Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and all the benefits of International Application No. PCT/US2009/068071, which was filed on Dec. 15, 2009, with the World Intellectual Property Organization, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/201,779 filed on Dec. 15, 2008, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention generally relates to an end fitting assembly for coupling an elongate member such as a cable conduit to a bracket. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    It is known to attach a cable conduit end to a bracket secured to a vehicle, wherein the bracket includes an open ended slot provided in the edge of a plate member. The conduit end is provided with a fitting that is received vertically into the top of the slot at the plate edge. The bracket has a projection or upset that extends from a planar side surface of the bracket near the bottom of the slot. Prior conduit end fittings are provided with a collar that moves axially along the axis of the conduit into an engaged position in which the upset is received inside the collar, and lateral movement of the conduit out of the slot is opposed by the abutting engagement of the inside surface of the collar with the upset or projection. Typically, the collar is slid or threadedly rotated into its engaged position, and may be biased towards its engaged position by a compression spring disposed between the collar and a retaining cap fixed to the conduit housing. An example of one such prior fitting assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,889 (Jones). 
         [0006]    A disadvantage of prior fitting assemblies adapted to be received in and secured to such brackets is that package space is often at a premium, and cannot accommodate axially sliding collars, particularly those that required biasing spring mechanisms or collars which must be threadably rotated into their engaged position. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable to provide a fitting assembly for attaching elongate members, such a cable conduits for example, vertically into an open ended slot formed in a bracket, without the need of a collar that slides or screws axially on the end fitting, and which can be installed and secures the fitting to the bracket solely through a single motion substantially lateral to the axis of the fitting that requires a low insertion force, and which provides high retention force. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one form, the present invention provides a fitting assembly for engagement of a cable conduit or sheath end to a vehicle-mounted bracket without the need of a collar that slides or screws axially on the end fitting. In a single motion, the fitting of the present invention moves through a two stage engagement process which requires a low insertion effort and provides a high retention force. The end fitting assembly is a two piece design including interengaged retention clip and cable conduit end housing assembly members that are stabilized relative to each other in a first position and together inserted vertically into an open-ended slot in the bracket in a direction substantially lateral to the conduit axis. A flange on its bracket clip member deflects when it engages an upset or projection provided on the bracket surface and then returns into place. After the retention clip member is seated in the slot and is snapped over the upset or projection, fingers of the end fitting housing assembly member then deflect inward and the end fitting housing member continues its vertical movement relative to the clip member and the bracket, and locks in a second position relative to the clip member. When this occurs, a retaining surface on the end fitting housing member is then in superposition over the flexible flange of the bracket clip member, to prevent it from deflecting and resulting in high retention of the fitting assembly and the conduit end to the racket. As used herein, the terms “vertical” or “vertically” refer not to relative positions of differing heights, but rather to orientations relative to the longitudinal directions into and out of the end of an open-ended slot in the bracket. Generally, the vertical directions will be laterally relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the conduit or the fitting assembly, and substantially parallel with the opposed planar sides of the exemplary bracket. 
         [0009]    To accomplish the sequence of first having the flange of the clip member engage and capture the upset, and then having the end fitting housing member move to the installed state the designed loads are such that the load to deflect the retention clip member flange over the upset on the bracket will always be less than the load to relatively move the end fitting housing and retention clip members between their first and second positions. 
         [0010]    To remove the end fitting housing and the cable conduit end from the bracket, the fingers of the end fitting housing member can be deflected and the end fitting housing and cable assembly end can be easily removed from the retention clip member while it remains seated in the bracket slot. The retention clip member can then be removed, if required, by deflecting the flexible flange, or it may be left attached to the bracket and the cable end fitting housing assembly member alone reinserted or replaced. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a fitting assembly adapted for securing an elongate member to a bracket having an open-ended slot into which the fitting assembly is received, the fitting assembly including a first fitting member adapted for attachment to the elongate member and having an axis, and a second fitting member adapted for receipt into the open end of the slot and fixed engagement with the bracket through relative movement between the second fitting member and the bracket solely in a direction substantially lateral to the axis. The first and second fitting members are connected together and have first and second positions relative to each other in a direction substantially lateral to the axis, and are constrained against relative movement substantially along the axis. The first and second fitting members are substantially immovable relative to each other in a direction substantially lateral to the axis in the second position. 
