Assembly plug

Abstract

The invention relates to a fitting plug for closing an opening, in particular an opening in a vehicle body or the like, wherein the fitting plug comprises a first device having components for engaging in a locking manner behind the edge of the opening, and furthermore a second device by means of which the components for engaging in a locking manner from behind the edge of the opening can be actuated radially outwards into a locked position, wherein the second device can be axially displaced in the first device and actuation can be performed by this axial displacement.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fitting plug according to the description hereinafter.

[0002] In many areas of components or functional components, in particular formed from sheet metal, which contain cavities, these cavities are provided with openings to the outside, wherein these openings are usually designed to be oval or circular, for example.

[0003] In particular, in vehicle construction, especially in motor vehicle construction, many hollow areas of the vehicle body have holes. On the one hand, these holes mean that the metal sheets must be positioned during forming or during assembly, which is achieved by engaging positioning pins in these holes.

[0004] Furthermore, openings are usually provided in order to allow liquid to enter the cavity and air to escape from the cavity when the vehicle body is immersed in a phosphating bath or a cathodic immersion bath, for example during phosphating of the vehicle body.

[0005] After these processes or after a cavity sealing process has been performed, such a cavity is closed.

[0006] In order to close such openings, it is known to use rubber stoppers, which have a disc-shaped body from which a stopper handle projects, wherein the stopper handle generally corresponds approximately to the diameter of the orifice or hole and has at its free end a peripheral handle flange which tapers conically towards the free end, which handle flange elastically springs outwards after being inserted into and through the hole and engages behind the orifice with an edge which generally extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle, so that the stopper can no longer fall out of this hole.

[0007] A disadvantage of these plugs is that, because the peripheral flange is wider than the hole opening, they present significant resistance to the insertion operation and often bend the handle during the process. This can lead to the fitter feeling that the plug is properly seated in the body opening or hole, even though the flange is not actually fully engaged behind the hole. Consequently, the inevitable vibrations in the vehicle can cause the plug to fall out of the hole again, and the assembly is therefore unsuccessful.

[0008] In recognition of this possible assembly error, excessive pressure is sometimes applied to such rubber stoppers, so that the disc-shaped body enters the hole and the stopper then either has to be actuated back or the entire stopper falls into the hole, which also prolongs the assembly time.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a mounting plug which can be assembled reliably and easily and which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] This object is achieved by a fitting plug having the features described hereinafter.

[0011] Features of advantageous developments are explained in the following description.

[0012] According to the invention, the fitting plug is formed in at least two parts from two synthetic material components, one of the synthetic material components comprising a radial collar (Radialbund) formed by corresponding expansion hooks having outwardly protruding hook portions and being pre-assembledly connected to a second expansion component, wherein the radial collar has an outer diameter in the assembled position which corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the hole to be closed, and wherein the expansion element is designed such that, when the fitting plug is inserted, it interacts with the radial collar and, when the stop portion of the radial collar is reached, the expansion component is pushed in further and thereby expands the radial collar outward so that the flange-like element engages behind the edge of the hole.

[0013] This embodiment according to the invention avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and, moreover, makes assembly particularly simple and reliable.

[0014] In an advantageous development, the assembly plug also has a sealing ring, which is preferably connected in one piece to the radial neck ring and, after the radial neck ring has been fully pushed in, rests against a metal plate or the like surrounding the hole by means of an expansion element and provides a sealing function when the expansion element has expanded the radial neck ring outwards and, in addition, applies an elastic restoring force to the assembly plug, thereby, for example, avoiding rattling sounds and reliably compensating for tolerances in the hole depth or the thickness of the metal plate.

[0015] Here, the expansion part and the radial collar are pre-engaged in the assembly position, so that the two parts are held captive relative to each other. Preferably, the final position of the radial collar element, in which it is expanded outwards by the expansion part and engages behind the edge of the hole, is also provided with an engagement portion, so that this position cannot loosen on its own. If it is also not desired to remove such a plug and if it is important for identifying the manipulation of the plug or the cavity to be able to code the manipulation, the second engagement position can be non-releasable, so that the plug can only be removed in a destructive manner, wherein the part of the plug detached by the destruction falls at least partially into the cavity and can remain there as evidence of the manipulation even if the plug is replaced.

