Abstract:
A bushing for insertion into a cylindrical opening is disclosed having a first radius, the bushing comprising a cylindrical base having a top surface, an axial bore through the base, a plurality of walls extending axially from the top surface of the base to a first axial extent and circumscribing the bore, a plurality of locking fingers extending axially from the base and circumscribing the bore alternatingly with the plurality of walls, the plurality of locking fingers extending axially to a second axial extent less than the first axial extent and each locking finger having a tapered outer surface tapering outward from the base, wherein the plurality of locking fingers compress toward the bore when a force is applied to the tapered outer surface. A collar assembly is also disclosed utilizing the bushing to permanently lock the collar to a container such as an aerosol container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to a bushing, and more specifically to a bushing that locks into a position to prohibit movement. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bushings are generally a cylindrical lining inserted into a cylindrical opening in order to limit the size of the opening, reduce friction and wear within the opening, provide a bearing surface, or guide motion. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,071 (Gentoso) describes a cap assembly using a bearing surface to permanently attach to an aerosol container. The cap has an inner lip created from an upwardly and inwardly extending portion of the cap material. The inner lip has two diametrically opposing slits and an annular shoulder lining the inner surface of the inner lip between the diametrically opposing slits. When attaching the cap to the aerosol container, the slits enable the resilient material of the inner lip to expand around a closure member that was fixedly secured to the neck of the container previously. Once the cap has been pushed onto the container to a certain extent, the inner lip contracts back into its original unexpanded position and the shoulder on the lip springs into a locking position beneath the bottom surface of the closure member. Unfortunately, such a cap assembly requires that the cap itself be manipulated and pressed onto the aerosol container. This is cumbersome and it increases the risk of unintentionally actuating the container since the top of the cap engages the stem of the aerosol container. 
         [0004]    An example of a bushing that guides motion is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,001 (Galia). The disclosed pressurized valve system uses a bushing to open and close a valve. A user presses on a platform to a linear extent and the valve opens to a greater linear extent with the aid of the bushing. The bushing has arms of looped material that connect to a central rod. The linear movement for pressing the platform is translated into a rotational movement by radially expanding the looped arms, which in turn translates the rotational movement back into a linear movement for the central rod. However, such a bushing is not configured to restrict axial motion or to lock in place. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there has been a long-felt need for a bushing to expand into a locking position and permanently prohibit motion. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention broadly comprises a bushing having a base having a top surface; an axial bore through the base, a wall extending axially from the top surface of the base and circumscribing at least a portion of the axial bore, the wall extending to a first axial extent from the base, and a flexible locking finger extending axially from the base and circumscribing a portion of the axial bore, the locking finger having a second axial extent from the base less than the first axial extent and a tapered outer surface tapering outward from the base, wherein the flexible locking finger compresses toward the bore when a force is applied to the tapered outer surface. 
         [0007]    The present invention also comprises a bushing for insertion into a cylindrical opening is having a first radius, the bushing comprising a cylindrical base having a top surface, an axial bore through the base, a plurality of walls extending axially from the top surface of the base to a first axial extent and circumscribing the bore, a plurality of locking fingers extending axially from the base and circumscribing the bore alternatingly with the plurality of walls, the plurality of locking fingers extending axially to a second axial extent less than the first axial extent and each locking finger having a tapered outer surface tapering outward from the base, wherein the plurality of locking fingers compress toward the bore when a force is applied to the tapered outer surface. 
         [0008]    The present invention also comprises a collar assembly for a container, the assembly comprising: a bushing having a base having a first top surface, an axial bore through the base, a wall extending axially from the first top surface and circumscribing at least a portion of the axial bore, the wall extending to a first axial extent from the base and having a first outer surface, and a flexible locking finger extending axially from the base and circumscribing a portion of the axial bore, the locking finger having a second axial extent from the base less than the first axial extent, a tapered outer surface tapering outward from the base, and a second top surface; and, a collar having an opening to receive the bushing, a shelf having an inner surface and a bottom surface, the shelf extending into the opening, wherein the shelf compresses the flexible locking finger toward the bore when the bushing is inserted into the opening due to the tapered outer surface, and the flexible locking finger expands underneath the shelf such that the second top surface abuts the bottom surface of the shelf, while the first outer surface of the wall remains contained within the inner surface due to the first axial extent. 
