Spring steel sleeve design

Abstract

A spring loaded retainer includes a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion defines a second maximum outside dimension, and a first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A spring loaded retainer comprising:
 a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall;
 a drive portion defining a second maximum outside dimension; and 
   a first flat disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion.   
     
     
         15 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 14 , wherein the lug receiving portion includes a lug receiving cylindrical portion including an outside cylindrical surface defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a cylindrical axis, and the first maximum outside dimension is an outside cylindrical surface diameter, and the drive portion includes a drive cylindrical portion and the second maximum outside dimension is a drive cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter of the lug receiving cylindrical portion. 
     
     
         16 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 15 , wherein the first flat is disposed on the outside cylindrical surface and is circumferentially aligned with the first sidewall, and further comprising a second flat disposed on the outside cylindrical surface that is also circumferentially aligned with the second sidewall. 
     
     
         17 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 15 , further comprising a stop projection extending axially away from the drive portion that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat. 
     
     
         18 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 14 , wherein the first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 14 , wherein the drive portion defines a polygonal shaped aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The spring loaded retainer of  claim 19 , wherein the aperture is square shaped.