Including Central Guide Rod Or Tube Through Spring Patents (Class 267/293)
  • Patent number: 11926217
    Abstract: A pendulum type mount system includes a pair of upper mounts that mount upper portions of a powerplant unit on a vehicle body, and a pair of first and second lower torque rods. The first and second lower torque rods are located on opposite sides to each other with respect to a reference plane including a gravity center of the powerplant unit. A first spring constant of the first lower torque rod is not smaller than a second spring constant of the second lower torque rod. A distance between a first plane including the first lower torque rod and the reference plane is not larger than a distance between a second plane including the second lower torque rod and the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yokawa, Keisuke Oba
  • Patent number: 11912336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear sub-frame assembly, applied to an electric vehicle main body, and rear sub-frame assembly comprises a rear sub-frame main body and positioning supports, rear sub-frame main body is bilateral symmetry structure; vehicle body connecting parts connected with rear sub-frame main body on upper portion of rear sub-frame main body, and battery pack guard plate connecting parts connected with rear sub-frame main body on lower portion of rear sub-frame main body are constructed on rear sub-frame main body, stabilizing rod mounting parts, upper control arm mounting parts and lower control arm mounting parts are further arranged on rear sub-frame main body respectively; the quantity of positioning supports respectively arranged close to left end and right end of rear sub-frame main body is two, and positioning parts matched with external positioning members to position rear sub-frame main body are constructed on two positioning supports respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Ming Chi, Weidong Ding, Yanmeng Song, Yonghui Song, Zhichao Chen, Changjian Cai
  • Patent number: 11906012
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount for a vehicle is configured to control and damp the behavior of a motor mounted on a vehicle body. The hydraulic mount includes: an inner pipe; a main rubber molded on an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe and having an upper front liquid chamber and an upper rear liquid chamber, and a lower front liquid chamber and a lower rear liquid chamber; and an outer pipe fitted to an outer circumferential surface of the main rubber to seal the liquid chambers, wherein the main rubber includes a first flow path connecting the upper front liquid chamber and the lower rear liquid chamber filled with fluid such that the fluid is movable therebetween; and a second flow path connecting the upper rear liquid chamber and the lower front liquid chamber filled with fluid such that the fluid is movable therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11719278
    Abstract: A compressible bushing includes an end having a first outer diameter. The compressible bushing also includes a bumper section having a second outer diameter greater than or equal to the first outer diameter and may include of a compressible material. The compressible bushing also includes an opening passing through the end and the bumper section, the opening having an inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ContiTech Vibration Control GmbH
    Inventor: Curtis Snyder
  • Patent number: 11707956
    Abstract: A suspension system for a wheel of a vehicle including: a wheel interface having a wheel interface axis which is an axis about which a wheel rotates when connected to the wheel interface; a first arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a second arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a damping and springing means disposed within a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, the damping and springing means are connected at one of its ends to at least one of the first arm, the second arm and the wheel interface; wherein at least a portion of the suspension system is to be disposed within a rim of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Ahishay Sardes, Ran Dekel, Tomer Segev, Eran Starik, Amit Aknin, Eylon Avigur
  • Patent number: 11485187
    Abstract: A configurable bushing and/or bushing system that can enable adjustment of an effective modulus of elasticity of different regions radially disposed about a point or inner sleeve. The bushing and/or bushing system can enable adjustment of the kinematic pivot point and/or allow for dynamic configuration and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Edren, Johannes Andreas Huennekens
  • Patent number: 11485484
    Abstract: A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Mark Wiinikka, Scott Hemmen, Nathan P. Green, James Blake
  • Patent number: 11364757
    Abstract: A suspension system for a wheel of a vehicle including: a wheel interface having a wheel interface axis which is an axis about which a wheel rotates when connected to the wheel interface; a first arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a second arm connected to the wheel interface and rotatable with respect to the wheel interface about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the wheel interface axis; and a damping and springing means disposed within a gap formed between the first arm and the second arm, the damping and springing means are connected at one of its ends to at least one of the first arm, the second arm and the wheel interface; wherein at least a portion of the suspension system is to be disposed within a rim of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD
    Inventors: Ahishay Sardes, Ran Dekel, Tomer Segev, Eran Starik, Amit Aknin, Eylon Avigur
  • Patent number: 11320015
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper, comprising: a housing, which has a first housing element and a second housing element; a first pin element for connecting to a first plate part; a second pin element for connecting to a second plate part; a first damping insert between the first pin element and the second pin element; a second damping insert between the first pin element and the first housing element; and a third damping insert between the second pin element and the second housing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Euler-Rolle
  • Patent number: 11274722
    Abstract: An apparatus for damping a first member relative to a second member. The apparatus includes a receiving member that includes a flange, an axial elastomeric member, and a radial elastomeric member. The axial elastomeric member is positionable between a surface of the first member and the flange of the receiving member, and the radial elastomeric member is positionable between the first member and the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard W. Aston, Michael J. Langmack, Matthew J. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 11156260
    Abstract: Disclosed is an anti-vibration apparatus comprising a bush, said bush comprising a substantially rigid, elongate core, covered in a vibration dampening material having at least one end cap washer, configured in that the bush engages with the end cap washer to cover the end of the elongate core, characterised in that the vibration dampening material further comprises a plurality of recessed portions on its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems, plc
    Inventors: Michael Antony Hutchings, Thomas James Fairchild
  • Patent number: 10875598
    Abstract: A method of modifying the rake angle on a motorcycle having a double wishbone front suspension. The motorcycle has a tubular steering housing connected to a non-telescoping fork assembly by a straight body steering stem. The method includes the step of replacing the straight body steering stem with a canted body steering stem. The canted body steering stem includes (i) a primary section having a steering axis corresponding to a steering axis of the motorcycle; and (ii) a secondary section having a cant axis which varies from the steering axis by between 1° and 16°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Motor Trike, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Reineck
  • Patent number: 10150342
    Abstract: A component connection for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with a control arm having a mounting, in particular a rubber mounting, at least at one of its ends. An inner sleeve and a connection component, in particular a wheel carrier, are fixed to one another by a fixing element. The fixing element presses a first contact surface of the inner sleeve, in the axial direction, toward the connection component against an abutment surface of the connection component. The connection component has a supporting surface against which a second contact surface of the inner sleeve rests. Furthermore, the supporting surface is inclined relative to the abutment surface in such a manner that transverse forces occurring, in the radial direction in the area of the mounting, can be supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Dirk Graeuler
  • Patent number: 9981524
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing including: a tubular main rubber elastic body configured to be disposed about and attachable to a stabilizer bar; an inside protrusion protruding in an axial direction from an inner peripheral part of the main rubber elastic body; and a bonding surface constituted by including an inner peripheral surface of the main rubber elastic body and an inner peripheral surface of the inside protrusion, the bonding surface being configured to be bonded to an outer peripheral surface of the stabilizer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumura, Satoshi Uchida, Masaki Shirashige, Toru Neichi
  • Patent number: 9963008
    Abstract: A stabilizer-bar holding device includes a bracket and a body for a vehicle, which hold a stabilizer bar. A normal line that is normal to each of a pair of mounted surfaces of a pair of mounted portions of the body is inclined with respect to an up and down direction of the vehicle. A holding surface of a holder of the body has a first holding surface that is a flat surface greater than each of the pair of mounted surfaces in angle of inclination with respect to the up and down direction. An up and down plane extending in the up and down direction through a central axis of the stabilizer bar extends through the first holding surface in a state in which the stabilizer bar is held by the stabilizer-bar holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuma Saiki, Satoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9770954
