Patent Publication Number: US-2013232739-A1

Title: Means to attach getter to getter retaining ring

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Some getter types do not have support tab feature for attachment to getter retaining ring. Getters that do not include a support tab feature are difficult to attach to the getter retaining ring. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application relates to a retaining clip for a getter. The retaining clip for a getter includes a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface, the curved structure curved in a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature; and at least one tab seamlessly extending from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface. The curved structure is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity with the getter that is attached to the at least one tab. 
     The details of various embodiments of the claimed invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip for a getter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a side view of the retaining clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of a tab seamlessly extending from a first-edge surface of the retaining clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip for a getter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  shows a front view of the retaining clip of  FIG. 3A  with an attached getter; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the retaining clip of  FIG. 3A  with an attached getter; 
         FIG. 4  shows an oblique view of one embodiment of the retaining clip of  FIGS. 3A-3C  in an exemplary cavity in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 , and  10 A- 10 F show views of embodiments of retaining clips for a getter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of forming a retaining clip for a getter in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a flat metal sheet with an outline of a curved-structure region and two tab regions in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the present invention Like reference characters denote like elements throughout figures and text. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  10  for a getter in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2A  shows a side view of the retaining clip  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of a tab  30  seamlessly extending from a first-edge surface of the retaining clip of  FIG. 1 . The terms “retaining clip”, “getter retaining clip”, and “getter retaining ring” are used interchangeably herein. 
     The retaining clip  10  includes a curved structure  20  and a tab  30 . The curved structure  20  includes a first surface  21 , a second surface  22  opposing the first surface  21 , a first-edge surface  23 , and a second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ) opposing the first-edge surface  23 . The curved structure  20  is curved in a major curve  25  having a major radius-of-curvature  28  and a major axis  27  perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . The first surface  21  is also referred to herein as “inner surface  21 ” or “first curved surface  21 ”. The second surface  22  is also referred to herein as “outer surface  22 ” or “second curved surface  22 ”. The inner surface  21  and the outer surface  22  are separated by a curve thickness “t”. 
     The curved structure  20  includes a first-end portion  100 , which is between a first-interfacing curve region represented generally at  110  and the end  105  (also referred to herein as tip  105 ). The curved structure  20  also includes a second-end portion  200 , which is between a second-interfacing curve region represented generally at  210  and the end  205  (also referred to herein as tip  205 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the major curve  25  seamlessly extends from the end  105  of the first-end portion  100  to the end  205  of the second-end portion  200 . The major curve  25  of curved structure  20  is substantially circular in shape. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the major curve  25  subtends more than 270 degrees. 
     The tab  30  seamlessly extends from the first-edge surface  23  at the extension region represented generally at  36 . The extension region  36  is also referred to herein as a “first-extension region  36 ” of the first-edge surface  23 . Dashed line  26  is a tangential to the curved structure  20  at the extension region  36  from which the tab  30  seamlessly extends from the curved structure  20 . 
     As defined herein, a seam is created by material attaching a first region and a second region. As defined herein, a “seamless extension” is an extension that is smoothly continuous, between a first region (e.g., curved structure  20 ) and a second region (e.g., tab  30 ), without an attaching material. As is shown in  FIG. 2B , there is no attaching material at the extension region  36  between the first-edge surface  23  and the tab  30 , since the tab  30  and curved structure  20  are formed from a single piece of material, such as a single piece of sheet metal. For this reason, the tab  30  extends seamlessly from the first-edge surface  23 . The tab  30  is not attached to the first-edge surface  23  by spot welding, soldering, or any other attachment process, so there is no seam between the tab  30  and the first-edge surface  23 . As is known in the art, welding requires filler material to form a weld pool material to be used during the welding process. Likewise, soldering (or brazing) requires filler material (solder) to conjoin two pieces. 
