Abstract:
A multiple retainer bridge device is provided for securing a utility member (e.g., a magnet or bracket) to posts on a housing member (e.g., a filter housing). When assembled, the utility member is staked onto the posts. A single retainer member prevents the utility member from sliding off of the posts. The retainer member has at least two ends. Each end has a recess, and each recess has a securing portion and a receptacle portion. The securing portion is fixed to the posts by, for example, sonic welding. Flash created by the fixing process is confined within the receptacle portion of the recesses.

Description:
This application claims benefit of patent application Ser. No 60/484,534 filed on Jul. 2, 2003 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates to assembly housings, and more particularly, to retainer devices for connecting components to assembly housings. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   Automatic transmissions used in modem automobiles typically utilize a sump filter to remove debris from transmission fluids. Sump filters generally comprise a filtering medium or media, and a filter housing. The filter housing can be formed of a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, plastics and combinations thereof. Plastic filter housings in particular present numerous advantages. For example, compared to other filter housings, plastic filter housings weigh less, provide greater design flexibility and performance, and are recyclable. Accordingly, plastic filter housings are often more desirable than many other filter housings. 
   Various components can be connected to filter housings to improve filter performance. For example, adding one or more magnets to a filter housing greatly increases debris capture, as compared to using only laminated media to filter debris. Magnets remove large amounts of metallic particulates that might otherwise damage the transmission. Magnets are typically spaced apart from the filter housing and staked to posts located on the filter housing. Notably, spacing the magnets apart from the filter housing increases the surface area of the magnets that is available for capturing debris from the transmission fluid. This is because transmission fluid can flow across both the lower and upper surfaces of the magnet. 
   Magnets are typically connected to the posts by a heat-staking process. This involves sliding a magnet over two or more posts, and then heat-staking an individual retainer cap to each post. The retainer caps prevent the magnet from dislodging from the posts. 
   The above-described conventional methods of connecting a magnet to the filter housing present several drawbacks. One drawback is that an individual retainer cap must be welded to each post in order to secure the magnet. Separately heat-staking multiple caps increases the overall time required to assemble a filter housing, and therefore the overall cost of each filter housing. Another drawback is that the heat-staking process can create debris, such as flash, which can contaminate the transmission fluid. Yet another drawback is that the retainer caps can break off and allow the magnet to separate from the posts, thereby possibly occluding the inlet to the filter housing. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a retainer device having features that resolve or improve upon one or more of the above-described drawbacks. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is obtained by providing a retainer device for securing a utility member (e.g., a magnet or bracket) to posts on a housing member (e.g., a filter housing). The utility member is staked onto the posts, and a single retainer member prevents the utility member from sliding off of the posts. The retainer member has at least two ends and an elongate portion therebetween. Each end has a recess, and each recess has both a securing portion and a receptacle portion. The securing portion is fixed to the posts by, for example, sonic welding. Any flash created by the fixing process is confined to the receptacle portion of the recesses. The elongate portion between the two ends forms a bridge. 
   Still other objects and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional side view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of one embodiment of a retaining member of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of one end of the retaining member; and 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a retaining member and magnet of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  depict an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, and in particular, retaining device  10 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , retaining device  10  generally comprises retaining member  14 , utility member  32 , and filter housing  28  having posts  24 . The retaining member is configured to secure the utility member to the filter housing. More specifically, the utility member is staked to the posts, and the retaining member is then fixed to the terminal ends of the posts, thereby preventing the utility member from dislodging from the posts. The retaining member is fixed to the posts using a fixing process such as sonic welding. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , retaining member  14  is an elongate, unitary member. Retaining member  14  preferably is formed of 33% glass nylon, but other materials having similar mechanical characteristics can also be used. Retaining member  14  has two recesses  26 . Each recess has a securing portion  18 , which is sized to couple with a post. Posts  24  have a circular cross-section. Securing portions  18  form substantially right cylinders that firmly couple or mate with posts  24 . Other mating or coupling configurations can also be used, such as box-shaped securing portions and posts having a square cross-section. 
   In addition to securing portions, retaining member  14  is provided with receptacles  20 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Receptacles  20  are located adjacent to the securing portions. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when retaining member  14  is coupled to posts  24 , receptacles  20  abut the upper surface  34  of utility member  32 . Optionally, additional receptacles can be provided above posts  24  (see  FIG. 1 ). As a result, receptacles  20  capture debris, such as flash created as the retaining member  14  is coupled with or welded to the posts. The receptacles, therefore, prevent debris from contaminating the transmission fluid. 
   Retaining member  14  also forms an arch or bridge  40 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , bridge  40  extends between recesses  26 . The bridge provides for a unitary retaining member structure while allowing transmission fluid to flow across upper portion  34  of utility element  32 . Alternatively, the retaining member can be shaped differently, depending on the quantity and location of the posts. For example, if the filter housing has three posts, the bridge can be “T-shaped,” triangular, annular, or triskelion-shaped as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   Various desirable instruments can function as a utility member, for example, a metal plate, a bracket, or a magnet. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the utility member is a substantially flat, rectangular magnet  32  having an upper surface  34  and a lower surface  33 . Magnet  32  is about 60 mm long and about 30 mm wide. Additionally, magnet  32  has two holes configured to receive posts  24 . The holes are spaced apart to coincide with the corresponding location of the posts. Preferably, both the holes and the posts are spaced apart by about 22 mm. Of course, additional holes can be provided in the magnet to correspond with any additional posts. 
   The posts may be either molded, welded, or otherwise fixed directly to the filter housing using conventional methods. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , posts  24  each comprise a terminal end and a fin  36 . As noted above, the terminal ends of posts  24  have a round cross-section that is configured to mate or couple with recesses  18 . Posts  24  are also provided with fins  36 . Fins  36  stabilize and maintain magnet  32  spaced apart from filter housing  28 . Additionally, fins  36  direct the flow of transmission fluid towards the filter housing inlet (not shown). 
   To connect the utility member to the filter housing, the utility member is staked onto the corresponding posts. The securing portion of the retaining member is subsequently fitted over the terminal ends of the posts. The securing portion of the retaining member is then welded to the posts. The retaining member and the posts are preferably sonically welded, although other conventional fixing processes can be used. For example, the retaining member and the posts can be glued together, or heat welded. In a preferred embodiment, a magnet is separately fixed to the filter housing using a single retaining member. Alternatively, two magnets can be fixed separately to the filter housing by using one retaining member to retain both magnets. For example, if two magnets are separately staked onto four posts, a single retaining member can be fixed to the four posts, thereby simultaneously securing both magnets to the filter housing. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in another alternative embodiment, a triskelion-shaped retaining member is used to retain a discords magnet. In particular, discords magnet  46  is staked onto three posts (not shown). Recesses  26  are then mated with and sonically welded to the three posts. Other magnet shapes and retainer configurations will become apparent to one of skill in the art. 
   The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the retaining member can be used to fasten a utility element to non-filter assemblies. In addition, the shape and construction of the retaining device, and in particular, the retaining member could be varied while still achieving the preferred functionality. In another alternative, fins can be spaced apart from the posts. In yet another alternative, slide-stops rather than fins can protrude from the posts, thereby preventing the utility element from sliding into direct contact with or abutting the filter housing. Accordingly, these and other changes that come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.