[0016] The present invention therefore relates in particular to a fitting plug for closing openings, in particular openings in vehicle bodies and the like, wherein the fitting plug has a first device having components for engaging in a locking manner behind the edge of the opening; and in addition, there is a second device by means of which these components for engaging in a locking manner behind the edge of the hole can be actuated radially outwards into a locked position, wherein the second device can be axially displaced in the first device and actuation can be performed by this axial displacement.

[0017] It may be advantageous that there is a pre-engagement position and a final engagement position between the first device and the second device, wherein in the pre-engagement position the second device for actuating the locking device is pre-assembled in a captive manner; and in the second engagement position the second device is locked and engaged with the first device behind the edge of the hole in an interlocking manner through the first device.

[0018] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first device is an expansion element and the second device is an actuating element, wherein the expansion element has a plurality of expansion hooks which each have an outwardly projecting wall by means of which they can engage behind the hole edge.

[0019] In one embodiment, the expansion hooks have control surfaces extending obliquely inwards, which reduce the diameter of the expansion element, wherein the actuating element is larger than the diameter and is designed to displace the expansion hooks radially outwards when actuated by means of the control surfaces.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, a sealing element is present, wherein the sealing element is arranged outside the expansion element in the direction of the expansion hooks and has means for elastically contacting the material defining the hole or opening to be closed.

[0021] Advantageously, the sealing element can also have means for elastic contact between the actuating element and the expansion element.

[0022] Furthermore, it is possible to arrange radially inwardly projecting locking tabs on the expansion element, which are designed to engage behind the radial wall of the protrusion on the actuating element when the actuating element is inserted into the expansion element, so that the locking tabs retain the actuating element in a captive manner.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the expansion hooks have a radially inwardly projecting step which is designed to interact with a step of the actuating element and thus engage in a locking manner at the rear.

[0024] In particular, the present invention also relates to an assembly plug, wherein the expansion element includes a base ring designed as a flat disc ring, wherein the expansion hooks are axially arranged correspondingly on the base ring axially toward one side, wherein the expansion hooks have an expansion hook shank and an expansion hook head, wherein the expansion hook shank, the expansion hook head and the base ring are designed as a single piece.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous that the expansion hook head widens the shank outward relative to the expansion hook shank formed as a cylindrical segment and has a cylindrical, flat outer wall with a hook wall protruding radially outward, wherein one or two control walls extend from each hook wall to the upper free end of the expansion hook, and the expansion hook is formed on the expansion hook head, wherein these control walls end laterally with the side walls of the expansion hook.

[0026] It is further advantageous according to the invention that a locking wall protrudes radially inward at each expansion hook head, which widens the expansion hook head radially inward in a step-like manner at a distance from the free end, wherein a curved control surface extends from the radially inwardly facing inner edge of the wall, along or in the direction of the attachment area of ​​the expansion hook handle body on the base ring, and the control surface terminates laterally with the side wall.

[0027] In another advantageous embodiment, the sealing element has an annular body, from which fins extend obliquely outward along the peripheral edge as a projection of the device for elastic abutment, wherein the annular body has a stepped recess below the edge, wherein a circumferential sealing lip extending obliquely outward and opposite to the extension direction of the fin is arranged on an annular surface axially opposite to the fin as the device for elastic abutment.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the through hole extends from the step through the annular body to the radial inner surface.

[0029] It is further preferred that the shape of the elastic sealing element can be adapted to the expansion element so that the webs pass through the recesses and that in the region of the recesses the annular body is formed continuously from the radial inner surface to the step.

[0030] In one embodiment, it is provided that the permanently elastic sealing element and the expansion element are formed integrally with one another, but have different material properties.

[0031] It may be particularly advantageous if the actuating element and the expansion element are formed from a relatively hard synthetic material, for example plastic or duroplast, and if the sealing element is formed from a soft, flexible, permanently elastic synthetic material.