     The tab  30  has a first surface  31  and a second surface  32 , which opposes the first surface. The first surface  31  and the second surface  32  are separated by a tab thickness “t” that is equal to the curve thickness “t” since the tab  30  and major curve  25  are formed from a single piece of material, such as a single piece of sheet metal. In one implementation of this embodiment, the tab thickness does not equal to the curve thickness if the single piece of material from which the tab  30  and major curve  25  are formed is non-uniform in thickness. In this case, the curve thickness “t” can vary along the curved structure  20  and the tab thickness can vary along the length L of the tab  30 . 
     Only the first surface  31  of tab  30  is visible in  FIG. 1 . The tab  30  has a distal end  35 , which is near the tip  35 ′ and opposing the extension region  36 . When the retaining clip  10  is operably positioned in a getter well, a getter is attached to the distal end  35  of the tab  30 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the getter is operably attached to a mid-section of the tab  30 . The length L of the tab  30  from extension region  36  to the tip  35 ′ of the distal end  35  is shown in  FIG. 1  to be 0.66 of the major radius-of-curvature  28  (R MC ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A , the tab  30  is bent to extend approximately parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28  of the curved structure and approximately perpendicular to the major axis  27 . 
     There are various embodiments of retaining clips that can be formed by bending the first-end portion  100  and/or the second-end portion  200  ( FIG. 1 ) in the same or different directions as described herein. There are various embodiments of retaining clips that can be formed by seamlessly extending one or more tabs from the first-edge surface  23  and/or the second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ) as described herein. 
       FIGS. 3A ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 , and  10 A- 10 F show views of embodiments of retaining clips for a getter in accordance with the present invention. Each of the embodiments of retaining clips  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 , and  606  shown in respective  FIGS. 3A ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 , and  10 A- 10 E are structurally formed with a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface and at least one tab that seamlessly extends from either or both of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface. In each of the embodiments of retaining clips  11 , 12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 , and  606  shown in respective  FIGS. 3A ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 , and  10 A- 10 E, the curved structure includes a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature, and the curved structure is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity with a getter attached to a distal end of the one or more tabs. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  11  for a getter in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 3B  shows a front view of the retaining clip  11  of  FIG. 3A  with an attached getter  300 .  FIG. 3C  shows a side view of the retaining clip  11  of  FIG. 3A  with an attached getter  300 . The retaining clip  11  includes a curved structure  120  and tab  30 . The tab  30  seamlessly extends from the first-edge surface  23  at the extension region  36 . 
     The curved structure  120  includes the first surface  21 , the second surface  22  opposing the first surface  21 , the first-edge surface  23 , and the second-edge surface  24  opposing the first-edge surface  23  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. The curved structure  120  in retaining clip  11  differs from the curved structure  120  of the retaining clip  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2A  in that first-end portion  100  of the curved structure  120  is curved into a first-minor curve  101  and the second-end portion  200  of the curved structure  120  is curved into a second-minor curve  201 . The “first-minor curve  101 ” is also referred to herein as “first-loop feature  101 ”. The “second-minor curve  201 ” is also referred to herein as “second-loop feature  201 ”. Thus, the major curve  125  of the curved structure  120  extends from the first-interfacing curve region  110  to the second-interfacing curve region  210 . The major curve  125  is substantially circular in shape from the first-interfacing curve region  110  to the second-interfacing curve region  210 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the major curve  125  subtends more than 180 degrees. In one implementation of this embodiment, the major curve  125  subtends more than 240 degrees. 
     The first-minor curve  101  has a first-minor radius-of-curvature  150  and a first-minor axis  160  perpendicular to the first-minor radius-of-curvature  150 . The first-minor curve  101  is substantially circular in shape from the first-interfacing curve region  110  to the end  105  of the first-end portion  100 . 