         [0012]    The elongate member may be a conduit and the fitting assembly adapted for securing a conduit end against longitudinal and lateral movement relative to the bracket. 
         [0013]    The second fitting member may have a seated position in the slot, with the second fitting member fixedly engageable with the bracket in its seated position, and the second fitting member may include a flange adapted for superposition relative to a planar bracket surface located adjacent the slot. The flange may have an edge adjacent which a projection from the planar bracket surface is interfacingly disposed in the second fitting member seated position, with movement of the second fitting member from its seated position opposed by abutting engagement of the edge with the interfacing projection. The edge may at least partially define an aperture in the flange, and the flange may be elastically deformed in a direction substantially along the axis by an amount sufficient to allow the projection to be relatively moved past the edge as the second fitting member is moved into or out of its seated position. The first fitting member may include a retaining surface that is moved into engagement with the flange, and that opposes the elastic deformation of the flange in the second position, the edge thus retained in an interfacing relationship with the projection in the second position. Relative movement of the first and second fitting members into the second position while the flange is elastically deformed in a direction substantially along the axis may be prevented by interference of the flange with the movement of the retaining surface into a superposed position over the flange. 
         [0014]    In certain embodiments, the first and second fitting members may be provided with retention features that are cooperatively inter-engaged in the first position and cooperatively disengaged during relative movement from the first position toward the second position. At least one of the retention features may be deformed during relative movement of the first and second fitting members out of the first position. The retention feature deformation may be at least partially a reaction to the first and second fitting members being forced against each other into the second position, and may be at least partially a reaction to the first and second fitting members being forced against the bracket. 
         [0015]    In certain embodiments, the first and second fitting members may be provided with retention features that are cooperatively disengaged in the first position and during relative movement toward the second position, and wherein the retention features are biased into cooperative engagement in the second position. At least one of the retention features may be deformed during relative movement of the first and second fitting members out of the first position. The retention feature deformation may at least partially be a reaction to the first and second fitting members being forced against each other into the second position, and the retention feature deformation may at least partially be a reaction to the first and second fitting members being forced against the bracket. 
         [0016]    From the first position, relative movement of the first and second fitting members in directions toward the second position is facilitated, while relative movement of the first and second fitting members in directions away from the second position is automatically prevented, by the retention features. For example, the relative movements of the first and second fitting members from the first position in directions toward and away from the second position may be respectively facilitated and automatically prevented by a retention feature respectively slidably engaging a ramped surface and abutting a retaining shoulder surface. 
         [0017]    The retention features may include opposed first and second edges that at least partially define a void in one of the first and second fitting members, and a finger extending from the other of the first and second fitting members, with the ramped and retaining shoulder surfaces defined on the finger and facing in substantially opposite directions. The first edge and the retaining shoulder surface may be superposed in the first position, and the second edge may be slidably engaged with the ramped surface upon movement from the first position toward the second position. 
         [0018]    The fitting assembly preferably has a shipped or installing state in which the first and second fitting members are stabilized in the first position, and an installed state in which the first and second fitting members are retained in the second position and the second member is in fixed engagement with the bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    To accomplish the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in a form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated. Moreover, it is to be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale or to the same scale. In particular, the scale of some of the elements of the drawings may be exaggerated to emphasize characteristics of the elements. 
