Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a first race member with a first annular body with a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The first race member has a first attachment feature and a first protuberance extending inboard of the first attachment feature. A second race member has a second annular body with a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter. The second race member has a second attachment feature and a second protuberance extending inboard of the second attachment feature. The first attachment feature is coupled to the second attachment feature such that the first protuberance is spaced axially from the second protuberance with a channel defined therebetween. The channel extends obliquely relative to a central axis of the first race member and the second race member. A ring member has an annular frustoconical body disposed in the channel which extends obliquely relative to the central axis.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member defines a first central passage, and the second member defines a second central passage, both of which extend along a central axis. An input shaft of a steering gear extends through the first and second central passages. The second member is attached to the input shaft, and is rotatable with the input shaft about the central axis relative to the first member. An outer seal is disposed between and in sealing engagement with the first member and the second member. An inner seal is supported by and moveable with the second member. The inner seal is disposed in sealing engagement with second member and the input shaft of the steering gear. The second member is PTFE fiber filled acetal, and the outer seal is glass filled PTFE to reduce noise generated by relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises an inner ring having an inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface defining an inner bearing race thereon, an outer ring having an outer circumferential surface, and an inner circumferential surface defining in outer bearing race thereon. The inner bearing race of the inner ring and the outer bearing race of the outer ring are located in a radially spaced apart relationship. A bearing member comprising a rod, having one of a circular cross-section and an ovular cross-section, is formed as a wound helix and is disposed between, and in line contact with, the inner bearing race and the outer bearing race to support relative rotation of the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises an inner ring having an inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface defining an inner bearing race thereon, an outer ring having an outer circumferential surface, and an inner circumferential surface defining in outer bearing race thereon. The inner bearing race of the inner ring and the outer bearing race of the outer ring are located in a radially spaced apart relationship. A bearing member comprising a rod, having one of a circular cross-section and an ovular cross-section, is formed as a wound helix and is disposed between, and in line contact with, the inner bearing race and the outer bearing race to support relative rotation of the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member defines a first central passage, and the second member defines a second central passage, both of which extend along a central axis. An input shaft of a steering gear extends through the first and second central passages. The second member is attached to the input shaft, and is rotatable with the input shaft about the central axis relative to the first member. An outer seal is disposed between and in sealing engagement with the first member and the second member. An inner seal is supported by and moveable with the second member. The inner seal is disposed in sealing engagement with second member and the input shaft of the steering gear. The second member is PTFE fiber filled acetal, and the outer seal is glass filled PTFE to reduce noise generated by relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a body having a wall. The body includes a detent that is attached to the wall at a hinge. The detent is bendable about the hinge in a radial direction relative to a central axis. A locking pin is supported by a post extending from the body, and is axially moveable along the central axis, between an insertion position and a locking position. When in the insertion position, the locking pin is disengaged from the detent to allow the detent to bend about the hinge. When disposed in the locking position, the locking pin is engaged with the detent to prevent the detent from bending about the hinge. The post and/or the locking pin include a tactile feature to provide tactile feedback when the locking pin is moved between the insertion position and the locking position.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a body having a wall. The body includes a detent that is attached to the wall at a hinge. The detent is bendable about the hinge in a radial direction relative to a central axis. A locking pin is supported by a post extending from the body, and is axially moveable along the central axis, between an insertion position and a locking position. When in the insertion position, the locking pin is disengaged from the detent to allow the detent to bend about the hinge. When disposed in the locking position, the locking pin is engaged with the detent to prevent the detent from bending about the hinge. The post and/or the locking pin include a tactile feature to provide tactile feedback when the locking pin is moved between the insertion position and the locking position.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a cover. A panel sealing apparatus includes the seal assembly. The apparatus includes a wall defining an orifice and the cover is disposed through the orifice. The cover includes a collar and a flange extending outwardly away from the collar. The cover defines an aperture through the collar and the flange. The assembly also includes a plate overlapping the flange and defining a hole. The collar of the cover is disposed through the hole. The assembly further includes a seal defining a passageway. The cover is disposed through the passageway. The assembly also includes a bushing defining an opening. The collar of the cover is disposed through the opening such that the bushing surrounds the collar. At least one of the plate and the bushing is configured to allow movement of the cover independently of the seal.