     The second-minor curve  201  has a second-minor radius-of-curvature  250  and a second-minor axis  260  perpendicular to the second-minor radius-of-curvature  250 . The second-minor curve  201  is substantially circular in shape from the second-interfacing curve region  210  to the end  205  of the second-end portion  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the first-minor curve  101  continues to curve in the same direction in which a first-interfacing curve region  110  (between the major curve  125  and the first-minor curve  101 ) is curving. Similarly  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the second-minor curve  201  continues to curve in the same direction in which a second-interfacing curve region  210  (between the major curve  125  and the second-minor curve  201 ) is curving. Since the first-interfacing curve region  110  and the second-interfacing curve region  210  are curved in different directions, the first-minor curve  101  and the second-minor curve  201  are curving in different directions (towards each other). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the first-loop feature  101 , which is formed when end portion  100  is curved, has a fixed first-minor radius-of-curvature  150  that does not change significantly as the first-loop feature  101  extends from about the first-interfacing curve region  110  to the tip  105  of the first end portion  100 . In this embodiment, the first-loop feature  101  has the shape of a partial circle extending from the first-interfacing curve region  110 . Likewise, the second-loop feature  201 , which is formed when end portion  200  is curved, has a fixed second-minor radius-of-curvature  250  that does not change significantly as the second-loop feature  201  extends from about the second-interfacing curve region  210  to the tip  205  of the second end portion  200 . In this embodiment, the second-loop feature  201  has the shape of a partial circle extending from the second-interfacing curve region  210 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, first-minor curve  101  a variable minor radius-of-curvature  150  that changes as the curve extends from the first-interfacing curve region  110  to the tip  105  of the first end portion  100 . In this embodiment, the minor radius-of-curvature  150  is defined to be the minor radius-of-curvature at the tip  105  of the first end portion  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In another implementation of this embodiment, second-minor curve  201  a variable minor radius-of-curvature  250  that changes as the curve extends from the second-interfacing curve region  210  to the tip  205  of the second end portion  200 . In this embodiment, the minor radius-of-curvature  250  is defined to be the minor radius-of-curvature at the tip  205  of the second end portion  200  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The first-minor radius-of-curvature  150  and the second-minor radius-of-curvature  250  are less than the major radius-of-curvature  28 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the minor radii-of-curvature  150  and  250  are less than half of the major radius-of-curvature  28 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the minor radii-of-curvature  150  and  250  are less than a quarter of the major radius-of-curvature  28 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the first-minor radius-of-curvature  150  and the second-minor radius-of-curvature  250  are equal. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , a getter  300  is attached to the second surface  32  ( FIG. 2A ) of the distal end  35  of the tab  30 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the getter  300  is spot welded to the second surface  32  at the distal end  35 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the getter  300  is attached to the first surface  31  ( FIG. 2A ) at the distal end  35 . 
     The getter  300  can be any type of getter as know in the art. In one implementation of this embodiment, the getter is an annular ring comprised of a material that absorbs gasses in a cavity that would prevent activity of a system in which the cavity and the retaining clip  11  are positioned or to which the cavity and the retaining clip  11  are exposed. 
       FIG. 4  shows an oblique view of one embodiment of the retaining clip  11  of  FIGS. 3A-3C  in an exemplary cavity  275  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the curved structure  20  is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity  275  with a getter  300  attached to a distal end  35  of the tab  30 . In  FIG. 4 , a portion of the side wall  276  of the cavity  275  is removed to provide of view of the retaining clip  11  and getter  300 . The cavity  275  is also referred to herein as “getter cavity  275 ”. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the major axis  27  of the major curve  125  ( FIG. 3A ) is approximately parallel to an axis  278  of the getter cavity  275  when the retaining clip  11  is operably positioned in the getter cavity  275 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the retaining clip  11  is a ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring  11  and the cavity  275  is a getter cavity  275  that opens at an end  277  to the ring laser gyroscope represented generally at  310 . In this manner, the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring  11  is operably positioned in the getter cavity  275  so the getter  300  is in communication with the ring laser gyroscope  310  via the end  277  that opens to the ring laser gyroscope  310 . In one implementation of this embodiment, first-loop feature  101  and second-loop feature  201  are formed on the first end portion  100  and the second end portion  200 , respectively, to facilitate compression for stable maintenance of the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring  11  in getter cavity  275 . The retaining clip  11  with attached getter  300  is positioned as part of a ring laser gyroscope  310 . The getter  300  is comprised of a material that absorbs gasses in the cavity  275  that would extinguish the lasing action of the ring laser gyroscope  310 . 
