Patent ID: 8360554

Claim:
An encoder comprising: a base having an annular opening, the base including a plurality of resilient arms surrounding the annular opening with each arm having a terminal end that extends into the annular opening, the resilient arms being joined together to form a mounting ring; a hub including a central bore configured to accept a shaft, the hub having a horizontal flange with a top and a bottom surface and a generally vertical wall extending from the bottom surface of the horizontal flange, the generally vertical wall being configured to fit within the annular opening of the base and being circumscribed with a groove to receive the mounting ring formed by the resilient arms for securing the hub to the base and enabling rotation of the hub within the annular opening of the base as the mounting ring formed by the resilient arms slide within the groove; and a code wheel having a masked pattern arranged in a circular track, the code wheel being mounted to the top surface of the horizontal flange and centered about the central bore in the hub to enable the code wheel to rotate with the shaft within the central bore.