           [0020]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a first embodiment vertical end fitting assembly and a bracket having a slot; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment vertical end fitting assembly of  FIG. 1  disposed within the slot of the bracket with a retaining clip in an open position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment vertical end fitting assembly of  FIG. 1  disposed within the slot of the bracket with the retaining clip in a locked position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a first sectional side view of a second embodiment vertical end fitting assembly disposed within the slot of the bracket with its retaining clip in a locked position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a second sectional side view of the second embodiment vertical end fitting assembly and the bracket as shown in  FIG. 4 , taken 90° about the longitudinal axis of the cable; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a sectional perspective view of the second embodiment vertical end fitting and the bracket as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment vertical end fitting assembly of  FIGS. 4-6  and the bracket; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cable end fitting housing of the second embodiment vertical end fitting shown in  FIGS. 4-7 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the retainer clip of the second embodiment vertical end fitting shown in  FIGS. 4-7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the retainer clip locker of the cable end fitting housing and the retainer clip of  FIGS. 8 and 9  shown assembled in a shipped or installing state; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a first view illustrating the installation of the second embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in a shipped or installing state; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a second view illustrating the installation of the second embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in a shipped or installing state; the latter shown seated in the bracket slot; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a third view illustrating the installation of the second embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in an installed state; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip of a third embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a first view illustrating the installation of the third embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in a shipped or installing state; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a second view illustrating the installation of the third embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in a shipped or installing state, the latter shown seated in the bracket slot; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a third view illustrating the installation of the third embodiment vertical end fitting to a bracket, the cable end fitting housing and retainer clip shown in an installed state. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and may herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Elements shown in more than one FIGURE that may be substantially identically configured have been indicated using the same reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3  there is shown a first embodiment cable end fitting assembly  20  that is attachable to bracket  22 . Bracket  22  may be integrally formed to a member attached to a vehicle. An injection molded swivel tube  23  is attachable to cable end fitting assembly  20  prior to or during the installation of cable end fitting assembly  20  into bracket  22 . Swivel tube  23  may be included in assembly with cable end fitting assembly  20  as it is shipped to the site of its installation, or it may be assembled to cable end fitting assembly  20  at the installation site. A cable wire (not shown) is included in assembly with cable end fitting assembly  20  and extends from the end of fitting assembly  20  and through swivel tube  23 . Bracket  22  includes an open-ended slot  24  formed in an edge  26  of a plate or flange, with slot  24  defined by opposite sides  28  extending from edge  26  and joined along semi-circular bottom  30  of slot  24 . Bracket  22  includes upset or projection  32  located below slot bottom  30  that includes upwardly facing ramped surface  34  and opposite, downwardly facing retaining shoulder surface  36 . Retaining shoulder surface  36  extends perpendicularly from planar surface  38  of bracket  22 . 
         [0040]    Cable end fitting assembly  20  is preferably a two-part device including retainer clip member  40  and cable end fitting housing assembly member  42 . Retainer clip member  40  and housing assembly member  42  are subassembled prior to shipping to the assembly site, and cable end fitting assembly  20  has a shipped or installing state  44  in which cable end fitting assembly  20  and bracket  22  are in either a separated or a partially assembled but unlocked relationship  46 . With fitting assembly  20  in a shipped or installing state  44  and having unlocked relationship  46  with bracket  22 , fitting members  40  and  42  are stabilized in a first position relative to each other. Cable end fitting assembly  20  also has an installed state  48  in which it and bracket  22  have a locked relationship  50 . With fitting assembly  20  in an installed state  48  and having locked relationship  50  with bracket  22 , fitting members  40  and  42  are retained in a second position relative to each other. 
         [0041]    Cable end fitting assembly  20  has a longitudinal axis A that in the shipped or installing state  44  is designated as axis A s , and swivel tube  23 , once inserted into cable end fitting housing assembly  42 , has a longitudinal axis B that is substantially aligned with axis A. In the shipped or installing state  44  of cable end fitting assembly  20 , axis B of inserted swivel tube  23  is designated as axis B s . In the installed state  48 , axes A and B are respectively designated axis A i  and axis B i . 