     In another implementation of this embodiment, the retaining clip  11  is configured to stably position a getter in a getter cavity that is connected with or inside of another type of system. In such an embodiment, the getter absorbs gasses in the system so that the system operates as required. 
       FIG. 5  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  12  for a getter  300 . The retaining clip  12  includes one tab  30  that seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23  while the first-end portion  100  of the curved structure  520  is curved into a first-minor curve  103  and the second-end portion  200  of the curved structure  520  is curved into a second-minor curve  203 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first-minor curve  103  begins to curve in a direction opposite that in which a first-interfacing curve region  110  (between the major curve  525  and the first-minor curve  103 ) is curving and the second-minor curve  203  begins to curve in a direction opposite that in which a second-interfacing curve region  210  (between the major curve  525  and the second-minor curve  203 ) is curving. Thus, the first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 5  curves in the opposite from the first-minor curve  101  shown in  FIG. 3A . Likewise, the second-minor curve  203  shown in  FIG. 5  curves in the opposite from the second-minor curve  201  shown in  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 6  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  13  for a getter  300 . The retaining clip  13  includes a first tab  30  that seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23  and a second tab  130  that seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  37  of the first-edge surface  23 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the second tab  130  seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  37  of the second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ). The first-minor curve  101  and the second-minor curve  201  shown in  FIG. 6  are similar to the first-minor curve  101  and the second-minor curve  201  shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the retaining clip  12  of  FIG. 5  is modified to include two tabs  30  and  31  that seamlessly extend from the first-edge surface  23 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the retaining clip  12  of  FIG. 5  is modified to include a first tab  30  that seamlessly extends from the first-edge surface  23  and a second tab  31  that seamlessly extends from the second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ). 
       FIG. 7A  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  14  for a getter  300 . The retaining clip  14  includes a tab  30  that seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23 . In one implementation of this embodiment, a second tab seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  37  ( FIG. 6 ) of either the first-edge surface ( FIG. 2A ) or the second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ) of the curved structure  20  of retaining clip  14 . The first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 7A  is similar to the first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 3A . As shown in  FIG. 7A , there is no second-minor curve and the second-end portion  200  is not bent from the second-interfacing curve region  210 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows a front view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  15  for a getter  300 . The retaining clip  15  includes a tab  30  that seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23 . In one implementation of this embodiment, a second tab seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  37  ( FIG. 6 ) of either the first-edge surface ( FIG. 2A ) or the second-edge surface  24  ( FIG. 2A ) of the curved structure  20  of retaining clip  14 . 
     The first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 7B  is similar to the first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 7A . As shown in  FIG. 7B , a second-minor curve  204  continues to curve in the same direction in which the second-interfacing curve region  210  (between the major curve  25  and the second-minor curve  204 ) is curving. 
     In all the embodiments of retaining clips  10 - 15  shown in  FIGS. 1-7B , the tabs  30  and/or  31  are bent so that the greater part of the length L of the tabs  30  and/or  31  are approximately parallel to the radius-of-curvature  27  of the major curve  25 .  FIGS. 8A-8C ,  9 , and  10 A- 10 F show views of embodiments of retaining clips  16 - 18  and  601 - 606  for a getter in which the tabs  30  and/or  31  are not bent, are bent two or more times, or are bent one time so that the greater part of the length L of the tabs  30  and/or  31  are non-parallel to the radius-of-curvature  27  of the major curve  25 . The loop features of the embodiments of the retaining clips  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  603 ,  604 , and  605  shown in respective  FIGS. 8A-8C ,  9 , and  10 A- 10 D are not shown, but can include any of the various types of loop features shown and described herein. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a side view of the retaining clip  16  in which a single tab  30  is bent twice. Tab  30  is bent at first bend-region represented generally at  175  and at a second bend-region represented generally at  176 . The first bend at first bend-region  175  positions section  177  of the tab  30  to be approximately parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28  and approximately perpendicular to the major axis  27 . The second bend at second bend-region  176  positions section  178  of the tab  30  to be approximately parallel to the major axis  27  and to be approximately perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
       FIG. 8B  shows a side view of the retaining clip  17  in which a single tab  30  is bent once to be non-parallel to the radius-of-curvature  27 . Tab  30  is bent at a bend-region represented generally at  175 . The bend at bend-region  175  positions most of the length of the tab  30  to be at an angle θ 1  with respect to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
       FIG. 8C  shows a side view of the retaining clip  18  in which a single tab  30  is not bent. The length L of tab  30  is perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  and parallel to the major axis  27 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 8C , the length L of the tab  30  is at an angle θ 2 =90 degrees with respect to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
     The curved structure  180  shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C  can be shaped in accordance with any one of the various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-7B . Specifically, the loop features of the curved structure  180  of the retaining clips  16 ,  17 , and  18  shown in respective  FIGS. 8A-8C  can include any of the various types of loop features shown and described herein. 
