Abstract:
A hollow dowel pin adapted to secure together at least two mating components during the assembly thereof includes an elongate generally cylindrical main body portion, first and second mating edges, and at least one outwardly extending tab. The elongate generally cylindrical main body portion is preferably formed from a sheet member, and the first and second mating edges are disposed along a length of the body portion being spaced from one another. The at least one outwardly extending tab is formed along the main body portion and is adapted to engage one of the mating components when an end of the main body portion is frictionally held in an opening formed in the other of the mating components.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Disclosure  
         [0002]     The disclosure generally relates to dowels and, more particularly, to hollow dowels having a locking feature.  
         [0003]     2. Brief Description of Related Technology  
         [0004]     Dowels and dowel-like devices are widely used and have been around for many years. Such dowels and dowel-like devices include ribbed dowels, dowel fastening devices, expansion dowels, and other various forms of dowel pins.  
         [0005]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,976 discloses a ribbed dowel. The ribbed dowel is used for winding work pieces and includes a cylindrical body having an outer surface, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of ribs spaced over the outer surface. The dowel further includes a round circular first face on the first end, a round circular second face on the second end, and is constructed from a specific composition.  
         [0006]     In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,851 discloses a dowel fastening device. The dowel fastening device is used for insertion into a board hole having a structural component. The dowel fastening device includes an elongated shape having pivotable triangular-shaped gripping members for insertion into the hole. The gripping members are configured such that the forward edge of each member is faced from the adjacent interior surface of the hole, and such that the device is provided with a pointed component at the end of the shank remote from the support end portion.  
         [0007]     In yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,503 discloses an expansion dowel assembly with pivotally displaceable tongues. The expansion dowel includes an axially extending sleeve and a spreading component. The tongues are pivotally displaceably connected to the sleeve and are located one after the other along the axial direction of the sleeve. The tongues are split in an axially direction and can be pivoted inwardly and outwardly relative to the sleeve. Lugs are formed on the radially inner surface of the tongues and project axially beyond one end of the tongues.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     One aspect of the disclosure provides a hollow dowel pin adapted to secure together at least two mating components during the assembly thereof. The hollow dowel pin includes an elongate generally cylindrical main body portion formed from a sheet member, and a first and a second mating edge disposed along a length of the body portion with the mating edges being spaced from one another. The hollow dowel pin further includes at least one outwardly extending tab that is formed along the main body portion. The tab is adapted to engage one of the mating components when an end of the main body portion is frictionally held in an opening formed in the other of the mating components.  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a dowel pin for permitting initial alignment and initial fastening together of at least first and second adjacent parts. The dowel pin includes a cylindrically shaped elongate body portion having at least one retention member. The at least one retention member is carried on a first end of the body portion and extends outwardly therefrom. The retention member is operable when a second end of the body portion is frictionally fitted into an opening of a first part. The body portion is hollow and is adapted to ultimately axially receive a fastener to permit the at least first and second parts to be fastened together for final assembly.  
         [0010]     Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of retaining a first component relative to a second component during an assembly process that includes inserting a first end of a generally cylindrically shaped elongate body portion into an aperture of the first component; aligning an aperture in the second component with the body portion; engaging the aperture in the second component with a second end of the body portion; temporarily depressing a tab on the body portion; and disposing the second component between the tab and the first component, thereby releasing the tab to allow the second component to be retained between the tab and the first component, and particularly when those two now-joined components are turned over to then permit attachment via the elongate body portion of yet a third component.  
         [0011]     Further aspects and advantages may become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appended claims. While the invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, described hereinafter are specific embodiments with the understanding that the disclosure is illustrative, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of a hollow dowel;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is plan view of the dowel of  FIG. 1  in a pre or unrolled configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the dowel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a hollow dowel;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the dowel of  FIG. 1  aligned with holes in a first and a second component;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is cross-sectional view of the dowel of  FIG. 1  disposed in the first component without the second component along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a detailed cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6  with the second component being added;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6  after the second component was added; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8  with an added third component and a fastener. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     A dowel, as is disclosed herein, includes a locking feature such as one or more tabs that may retain objects on and by the dowel during an assembly process, for example.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one exemplary embodiment, a dowel  20  includes an inner surface  22  that defines an aperture or shaft  24 , and an outer surface  26 . The inner and outer surfaces  22 ,  26  in combination define a wall that comprises a body  31  of the dowel  20 . The body  31  includes a first end  30  and a second end  32  opposite the first end  30 .  