         [0042]    Retainer clip member  40  includes first flange  52  which, in the installed state  48 , superposes bracket surface  38  about the periphery of slot  24 , and opposite second flange  54  which, in the installed state, superposes the opposite surface (not shown) of bracket  22  about the periphery of slot  24 . Between first and second flanges  52 ,  54 , retainer clip member  40  has groove  56  that extends between opposite ends  58  thereof, and in the installed state  48  ends  58  are disposed adjacent to edges  26  on opposite sides of slot  24 . First flange  52  includes aperture  60  that is partially defined by bottom edge  62  that corresponds to the shape, length, and thickness relative to its projection height from surface  38 , of retaining shoulder surface  36  of upset or projection  32 . 
         [0043]    Retainer clip member  40  further includes axially extending walls  64  disposed on each lateral side of longitudinal axis A, each axially extending wall  64  including an axially extending slot or void  66  that is open at one end and defined by an upper edge  68  and a substantially parallel lower edge  70 . Axially extending walls  64  each also define a lower edge  72  that is substantially parallel with slot edges  68  and  70 , and is located on the side of slot  66  opposite the top of retainer clip member  40 . Retainer clip member  40  defines a U-shaped channel  74  open at the top and including opposed interior walls  76 . Adjacent interior walls  76 , first flange  52  of retainer clip  40  has axially facing surfaces  78  that face the same direction as bracket planar surface  38 . 
         [0044]    Cable end fitting housing assembly member  42  has bore  80  centered about axis A through which coaxially extends cable conduit or sheath  81 . The end of conduit or sheath  81  is fixed relative to cable end fitting housing assembly  42 , with the cable wire (not shown) extending through and moveable relative to conduit or sheath  81  and swivel tube  23  generally in the directions of axes A and B. 
         [0045]    Housing assembly member  42  has an outer circumferential groove  82  which is slidably received in U-shaped channel  74  of retainer clip member  40 , with groove  82  defined on one axial side by circular flange  84  of member  42  and on the opposite axial side by its planar portions  86 . Planar portions  86  are slidably superposed over axially facing surfaces  78  of retainer clip member  40 . Planar portions  86  each have extending therefrom an axially extending wall  88 . Walls  88  are joined at the lower, central portion of housing member  42  to define rigid, planar retaining surface  90  that extends downwardly from axis A and faces towards bracket surface  38  and flange  52 . Rigid retaining surface  90  is selectively positioned in overlapping relationship relative to flexible flange  52  and over aperture  60  and prevents flange  52  from being elastically deformed such that it is separated from bracket surface  38 . That is to say, with cable end fitting assembly  20  in its installed state  48  and having a locked relationship  50  with bracket  22 , in which upset  32  is disposed within aperture  60 , flange  52  is sandwiched between bracket surface  38  and the superposed retaining surface  90  and is prevented from being elastically deformed away from bracket surface  38  such that retaining shoulder surface  36  of upset  32  and bottom edge  62  of aperture  60  are taken out of interfacing superposition with each other. The superposition of retainer shoulder surface  36  and bottom edge  62  of aperture  60  prevents cable end fitting assembly  20  in its installed state  48  from being dislodged from slot  24 , thereby locking cable end fitting assembly  20  to bracket  22 . Relative movement of housing member  42  and clip member  40  toward their first position would be opposed by abutting engagement between upset shoulder surface  36  and interfacingly superposed flange aperture edge  62 . 
         [0046]    Integrally formed with axially extending walls  88  of housing member  42  are axially extending fingers  92 , each provided with downwardly facing ramped surface  94  and upwardly facing retaining shoulder surface  96 . In the shipped or installing state  44 , fingers  92  are disposed in slots or voids  66  of axially extending walls  64  of retainer clip member  40 . With retainer clip member  40  seated into slot  24  with upset  32  disposed within aperture  60 , movement of cable end fitting housing assembly member  42  is continued vertically by pushing it laterally relative to axis A and further into U-shaped channel  74 . The force exerted in effecting this continued movement elastically deforms one or both of each axially extending wall  64  and  88  such that lower edge  70  of each slot  66  is brought into sliding engagement with the respective ramp surface  94  of each finger  92 , and finger  92  proceeds with the remainder of housing member  42  vertically past the portion of the axially extending wall  64  located immediately below slot  66  to its bottom edge  72 . With fitting assembly  20  now in installed state  48 , upwardly facing retainer shoulder surface  96  of each finger  92  is in superposed or abutting engagement with an edge  72 , thereby locking cable end fitting housing assembly member  42  relative to retainer clip member  40 . As can be seen from a comparison of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , during installation of cable end fitting assembly  20 , and moving between an unlocked relationship  46  between it and bracket  22  and their locked relationship  50 , axes A and B are displaced downwardly further into slot  24  and U-shaped channel  74  along with cable end fitting housing assembly member  42 . 
