Retention device for a product

Abstract

A number of variations may include a product comprising a retention device comprising a plurality of members, including an arch member and a spring member defining multiple contact points.

1 . A product comprising at least one retention device comprising;
 a first member formed as an arch,   a second member extending from a first end of the first member and defining a first contact point,   a third member extending from a second end of the first member and defining a second contact point,   at least one spring member extending from at least one of the first, second, or third members and defining a third contact point, and   wherein when the first and second contact points are in contact with a substantially rigid surface of an exhaust gas recirculation tube, and a force is applied to the third contact point, a force is transmitted to the substantially rigid surface at one or both of the first or second contact points, and   wherein the first member will substantially remain in the form of the arch and does not contact the substantially rigid surface when the force is applied to the third contact point.   
     
     
         2 . A product as set forth  claim 1  wherein the at least one retention device comprises at least two spring members wherein the spring members are spaced apart from each other on the retention device. 
     
     
         3 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retention device further comprises interconnecting features comprising a receptacle and an engagement member for engaging said receptacle, and wherein the receptacle and engagement member are spaced apart from each other and when the engagement member engages the receptacle, the retention device defines a closed form or loop for attachment to a product. 
     
     
         4 . A product as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the at least one retention device further comprises a guide feature and a guide portion said guide feature comprising at least one guide member and said guide portion including at least one interconnecting feature, and wherein the guide member is constructed and arranged to guide the guide portion. 
     
     
         5 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one retention device further comprises a guide feature and a guide portion said guide feature comprising at least one guide member and said guide portion including at least one interconnecting features, and wherein the guide member is constructed and arranged to guide the guide portion. 
     
     
         6 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the product further comprising at least a second retention device, said first and second retention devices further comprising
 a guide feature on the first retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the second retention device and, 
 a guide feature on the second retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the first retention device. 
 
     
     
         7 . A product as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the product further comprising at least a second retention device, said first and second retention devices further comprising
 a guide feature on the first retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the second retention device and, 
 a guide feature on the second retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the first retention device. 
 
     
     
         8 . A product as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the product further comprising at least a second retention device, said first and second retention devices further comprising
 a guide feature on the first retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the second retention device and, 
 a guide feature on the second retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the first retention device. 
 
     
     
         9 . A product as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the shape of each retention device is substantially the same. 
     
     
         10 . A product comprising;
 a core comprising an array of tubes,   a housing for receiving the core and supporting the core,   a clearance between the core and the housing,   at least one retention device positioned between the housing and core, the at least one retention device comprising;   a first member formed as an arch,   a second member extending from a first end of the first member and defining a first contact point along the axis of the tubes,   a third member extending from a second end of the first member and defining a second contact point along the axis of the tubes,   at least one spring member extending from at least one of the first, second, or third members and defining a third contact point with the housing, and   wherein when the clearance between the housing and core causes interference with the retention device and a force is applied to the third contact point of the at least one spring member, the at least one spring member will transmit a force to one or both of the first and second contact points and;   wherein the first member will substantially remain in the form of the arch and does not contact the tubes along the axis of the tubes when the force is applied to the third contact point.   
     
     
         11 . A product as set forth  claim 10  wherein the at least one retention device comprising at least two spring members wherein the spring members are spaced apart from each other on the retention device. 
     
     
         12 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the at least one retention device further comprising interconnecting features comprising a receptacle and an engagement member for engaging said receptacle and, wherein the receptacle and engagement member are spaced apart from each other and when the engagement member engages the receptacle, the retention device defines a closed form or loop for attachment to a product. 
     
     
         13 . A product as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the at least one retention device further comprising a guide feature and a guide portion said guide feature comprising at least one guide member and said guide portion including at least one of said interconnecting features and, wherein the guide member is constructed and arranged to guide the guide portion. 
     
     
         14 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the at least one retention device further comprising a guide feature and a guide portion said guide feature comprising at least one guide member and said guide portion including at least one interconnecting feature and, wherein the guide member will guide the guide portion. 
     
