| US 7,467,455 B2 | ||
| Method of fixing components | ||
| Ali Aigner, Stuttgart (Germany); and Hermann Otte, Varel (Germany) | ||
| Assigned to Decoma (Germany) GmbH, Sulzbach (Germany) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 22, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/644,513. | ||
| Application 11/644513 is a division of application No. 10/397558, filed on Mar. 27, 2003, abandoned. | ||
| Claims priority of application No. 102 13 551 (DE), filed on Mar. 26, 2002. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0137018 A1, Jun. 21, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. B23P 11/02 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 29—453 [29/449] | 5 Claims |
| 1. A method of fixing a first component to a second component wherein the first component includes at least one tab integrally
formed thereon and at least one tapering conical hole extending through the tab and the second component includes at least
one tongue integrally formed thereon and a tapering conical projection formed integrally on and projecting from the tongue,
said method including the steps of:
arranging the first component adjacent the second component;
aligning the tab of the first component for selective engagement with the tongue of the second component;
sliding the first component longitudinally against the second component;
flexing the tongue of the second component by sliding the tab of the first component longitudinally against the projection
of the second component; and
overlapping the tongue and the tab until the conical projection is axially aligned with and matingly received and retained
in the conical hole in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal sliding movement thereby selectively fixing the
first component to the second component.
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