         [0023]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the body  31  may have a generally cylindrical shape with an outer diameter (“OD”) defined by the outer surface  26  and an inner diameter (“ID”) defined by the inner surface  22 . The ID and/or OD may be varied by providing a slot or separation opening  34  in the body  31 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the separation opening  34  may be defined by ends of the wall and, more specifically, by a first end  36  and a second end  38 . The separation opening  34  may extend from the first end  30  to the second end  32  of the body  31 , and may be defined by corresponding and/or parallel surfaces  37  and  39 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first end  36  is defined by the end surface  37  and the second end  38  is defined by the end surface  39 . The surfaces  37  and  39  are substantially parallel to each other from the first end  30  to the second end  32  of the body  31 . The surfaces  37 ,  39  need not be on the same plane however but, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may include one or more undulations or planes, thereby providing a separation opening  34  that is not straight, but rather includes directional changes.  
         [0024]     In one exemplary embodiment, the separation opening  34  includes the end surfaces  37  and  39  by which it is defined and a plurality of sharp turns having angles of more than 90° that are connected by straight portions of the separation opening  34 . More specifically, the separation opening  34  going from the first end  30  to the second end  32  of the body  31  includes a first straight portion  33   a  that is generally parallel to a center axis of the body  31 . The first straight portion  33   a  is connected to a first angled portion  35   a  that is then connected to a second straight portion  33   b  relative to center axis of the body. Similarly, the second straight portion  33   b  is then connected to a second angled portion  35   b  which is then connected to a third straight portion  33   c  at the second end  32  of the body  31 . The body  31  may include the separation opening  34  having undulations or planes, such that upon insertion of the dowel  20  into a part or component, the dowel  20  is limited in its deformation. More specifically, as the surfaces  37 ,  39  defining the angled portions  35   a  and  35   b  abut each other during insertion of the dowel  20 , the movement of the first and second ends  36 ,  38  are limited relative to each other, thereby limited the deformation of the dowel  20 .  
         [0025]     One or more tabs  50  and, in this exemplary embodiment, the first and second tabs  50   a  and  50   b , are disposed on the body  31 , and extend radially outwardly there from. Each of the tabs  50  include a free end  52  and a pivot end  54 , wherein the pivot end  54  is fixedly, bendably, and/or pivotally attached to the body  31  and the free end  52  moves relative thereto. The free end  52  may also include a surface  56  ( FIG. 1 ) oriented generally perpendicular to the wall or body  31 , such that during operation the surface  56  abuts a second component  58  to be retained. The tabs  50  may be broached, punched or otherwise formed from the wall of the body  31 , but may be added as wholly separate pieces.  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tabs  50   a  and  50   b  may disposed in-line with each other from the first to the second ends  30 ,  32  of the body  31 , i.e. axially of the body  31 , and may be oriented opposite the separation opening  34  on the body  31 . More specifically, the first tab  50   b  may be disposed near the first end  30  of the body  31 , with the pivot end  54   a  disposed toward the first end  30  and the free end  52   a  disposed toward the second end  32  of the body  31 . Similarly, the second tab  50   b  may be disposed near the second end  32  of the body  31 , with the pivot end  54   b  disposed toward the second end  32  and the free end  52   b  disposed toward the first end  30  of the body  31 .  
         [0027]     The dowel  20  may be constructed from a steel or aluminum material and, in this exemplary embodiment, may be constructed from 1074 steel that is heat treated and phosphate coated. The dowel  20  may, however, be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastics, composites, other metals, and/or a combination thereof.  