Abstract: A method of assembling a panel sealing apparatus and the panel sealing apparatus includes a panel. The panel defines an aperture and a sealing assembly. The assembly includes a first component and a second component, with the second component at least partially surrounding the first component and is secured to the first component to form a unit. In certain embodiments, the assembly includes a plurality of clips disconnected from each other, each configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from each other and attached to the panel separately from the unit. In other embodiments, the assembly includes a band and a plurality of clips each independently attachable to and detachable from the band, each of the clips configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from the unit and the clips attached to the band before placement of the clips in the aperture.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a cover. A panel sealing apparatus includes the seal assembly. The apparatus includes a wall defining an orifice and the cover is disposed through the orifice. The cover includes a collar and a flange extending outwardly away from the collar. The cover defines an aperture through the collar and the flange. The assembly also includes a plate overlapping the flange and defining a hole. The collar of the cover is disposed through the hole. The assembly further includes a seal defining a passageway. The cover is disposed through the passageway. The assembly also includes a bushing defining an opening. The collar of the cover is disposed through the opening such that the bushing surrounds the collar. At least one of the plate and the bushing is configured to allow movement of the cover independently of the seal.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a panel and a clip. The panel has a panel hole, and the clip is partly inserted through the panel hole. The clip is a one-way clip because, once it is partly inserted through the panel hole, it cannot be decoupled from the panel. In an embodiment, the clip includes a clip base and a plurality of retainers coupled along the clip base. Once the coupling assembly is fully assembled, the retainers extend through the panel hole. Each retainer includes a frame coupled to the clip base and an overhang rotatably coupled to the frame. Each retainer also includes a restrictor coupled to the overhang. The restrictor can rotate relative to the frame between a first restrictor position and a second restrictor position. In the second restrictor position, the restrictor inhibits the clip from decoupling from the panel.

Abstract: A method of assembling a panel sealing apparatus and the panel sealing apparatus includes a panel. The panel defines an aperture and a sealing assembly. The assembly includes a first component and a second component, with the second component at least partially surrounding the first component and is secured to the first component to form a unit. In certain embodiments, the assembly includes a plurality of clips disconnected from each other, each configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from each other and attached to the panel separately from the unit. In other embodiments, the assembly includes a band and a plurality of clips each independently attachable to and detachable from the band, each of the clips configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from the unit and the clips attached to the band before placement of the clips in the aperture.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a panel and a clip. The panel has a panel hole, and the clip is partly inserted through the panel hole. The clip is a one-way clip because, once it is partly inserted through the panel hole, it cannot be decoupled from the panel. In an embodiment, the clip includes a clip base and a plurality of retainers coupled along the clip base. Once the coupling assembly is fully assembled, the retainers extend through the panel hole. Each retainer includes a frame coupled to the clip base and an overhang rotatably coupled to the frame. Each retainer also includes a restrictor coupled to the overhang. The restrictor can rotate relative to the frame between a first restrictor position and a second restrictor position. In the second restrictor position, the restrictor inhibits the clip from decoupling from the panel.

Abstract: A panel sealing apparatus and a method of assembling the panel sealing apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a panel defining an aperture and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a first component formed of an elastomeric material and a second component formed of a rigid material. The second component at least partially surrounds the first component and is secured to the first component to form a unit. The sealing assembly further includes a connector configured to be attached to the panel in the aperture separately from the unit. The unit is attached to the connector after placement of the connector in the aperture to couple the unit to the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for sealing a hole in a panel having a first surface on one side of the panel and a second surface on the other side of the panel. The apparatus includes a boot and a seal member. The boot includes a first portion having a first bellows, a second portion having a second bellows, and a third portion that interconnects the first portion and the second portion. The seal member is operatively connected to the third portion of the boot and is configured such that, when the third portion of the boot is within the hole, the seal member contacts the panel to form at least one seal around the hole.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first spring portion and a second spring portion. The first spring portion extends along a central axis, between a lower axial end and an upper axial end. A plate is attached to the upper axial end of the first spring portion. The second spring portion extends along the central axis, between a first axial end and a second axial end. The plate is attached to the first axial end of the second spring portion. The first spring portion defines a first spring constant, and the second spring portion defines a second spring constant. The first spring constant is greater than the second spring constant. The first spring portion includes a first permanent set value, and the second spring portion includes a second permanent set value. The first permanent set value is less than the second permanent set value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first panel having a first side and a second side and defining a first hole. The apparatus also includes a second panel having a third side and a fourth side and defining a second hole. A seal assembly extends from the first panel to the second panel and through the first and second holes. The seal assembly includes a first wall that defines a passageway from the first hole to the second hole, and a second wall that surrounds the first wall and cooperates with the first wall to define a chamber therebetween. The seal assembly forms a first seal around the first hole and a second seal around the second hole.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus is provided for sealing an automotive component extending between an engine compartment and a passenger compartment of an automobile. The sealing apparatus includes a pass-through mount component configured to house the automotive component. An outer seal component is configured to rigidly mount to a wall structure separating the passenger compartment from the engine compartment and to elastically contact a platform region of one end of the pass-through mount structure. An inner seal component is configured to elastically couple to the outer seal component within the passenger compartment and to elastically couple to one end of the pass-through mount component.

Abstract: A product including a hinge which may include two opposed columns or towers defining at least one gap there between, and a compressible or elastomeric material filling at least a portion of the at least one gap.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first panel having a first side and a second side and defining a first hole. The apparatus also includes a second panel having a third side and a fourth side and defining a second hole. A seal assembly extends from the first panel to the second panel and through the first and second holes. The seal assembly includes a first wall that defines a passageway from the first hole to the second hole, and a second wall that surrounds the first wall and cooperates with the first wall to define a chamber therebetween. The seal assembly forms a first seal around the first hole and a second seal around the second hole.