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FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 10
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
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TITLE: “A HINGE ASSEMBLY”
Name and Address of the Applicant: TATA MOTORS LIMITED, Bombay House, 24 20 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA
Nationality: INDIAN
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The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure in general relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly but not exclusively the present disclosure discloses a hinge assembly for vehicle bodies. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a tipping hinge assembly for rear end structure 5 of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Automobile industry is one of the growing industries, with advancement in towards fuel 10 efficient and lighter weight vehicles capable of bearing heavier load. Such technologies in the automobiles may also be equipped with uncompromising mechanical properties of corresponding components/assemblies being employed thereto.
For attaining mechanical coupling and maintaining relative strength between some of such elements/components of the automobiles, conventional means for such mechanical coupling is 15 to weld two or more components while forming the assemblies. For instance, in hinge assemblies between rigid structures such as vehicle bodies, and movable structures such shafts and support elements at a tiltable body portion of a vehicle, to assist in load bearing and prevent failure, material constraints for such elements are generally opted. In convention, the shaft is thermally fused to a bush being supported by the support elements in order to assist in load 20 bearing during operation, where the shaft and the bush are required to be made of similar material or grade of material. i.e., material of similar grade may be elected for welding and imparting necessary strength while maintaining relative mobility between such materials. However, weldability may be compromised when high grade material are elected for such components and/or assemblies, as welding of said material may lead to various other 25 constraints including, heat affected areas, crack propagation, low fatigue cycle life, and among others, generally such components and/or assemblies are opted to be made from low grade material. Due to incorporating low grade material and ensuring mechanical strength thereto, such components or assemblies may be developed to be bulky in size for being able to bear load. Additionally, it may be difficult to weld different material or material of different grades, 30 while such process may also increase cost of production of the vehicle.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the conventional assemblies.
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SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of tipping hinge assembly of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other 5 embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a tipping hinge assembly of a rear body structure of a vehicle is disclosed. The tipping hinge assembly comprises a plurality of brackets connectable to the rear body structure. At least on bracket of the plurality of brackets 10 is positioned proximal to a first end of the rear body structure and at least another bracket of the plurality of the bracket is positioned proximal to the second end of the rear body structure of the vehicle that is away from the first end of the rear body structure. Further, a shaft is disposed between the plurality of brackets and the shaft is made of first material. The tipping hinge assembly further comprises at least one hinge boss disposed on the shaft and a plurality 15 of support members positioned proximal to each of the plurality of brackets. The plurality of support members is configured to support the shaft and adapted to accommodate the at least one hinge boss. Further, the at least one hinge boss is thermally fused to the plurality of support members. The at least one hinge boss is structured to extend between a portion of the shaft and the corresponding bracket of the plurality of brackets such as to impart relative displacement 20 between the rear body structure and the shaft. Furthermore, the support member and the at least one hinge boss is made from a second material which is different from the first material of the shaft.
In an embodiment, the plurality of support members is connectable to a portion of a frame of 25 the rear body structure of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the tipping hinge assembly comprises an end plate connectable at the ends of the shaft. The end plate is adapted to secure the shaft between the plurality of brackets.
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In an embodiment, the first material of the shaft is a high strength steel. The second material of the plurality of support members and the at least one hinge boss is a low strength steel.
In an embodiment, the tipping hinge assembly is defined with a bush disposable between the at least one hinge boss and the plurality of brackets. The bush is adapted to regulate relative 35 movement between the at least one hinge boss and the plurality of brackets.
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In an embodiment, the bush is made from a third material. The third material is a polymer-based material.
In an embodiment, the plurality of brackets is oriented along a lateral sides of the rear body 5 structure of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the plurality of brackets is thermally fused to the rear body structure of the vehicle.
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In an embodiment, the shaft is defined by a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is between the first portion. The first portion is connectable to the plurality of brackets. Further, the diameter of the first portion is greater than the second portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES 15
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the 20 accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a hinge assembly to be mounted on a rear body structure 25 of a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hinge system of Figure 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Figure 3 illustrates a magnified view of a portion of Figure 1, depicting connection between a shaft, boss member, a bush, a support element and a bracket of the hinge assembly.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of 35 the methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better 5 understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the 10 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
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In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