     
         15 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the product further comprising at least a second retention device, said first and second retention devices further comprising
 a guide feature on the first retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the second retention device and, 
 a guide feature on the second retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the first retention device. 
 
     
     
         16 . A product as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the product further comprising at least a second retention device, said first and second retention devices further comprising
 a guide feature on the first retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the second retention device and, 
 a guide feature on the second retention device constructed and arranged to guide a guide portion on the first retention device. 
 
     
     
         17 . A product as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the shape of each retention device is substantially the same. 
     
     
         18 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first and second contact points are constructed and arranged to provide movement of the retention device along the substantially rigid surface. 
     
     
         19 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the first and second contact points are constructed and arranged to provide movement of the retention device along a substantially rigid surface of the tube. 
     
     
         20 . A product comprising;
 a core comprising an array of tubes,   a housing for receiving the core and supporting the core,   a clearance between the core and the housing,   at least one retention device positioned between the housing and core, the at least one retention device comprising;   a first member formed as an arch,   a second member extending from a first end of the first member and defining a first contact point along the axis of the tubes,   a third member extending from a second end of the first member and defining a second contact point along the axis of the tubes,   at least one spring member extending from at least one of the first, second, or third members and defining a third contact point with the housing, and   wherein when the clearance between the housing and core causes interference with the retention device and a force is applied to the third contact point of the at least one spring member, the at least one spring member will transmit a force to one or both of the first and second contact points and;   wherein the first member will substantially remain in the form of the arch and does not contact the tubes along the longitudinal axis of the tubes when the force is applied to the third contact point the retention device being constructed and arranged to move along the longitudinal axis of the tubes.   
     
     
         21 . A product comprising;
 a core comprising an array of tubes,   a housing for receiving the core and supporting the core,   a clearance between the core and the housing,   at least one retention device positioned between the housing and core, the at least one retention device comprising;   a first member formed as an arch,   a second member extending from a first end of the first member and defining a first contact point along the axis of the tubes,   a third member extending from a second end of the first member and defining a second contact point along the axis of the tubes,   at least one spring member extending from at least one of the first, second, or third members and defining a third contact point with the housing, and   wherein when the clearance between the housing and core causes interference with the retention device and a force is applied to the third contact point of the at least one spring member, the at least one spring member will transmit a force to one or both of the first and second contact points and;   wherein the first member will substantially remain in the form of the arch and does not contact the tubes along the longitudinal axis of the tubes when the force is applied to the third contact point the retention device being constructed and arranged to provide less impeded movement of the retention device along a substantially rigid surface of the tubes.   
     
     
         22 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  with the proviso that the retention device does not include an anchor for attaching to a heat exchanger baffle or linking part. 
     
     
         23 . A product comprising at least one retention device comprising;
 a first member formed as an arch,   a second member extending from a first end of the first member and defining a first contact point,   a third member extending from a second end of the first member and defining a second contact point,   a first spring member and a second spring member extending from the third member, each of the first spring member and the second spring member defining a respective third contact point, the first spring member and the second spring member being spaced apart from each other   wherein when the first and second contact points are in contact with a substantially rigid surface, and a force is applied to the third contact point, a force is transmitted to the substantially rigid surface at one or both of the first or second contact points, and   wherein the first member will substantially remain in the form of the arch and does not contact the substantially rigid surface when the force is applied to the third contact point, and wherein the second member extends a distance traversing the first spring member and the second spring member.   
     
     
         24 . A product as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the second member is substantially planar and has a terminal edge position below the third contact point of each of the first spring member and the second spring member. 
     
     
         25 . A product as set forth in  claim 23  further comprising a bundle of tube having four sides and wherein the retention devices contact the bundle of tube on three of the four sides. 
     
     
         26 . A product as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first and second contact points are constructed and arranged to provide minimum contact with the substantially rigid surface and thereby less impeded movement of the retention device along the substantially rigid surface. 
     
     
         27 . A product as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the first and second contact points are constructed and arranged to provide minimum contact with the substantially rigid surface and thereby less impeded movement of the retention device along a substantially rigid surface of the tube.