    Abstract: A trailer to vehicle laterally stable hitching mechanism wherein an attaching plate of the trailer vertically and laterally self-aligns into a receiving plate of the vehicle establishing the trailer as an operational extension of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Donald P. Clark
  • Patent number: 9751376
    Abstract: A bushing having rotatable inner elements which includes a plurality of housings and a plurality of rubbers and into which a stabilizer bar is inserted to be mounted on a vehicle body, may include an outer housing connected to a lower end of a rod connected to the vehicle body, an outer rubber attached on the inner surface of the outer housing, a first inner housing disposed in the outer rubber, a second inner housing disposed in the first inner housing to be rotated with respect to the first inner housing, an inner rubber disposed in the second inner housing, and being in contact with a surface of the stabilizer bar, and a retainer ring formed in a partially-cut ring shape such that the diameter thereof is increased, disposed between the first and second inner housings, and pressurizing the second inner housing toward the inner rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae-Hwan Seo
  • Patent number: 9669674
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension strut for a motor vehicle with a vibration damper, with a supporting spring and with a height-adjustment device, with which the height of the vehicle body of the motor vehicle can be changed, and wherein the suspension strut has an auxiliary spring having a lower spring characteristic than the supporting spring, by means of which auxiliary spring a residual prestress can be produced in the supporting spring when the vibration damper is extended, and wherein the auxiliary spring is integrated in the height-adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH
    Inventors: Hanno Luczak, Stefan Mages, Markus Wölk
  • Patent number: 9643669
    Abstract: A system for dual-attachment of a trailer to a vehicle by either manually or robotically so that the trailer becomes a laterally-stable extension of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Donald P. Clark
  • Patent number: 9475358
    Abstract: A suspension bushing includes an inner cylinder, an intermediate plate, an outer cylinder and an elastic member. An axis of the inner cylinder is arranged vertically and the inner cylinder is provided with an expanded portion in an axially central region. The expanded portion is enclosed by a curved surface section formed in an axially central region of the intermediate plate. An axially outward expanded end section is provided on either side of the curved surface section. An inside annular recess and an outside annular recess are provided on an axially outward end of the elastic member. When the twist is inputted, the outer cylinder and the intermediate plate are changed relative to the inner cylinder. However, due to the provision of the expanded end section, a twist angle is increased so that the intermediate plate is hard to interfere with an end portion of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: YUSA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wendell Thomas Grim
  • Patent number: 9212715
    Abstract: In one aspect, a tunable vibration damper may include a housing and a damper stack disposed within the housing. The damper stack may be formed from a viscoelastic material and may have a vertical stiffness and a horizontal stiffness. The damper stack may also include a plurality of column sections and a plurality of disk sections, with each pair of adjacent column sections being separated by one of the disk sections. The disk sections may extend radially outwardly relative to the column sections. In addition, at least one of the vertical stiffness or the horizontal stiffness may be tunable by adjusting a stiffness-related parameter of the damper stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Thomas Starns, Matthew Thomas Valente, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie
  • Patent number: 9157529
    Abstract: A piston for an air spring of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a sidewall and a central hub. The sidewall and the central hub are attached to a first bottom plate of the piston. A top plate is removeably attached to a top portion of the sidewall and a top portion of the central hub. A bottom portion of said central hub includes a second bottom plate that is recessed relative to the first bottom plate for attachment to a piston mounting pedestal that is in turn mounted to a beam of a suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HENDRICKSON USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Westnedge, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Michael J. Keeler
  • Patent number: 9102211
    Abstract: A suspension coupling for use in a vehicle suspension system the suspension coupling including a knuckle and bushing assembly wherein the knuckle member is a cast aluminum piece having a passage for receiving a two-piece bushing having a formed, metal inner member and a molded, elastomeric outer member having extension members at each end. The bushing member is press-fit into the knuckle member and exhibits higher stiffness in the radial and axial directions and lower stiffness in the torsional and conical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: DIVERSIFIED MACHINE, INC.