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While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the 25 disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method that comprises a list of acts does not include only those acts but may include other acts not expressly listed or inherent to such method. In other 30 words, one or more acts in a method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.
The following paragraphs describe an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 3. Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a tipping hinge 35 assembly (100) used in tipping rear body structure of a vehicle.
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Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of the tipping hinge assembly (100) mounted to a rear body structure (108) of a vehicle [not shown]. The vehicle may be any vehicle including passenger vehicle, Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCV), Intermediate Light Commercial Vehicle (ILCV), and among other vehicles. The tipping hinge assembly (100) may comprise a plurality of brackets (101), a shaft (104), at least one hinge boss (103), a plurality 5 of support members (106), an end plate (107) and a bush (102). In the illustrative embodiment, the tipping hinge assembly (100) is depicted to be part of a tiltable body of the vehicle, while such tipping hinge assembly (100) may also extend to other portions of the vehicle without limiting scope of working and operation being described herein.
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As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of brackets (101) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is defined with a connecting portion (101a) and a supporting portion (101b). In an embodiment the connecting portion (101a) may be defined with a structure that may allow connecting of the tipping hinge assembly (100) to the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle, where parameters such as thickness or cross-section of the connecting portion (101a) may not 15 be considered as a limitation, as the same may vary based on configuration of the tipping hinge assembly (100) or the rear body structure (108). The connecting portion (101a) also comprises a plurality of through holes or apertures configured to secure the plurality of brackets (101) to the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. Further, the supporting portion (101b) is defined by an elliptical or triangular protrusion with a through hole. The through hole of the plurality 20 of brackets (101) is configured to accommodate the at least one hinge boss (103). The plurality of brackets (101) is adapted to be pivotably connected to a rear body structure (108) of the vehicle, where such connection of the plurality of brackets (101) with the rear body structure (108) may be performed by means such as fastening, clamping, riveting, and among other means of securement. In an embodiment the plurality of brackets (101) may be mechanically 25 fastened to the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the plurality of brackets (101) may be thermally fused to the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle.
The rear body structure (108) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is defined by a first end (108a) and a second end (108b) [as shown in Figure 3] being away from the first end (108a). 30 In an embodiment the rear body structure (108) may also include a frame (105) extending between the plurality of brackets (101). Further, at least one bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) is connected adjacent to the first end (108a) of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. In an embodiment the at least one bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) is connected close
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to the first end (108a) of the rear body structure (108). Further, at least another bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) is connected adjacent to the second end (108b) of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. In an embodiment the at least one bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) is connected close to the first end (108a) of the rear body structure (108). The plurality of brackets (101) are oriented along a lateral side of the rear body structure (108) of 5 the vehicle i.e., the plurality of brackets (101) are oriented along the width of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle, as can be seen in Figure 3. In an embodiment the plurality of brackets (101) are connected to the rear end structure of the vehicle and configured to pivot around the at least one hinge boss (103).
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Referring to Figure 2, the at least one hinge boss (103) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is defined with a cylindrical cross section extending along the axis (A). Further, the at least one hinge boss (103) is configured to be connected to each of the plurality of the support members (106). The at least one hinge boss (103) is adapted to extend from the plurality of support members (106) and through the plurality of brackets (101). In an illustrative embodiment the 15 at least one hinge boss (103) is structured to extend from a portion of the shaft (104) and intrude to either complete length of each of the plurality of brackets (101). Further, in an embodiment the at least one hinge boss (103) is structured to extend from a portion of the shaft (104) and intrude to at least substantial portion of the each oof the plurality of brackets (101). The at least one hinge boss (103) is adapted to function as a hinging region for rotational movement of the 20 tipping hinge assembly (100) relative between the shaft (104) and the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the at least one hinge boss (103) is sealingly connected to the plurality of brackets (101). The at least one hinge boss (103) is made of a second material. In an embodiment, the second material may be weldable with the plurality of brackets (101). For instance, the weldable material maybe a type of material which upon welding may not 25 disintegrate the welded portion and undergo minimum or no welding related defects, such as weld decay, forming heat affected zones, knife line attack, elemental segregation etc. Further, in an embodiment the second material may be a low strength steel. Furthermore, the low strength steel may include various grades of steel such as but not limited to graded series carbon steels such as but not limited to C45, EN08 and BS970, graded series molybdenum steels such 30 as but not limited to 709M40, EN19, AISI 4140, DIN 1.7225/42CrMo4. In an embodiment the at least one hinge boss (103) may be thermally fused with a portion of the plurality of support members (106) upon welding to secure the at least one hinge boss (103) on to the corresponding plurality of support members (106).