         [0047]    During assembly, with the end fitting assembly  20  in its shipped or installing state  44 , groove  56  is aligned with the slot  24  of the bracket  22  and the fitting assembly  20  pushed vertically in a direction lateral to axis A, into slot  24  and toward slot bottom  30 . During this vertical movement, the groove  56  of retaining clip  40  engages the sides  28  of slot  24  and the bottommost edge of flange  52  approaches the ramped surface  34  of upset  32 . 
         [0048]    As a user continues to push the end fitting assembly  20  vertically into slot  24  the retention clip member  40  becomes seated in slot  24 , with upset  32  captured within aperture  60 , and housing assembly member  42  then continues its sliding movement vertically from the first position to the second position wherein its retaining surface  90  is superpositioned over flange  52  and aperture  60  of the retention clip member  40 , to prevent the flange  52  from deflecting away from bracket surface  38  and aperture bottom edge  62  from moving out of interfacing position with shoulder surface  36  of upset  32 . During the downward slide of retaining surface  90  over flange  52 , the fingers  92  and axially extending walls  88  are deflected by the load applied to move the end fitting housing assembly member  42  into clip member  40 . Specifically, the ramped surfaces  94  on the fingers  92  allow the fingers  92  to be automatically deflected inward. Once in the second position retaining shoulder surfaces  96  of fingers  92  are interfacing superposed over lower edges  72  of walls  64 . 
         [0049]    Thus, with retention clip member  40  and fitting housing member  42  in their first position, as fitting assembly  20  is inserted into slot  24 , flange  52  is elastically deflected over the upset  32  until aperture bottom edge  62  is moved past upset shoulder surface  36 , at which point flange  52  returns to its relaxed state abutting surface  38  and upset  32  is captured within aperture  60 . Then retention clip member  40  and fitting housing member  42  are relatively moved out of their first position and towards their second position, with retaining surface  90  moving downwardly over flange  52  to oppose deflection of flange  52  away from surface  38 . The retaining clip member  40  requires only a low insertion effort to secure the upset  32  within the aperture  60  of flange  52 , but provides a strong retention coupling of the retaining clip member  40  with the upset  32 . The load required to deflect the fingers  92  and move the fitting assembly members  40 ,  42  to their second position is greater than the load required to deflect the flange  52  and move its edge  62  past surface  36  of the upset  32 , thereby ensuring that the end fitting assembly  20 , once in installed state  48 , will not be inadvertently dislodged from the bracket  22 . 
