Ring fastener for machine parts

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ring fastener characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement which is easy and economical to manufacture and provides a reliable fastening means without special fitting to the machine part to be secured in place.
To this end, the ring fastener of the present invention is adapted to be press fitted into a smooth cylindrical opening in a machine part or the like and in accordance with the principal embodiment, the ring fastener is a split annulus wherein each of the confronting end faces of the ring comprise an axial section and a slanted or biased section.
This design of the end faces or slot surfaces of the ring provides an entry ramp when the ring fastener is set or pressed into place.
For example, by this arrangement, the ring, which normally has an outer peripheral dimension suitable to provide a press fit in the opening in the machine element is first positioned in the opening with its end faces offset axially relative to one another.
In this manner, the end sections can overlap to a significant degree and the ring temporarily assumes the form of a helix for easy insertion into the opening in the machine part.
In other words, the ring contracts easily when inserted into the opening and can be adjusted relative to the opening without difficulty.
In the offset, overlapping position of the end faces, the radial edge of the slot surface of one end of the ring confronts and engages the slanted or biased end surface of the other end face of the ring.
Now when the ends are pressed axially relative to one another, the radial edge slides along the slanted surface causing the entire ring to expand until the radial edge aligns with the axial portion of the opposing ring end face at which point the process of expansion of the ring is completed.
As the ends of the rings are further moved axially to a fully seated position, the end surfaces continue to slide relative to one another until the end faces are completely aligned and the ring shape is completely restored