         [0028]     The above exemplary embodiments may be varied to achieve and/or create additional or alternative features. For example, the dowel  20  need not be hollow and need not have a generally cylindrical shape. As such, the dowel  20  may be square, triangular, oval, or odd shaped. The shape of the separation opening  34  may also be varied to achieve alternated shapes and sizes, or may be shortened such that the separation opening  34  does not extend from the first end  30  to the second  32  of the body  31 . Alternatively, the separation opening  34  may be removed altogether. The body  31  may also include one or more chamfers  60  and, more specifically, may include chamfers  60  disposed at the first and second ends  30 ,  32  of the body  31 . The one or more tabs  50  may also be altered or varied. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the tabs  50   a  and  50   b  may be disposed in the single slot, and may include end surfaces  52  that are substantially facing each other. More specifically, the tabs  50   a  and  50   b  may be constructed such that no portion of the body  31  remains between the end surfaces  52  of the tabs  50   a  and  50   b.    
         [0029]     The dowel  20  is also not limited to having two tabs  50 , but may include one or more tabs  50 . As a result, even though the dowel  20  is operable with only one tab  50 , two tabs  50  are preferred, such that either end  30  or  32  of the body  31  may be inserted into the first component  58 . This is especially helpful when such insertion is handled by automated equipment since, if only one tab  50  were present instead of two, a preliminary operation would be required to properly orient the tab  50  of the dowel  20  prior to insertion into the first component  58 .  
         [0030]     The dowel  20  may be constructed in various ways, one of which will be described herein. As a result, the below specified construction is only one exemplary embodiment of the dowel  20  being constructed. The dowel  20  may be manufactured from a flat piece of steel or aluminum stock ( FIG. 2 ). The flat piece of stock, prior to being cut into final shape, may undergo an edging process wherein the chamfers  60  are created. The edging process may include an edge roller, and/or may include squeezing the material to obtain the chamfers  60 . The tabs  50  may be created in the body  31  or the flat stock by creating a slot, slit, or gap outlining or defining the tab  50 , such that only the pivot end  54  remains attached, either pivotally, bendably, or otherwise. The slit may extend from a first end to a second end, such that the pivot end  54  is disposed between the ends of the slit. The slot, slit, or gap may be created in the flat stock by a broaching, cutting, or partial punching process, for example,  
         [0031]     With the tabs  50  in place, the flat stock may be strip cut at a cutting station such that, preferably, the tabs  50  are centered between the first and second ends  36 ,  38  of the body  31 . The flat stock may be a large piece of stock, such that the generally four sided body  31  requires up to four sides out in order to be retracted from the flat stock piece. Alternatively, the piece of stock may have a generally small width relative to its length. As such, the body  31  may only require two sides out to be extended from the stock piece. For example, the ends  30 ,  32  of the body  31  may correspond to ends of the stock piece. Once the flat stock is properly sized, the curvature or generally cylindrical shape of the dowel  20  may be created by forming a first half of the dowel  20  on a mandrel, followed in a later operation by forming a second half of the dowel  20 . Prior to being heat treated, the tabs  50  may be forced outwardly, such that a spring or bias is created in the tabs  50 . In doing so, the pivot ends  54  of the tabs  50  may be permanently deformed so that the tabs  50  remain in an outwardly extended position. As mentioned briefly above, once the structural features of the dowel  20  are complete, the dowel  20  may be tumbled to obtain a certain surface finish and/or to remove any burrs or unwanted debris, may be heat-treated, and may be coated.  
         [0032]     The following operation may be accomplished in various ways one of which will be described herein. As a result, the below specified operation may include additional or alternate steps, or may be accomplished with some of the steps deleted or combined.  
         [0033]     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the dowel  20  may be aligned relative to an aperture  62  disposed in a first component  64 , such that the center axis of the body  31  is aligned with a center axis of the aperture  62 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the dowel  20  may additionally be aligned with an aperture  66  disposed in the second component  58 , such that the dowel  20  may engage the first and second components  64 ,  58  during the same operation. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the dowel  20  may be aligned with and engage the first component  64  first, with the second component  58  being added later on.  
         [0034]     The first component  64 , in this exemplary embodiment, is a first portion of a gear housing wherein a third component  68  is a second portion of the gear housing ( FIG. 9 ). The second component  58  is a wear plate that separates the first and second portions of the housing during use. The wear plate, during assembly, needs to be temporarily held in place with the first portion of the gear housing, such that those parts held together when flipped over, for then assembly of that combination of two parts to the third component. However, the components  58 ,  64 ,  68  may be one of many objects or parts that can be interconnected, such as a housing, structure, etc.  