         [0050]    To separate the end fitting assembly  20  from the bracket  22 , the fingers  92  of the fitting housing member  42  are squeezed toward each other to allow the fitting housing member  42  to be moved from the second position to the first position. Subsequently, the retention clip member  40  can then be separated from the bracket  22  by deflecting the flange  52  over the upset  32  and removing the retention clip  40  from the bracket  22 . Thus, subsequent to initial installation of the end fitting assembly  20 , fingers  92  function to facilitate serviceability of the end fitting assembly  20 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 through 13 , there is shown a second embodiment cable end fitting assembly  120 . Relative to second embodiment fitting assembly  120  and the above-described first embodiment fitting assembly  20 , substantially identical elements are identically numbered, and elements of fitting assembly  120  that correspond in structure and/or function to elements of fitting assembly  20  are identified by adding a prefix “1” (i.e., adding 100) to the respective element numeral of fitting assembly  20 . Additionally, multiple elements of fitting assembly  120  that correspond in structure and/or function to elements of fitting assembly  20  may also include suffixes “a” and “b”. The structure and function of identical or corresponding elements between the first and second embodiment fitting assemblies  20 ,  120  and their relationships to bracket  22  are as described above except as described below or as evident from the accompanying drawings. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show cross-sectional side views of fitting assembly  120  attached to bracket  22  that are taken 90° apart about axes A i  and B i . Cable end fitting assembly  120  includes retainer clip member  140  and cable end fitting housing assembly member  142 . Fitting assembly  120  has a shipped or installing state  144  in which it has an unlocked relationship  146  with bracket  22 . Fitting assembly  120  also has an installed state  148  in which it has a locked relationship  150  with bracket  22 . Retention clip member  140  includes first flange  152  and second flange  154  between which is U-shaped groove  156  having ends  158 . Flange  152  includes an aperture or void  160  defined between a bottom edge  162  and a top edge  163 . Retention clip member  140  includes slot or void  166   b  near each end  158  of its groove  156 , with each slot  166   b  defined between an upper edge  168   b  and a lower edge  170   b . Retaining clip member  140  defines a U-shaped channel  174  having interior walls  176 , and has axially facing surfaces  178 . 
         [0053]    Fitting member  142  has a bore  80  into which is coaxially disposed cable conduit  81 , and an external circumferential groove  182  defined at its opposite axial ends by circular flange  184  and planar portions  186 , the latter defining rigid retaining surface  190  that is in superposed sliding engagement with retaining clip member flange  152 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , retainer clip locker element  100  of fitting housing assembly member  142  includes a pair of fingers  192   a  that extend into circumferential groove  182  from circular flange  184 . Fingers  192   a  are received in slots  166   a  formed in flange  154  of retainer clip member  140 . The engagement of fingers  192   a  and slots  166   a  stabilize fitting assembly  120  in its shipped or installing state  144 . In shipped or installing state  144 , the ends of integrally formed fingers  192   b  extending upwardly from retainer clip locker element  100  project above surfaces  168   b  that define slots  166   b  near groove ends  158  of retainer clip member  140 . As discussed above with respect to first embodiment fitting assembly  20 , second embodiment fitting assembly  120  is vertically inserted into slot  24  of bracket  22  through movement that is substantially lateral to axes A and B. Retainer clip member  140  is pushed into a seated position in slot  24 , through the deflection of flange  152  by sliding engagement with upset ramped surface  34 , and in its seated position projection  32  is received within aperture or void  160 , such that aperture bottom edge  162  and upset retaining shoulder surface  36  are interfacingly superposed. 
         [0055]    In moving fitting assembly  120  from the installing state  144  to installed state  148 , fitting housing member  142  is pushed in a direction lateral to axes A and B further into U-shaped channel  174  of retainer clip member  140 , such that ramped surface  194  of each finger  192   b  is in sliding engagement with the topmost edge of each interior wall  176  of the retainer clip  140 , the fingers  192   b  deflected inwardly towards each other until the retaining shoulder surfaces  196  of fingers  192   b  are moved past surfaces  168   b  of slots  1661 , at which point fingers  192   b  move outwardly away from each other and relax, and surfaces  196  are brought into superposed relationship with surfaces  168   b  of slots  166   b , which locks fitting members  140 ,  142  in their second position. Simultaneously, rigid retaining surface  190  is brought into superposed abutting relationship with flexible flange  152  and overlappingly covers aperture  160 . Thus, flange  152  is sandwiched between bracket surface  38  and retaining surface  190 , preventing its elastic deformation away from surface  38  and maintaining the interfacingly superposed relationship between upset shoulder surface  36  and the aperture bottom edge  162 , thus completing entry to the installed state  148  establishing the locked relationship  150  between fitting assembly  120  and bracket  22 . 