       FIG. 9  shows an oblique view of one embodiment of a retaining clip  601  for a getter  300 . The retaining clip  601  includes a first tab  30  that seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23  and a second tab  130  that seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  37  of the first-edge surface of the curved structure  20  of retaining clip  16 . The first tab  30  is not bent and the second tab  130  is not bent as described above with reference to  FIG. 8C . The length L of the first tab  30  and the length L of the second tab  130  are perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  and parallel to the major axis  27  of the major curve  25  of retaining clip  601 . A getter can be positioned between the distal ends  35  of the first tab  30  and the second tab  130 . 
     The retaining clip  601  includes a first-minor curve  103  similar to the first-minor curve  103  shown in  FIG. 5  and a second-minor curve  203  similar to the second-minor curve  203  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D, and  10 E show side views of retaining clips  602 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 , and  606 , respectively.  FIG. 10F  shows a front view of the retaining clip  606  of  FIG. 10E . These exemplary embodiments of the retaining clips  602 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 , and  606  illustrate the variety of possible configurations of retaining clips that are possible and are not meant to limit the embodiments of retaining clips. The curved structure  180  shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D  can be shaped in accordance with any one of the various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-7B . Specifically, the loop features of the curved structure  180  of the retaining clips  602 ,  603 ,  604 , and  605  shown in respective  FIGS. 10A-10D  can include any of the various types of loop features shown and described herein. The curved structure  181  shown in  FIGS. 10E-10F  are shaped in accordance with the embodiment curved structure  120  shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , the first tab  30  is bent once so that most of length L of the tab  30  is at an angle θ 1  with respect to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . The second tab  31  in  FIG. 10A  is not bent so the length L of tab  31  is perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  and parallel to the major axis  27 . An exemplary getter  300  is shown as a dashed rectangle being held parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , the first tab  30  not bent so the length L of first tab  30  is perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  and parallel to the major axis  27 . The second tab  31  in  FIG. 10B  is bent twice in a manner similar to the two bends in tab  31  shown in  FIG. 8A . An exemplary getter  300  is shown as a dashed rectangle being held parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10C , the first tab  30  is bent once so that most of length L of the first tab  30  is at an angle θ 3  with respect to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . The second tab  31  in  FIG. 10C  is bent twice in a manner similar to the two bends in the bend-regions  175  and  176  in tab  30  shown in  FIG. 8A . An exemplary getter  300  is shown as a dashed rectangle being held perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10D , the first tab  30  and second tab  31  are each bent once so that most of length of the first tab  30  and most of length of the second tab  31  are approximately parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28  of the curved structure  180  as shown in  FIG. 2A . The first tab  30  seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23 . The second tab  31  seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  38  of the second-edge surface  24 . The first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23  opposes the second-extension region  38  of the second-edge surface  24 . An exemplary getter  300  is shown as a dashed rectangle being held perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  on the tips of the first tab  30  and the second tab  31 . 
