Importance

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Abstract

A stamped link and a method of forming the link. The link is a clevis link formed of a single piece of sheet metal and includes a generally planar main body portion, a curl portion proximate the rearward end of the link forming a first bearing surface defining a rearward pivot axis, longitudinal edge flange portions upstanding from the main body portion, side wall portions upstanding from the main body portion proximate the forward end of the link inboard of each edge flange portion and each having an upper edge generally at the level of the upper edge of the associated edge flange, a central ridge upstanding from the main body portion between the ends of the link and blending at its forward end in the side walls, and aligned apertures in each edge flange and its associated side wall proximate the forward end of the link forming a second bearing surface defining a forward pivot axis. The link is formed by forming a bubble between the longitudinal side edges of the link extending from the forward end of the link to a location spaced from the rearward end of the link so as to form laterally spaced upwardly extending side walls proximate the forward end of the piece spaced inboard from the respective longitudinal side edges of the link, forming the rearward end of the link into a curl to form a first bearing surface defining the rearward pivot axis, bending the longitudinal side edges of the piece upwardly to form an edge flange positioned proximate the forward end of the link outboard of each side wall, removing the bubble proximate the forward end of the link while leaving the side walls intact so as to form the clevis configuration at the forward end of the link, and forming aligned holes in each edge flange and its associated side wall to form a second bearing surface defining the forward pivot axis.

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First Claim