         [0056]    In moving cable end fitting housing assembly  142  relative to retainer clip  140  when transitioning from the shipped or installing state  144  to the installed state  148 , fingers  192   a  that are disposed within slots  166   a , as shown in  FIG. 10 , are deformed such that they are pulled out of slots  166   a  and taken out of their interfitting engagement. Referring again to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , the exterior configuration of housing assembly member  142  of second embodiment cable end fitting assembly  120  is formed by retainer clip locker member  100  and shell  102 , into which member  100  is inserted and interlocked. The axial end of cable conduit  81  is provided with a conduit overmolding  104  that is fixed to the end of conduit  81  and positioned between a pair of identical damper members  106  which may be formed of a suitable vulcanized rubber such as, for example, EPDM 45 SH A or NBR 70 SH A. Each damper  106  is provided with a circumferential groove  108  on its interior surface that defines, in the damper  106  which surrounds conduit  81 , bore  80 . Groove  108  is configured to receive the tapered, radially extending terminal end  110  of swivel tube  23 , which is inserted into the respective damper bore during assembly of the swivel tube to fitting assembly  120 . As noted above, the wire (not shown) of the cable assembly that extends through its cable conduit  81  also extends through swivel tube  23 . 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 through 17 , there is shown a third embodiment cable end fitting assembly  220 . Relative to third embodiment fitting assembly  220 , and one or both of the above-described first embodiment fitting assembly  20  and second embodiment fitting assembly  120 , substantially identical elements are identically numbered, and elements of fitting assembly  220  that correspond in structure and/or function to elements of fitting assembly  20  are identified by adding a prefix “2” (i.e., adding 200) to respective elements of first embodiment fitting assembly  20 , or substituting prefix “2” for the prefix “1” of (or adding 100 to) the respective element numeral of fitting assembly  120 . Additionally, multiple elements of fitting assembly  220  that correspond in structure and/or function to elements of fitting assemblies  20 ,  120  may also include or omit suffixes “a” and “b”. The structure and function of identical or corresponding elements between the second and third embodiment fitting assemblies  120  and  220  and their relationships to bracket  22  are as described above except as described below or as evident from the accompanying drawings. 
         [0058]    Cable end fitting assembly  220  includes retainer clip member  240  and cable end fitting housing assembly member  242 . Fitting assembly  220  has a shipped or installing state  244  in which it has an unlocked relationship  246  with bracket  22 . Fitting assembly  220  also has an installed state  248  in which it has a locked relationship  250  with bracket  22 . Retention clip member  240  includes first flange  252  and second flange  254  between which is U-shaped groove  256  having ends  258 . Flange  252  includes an aperture or void  260  defined between a bottom edge  262  and a top edge  263 . Retention clip member  240  includes slot or void  266  near each end  258  of its groove  256 , with each slot  266  defined between an upper edge  268  and a lower edge  270 . Retaining clip member  240  defines a U-shaped channel  274  having interior walls  276 , and has axially facing surfaces  278 . 
         [0059]    Fitting member  242  has a bore  80  into which is coaxially disposed cable conduit  81 , and an external circumferential groove  282  defined at its opposite axial ends by circular flange  284  and planar portions  286 , the latter defining rigid retaining surface  290  that is in superposed sliding engagement with retaining clip member flange  252 . 
         [0060]    The engagement of finger  192   a  and aperture  260  stabilizes fitting assembly  220  in its shipped or installing state  244 . In shipped or installing state  244 , the ends of integrally formed fingers  292   b  extending upwardly from retainer clip locker element  200  project above surfaces  268  that define slots  266  near groove ends  258  of retainer clip member  240 . As discussed above with respect to first and second embodiment fitting assemblies  20  and  120 , third embodiment fitting assembly  220  is vertically inserted into slot  24  of bracket  22  through movement that is substantially lateral to axes A and B. Retainer clip member  240  is pushed into a seated position in slot  24 , through the deflection of flange  252  by sliding engagement with upset ramped surface  34 , and in its seated position projection  32  is received within aperture or void  260 , such that aperture bottom edge  262  and upset retaining shoulder surface  36  are interfacingly superposed. 