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The plurality of support members (106) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is vertically connected to the frame (105) and defined with a through hole along an axis (A) (as shown in Figure 1). The plurality of support members (106) is configured to support the at least one hinge boss (103) and the shaft (104) and accordingly connect the at least one hinge boss (103) to the frame (105). In an embodiment a portion of the plurality of support members (106) may 5 be thermally fused to the frame (105). Further, the plurality of support members (106) is positioned proximal to the corresponding plurality of the brackets (101) at the first end (108a) and the second end (108b) of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. Further, in an embodiment the plurality of support members (106) is made from the second material. Further, in an embodiment the second material may be a low strength steel. Furthermore, the low 10 strength steel may include various grades of steel such as but not limited to graded series carbon steels such as but not limited to C45, EN08 and BS970, graded series molybdenum steels such as but not limited to 709M40, EN19, AISI 4140, DIN 1.7225/42CrMo4.
Referring to Figure 2, the shaft (104) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is defined by a first portion (104a) and a second portion (104b). The second portion (104b) being between the first 15 portion (104a). In an embodiment the shaft (104) is a stepped shaft. The first portion (104a) of the shaft (104) is defined by a diameter (D) greater than the diameter (d) of the second portion (104b). The shaft (104) is configured to extend between the plurality of brackets (101) along the axis (A). Further, the shaft (104) is contained by the at least one hinge boss (103) oriented along the lateral sides of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle i.e. the shaft (104) is 20 contained by the at least one hinge boss (103) along the width of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle. Further, the shaft (104) may be defined with at least one cavity defined with a threading to accommodate at least one fastener. The shaft (104) is connected to the tipping hinge assembly (100) by connecting an end plate (107) at the ends of the shaft (104) such that the shaft (104) is secured between the plurality of brackets (101). In an embodiment the end 25 plate (107) is fastened at the ends of the shaft (104). In an embodiment the end plate (107) may be thermally fused to the plurality of brackets (101) by welding. Referring to Figure 3, the end plate (107) may abut against the through hole of the plurality of brackets (101). Further, the shaft (104) is formed of a first material. The first material may be different from that of the second material. In an embodiment the first material may be a high strength steel. In an 30 embodiment the first material may have higher mechanical properties than the second material. In an embodiment the high strength steel may include various grades of steel such as but not limited to graded series carbon steels such as but not limited to C45 and BS970, graded series
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molybdenum steels such as but not limited to 709M40, EN19, AISI 4140, DIN 1.7225/42CrMo4. Further, in the illustrative embodiment the shaft (104) is not welded to the plurality of support members (106). Thus, making the reduction in diameter of the shaft (104). Further, the reduction in diameter will lead to reduction in weight used for manufacturing of the shaft (104). The shaft (104) is configured to support the load of the rear body structure 5 (108) of the vehicle during the tipping operation.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the bush (102) of the tipping hinge assembly (100) is defined by a cylindrical cross section and extends through inner periphery of the plurality of brackets (101) and projects along a length of the plurality of brackets (101). The bush (102) is configured to 10 accommodate between the at least one hinge boss (103) and the plurality of brackets (101). The bush (102) is configured to assist the plurality of brackets (101) connected to the rear end structure of the vehicle to rotate around the at least one hinge boss (103) supported by the shaft (104). Further, due to the accommodation of the bush (102) between the at least one hinge boss (103) and the plurality of brackets (101) the requirement of welding the at least one hinge boss 15 (103) and the plurality of brackets (101) may be eliminated. Furthermore, the bush (102) is formed by a third material. The third material may be different from the first and second material. In an embodiment the third material may be a polymer based material. Further, due to the bush (102) formed by the third material, the friction caused by the rotation of the plurality of brackets (101) around the at least one hinge boss (103) may be reduced. Thus, reducing the 20 cost of maintenance of the tipping hinge assembly (100).
The tipping hinge assembly (100) of the present disclosure is compact and effective in carrying load due to the usage of different grades of material. That is, due to the usage of different materials in the tipping hinge assembly (100), such as the shaft (104) formed from the first 25 material, the plurality of support members (106) and the at least one hinge boss (103) formed from the second material and the bush (102) formed from the third material, enables in providing higher load carrying capacity. Further, due to different weldable properties of the first, second and third material, the shaft (104) and the at least one hinge boss (103) or the shaft (104) and the plurality of support members (106) may not be thermally fused to each other by 30 welding. Further, due to such constructional configuration of the tipping hinge assembly (100), the diameter of the shaft (104) is reduced. Furthermore, due to the compact size of the tipping hinge assembly (100), the material used in manufacturing the tipping hinge assembly (100) is relatively less. Thus, the cost of producing the tipping hinge assembly (100) is also reduced.
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Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural 5 as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" 10 terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent 15 is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such 20 recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such 25 recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one 30 of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but 35
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not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both 5 terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments 10 disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
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Referral Numerals
Referral Numerals
Description
100
Tipping Hinge Assembly
101
Plurality of Brackets
102
Bush
103
At least one hinge Boss
104
Shaft
104a
First portion of shaft
104b
Second portion of shaft
105
Frame
106
Plurality of support members
107
End Plate
108
Rear body structure
108a
First end of rear body structure
108b
Second end of rear body structure