       FIG. 10E  shows a side view of the retaining clip  606  having a curved structure  181 .  FIG. 10F  shows a front view of the retaining clip  606  of  FIG. 10E . As shown in  FIGS. 10E and 10F , the first tab  30  is bent once so that most of length of the first tab  30  is approximately parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28  of the curved structure  181 . The first tab  30  seamlessly extends from a first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23 . As shown in  FIGS. 10E and 10F , the second tab  31  seamlessly extends from a second-extension region  39  of the second-edge surface  24 . The first-extension region  36  of the first-edge surface  23  has an offset angle θ offset  of approximately 90 degrees from the opposing the second-extension region  39  of the second-edge surface  24 . An exemplary getter  300  is shown as a dashed rectangle being held parallel to the major radius-of-curvature  28  between the distal ends  35  of the first tab  30  and second tab  31 . 
     Other embodiments of retaining clips configured with the curved structure and the at least one tab that seamlessly extends from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface are possible. In one implementation of this embodiment, there are three or more tabs the seamlessly extend from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface of the curved structure. The embodiments of retaining clips described herein are operable to hold a getter that is attached to at least one distal end of the respective at least one tab and to stably hold the retaining clip in a getter cavity with the attached getter. In one implementation of this embodiment, the getter is welded to a distal end (ends) of the tab (tabs). In another implementation of this embodiment, the getter is spot welded to a distal end (ends) of the tab (tabs). In yet another implementation of this embodiment, embodiments of the retaining clips described herein are ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining rings that are operable to hold a getter that is attached to at least one distal end of the respective at least one tab and to stably hold the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring in a getter cavity  275  so an attached getter is in communication with a ring laser gyroscope  310  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In the embodiments of the retaining clips shown in  FIGS. 1-10F , the curved structure and the at least one tab are formed from a single sheet of metal. The metal is one of: aluminum, silver, nickel, titanium, brass, copper, steel, tin, gold, platinum, alloys thereof, or other metals. 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method  1100  of forming a retaining clip for a getter in accordance with the present invention. The method  1100  is applicable to forming embodiments of retaining clips  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  603 ,  604 ,  605 , and  606  shown in respective  FIGS. 1 ,  3 A,  5 ,  6 ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 , and  10 A- 10 E. Method  1100  is described with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a front view of a flat metal sheet  899  with an outline  901  of a curved-structure region  910  and two tab regions  921  and  922  in accordance with the present invention. 
     At block  1102 , a flat metal sheet represented generally at  900  is formed with an outline  901  of a curved-structure region  910  and at least one tab region  921  and  922 . The outline  901  includes a first-edge  939  and a second-edge  937  opposing the first-edge  939 . As defined herein, forming a flat metal sheet  900  with an outline  901  is removing or extracting a portion of a larger flat metal sheet represented generally as dashed box  899  so that the extracted portion  900  is continuous (un-segmented) and two opposing main surfaces of the extracted portion have edges  931 - 942 , which continuously connect to each other as shown in  FIG. 12 , in the shape of the outline  901 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the edges  934  and  936  have a length L 2  and the edges  940  and  942  have a length L 1 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the length L 1  equals the length L 2 . 
     The portion  900  extracted from the larger flat metal sheet  899  that has the shape of the outline  901  is also referred to herein as “extracted flat metal sheet  900 ” and “flat metal sheet  900 ”. The metal sheet is formed from a metal, such as, aluminum, silver, nickel, titanium, brass, copper, steel, tin, gold, platinum, alloys thereof, or other metals. In one implementation of this embodiment, the thickness of the metal sheet  900  is about 10 mils. In another implementation of this embodiment, the thickness of the metal sheet  900  is between 5 mils and 15 mils. Other thicknesses are possible. 
     The flat metal sheet  900  is extracted from the larger flat metal sheet  899  by one of several ways known in the art. For example, forming the flat metal sheet  900  includes stamping, die cutting, etching, or punching the flat metal sheet  900  in a shape of the outline  901  of the curved-structure region  910  and the at least one tab region  921 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the flat metal sheet  900  is extracted from the larger flat metal sheet  899  by punching the larger flat metal sheet  899  with a punch having the shape of the outline  901 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the flat metal sheet  900  is cut from the larger flat metal sheet  899  by a metal cutter. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the flat metal sheet  900  is extracted from the larger flat metal sheet  899  by an etching process in which the material in the larger flat metal sheet  899  that is outside of the shape of the outline  901  is chemically dissolved. 