[0032] It is also advantageous if the actuating element is arranged in a preassembled state so as to be pushed axially into the expansion element, wherein the locking tabs extend into the space between the ring and the protuberance, wherein the outer diameters of the protuberance and the ring are dimensioned such that the outer diameters correspond to or are slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the base ring, wherein the actuating element is thereby held captive on the expansion element by the locking tabs, wherein the locking tabs project inwardly from the base ring starting from the inner circumferential surface and extend radially further inward than the inner surface of the expansion hook shank, wherein the locking tabs extend obliquely radially inwardly from the flat circular surface of the bottom of the base ring and axially in the direction of the expansion hooks.

[0033] The present invention is explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 An embodiment of the mounting plug according to the invention is shown in the pre-mounted position;

[0035] Figure 2 An embodiment of an expansion element of a fitting plug according to the invention is shown;

[0036] Figure 3 Shown is a radial neck ring element according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 An embodiment of a sealing element according to the present invention is shown;

[0038] Figure 5 A radial neck ring element according to the invention is shown in combination with a sealing element according to the invention;

[0039] Figure 6 A partial sectional view showing a mounting plug according to the invention in a pre-assembly position before insertion into a vehicle body opening;

[0040] Figure 7 The mounting plug according to the invention is shown after the radial collar element has been inserted through the vehicle body opening;

[0041] Figure 8 The mounting plug according to the invention is shown in an opening in a vehicle body, with the expansion element pushed further in;

[0042] Figure 9 The mounting plug according to the invention is shown in a cross-sectional view in the final mounting position;

[0043] Figure 10 The view from the radial collar side shows the assembled assembly plug in the assembled position.

[0044] The fitting plug 1 according to the invention has an actuating element 2 , an expansion element 3 and, if appropriate, a sealing element 4 .

[0045] The actuating element is an actuating device by means of which the expansion element serving as an expansion and locking device can be actuated.

[0046] The sealing element is an element used as a sealing device and a preloading device, wherein the sealing element 4 is an optional component.

[0047] The actuating element has a flat, disc-shaped body 5, from which a handle 6 protrudes coaxially and axially, the handle 6 having a smaller diameter than the body 5. The handle 6 is cylindrical, wherein, for reasons of production and / or stability, the handle 6 may have reinforcing ribs 7 on the inside of the cylinder, which extend around a central, concentric, coaxial cylindrical portion 8 of smaller diameter to the inside of the handle 6. A ring 10 is provided on the circumferential wall 9 of the handle 6 at an axial distance from the body 5.

[0048] The ring 10 is spaced apart from a free edge 11 of the outside of the cylinder, which is axially diametrically opposed to the body 5 .

[0049] A cap-like, outwardly inclined locking projection 12 extends from the free edge 11 toward the ring 10 or toward the body 5 , wherein the locking projection 12 has an outwardly inclined cap-like surface 13 and a radial wall 14 extending orthogonally to the outer side wall 9 .

[0050] Expansion element 3( Figure 3 ) has a base ring 15, which is designed as a flat disk-shaped ring, wherein an axially extending expansion hook 16 is arranged axially toward one side on the base ring 15. Here, the expansion hook 16 has an expansion hook shank 17 and an expansion hook head 18. The expansion hook shank 17, the expansion hook head 18 and the base ring 15 are preferably designed as a single piece.

[0051] The expander hook head 18 widens outward relative to the expander hook shank 17 , which is designed as a cylindrical segment and has a cylindrical, flat outer wall 19 with a hook wall 20 protruding radially outward.

[0052] One or two control walls 21 extend from each hook wall 20 to the upper free end 22 of the expansion hook 16, which is formed on the expansion hook head 18. The control wall 21 can terminate laterally in a side wall 23 of the expansion hook.

[0053] A connecting wall 24 projects radially inwardly at the respective expansion hook head 18 and widens the expansion hook head 18 radially inwardly at a distance from the free end by a step 25. A curved control surface 27 extends from the radially inwardly facing inner edge 26 of the wall 24 along or in the direction of the attachment area of ​​the expansion hook shank 17 on the base ring 15. The control surface can end laterally at the side wall 23 and can have a centrally located concentric through-hole 28 for manufacturing reasons.

[0054] With respect to the axial extension of the expansion element 3 from the base ring 15 to the free end 22 of the respective expansion hook 16, the step 25 or the radial wall 24 and the outwardly facing hook wall 20 are arranged slightly offset to one another in the axial direction, wherein the radial wall 24 is slightly closer to the free end 22, so that the step 25 or the inner edge 26 is designed to be slightly closer to the free end 22 in the axial direction than the wall 20.

