Including Central Guide Rod Or Tube Through Spring Patents (Class 267/293)
  • Patent number: 8505889
    Abstract: An intermediate cylinder 18 is interposed between an inner cylinder 12 and an outer cylinder 14. The inner cylinder has a first bulging portion 20 of a spherical zone shape. The intermediate cylinder has a second bulging portion 22 of a spherical zone shape enclosing the first bulging portion. The inner circumference of the second bulging portion has a first spherical recess 23 corresponding to the first bulging portion. The inner circumference portion of the outer cylinder 14 enclosing the second bulging portion has a second spherical recess 25 corresponding to the second bulging portion. A rubbery elastic member 16 has an inner elastic portion 26 connecting the inner cylinder 12 and the intermediate cylinder 18 and an outer elastic portion 28 connecting the intermediate cylinder 18 and the outer cylinder 14. The axial size D1 of the inner elastic portion is larger than the axial size D2 of the outer elastic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8500109
    Abstract: A first load transmission surface 54 and a second load transmission surface 56 are each formed as a flat surface extending parallel to a load input direction. Therefore, elastic deformation occurring in each of an outer body part 66 and an inner body part 68 in a stopper elastic body 64 includes a main component of a shear deformation component, and a secondary component of a compressive and tensile deformation component that is small relative to the shear deformation component. Consequently, a sharp increase in deformation resistance and dynamic spring constant when a high load is input can be effectively suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takeshima, Tatsuya Hayashida, Akio Nakakura
  • Patent number: 8480065
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring-damper has a one-piece tubular body having an integral cap. A tension stop flange is formed in the body near the cap portion, and a compression stop flange opposing the tension stop flange is formed on the cap portion. An inner member located within the body is coupled to the body with an annular elastomeric member, such that longitudinal motion of the inner member relative to the body is allowed through elastic deformation of the elastomeric member. An inner member stop flange is positioned between the compression stop flange and the tension stop flange to limit longitudinal motion of the inner member relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Lancer D. Halcom, Brian Bouquillon, David A. Haynie
  • Patent number: 8465010
    Abstract: A vibration damping rubber bushing including: an inner cylindrical member; a main rubber elastic body bonded to an outer circumferential face of the inner cylindrical member; a plurality of anti-slip projections provided on at least one of axial end faces of the inner cylindrical member that project axially outward from the axial end face and extend with ribbed shape in a diametrical direction on the axial end face to produce a spokewise pattern overall; and an annular water barrier projection provided on a diametrical medial section of the at least one of the axial end faces of the inner cylindrical member, projecting axially outwardly and extending circumferentially, with the anti-slip projections being disposed to both radially inner side and radially outer side of the annular water barrier projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norimasa Kuki, Yoshikane Akiyama, Mitiharu Hikosaka, Kazuhiko Kato, Hitoshi Kawai, Mie Miyauchi
  • Publication number: 20130119593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rebound stopper which achieves reduction of hitting noise. In an approximately cylindrical urethane-made rebound stopper 100 which is attached to an outer circumference of a rod 500 arranged reciprocably in a cylinder 600 while being arranged as having one end side faced to a rebound sheet 510 and having the other end side faced to a rod guide 610 and which absorbs impact as being compressed by the rebound sheet 510 and the rod guide 610 as the other end side hitting the rod guide 610 when the rod 500 is moved in a direction in which the rebound sheet 510 approaches to the rod guide 610, a plurality of protruding portions is arranged at each end side while the protruding portions at one end side and the protruding portions at the other end side are arranged at positions as being shifted in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiro Konno, Masami Takesue
  • Patent number: 8434749
    Abstract: A body mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The insert member is surrounded by a microcellular urethane body. The oblong shape increases the compression of the microcellular urethane body that can be used to respond to lateral forces. The lateral response rate can be stiffer than the fore and aft response rate. The isolation mount also can facilitate fine tuning thereof by selectively indenting a cup member surrounding the microcellular urethane body to adjust the vibration characteristics of the body mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Vibracoustic North America, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Rogge, Neil Stewart Cummings, Mickey L. Love, Robert James Ramm
  • Patent number: 8430382
    Abstract: A second bush of a torque rod is fastened and fixed such that a mating fastening member sandwiches an inner fitting in the axial direction. A rubber stopper on an acceleration side projecting from an outer fitting to the inner fitting is provided such that the rubber thickness increases toward a front end. The inner fitting is provided with a stopper contact forming a recessed space in which the rubber stopper is inserted. After the rubber stopper comes in contact with the stopper contact in a stopper function, the rubber stopper is deformed so as to fill the recessed space, and concurrently bulges in the axial direction to come in contact with the mating fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kashihara, Jyoji Tsutsumida, Satoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 8424855
    Abstract: An automotive control arm bushing. The bushing comprises an elastomeric center portion and two joinable separable locking sleeves, said elastomeric center portion being radially relieved with a portion of the radius being convex segments and a portion of the radius being concave segments, wherein the ratio of convex surface to concave surface is 35:65 to 65:35. In addition, there is an automotive control arm bushing having no linear mobility and a method of replacing an automotive control arm bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Larry Verbowski
  • Patent number: 8418999
    Abstract: A vibration damping system (10) includes a laminated body (16) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (12) and viscoelastic soft plates (14). At both ends in the laminating direction, the laminated body (16) is connected to a vibration generation section and a vibration receiving section, respectively. The soft plate (14) arranged in a region subjected to a higher isostatic stress is made thicker than the soft plates (14) arranged in other regions. Even when the vibration damping system (10) is applied with vibration having a large amplitude and prying deformation is thereby caused, the soft members (14) are prevented from isostatic fracture to provide a significantly improved durability of the vibration damping system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 8376332