         [0035]     Once aligned, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the dowel  20  may be forced or disposed into the aperture  62  in the first component  64  such that the outer surface  26  of the body  31  engages a surface defining the aperture  62 . As the dowel  20  is inserted into the aperture  62  and/or the aperture  66 , the pivot end  54   a  of the tab  50   a  will contact an edge of the aperture  62  and/or  66 , thereby forcing the free end  52   a  of the tab  50   a  inwardly toward the hollow shaft  24 . In the embodiment wherein the dowel  20  includes the opening  34 , the separation opening  34  may be reduced in overall diameter during this portion of the operation depending on the size of the aperture  62  and/or  66 . More specifically, to achieve a proper fit between the dowel  20  and the aperture  62 , the aperture  62  will preferably have a diameter that is somewhat less than the OD of the dowel  20 . As a result, upon insertion of the first end  30  of the dowel  20  with the chamfer  60  into the aperture of the dowel  20 , the dowel  20  will be reduced according to the diameter of the aperture  62 . Preferably, the distance between the surfaces  37 ,  39  defining the separation opening  34  is great enough to accommodate the reduction in diameter without abutting the surfaces. The tab  50   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , will be fully recessed into the wall of the body  31  when the first end  30  of the body  31  is fully engaged with the aperture  62 .  
         [0036]     The second component  58 , and in this exemplary embodiment the wear plate, which eventually will be disposed between the first component  64  and the third component  68 , may now be aligned relative to the first component  64  via the dowel  20  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). As will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art, this operation may include one or more dowels  20  depending on the structure, operation, and/or design of the components. Once the aperture  66  of the second component  58  is aligned relative to the dowel  20 , the aperture  66  may be placed onto and forced over the second end  32  of the dowel  20 . More specifically, a surface defining the aperture  66  may engage the chamfer  60  of the second end  32  and the outer surface  26  of the body  31  until an edge of the aperture  66  abuts the pivot end  54   b  of the tab  50   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , as the second component  58  passes over the tab  50   b , the tab  50   b  will be temporarily forced or sprung down towards the hollow shaft  24 , thereby allowing the second component  58  to pass over the tab  50   b . Once the second component  58  has passed the tab  50   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the spring bias present in the tab  50   b  will cause the free end  52   b  of the tab  50   b  to spring outwardly from the wall of the body  31 , thereby causing the second component  58  to be disposed between the free end  52   b  of the tab  50   b  and the first component  64 .  
         [0037]     The first end  30  of the dowel  20  may be inserted into the aperture  62  of the first component  64  at a depth sufficient to provide a proper amount of space between the contact surface  56  of the tab  50   b  and the first component  64 . As a result, once the second component  58  is positioned past the tab  50   b , the tab  50   b  will return to its original radially outwardly extending position, thereby locking the second component  58  between the first component  64  and the contact surface  56  of the tab  50   b.    
         [0038]     The second component  58  is now secure between the tab  50   b  and the first component  64  and, as such, the first component  64  may be manipulated without the second component  58  becoming disengaged from or with the dowel  20  and/or the first component  64 . For example, the first component  64  may now be lifted, rotated, and/or flipped all the while the second component  58  remaining disposed on the dowel  20 . Additionally, no secondary fasteners, such as screws, bolts, clips, and the like, are necessary to retain the second component  58  on the dowel  20  and/or the first component  64 .  
         [0039]     The third component  68 , as seen in  FIG. 9 , may now be aligned relative to the dowel  20  and, more specifically, an aperture  70  in the third component  68  may be aligned with the dowel  20 . Once aligned, the third component  68  may now be forced onto the dowel  20 , such that an edge of or surface defining the aperture  70  in the third component  68 , engages the tab  50   b  thereby forcing it inwardly towards the hollow shaft  24  and into the wall of the body  31 . The third component  68  may now be fully engaged thereby abutting the third component  68  against the second component  58  and forcing the second component  58  to be abutted against the first component  64 . A fastener  72  may now be added through the hollow shaft  24  of the dowel  20 , such as a bolt with associated nut for example, thereby retaining the first component  64  and third component  68  together to complete the assembly.  
         [0040]     The foregoing description is given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications within the scope of the invention may be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.