[0055] The locking tabs 29 extend inward from the inner circumferential surface of the base ring 15 and protrude radially inwardly from the inner surface of the expansion hook shank 17. These locking tabs are inclined radially inwardly from the lower, flat circular surface of the base ring 15 and extend axially in the direction toward the expansion hook 16.

[0056] A radially outwardly extending recess 30 is arranged between the expansion hooks 16 and the base ring 15, respectively, radially in front of the expansion hooks 16. The recess 30 tapers toward the base ring 15 but does not penetrate the base ring 15. Due to the recess 30, webs 31 are formed between the expansion hooks 16, which extend from an outer end edge 32 to the locking tabs 29.

[0057] Sealing element 4( Figure 4 ) has an annular body from which fins 35 extend obliquely outward along an outer peripheral edge 37. Below the edge 37, the annular body 34 has a stepped recess 38. A circumferential sealing lip 36 is arranged on an annular surface 39 axially opposite the protrusion 35 and extending obliquely outward in the opposite direction to the extension direction of the fins 35.

[0058] A through hole 41 extends from the step 38 through the annular base 34 to the radial inner surface 40 .

[0059] The actuating element 2 and the expansion element 3 are preferably formed from a relatively hard synthetic material, such as plastic or duroplast, whereas the sealing element 4 is preferably formed from a soft, flexible, permanently elastic synthetic material.

[0060] The shape of the elastic sealing element 4 is adapted to the expansion element 3 so that the web 31 passes through the recess 41 and the annular body 34 is formed continuously in the region of the recess 30 from the radial inner surface 40 to the step 38 .

[0061] Due to the possibilities of modern production methods, it is particularly preferred if the permanently elastic sealing element 4 and the expansion element 3 are formed integrally with one another, but have different material properties.

[0062] In the pre-assembled state ( Figure 1 、 Figure 6 ), the actuating element 2 is arranged to be pushed axially into the expansion element 3, wherein the locking tab 29 reaches the space between the ring 10 and the protrusion 12, wherein the outer diameters of the protrusion 12 and the ring 10 are dimensioned such that these outer diameters correspond to or are slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the base ring 15.

[0063] In this pre-assembly position, the actuating element 2 is held captively on the expansion element 3 by the locking tabs 29 .

[0064] In order to fit the plug into an opening 50, for example, defined by two metal plates 51, the plug is positioned by means of the expansion hook head 18. Preferably, the outer diameter of the expansion hook 16 (i.e., the maximum external protrusion of the wall 20) is dimensioned so that it is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening 50. As a result, the control surface 21 of the expansion hook head 18, between its free end 22 and the outer edge of the wall 20, rests against the hole edge 52.

[0065] If pressure is applied to the body 5 of the actuating element 2 , the ring 10 first presses against the locking tabs 29 and thus pushes the expansion element 3 further into the opening 50 , wherein the control surface 21 slides along the hole edge 52 and thereby ensures that the expansion hooks 16 are bent inwards.

[0066] By bending the expansion hooks inward, the inwardly protruding control surfaces 27 come into contact with the outer surface 13 of the raised portion 12 , which is inclined in a roof-like manner, and prevent the raised portion 12 from sliding along it in the axial direction.

[0067] If the wall 20 is moved through the opening 50 ( Figure 7 ), then the expansion hook pops outwards slightly elastically.

[0068] Since the outward movement is no longer blocked by the surface 21, the inclined surface 13 of the raised portion 12 can slide along the surface 27 when the pressure on the body 5 of the actuating element 2 increases. In particular, since the handle 6 of the actuating element cannot be squeezed by the reinforcing rib 7, the individual expansion hooks move outwards during further pushing in. Figure 8 、 Figure 9 ) until the expansion hook engages behind the material defining the opening ( Figure 9 ).

[0069] To this end, the protuberance 12 also passes over the inwardly facing edge 26 or step 25 so that the radial wall 14 of the protuberance 12 engages behind the step 25 and causes the hook element to elastically spring back slightly so that the step 25 and the wall 14 interact in a locking manner.