         [0009]    A general object of the present invention is to provide a bushing that can be efficiently installed to permanently lock into place. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar assembly for a container that is easily assembled. 
         [0011]    These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bushing as an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a lateral view of a bushing as an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a bushing as an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the bushing shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 A- 4 A; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the bushing shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line  4 B- 4 B; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a collar assembly as an example embodiment of the present invention with a bushing in an uninstalled position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of a collar assembly as an example embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of a collar assembly with a bushing in a properly aligned position for installation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a collar assembly with a bushing in the installed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a collar assembly installed onto a container; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10 ; and, 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an aerosol actuator installed with a collar and bushing on an aerosol canister. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspect. The present invention is intended to include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of bushing  100 . In a preferred embodiment, bushing  100  has a plurality of circumferentially curved walls  20  alternating with locking fingers  30  around axial through-bore  40 . Both walls  20  and fingers  30  extend axially from cylindrical base  10  with top surfaces  22  of walls  20  extending axially beyond top surfaces  32  of fingers  30 . Top surfaces  22  act as suitable bearing surfaces within a valve or opening in which it has been installed. Also, outer surfaces  34  of fingers  30  taper radially beyond outer surfaces  24  of walls  20 . Further, fingers  30  have inner surfaces  36  that extend radially beyond inner surfaces  26  of walls  20 . Bushing  100  is made of a resilient material, for example bendable resilient plastic that is sufficiently stiff to be form-retaining, in order to allow fingers  30  to be flexibly compressed toward bore  40  when bushing  100  is inserted into a cylindrical valve or housing. The significance of the radial and axial differences between walls  20  and fingers  30  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 10 . 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , bushing  100  also has a plurality of locator ribs  15  that radially extend from base  10  and are circumferentially displaced from one another. Ribs  15  are configured to align bushing  100  in a position to properly interact with its surroundings. The significance of the locator ribs will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a lateral view of bushing  100  demonstrating axial difference D between walls  20  and locking fingers  30 , and radial difference R between locking fingers  30  and base  10 . The tapered outer walls  34  of locking fingers  30  are acted on by a cylindrical valve or opening having a radius comparable to base  10  when a user presses on one or more of top surfaces  22  of walls  20  to insert bushing  100 . When bushing  100  is being pushed in a direction with base  10  leading, locking fingers  30  are sufficiently flexible to be compressed radially inward in order to fit into a cylindrical valve or opening. Fingers  30  spring back radially outward once there is sufficient radial room for fingers  30  to do so. This is demonstrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a top view of bushing  100  showing locator ribs  15  radially extending from base  10 , and locking fingers  30  extending radially beyond base  10 . Walls  20  circumscribe bore  40  alternating with locking fingers  30 . Walls  20  are circumferentially and radially thicker than locking fingers  30  enabling top surfaces  22  to be suitable bearing surfaces. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of bushing  100  taken along line  4 A- 4 A in  FIG. 3  showing that bore  40  may provide a plurality of inner circumferential surfaces  29 ,  37  and  39  having varying radii in order to accommodate different applications. Preferably, bore  40  is adapted to receive the stem of an aerosol container. The greater radial thickness of wall  20  is demonstrated by inner circumferential surface  37  because wall  20  has bottom surface  28  extending radially inward from surface  37  while finger  30  has no analogous bottom surface. Inner surface  39  is only present axially below finger  30 , which provides bottom surface  38 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of bushing  100  taken along line  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 3  better illustrating inner surface  39  axially below finger  30 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example embodiment in context with collar  200  for an aerosol canister. Bushing  100  is in an uninstalled position, meaning bushing  100  has not been pushed downward to permanently lock collar  200  to an aerosol canister. In the uninstalled position, bushing  100  is resting in collar  200  with top surfaces  32  of locking fingers  30  above top surface  206  of shelf  230  (labeled in  FIG. 10 ). Top surfaces  22  of walls  20  are also above top surface  206  of shelf  230 . However, walls  20  are contained within collar  200  by shelf  204 . As will be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , locator ribs  15  are below shelf  206 . 