     At block  1104 , the curved-structure region  910  of the extracted flat metal sheet  900  is bent at least once to form a major curve  25  having a major radius-of-curvature  28  and a major axis  27  perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature  28  ( FIG. 1 ). Specifically, the edge  932  of the flat metal sheet  900  is bent toward the edge  938  of the flat metal sheet  900 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the curved-structure region  910  of the flat metal sheet  900  is bent at least twice to form the major curve and to form at least one minor curve with a respective at least one minor radius-of-curvature. In this embodiment, the at least one minor radius-of-curvature is less than the major radius-of-curvature. In another implementation of this embodiment, the major curve  25  has a radius-of-curvature that varies. For example, the major curve  25  can form a spiral. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, minor radius-of-curvature is varies. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the tab region  921  is offset from the tab region  922  by a distance “d”. When the curved-structure region  910  is bent at least once to form a major curve  25  with the major radius-of-curvature  28  (i.e., RC major ), an offset angle θ offset =d/RC major  is between the bend-regions  36  and  37 . The bend-region  36  is also referred to herein as “first-extension region  36 ” of the first-edge surface and the bend-region  37  is also referred to herein as “second-extension region  37 ” of the second-edge surface. 
     Block  1106  is optional. At block  1106 , the at least one tab region  921  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910  so that least a portion of the at least one tab region  921  is non-parallel to the major axis. In one implementation of this embodiment, first tab region  921  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910  so that least a portion of the at least one tab region  921  is non-parallel to the major axis  27  and the second tab region  922  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910  so that least a portion of the at least one tab region  921  is non-parallel to the major axis  27 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the second tab region  922  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910  so that least a portion of the at least one tab region  921  is non-parallel to the major axis  27  and the first tab region  921  is not bent. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, first tab region  921  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910  so that least a portion of the at least one tab region  921  is non-parallel to the major axis  27  and the second tab region  922  is not bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, only one tab region extends from the curved-structure region  910 . In another implementation of this embodiment, three or more tab regions extend from the curved-structure region  910 . 
     Block  1108  is optional. At block  1108 , at least a bend-region  36  of the tab region  921  is tempered after the at least one tab region  921  is bent with reference to the curved-structure region  910 . As defined herein, the bend-region is the region of the tab region  921  that is bent. Either one of both of the first tab region  921  and the second tab region  922  include one or more bend regions. The tempering of the bend-region  36  of the tab region  921  stiffens or hardens the bend-region  36  of the tab region  921 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the curved-structure region  910  and the tab region  921  are tempered after block  1104  is completed. In another implementation of this embodiment, the curved-structure region  910  and the tab region  921  are tempered after blocks  1104  and  1106  are completed. Tempering is known in the art and requires heating and cooling metal material. Other techniques to harden the bend-region  36  and/or bend-region  37  are possible. 
     Example Embodiments 
     Example 1 includes a retaining clip for a getter comprising a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface, the curved structure curved in a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature; and at least one tab seamlessly extending from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface, wherein the curved structure is configured to be operably retained in a getter cavity with the getter that is attached to the at least one tab. 
     Example 2 includes the retaining clip of Example 1, wherein at least one of the at least one tab is bent at least once. 
     Example 3 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-2, wherein the at least one tab includes a first tab seamlessly extending from a first-extension region of the first-edge surface and a second tab seamlessly extending from a second-extension region the second-edge surface. 
     Example 4 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the at least one tab includes a first tab seamlessly extending from a first-extension region of the first-edge surface and a second tab seamlessly extending from a second-extension region of the first-edge surface. 