[0070] In the presence of a sealing element 4 (in particular in one piece on the expansion element 3), the fin 35 rests against the material defining the hole or opening 50 in an elastically deformed manner, while the lip 36 rests against the body 5 of the actuating element, thereby achieving (if desired) a sealing effect between the body 5 and the expansion element 3, in particular the material surrounding the opening 50, on the one hand.

[0071] Furthermore, the fins 35 are supported on the base ring 15 and act by elastic restoring forces between the base ring 15 and the material surrounding the opening 50 , thereby preventing play between the expansion element and the material surrounding the closed opening which could lead to rattling noises.

[0072] Furthermore, the lip 36 prevents play between the actuating element 2 and the expansion element 3 .

[0073] Thus, in the present invention, the expansion element is introduced into the opening by means of the engagement element in such a manner that the engagement element engages behind the edge of the opening by means of the actuating element and the actuating element is thereby interlocked in the expansion element, thereby interlocking the expansion action by the actuating element in the expansion element and interlocking and anchoring the expansion element between the expansion element and the material surrounding the opening. The body of the actuating element thereby closes the opening to be closed (possibly with the aid of a sealing element).

[0074] The advantage of the invention is that holes, in particular holes in vehicle bodies or the like, can be reliably closed by the inventive mounting plug in a simple, reliable, understandable and error-prone manner, even when a sealing element is present.

[0075] A person skilled in the art will understand that the sealing element, which in the present invention is designed as a single piece and is furthermore formed integrally with the expansion element, can also be a separate component which is, for example, held merely in a clamping manner between the actuating element and the expansion element, or is adhesively bonded to one of the two elements, or is fastened thereto by means of a groove, and so on.

[0076] The number of expansion hooks is arbitrary and is selected depending on the material so that they are not too fragile, in order to maintain the elastic restoring force and prevent breakage during assembly. Furthermore, the number of expansion hooks should not be so small that the elastic restoring force during assembly is too high. For example, between 6 and 14 expansion hooks are used, the number of expansion hooks also depending on the hole diameter.

[0077] It goes without saying that, given the corresponding shape, not only circular holes but also oval body openings and other body openings of any desired shape can be closed with such a mounting plug.

[0078] List of reference numerals:

[0079] 1. Assembly plug

[0080] 2. Actuating element

[0081] 3. Expansion element

[0082] 4. Sealing element

[0083] 5. Subject

[0084] 6.Handle

[0085] 7. Strengthening ribs

[0086] 8. Central Cylinder

[0087] 9. Outer wall

[0088] 10. Ring

[0089] 11. Free Edge

[0090] 12. Bump

[0091] 13. Top-covered surface

[0092] 14. Radial wall

[0093] 15. Base ring

[0094] 16.Expansion hook

[0095] 17. Expand the hook handle

[0096] 18.Expanding hook head

[0097] 19.17 outer wall

[0098] 20. Hook wall

[0099] 21. Control Wall

[0100] 22. Free end

[0101] 23. Sidewall

[0102] 24. Radial wall

[0103] 25. Stairs

[0104] 26. Radial inner wall

[0105] 27. Control Surface

[0106] 28.Through hole

[0107] 29. Locking tab

[0108] 30. Concave

[0109] 31.Spoke plate

[0110] 32. End side edge

[0111] 34. Ring-shaped body

[0112] 35. Fins

[0113] 36. Sealing lip

[0114] 37. Outer Edge

[0115] 38. Step-shaped concave

[0116] 39. Ring surface

[0117] 40.Radial inner surface

[0118] 41.Through hole

Claims

1. A fitting plug for closing an opening, wherein the fitting plug comprises a first device having a member for engaging in a locking manner behind an edge of the opening; and further comprising a second device by means of which the member for engaging in a locking manner behind the edge of the opening can be actuated radially outwards into a locked position, wherein the second device is axially displaceable in the first device and actuation can be performed by means of the axial displacement, in, The first device is an expansion element and the second device is an actuating element, wherein the expansion element has a plurality of expansion hooks, each of which has an outwardly protruding wall by means of which it can engage behind the edge of the opening, wherein a radially inwardly projecting locking tab is arranged on the expansion element, the locking tab being designed to engage behind a radial wall of a raised portion on the actuating element when the actuating element is inserted into the expansion element, so that the locking tab holds the actuating element in a captive manner, and The second device includes a disc-shaped main body and a cylindrical handle, wherein the handle coaxially and axially protrudes from the main body, the diameter of the handle is smaller than the diameter of the main body, and the inner side of the handle includes reinforcing ribs.

2. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that There is a pre-engagement position and a final engagement position between the first device and the second device, wherein in the pre-engagement position the second device for actuating the first device is pre-mounted in a captive manner; And in the final engaged position, the second device locks the locked engagement of the first device behind the opening edge in an interlocking manner.

3. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Such mounting plugs are used to close openings in vehicle bodies and the like.

4. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The expansion hook has an obliquely inwardly extending control surface which reduces the diameter of the expansion element, wherein the actuating element is larger than the diameter and is formed such that upon actuation the expansion hook is displaced radially outward by means of the control surface.

5. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A sealing element is provided, wherein the sealing element is arranged on the expansion element in the direction of the expansion hook and on the outside of the expansion element and has means for elastically contacting the material defining the opening to be closed.

6. The assembly plug according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The sealing element further comprises means for elastically abutting between the actuating element and the expansion element.

7. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The expansion hook has a radially inwardly projecting step which is designed to interact with a step of the actuating element so as to engage behind the step of the actuating element in a locking manner.

8. The assembly plug according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The expansion element comprises a base ring designed as a flat disk-shaped ring, The expansion hooks are correspondingly arranged axially on the base ring toward one side. The expansion hook comprises an expansion hook handle and an expansion hook head. The expander hook handle, the expander hook head, and the base ring are designed as a single piece.

9. The assembly plug according to claim 8, It is characterized by: The expandable hook head is widened outward relative to the expandable hook handle. The expandable hook handle is designed as a cylindrical segment and has a cylindrical, flat outer wall having a hook wall protruding radially outward. One or both control walls extend from each hook wall to the upper free end of the expansion hook, the upper free end being formed on the expansion hook head, The control wall ends laterally at a side wall of the expansion hook.

10. The assembly plug according to claim 9, It is characterized by: A joining wall protrudes radially inwardly at each expansion hook head, the joining wall being spaced apart from the upper free end portion and widening the expansion hook head radially inwardly in a step. The curved control surface extends from a radially inwardly facing inner edge of the engagement wall, along or in a direction toward an attachment area of ​​the expansion hook shank to the base ring, and the control surface terminates laterally at the side wall.

11. The assembly plug according to claim 5, It is characterized by: The sealing element has an annular body, Fins as means for elastically abutting extend obliquely outward from the annular body along the peripheral edge, The annular body has a stepped recess below the edge. A circumferential sealing lip extending obliquely outward and opposite to the extension direction of the fin is arranged on the annular surface axially opposite to the fin as a means for elastic contact.

12. The assembly plug according to claim 11, It is characterized by: A through hole extends from the stepped recess through the annular body to the radial inner surface, wherein the shape of the sealing element is adapted to the shape of the expansion element, Thereby, the web of the expansion element passes through the through hole, and in the region of the recess of the expansion element, the annular body is formed continuously from the radial inner surface to the stepped recess.

13. The assembly plug according to claim 5, It is characterized by: The sealing element and the expansion element are formed integrally with one another, but have different material properties. wherein the actuating element and the expansion element are formed of a relatively hard synthetic material, The sealing element, however, is formed from a soft, flexible, permanently elastic synthetic material.

14. The fitting plug according to claim 13, wherein the actuating element and the expanding element are formed of plastic or hard plastic.

15. The assembly plug according to claim 8, It is characterized by: The actuating element is arranged in a preassembled state to be pushed axially into the expansion element, wherein the locking tab reaches into the space between the ring of the actuating element and the raised portion, The outer diameters of the protuberance and the ring are sized to: The outer diameter corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the base ring, wherein the actuating element is thereby held captively on the expansion element by the locking tab, wherein the locking tab extends inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the base ring and further radially inwardly than the inner surface of the expansion hook handle; The locking tabs extend obliquely radially inward from the flat circular surface of the lower portion of the base ring and axially in a direction toward the expansion hook.

Images