurality of recessed pockets disposed therein that are configured to receive the top ends of the elongated tabs.