    Inventor: Michelle Anne Darcy-Sharma
  • Patent number: 9038997
    Abstract: An example mount assembly includes a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element and a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Michael Bradshaw, Chris Dowson
  • Patent number: 9016971
    Abstract: An elastic suspension hinge for an automobile, to be fastened to a fastening portion of a structure of the automobile via a clamping mechanism including a fastening element, the hinge being of type that includes an inner sleeve. At least one of the ends of the inner sleeve is configured to engage by conical fitting with the free end of a bushing rigidly connected to the fastening portion of the structure and having a longitudinal passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Vincent Masi, Frederic Thomas, Yann Verdier
  • Patent number: 9010739
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration isolation device such that weight reduction can be achieved and it is possible to simplify the structure of a resin molding die for molding the bracket member. Engagement in a direction where the external member (60) slips out of the bracket member (30) occurs in a structure achieved in such a way that a pair of first wall section parts (62) of the external member (60) are installed inside the bracket member (30). As a result, it is possible to curb a situation where, as in the case of conventional vibration damping devices, undercut shapes are formed. Consequently, it is possible to simplify the structure of the resin molding die for molding the bracket member (30). Furthermore, as regards the external member (60), a portion between the leg sections (50), which form a pair, is omitted, and therefore, weight can be reduced correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Kato, Toshifumi Sakata
  • Patent number: 8979081
    Abstract: A strut mount allows a sufficient pre-compression to be applied to a rubber member without impairing the retaining force for the rubber member, thereby achieving improved durability of the rubber member. A pre-compression member (4) has an outer diameter that is smaller in the distal end side than in the proximal end side, and is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of an inner tube member (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Norikatsu Namito, Katsumi Someya, Akihiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8979082
    Abstract: A vibration damping bushing including: an inner axial member; an outer cylindrical member through which the inner axial member is inserted; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two members; and a stopper member that is fitted onto the inner axial member as a component of a first stopper mechanism that limits relative displacement of the inner axial member against the outer cylindrical member to one side in an axial direction. The inner axial member is formed with a latching depression that opens toward an outer periphery thereof, and the stopper member is provided with a latching piece that protrudes outward in the axial direction. The latching piece is engaged with the latching depression so as to provide a slipping out prevention mechanism for preventing the stopper member from slipping out from the inner axial member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Makino, Chiharu Tanaka, Akira Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8973909
    Abstract: A cross arm bushing assembly for use in a vehicle suspension is provided having a bushing with an outer surface adapted for rotation with respect to an end of a control arm, a cross arm assembly positioned within the bushing that includes a cross arm having a first end and a second end, and a front side and a back side, the first end of the cross arm having a first opening for receiving a first connecting rod, and the second end of the cross arm having a second opening for receiving a second connecting rod, a first connecting rod extending into the first opening of the cross arm, and a second connecting rod extending into the second opening of the cross arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Matthew J. Van Meter
  • Patent number: 8950738
    Abstract: To provide a vibration-damping support device that requires a smaller space for its own installation. A vibration-damping support device is provided with a rubber mount, a support member supporting the rubber mount thereon, and stoppers. The rubber mount is to be attached to a mounting platform for an object which is installed in a hydraulic excavator and is to be damped, for example, an engine that vibrates in vertical and horizontal directions, and has an elastic member of a rubber or like member for absorbing vibrations of the engine. The support member can be, for example, a support bracket to be fixedly secured on an unillustrated revolving frame. The stoppers are arranged integrally with the support bracket, and prevent an excessive deformation of the elastic member of the rubber mount under vibrations of the engine. The stopper is arranged on an upper side of the support bracket, while the stopper is arranged on a lower side of the support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8939437