We claim:

1. A tipping hinge assembly (100) of a rear body structure (108) for a vehicle, the tipping hinge assembly (100) comprising:
a plurality of brackets (101), connectable to the rear body structure (108), at 5 least one bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) positioned proximal to a first end (108a) of the rear body structure (108), and at least another bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) being positioned proximal to a second end (108b) of the rear body structure (108), away from the first end (108a);
a shaft (104) disposable between the plurality of brackets (101), the shaft (104) 10 being made from a first material;
at least one hinge boss (103) disposable on the shaft (104); and
a plurality of support members (106) positioned proximal to each of the plurality of brackets (101) and configured to support the shaft (104), the plurality of support members (106) being adapted to accommodate the at least one hinge boss (103); 15
wherein the at least one hinge boss (103) is welded to the plurality of support members (106) and structured to extend between a portion of the shaft (104) and corresponding bracket of the plurality of brackets (101) such as to impart relative displacement between the rear body structure (108) and the shaft (104), and 20
wherein the plurality of support members (106) and the at least one hinge boss (103) being made from a second material which is different from the first material of the shaft (104).

2. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of 25 support members (106) is connectable to a portion of a frame (105) of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle.

3. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an end plate (107), connectable at ends of the shaft (104), wherein the end plate (107) is adapted to secure 30 the shaft (104) between the plurality of brackets (101).

4. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first material of the shaft (104) is a high strength steel, and the second material of the plurality of support members (106) and the at least one hinge boss (103) is a low strength steel. 35

5. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a bush (102) disposable between the at least one hinge boss (103) and each of the plurality of brackets (101),
wherein the bush (102) is adapted to regulate relative movement between the at 5 least one hinge boss (103) and each of the plurality of brackets (101).

6. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bush (102) being made from a third material and wherein, the third material is a polymer-based material.

7. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of brackets (101) is oriented along a lateral side of the rear body structure (108) of the vehicle.

8. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of 15 brackets (101) is thermally fused to the rear body structure (108).

9. The tipping hinge assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft (104) is defined by a first portion (104a) and a second portion (104b), the second portion (104b) being between the first portion (104a), 20
wherein the first portion (104a) is connectable to the plurality of brackets (101),
wherein diameter of the first portion (104a) is greater than the second portion (104b).

Dated this 27th day of August 2024 25