Patent ID: 6422569
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: F16B,F16J,Y10S

Abstract:
A machine assembly comprising:a first machine part having a generally annular surface which extends along a central longitudinal axis; a second machine part having a generally cylindrical surface disposed in concentric opposition to the annular surface of the first machine part and a first one of the surfaces of the first and second machine parts having a gland defined therein, the gland having a forward end wall and a first peripheral wall spaced-apart a first radial distance from an opposing second one of the surfaces of the first and second machine parts and extending intermediate the forward end wall and an open rearward end, and having a second peripheral wall formed contiguously with the first peripheral wall intermediate the forward end wall and the open rearward end, the second peripheral wall being spaced-apart a second radial distance greater than the first radial distance from the opposing second one of the surfaces of the first and second machine parts, and terminating at a rearward end wall; and a retainer disposed coaxially intermediate said first and said second machine part, said retainer including a generally annular body extending along said longitudinal axis from a forward end portion receivable within the gland to a rearward end portion configured as defining a plurality of cantilevered segments, each of said segments extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a camming surface, and being resiliently yieldable responsive to the bearing of said camming surface on the first peripheral wall of the gland allowing said retainer forward end portion to be advanced forwardly through the open rearward end of the first gland coaxially along the first peripheral wall thereof and into disposition within the gland intermediate the second peripheral wall and the forward end wall thereof, said distal end of said segments being interferingly engaged with the rearward end wall of the gland delimiting rearward movement of the retainer forward end portion out of disposition within the gland and, wherein at least one said machine part is reciprocable relative to the other said machine part in a forward and a rearward direction along the central longitudinal axis.