Patent ID: 6263779
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: F15B,F16F

Abstract:
A method for securing a cap member to a cylinder comprising the steps of:selecting a cylindrical tube having an open end defined by an upper edge and an annular groove formed about an inner circumference of said cylindrical tube;selecting an end cap having a cylindrical portion shaped to be received in said tube and including a flange shaped to extend radially over said upper edge, said end cap having a double-lobed groove in an outer circumference of said cylindrical portion said double-lobed groove having an outer lobe and an inner lobe positioned on said end cap member such that when said cap member is inserted in said tube, said outer lobe aligns with said annular groove;selecting a first snap ring shaped to fit in said outer lobe of said double lobed groove;selecting a second snap ring shaped to fit between an underside of said flange and said upper edge of said tube;compressing said first snap ring into said outer lobe of said double-lobed groove and inserting said cap member into said cylinder to a depth such that said outer lobe of said groove is in alignment with said cylinder annular groove, thereby allowing said first snap ring to expand radially into said annular groove;withdrawing said cap member from said tube until further outward progress of said cap member is prevented by engagement of the inner lobe of said double-lobed groove against the bottom of said first snap ring; andpositioning said second snap ring between said cap member flange and said cylinder upper edge, whereby movement of said cap member into said cylinder is prevented by the engagement of said flange with an upper surface of said snap ring.