Patent ID: 7669328

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a push rod comprising the steps of: obtaining a length of tube from a source having a first end and a second end; placing and holding the length of tube in a first fixture; bringing a first tool into engagement with the first end while applying an axial force causing the first end to radially expand and define a cone on the first end of the tube; bringing a second tool into engagement with the first end of the tube to form a flat surface that is perpendicular to the axis of the tube; obtaining a disc from a source having a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the cone on the first end of the tube; affixing the disc to the flat surface on the first end of the tube; placing and holding the tube with the disc attached thereto in a second fixture; obtaining a threaded shaft from a source; moving a portion of the threaded shaft into the tube adjacent the second end along the axis of the tube; applying a radial force to the tube adjacent the second end to compress the tube into engagement with that portion of the threaded shaft located within the tube; and thereafter, rotating the threaded shaft with respect to the second end causing the threaded shaft to translate with respect to the compressed portion of the tube to establish a desired length between a face on the disc and a semi-spherical head on the threaded shaft to complete the manufacture of the push rod.