         [0061]    In moving fitting assembly  220  from the installing state  244  to installed state  248 , fitting housing member  242  is pushed in a direction lateral to axes A and B further into U-shaped channel  274  of retainer clip member  240 , such that ramped surface  294   b  of each finger  292   b  is in sliding engagement with the topmost edge of each interior wall  276  of the retainer clip  240 , the fingers  292   b  deflected inwardly towards each other until the retaining shoulder surfaces  296   b  of fingers  292   b  are moved past surfaces  268  of slots  266 , at which point fingers  292   b  move outwardly away from each other and relax, and surfaces  296   b  are brought into superposed relationship with surfaces  268  of slots  266 , which locks fitting members  240 ,  242  in their second position. Simultaneously, rigid retaining surface  290  is brought into superposed abutting relationship with flexible flange  252  and overlappingly covers aperture  260 . Thus, flange  252  is sandwiched between bracket surface  38  and retaining surface  290 , preventing its elastic deformation away from surface  38  and maintaining the interfacingly superposed relationship between upset shoulder surface  36  and the aperture bottom edge  262 , thus completing entry to the installed state  248  establishing the locked relationship  250  between fitting assembly  220  and bracket  22 . 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the exterior configuration of housing assembly member  242  of third embodiment cable end fitting assembly  220  is formed by retainer clip locker member  200  and shell  102  of second embodiment housing member  142 , into which member  200  is inserted and interlocked. Internally, third embodiment housing member  242  is structurally and functionally identical to second embodiment housing member  142 , includes the same components, and has swivel tube  23  is inserted therein. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , housing member  242  includes finger  292   a  that depends from planar portion  286  and defines at its terminal end a hook formed by ramped surface  294   a  and retaining shoulder surface  296   a  facing substantially opposite directions. In the shipped or installing state  244 , retainer shoulder surface  296   a  is in interfacing superposition with aperture upper edge  263 , and in the first position relative to retainer clip member  240 , housing member  242  is thus prevented from moving in a direction away from the second position, and out of U-shaped channel  274 , by the abutting engagement between retainer shoulder surface  296   a  and aperture upper edge  263 . The oblique contact between aperture lower edge  262  and ramped surface  294   a  of finger  292   a , and the above-discussed engagement between ramped surfaces  294   b  of fingers  292   b  and the topmost edges of retention clip member interior surfaces  276 , oppose the relative movement of fitting members  240 ,  242  from their first position toward the second position. Thus, fitting assembly  220  is stabilized in the first position in the shipped or installing state  244 , in which fitting assembly  220  and bracket  22  have an unlocked relationship  246 , at least until retainer clip member  240  is moved into its seated position within slot  24 . 
         [0064]    In moving retainer clip member  240  into its seated position, wherein upset  32  is captured within aperture  260 , upset  32  tends to deflect finger  292  out of cooperative engagement with aperture edges  262 ,  263  as best seen in  FIG. 16 . As fitting housing member  242  is pushed further into channel  274  in relatively moving fitting members  240 ,  242  toward the second position, finger  292   a  is pushed downwardly past the bottommost edge of flange  252  and into a position disposed below and out of operative engagement with retaining clip member  240 . 
         [0065]    As described above, during movement from the installing state  244  to the installed state  248 , wherein fitting members  240  and  242  respectively have unlocked and locked relationships  246 ,  250  with bracket  22 , ramp surface  294   b  of each finger  292   b  are in sliding engagement with the respective upper edge of retainer clip member interior wall  276 , and the end of each finger  292   b  is received in its respective slot  266 . Each retaining shoulder surface  296   b  is thus brought into superposition with an upper slot edge  268 , which locks the fitting members  240 ,  242  in the second position, and establishes a locked relationship between fitting assembly  220  and bracket  22 . 
         [0066]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0067]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
         [0068]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 4