    Abstract: An anti-vibration device includes a pair of anti-vibration rubbers, each having an outer cylinder connected to any one of a vibration generating body and a vibration receiving body by means of a bracket member and provided with a first flange portion formed on an end portion of an outer side of the outer cylinder in an axial direction to protrude toward an outer side in a radial direction; an inner cylinder connected to the other of the vibration generating body and the vibration receiving body by means of a plate member and disposed at an inner side of the outer cylinder; and a main body rubber disposed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, wherein the pair of anti-vibration rubbers is connected to the bracket member by interposing the bracket member between both sides of the pair of first flange portions in the axial direction so that the inner ends in the axial direction are opposite to each other, and a pair of plate members respectively disposed at outer sides of the pair of main body rubber
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kobori
  • Patent number: 8939440
    Abstract: A vibration absorption device includes a cylindrical bracket coupled with one of a vibration generating section and a vibration receiving section and having an inner surface formed in a linear shape in a cylinder axial direction, an external cylinder made of resin and including a small diameter section that is formed in a cylindrical shape, press-fit into a cylinder of the bracket, and has a small diameter surface formed to an outer surface configured to a press-fit leading end to the bracket, a large diameter section that has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the bracket and the outer diameter of the small diameter section and a thickness which is configured to a portion nearer to a press-fit rear end side to the bracket than the small diameter section and is thicker than the small diameter section before the press-fit, and a large diameter surface formed to an outer surface, and an intermediate section that is configured between the small diameter section and the large diameter section and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Norikatsu Namito
  • Patent number: 8888079
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having an upper housing defining an upper fluid chamber, a lower housing defining a lower fluid chamber, a piston resiliently disposed within the upper housing and the lower housing, a tuning passage defined by the piston, for providing fluid communication between the upper fluid chamber and the lower fluid chamber, a tuning fluid disposed within the tuning passage, the upper fluid chamber, and the lower fluid chamber. A reservoir in fluid communication with the upper fluid chamber for providing pressurization control of the vibration isolator. An expanded accumulator region for providing Increased pressure retention during maintenance and operation of the vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps
  • Patent number: 8870550
    Abstract: A motor-driven compressor is to be mounted to a first mounting of a vehicle. The compressor includes a compressor body that is electrically powered to draw in fluid for compression and to discharge the compressed fluid, and a second mounting for securing the compressor body to the first mounting. The second mounting includes a first mounting member having a first mounting hole, a second mounting member provided away from the first mounting member and having a second mounting hole, a resin member integrally formed with the first and second mounting members and provided at least between the first mounting member and the compressor body, a first fastening member inserted through the first mounting hole for securing the first mounting member to the first mounting, and a second fastening member inserted through the second mounting hole for securing the second mounting member to the compressor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Kosaku Tozawa, Shinji Tsubai, Ken Suitou
  • Patent number: 8864116
    Abstract: A vibration insulator apparatus may include a vibration insulating bush having a body having a head housing groove therethrough, a top surface contact portion extending from the body, a vibration distribution flange formed under the body and spaced from the top surface portion, and a vehicle frame contact portion formed under the vibration distribution flange and configured to contact with the vehicle frame, and a coupling bolt coupled to the vehicle frame and including a head housed in the head housing groove of the vibration insulating bush, wherein a flange of an air duct may be disposed between the top surface contact portion and the vibration distribution flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyunsoo Jung
  • Patent number: 8864119
    Abstract: A compression spring assembly can include a compression spring core and a compression spring shell that can be assembled onto the compression spring core. The compression spring core can include a core body with an outer core wall. The compression spring shell can include a shell body having an inner shell wall. The compression spring shell can be supported on the compression spring core such that the inner shell wall extends along at least a portion of the outer core wall. A method of manufacturing a compression spring assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jakob B. Cagle, Albert S. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8794605
    Abstract: A first elastic member coupling a first inner cylinder and a first cylindrical part is integrated with the outer surface of the first inner cylinder and the inner surface of the first cylindrical part, thereby ensuring flexibility in molding the first cylindrical part. In addition, a stopper body is formed by making a part of the inner surface of the first cylindrical part facing the first inner cylinder in a main-load application direction project inward along a radius of the first cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Kurashiki Kako Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Mizobe