         [0035]    For proper installation of bushing  100  into collar  200 , bushing  100  must have one of locking fingers  30  facing the front of collar  200  before bushing  100  can be being slid into place and lock. This is due to collar  200  having a plurality of receptors positioned within the cylindrical opening to allow locking fingers  30  to snap outward into. The receptors within the cylindrical opening can be configured in any circumferential pattern and bushing  100  can be manufactured to have locking fingers  30  in a corresponding configuration. For example, two or four or more locking fingers can be used if a cylindrical opening or housing has two or four or more receptors positioned to receive the locking fingers. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a receptor is arranged at the front of collar  200 , so one of locking fingers  30  must be properly positioned to face the front of collar  200 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment with bushing  100  not properly aligned. To ensure that bushing  100  is in the correct orientation for proper installation, the underside of collar  200  has legs  240  that have circumferential slopes  215  acting as guides for locator ribs  15  extending from base  10 . Legs  240  have bottom surfaces  210  that engage the top of a canister. During manufacture, bushing  100  is inserted into the uninstalled position by a machine as part of a bushing collar assembly with locator ribs  15  below collar  200 . Locator ribs  15  slide along slopes  215  into the position shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  with bushing  100  properly aligned with collar  200 . In the properly aligned position, locator ribs  15  are positioned between slopes  215  and abutment walls  202 . Collar  200  is in a position to be installed onto a canister with collar edge  250  encompassing the top rim of the canister. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates bushing  100  pushed into collar  200  in the locked position, thereby permanently locking collar  200  to an aerosol canister. In this position, top surfaces  22  of walls  20  are below top surface  206  of collar  200 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a top view of collar  200  permanently locked to canister  150  with bushing  100  in a locked position. 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10 . When installed, bushing  100  engages collar  200  and canister  150  such that the collar and bushing assembly cannot be removed from the canister. Collar  200  generally comprises a cylindrical opening or housing configured to receive bushing  100  with a radius comparable to base  10  and wall segments  20 . However, base  10  and wall segments  20  may have different radii as long as they can still perform their respective purposes. When a user pushes bushing  100  down into the collar opening with the base  10  as the leading end, locking fingers  30  are squeezed inward to fit into the collar opening because fingers  30  (due to their radial tapering) have a larger radius than shelf  230  of collar  200 . Due to radial difference R (labeled in  FIG. 2 ) and axial difference D (labeled in  FIG. 2 ) between fingers  30  and walls  20 , when bushing  100  is inserted to a certain extent, fingers  30  snap back to their original radially outward positions underneath shelf  230  while walls  20  are still housed within the radius of shelf  230 . With the locking fingers back in their original positions, the bushing can no longer be removed up and out of the collar because top surfaces  32  of locking fingers  30  abut the underside of shelf  230 . 
         [0041]    Fingers  30  of bushing  100  expand into a locking position, which is also a relaxed position for fingers  30 . Bushing  100  is locked into place with respect to collar  200  by fingers  30  extending underneath shelf  230  of collar  200 . In an example embodiment, shelf  230  of collar  200  is created by receptors circumferentially displaced around the cylindrical housing of collar  200 . In an example embodiment, shelf  230  is continuous around the entire circumference of the cylindrical housing of collar  200 . If shelf  230  is continuous around the entire circumference, it is conceivable that locator ribs  15  and sloped surfaces  215  may not be required. 
         [0042]    Bore  40  of bushing  100  is configured to receive the stem of canister  150  with base  10  proximate canister  150  and walls  20  distal to canister  150 . As a result, bushing  100  is sandwiched between canister  150  and collar  200  thereby locking everything in place. Collar  200  is attached to canister  150  by snapping collar edge  250  around rim  151  of canister  150  to a point where bottom surfaces  210  (labeled in  FIG. 6 ) of abutment wall  240  abut the top of rim  151 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  illustrates collar  200  permanently installed onto container  150  and provides context as to where an example actuator  70  may be installed. 
         [0044]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.