     Example 5 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the major curve of the curved structure includes a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least one of the first and second end portions is curved to have at least one minor radius-of-curvature, wherein the at least one minor radius-of-curvature is less than the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 6 includes the retaining clip of Example 5, wherein the first end portion is curved to form a first-minor curve that begins to curve in direction opposite that in which a first-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the first-minor curve, is curving, the first-minor curve having a first-minor radius-of-curvature, wherein the second end portion is curved to form a second-minor curve that begins to curve in direction opposite that in which a second-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the second-minor curve, is curving, the second-minor curve having a second-minor radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 7 includes the retaining clip of any of Example 5, wherein the first end portion is curved to form a first-minor curve that begins to curve in direction opposite that in which a first-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the first-minor curve, is curving, the first-minor curve having a first-minor radius-of-curvature, and wherein the second end portion is curved to form a second-minor curve that continues to curve in a same direction in which a second-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the second-minor curve, is curving, the second-minor curve having a second-minor radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 8 includes the retaining clip of Example 5, wherein the first end portion is curved to form a first-minor curve that continues to curve in a same direction in which a first-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the first-minor curve, is curving, the first-minor curve having a first-minor radius-of-curvature, and wherein the second end portion is curved to form a second-minor curve that continues to curve in a same direction in which a second-interfacing curve region, between the major curve and the second-minor curve, is curving, the second-minor curve having a second-minor radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 9 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-8, wherein the major axis of the major curve is approximately parallel to an axis of the getter cavity when the retaining clip is operably positioned in the getter cavity. 
     Example 10 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-9, wherein the at least one tab includes a respective at least one distal end to which the getter is welded. 
     Example 11 includes the retaining clip of any of Examples 1-10, wherein the curved structure and the at least one tab are formed from a sheet of metal. 
     Example 12 includes the retaining clip of Example 11, wherein the metal is one of: aluminum, silver, nickel, titanium, brass, copper, steel, tin, gold, platinum, and alloys thereof. 
     Example 13 includes a method of forming a retaining clip for a getter, the method comprising forming a flat metal sheet with an outline of a curved-structure region and at least one tab region, the outline including a first-edge and a second-edge opposing the first-edge; and bending the curved-structure region of the flat metal sheet at least once to form a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 14 includes a method of forming a retaining clip for a getter, including any of the retaining clips of Examples 1-11, the method comprising forming a flat metal sheet with an outline of a curved-structure region and at least one tab region, the outline including a first-edge and a second-edge opposing the first-edge; and bending the curved-structure region of the flat metal sheet at least once to form a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 15 includes the method of Example 13, further comprising bending at least one of the at least one tab region with reference to the curved-structure region, wherein at least a portion of the at least one of the at least one tab region is non-parallel to the major axis. 
     Example 16 includes the method of any of Examples 13 and 15, further comprising tempering at least one bend-region of the at least one tab region. 
     Example 17 includes the method of any of Examples 13-16, wherein forming the flat metal sheet comprises one of stamping, die cutting, etching, and punching the flat metal sheet in a shape of the outline of the curved-structure region and the at least one tab. 
     Example 18 includes the method of any of Examples 13-17, wherein bending the curved-structure region of the flat metal sheet at least once comprises bending the curved-structure region of the flat metal sheet at least twice to form the major curve and to form at least one minor curve with a respective at least one minor radius-of-curvature, wherein the at least one minor radius-of-curvature is less than the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 19 includes a ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring, comprising a curved structure including a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, a first-edge surface, and a second-edge surface opposing the first-edge surface, the curved structure curved in a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature; and at least one tab seamlessly extending from at least one of the first-edge surface and the second-edge surface, wherein when a getter is attached to the at least one tab, and when the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring is operably positioned in a getter cavity of a ring laser gyroscope, the getter is in communication with the ring laser gyroscope. 
     Example 20 includes the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring of Example 19, wherein the major curve of the curved structure includes two end portions curved into at least one loop-feature having at least one respective minor radius-of-curvature, wherein the at least one minor radius-of-curvature is less than the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Example 21 includes the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring of Examples 19-20, wherein at least one of the at least one tab is bent at least once. 
     Example 22 includes a method of forming a retaining clip for a getter, including any of the ring-laser-gyroscope getter-retaining ring of Examples 19-21, the method comprising forming a flat metal sheet with an outline of a curved-structure region and at least one tab region, the outline including a first-edge and a second-edge opposing the first-edge; and bending the curved-structure region of the flat metal sheet at least once to form a major curve having a major radius-of-curvature and a major axis perpendicular to the major radius-of-curvature. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.