  • Patent number: 8777196
    Abstract: A bush bearing wherein the spring excursion of the elastomer bearing body is limited in the radial and/or axial direction by at least one limit stop. At least one radially inwardly projecting bead operating as a radial and/or axial limit stop is formed in the outer sleeve in a region of at least one of the axial ends of the bearing ends. The radially inward apex of the bead forms a radial limit stop and/or the axially outer sidewall of the bead forms a bead or shoulder with an outer surface that is covered with the elastomer and represents an axial limit stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Kümper
  • Publication number: 20140183804
    Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle suspension system, comprising a jounce bumper made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, having improved design to maximize energy absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: PETER LASZLO SZEKELY, DAMIEN VAN DER ZYPRE
  • Patent number: 8763997
    Abstract: A damper for a landing gear of a helicopter having a barrel, a piston defining a first hydraulic cavity between the piston and a bottom end of the barrel and a second hydraulic cavity between the piston and a top of the barrel, a stack of disc springs disposed within the first hydraulic cavity in a compressed state between the bottom end of the barrel and the piston. Each of the disc springs having a substantially concave side and an opposing substantially convex side, the disc springs stacked in an alternating pattern such that any two adjacent washers have their like sides positioned adjacent to each other. A spring disposed within the second hydraulic cavity such that the spring is compressed between the compression member and the top of the barrel when the piston is in an extended position. A hydraulic fluid is disposed inside at least a portion of the first hydraulic cavity and at least a portion of the second hydraulic cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nanokas Aviation, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Marcus L. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8733745
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a shock upper mount assembly mounted to vehicle structure, a jounce bumper being made of an elastomeric material and including a vertically extending rod bore around a rod of a shock absorber, and a jounce rate cup. The jounce rate cup is made of an elastomeric material and includes a horizontally extending support flange having a lower surface mounted on the jounce bumper, a horizontally extending dust boot attachment flange spaced from the support flange and having an upper surface located below and adjacent to the shock upper mount assembly, and a vertical flange extending between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange to define a gap between the support flange and the dust boot attachment flange, with the jounce rate cup including a vertically extending rod bore mounted around the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ravindra P Patil, Robert T. Jane, Michael A. Ray, Robert L. Geisler, Joseph A. Schudt
  • Patent number: 8662509
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a rack and pinion type steering device includes a rack shaft, a rack housing, a stopper portion formed in an end part of the rack shaft, a stopper engaging portion provided on the rack housing to define a stroke end position for the rack shaft by engaging the stopper portion, a stepped portion formed on the rack shaft, a shoulder portion formed in an enlarged diameter portion of the rack housing, and a cylindrical elastic member fitted on the rack shaft such that the elastic member is pressed in the axial direction of the rack shaft by the stepped portion and the shoulder portion. The elastic member is formed with grooves on each of an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface thereof. Such shock absorbing device for a rack and pinion type steering device has a high shock absorbing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehito Shiraishi, Yasuo Shimizu, Takahiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 8651217
    Abstract: A structure of an engine mount is provided for a vehicle in which an engine is disposed in the front of the vehicle, a front wheel is driven, and the engine is integrally coupled with a transmission to be seated horizontally on a vehicle body in a transverse mounting direction. The structure may include a driveshaft coupled to receive the driving force of the engine through the transmission and penetrate a center bearing through a bearing bracket fixed to the engine, a subframe as a plate shape coupled to the vehicle body in a rear lower part of the engine and coupled to a lower part of the transmission through a main roll rod mounted on the front, and a sub-roll rod having one end connected to the subframe and the other end connected to the bearing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Jin Kim, Seung-Won Kim, Kong-Sup Jung, Hyo-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8651465
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bushing assembly that includes a vibration damping rubber bushing having a round cylindrical resin outer cylinder, which is assembled by press fitting an outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder in an axial direction into a cylindrical metal mated component having a circular inside peripheral face. The vibration damping rubber bushing is press fit into the mated component with a rigid powder composed of material harder than the outer cylinder deposited in a section of the resin outer cylinder that is situated on the outside peripheral face and that mates with the inside peripheral face of the mated component, and the outer cylinder and the mated component are assembled in a mated condition such that the rigid powder intervenes between the outside peripheral face of the outer cylinder and the inside peripheral face of the mated component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ito, Noboru Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8616773
