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The invention provides a retainer system for retaining a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a heater housing shaft having a shaft side wall. The retainer system includes a base, a spring, and shaft engagement means. The spring is formed in and spaced apart from the base. The spring extends

The invention provides a retainer system for retaining a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a heater housing shaft having a shaft side wall. The retainer system includes a base, a spring, and shaft engagement means. The spring is formed in and spaced apart from the base. The spring extends radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the base and the spring has a neck that curves radially backwardly, spaced apart from the base and toward the longitudinal axis of the base. The spring also has a contact surface presented outwardly, away from the base. The shaft engagement means are for engaging the shaft side wall and securing the base within the shaft at a desired distance from the resistor. The retainer system can be secured within the shaft with the spring flexed to a desired extent and with the contact surface urged against the resistor to retain the resistor in the shaft.

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1. A retainer system usable in combination with a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a housing shaft having a shaft side wall, the retainer system being of a type suitable to be secured within the shaft with a spring portion of the retainer system flexed to a desired extent and with a cont

1. A retainer system usable in combination with a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a housing shaft having a shaft side wall, the retainer system being of a type suitable to be secured within the shaft with a spring portion of the retainer system flexed to a desired extent and with a contact surface of the retainer system being urged against the resistor to retain the resistor in the shaft, the retainer system comprising: a) a base having a longitudinal axis,b) a spring, wherein the spring has a portion extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the base and has a neck adjacent a radially outward portion of the radially outwardly extending portion of the spring that curves radially backwardly toward the longitudinal axis, the spring also comprising a contact extending from the neck radially inwardly to the longitudinal axis, the contact having a contact surface presented outwardly, away from the base and extending to the longitudinal axis, andc) a plurality of shaft engaging members for engaging the shaft side wall and securing the base within the shaft at a desired distance from the resistor;wherein the spring extends from an outer perimeter of the base. 2. The retainer system of claim 1 wherein: the spring has a movable foot attached to the base, the foot being generally parallel or coplanar with the base before flexing of the spring. 3. The retainer system of claim 2 wherein: the foot has a width and sides, and the width of the foot is curved from side to side. 4. The retainer system of claim 1 wherein: the neck has a width and sides, anda selected portion of the width of the neck is curved from side to side. 5. The retainer system of claim 1 further comprising: an opening in the base providing a gauge hole therethrough. 6. The retainer system of claim 1 wherein: the plurality of shaft engagement members includes engagement members extending radially outwardly from the base for a distance sufficient to engage the shaft wall when the retainer system is inserted into the shaft. 7. The retainer system of claim 1 further comprising: a leg extending outwardly from the base, the leg suitable for engaging an electrical lead. 8. The retainer system of claim 7 wherein: the leg includes at least one tab for engaging the electrical lead. 9. A heater comprising a housing, a shaft within the housing, the shaft having a shaft side wall that terminates in a shaft end wall, an electrical contact adjacent the shaft end wall, a positive temperature coefficient resistor located within the shaft and in contact with the electrical contact, and a retainer system retaining the resistor in the shaft and urging the resistor against the electrical contact, the retainer system including a) a base having a longitudinal axis,b) a spring, wherein the spring has a portion extending radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the base and has a neck adjacent a radially outward portion of the radially outwardly extending portion of the spring that curves radially backwardly toward the longitudinal axis, the spring also comprising a contact extending from the neck radially inwardly to the longitudinal axis, the contact having a contact surface presented outwardly, away from the base and extending to the longitudinal axis, andwherein the contact is configured such that any burr on the contact will project away from the resistor and towards the base when the retainer system is in use, andc) a plurality of shaft engagement members for engaging the shaft side wall and securing the base within the shaft at a desired distance from the resistor,whereby the retainer system is secured within the shaft with the spring flexed to a desired extent and with the contact surface urged against the resistor to retain the resistor in the shaft;wherein the spring extends from an outer perimeter of the base. 10. The heater of claim 9 wherein: the spring has a movable foot attached to the base, the foot being generally parallel or coplanar with the base before flexing of the spring. 11. The heater of claim 9 wherein: the foot has a width and sides, and the width of the foot is curved from side to side. 12. The heater of claim 9 wherein: the neck has a width and sides, anda selected portion of the width of the neck is curved from side to side. 13. The heater of claim 9 further comprising: an opening in the base providing a gauge hole therethrough. 14. The heater of claim 9 wherein: the plurality of engagement members includes engagement members extending radially outwardly from the base for a distance sufficient to engage the shaft wall when the retainer system is inserted into the shaft. 15. The heater of claim 9 further comprising: a leg extending outwardly from the base, the leg suitable for engaging an electrical lead of the heater. 16. The heater of claim 15 wherein: the leg includes at least one tab for engaging the electrical lead.