    Abstract: An elastomeric bushing includes an inner component, first, second and third elastomeric or plastic members and an outer component. The first elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the inner component. The second elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the first elastomeric or plastic member. The third elastomeric or plastic member is disposed over the second elastomeric or plastic member. The outer component is disposed over the third elastomeric or plastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Jay W. Thornhill
  • Patent number: 8602400
    Abstract: A vibration isolator is disclosed having a housing which defines a fluid chamber. A piston, which is movable to and from a down position, is disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chamber. A passage having a predetermined diameter extends through the piston to permit the vibration isolation fluid to flow from one fluid chamber to the other. An elastic element is provided for reducing transmission of vibrations from the piston to the housing when the piston is at the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Emery N. Ward, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David Haynie, Terry K. Thompson, David P. Shipman, James A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8579510
    Abstract: A rotatable bar pin bushing assembly is disclosed for connecting components in a vehicular system, such as a suspension and/or axle system. The rotatable bar pin bushing assembly includes an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve positioned around the inner sleeve, and an insert positioned between the inner and outer sleeves. The rotatable bar pin bushing assembly also includes a bar pin rotatably positioned within the inner sleeve. The bar pin has at least one end with at least one bore extending therethrough to receive a fastener. The bar pin is rotatable within the inner sleeve to allow indexing of the bar pin for registering the at least one bore of the bar pin with a connector of a different component. A method for assembling the rotatable bar pin bushing assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Shawn D. Noble, Hormoz Kerendian, Ashley T. Dudding, Louis F. Mattia, Charles A. Parrish
  • Patent number: 8556242
    Abstract: A roll-rod for a vehicle includes an inner pipe protruding from an end surface of a roll-rod body which penetrates an insulator engaged to a bracket and an end plate may be coupled to a rear side of the inner pipe, a fastening bolt being mounted to fasten the end plate to the inner pipe, wherein the insulator has a supporter inserted into a through-hole formed in the bracket and having a pipe shape, and a first front stopper extended from the supporter and protruding to the front of the bracket, and a first rear stopper extended from the supporter and protruding to the rear of the bracket, wherein the first front stopper, the first rear stopper and the supporter may be integrally molded to be fixedly coupled to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8534647
    Abstract: An elastomeric bush bearing, with hydraulic damping, comprises a metallic inner part (1), an elastomeric bearing element (2) encompassing the inner part (1) with a cage (3) for reinforcing the bearing element (2) vulcanized thereto. At least two chambers (5), for accommodating a fluid damping medium, are separated from one another by partitions (8), constructed between the bearing element (2), adhesively bonded to the inner part (1) by the vulcanization, but are mutually connected by a damping medium channel (7). A prestressing is applied to the elastomer of the bearing element (2). However, the prestressing is not applied over the bearing shell (4), but instead over the cage (3). Calibration takes places thus by a pressure force exerted on the cage, before assembly of the bearing element (2) in the outer shell (4), which is a deviation from the state of the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schnaars, Thomas Conrad
  • Patent number: 8523154
    Abstract: In a vibration control equipment 1 constituted by inserting an outer tube 20 of pair of damping rubbers 2A, 2B into an opening 30 of a bracket member 3, clamping the pair of damping rubbers 2A, 2B by means of plate members 4A, 4B, tightening a fastening member 5 for coupling the plate members 4A, 4B, and then compressing the rubber elastic bodies 22 of the damping rubbers 2A, 2B in the axial direction, the outside diameter of the outer tube 20 before tightening the fastening member 5 is smaller than the inside diameter of the fixing hole 30, the rubber elastic bodies 22 are compression deformed by tightening the fastening member 5 and thus a bracket member 3 is clamped by means of upper and lower flange portions 23, at least one of the rubber elastic bodies 22 is provided with mold cavity portions 26A, 26B and at least one of the pair of outer tubes 20 is provided with a positioning portion 24 for determining the circumferential position of the pair of damping rubbers 2A, 2B relative to the bracket member 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Fujiwara