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elastomer metal element for an elastomer metal bearing, particularly as a bearing connection between a dome module and a vehicle, with an inner cylindrical metal part (2) for connection to a first structural element which is to be supported, with two outer sheet metal shell parts (4, 5; 4?, 5?) lying opposite each other and partly overlapping the inner cylindrical metal part, and with elastomer bodies (6, 7, 8, 9) adhering between the inner metal part (2) and the sheet metal shell parts (4, 5; 4?, 5?), wherein the elastomer metal element (1), with the application of a radial tensioning in the elastomer bodies (6, 7, 8, 9), can be pressed into an accommodating eye (19) at a second structural element which is to be supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Scharf, Oliver Lippke, Bernd Zawadzki
  • Patent number: 8360404
    Abstract: A shock absorbing interposer is positionable between a manually manipulatable handle and a faucet of a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage. The interposer includes a faucet adapter mechanism for interconnecting to a lever of the faucet and a handle adapter mechanism for interconnecting to the handle. A shock absorbing member is operatively connected to the faucet adapter mechanism and the handle adapter mechanism to dissipate excessive forces applied to the handle as the handle is moved between a first operative position and a second operative position in order to reduce the likelihood that such excessive forces will be exerted on the faucet and handle. A faucet assembly including a faucet, handle and shock absorbing interposer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: FYCM Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Charles B. Motley, Christopher Martin
  • Patent number: 8356807
    Abstract: A dual rate shock absorbing apparatus for a suspension system of a heavy off-road vehicle including a housing having two axially elongated members. A dual rate spring package is disposed in the housing. Such spring package includes a first spring assembly for absorbing, dissipating and returning a first predetermined level of energy imparted to the shock absorbing apparatus. One end of the first spring assembly acts against a closed end of the housing and a second end acts against a spring seat. A second spring assembly absorbs, dissipates and returns a second predetermined level of energy. One end of the second spring assembly acts against an opposed closed end of the housing and a second end acts against the spring seat. An axially elongated guide assembly, extending substantially the cumulative length of the first and second spring assemblies, controls axial compression of the first and second spring assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Miner Elastomer Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Kerr, Richard J. Beranek
  • Patent number: 8348029
    Abstract: A strut top mount is optimized to provide a resilient response to jounce and rebound load rates that is symmetrical and linear over a predetermined range of travel. An annular tower is formed of the body structure. A central bracket has adhered thereto an outer resilient element that abuts the tower, and has adhered oppositely thereto an inner resilient element. A bearing is supported by the central bracket, and a spring seat is supported by the bearing. A sleeve is received by a strut shaft and adhered to the inner resilient element A lower washer abuts a lower end of the inner resilient element. An upper washer abuts an upper end of the inner resilient element. A retention washer is mounted onto the strut shaft, wherein a periphery thereof has a retention washer resilient element. The components are collectively tuned to provide the optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Winocur
  • Patent number: 8342821
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a submersible pump motor has a bearing body, having a hub, an outer portion, and a plurality of wing portions. The wing portions are spaced apart to form a plurality of cavities in the bearing body. A mass damper is mounted to the hub. The mass damper has an upper portion, a lower portion and mass damper prongs connecting the upper and lower portion. The mass damper prongs are disposed in the cavities, and act to reduce the amplitude of the vibrating frequency of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Carlos A Prieto
  • Patent number: 8333269
    Abstract: An insulator for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle is formed of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material defines a channel that provides increased flexibility to the insulator and defines an increased density about the channel that increases the durability of the insulator. The suspension system includes a support structure adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a piston rod disposed within the aperture and displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel, and a plate mounted to the piston rod. The insulator is compressibly disposed between the support structure and the plate. The exterior channel increases the flexibility of the insulator to distribute localized stress on the insulator by the support structure and the plate. The increased density about the channel increases the durability of the insulator about the channel when the support structure and the plate exert a compressive force on the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Dickson, Anand Huprikar
  • Patent number: 8317173
    Abstract: A vibration damping system includes a laminated body (3) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (4) and viscoelastic soft plates (5), and pair of shoe plates (1, 2) at both ends in the laminating direction of the laminated body (3), to form a vibration damping body (6). The show plates (1, 2) are connected to each other by a displacement restriction member (7), so as to applying a pre-compression to the laminated body. The vibration damping body (6) is divided into a plurality of segments (3A, 3B, 3C) in the laminating direction, for allowing the vibration-proof main body (6) to be separated and displaced at the parting faces (8), without causing an excessive tensile force in the vibration damping system, even if the displacement restriction member (7) has worn to degrade the pre-compression function and a tensile force is applied due to a prying deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 8308149
    Abstract: The shock and vibration isolation system for hard mounting of a manifold of a brake control valve includes shock and vibration isolators that can be assembled in the mounting feet of the manifold of the brake control valve. The shock and vibration isolators have a pre-selected, predetermined natural frequency operative to protect components of the brake control valve from shock and vibration. Each of the shock and vibration isolators includes a radially inner generally spool shaped rigid insert portion and a radially outer generally spool shaped vibration insulating sheath portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Alre, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Blazic
  • Patent number: 8297602
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having a pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers between an outer cylinder and a mounting member, at two end sides along a main amplitude direction. A rubber elastic body changes the internal volumes of the pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers in directions opposite to each other, and fluid flows from the pressure receiving fluid chambers to an auxiliary fluid chamber through one of two orifices and flows from the auxiliary fluid chamber to the pressure receiving fluid chambers through the other orifice. Since a fluid pressure in the auxiliary fluid chamber is kept approximately constant, the fluid in the pair of pressure receiving fluid chambers smoothly flows, with a low resistance, into the auxiliary fluid chamber through the orifices. Therefore, any rise of the fluid pressure in the pressure receiving fluid chambers may be suppressed, such that rise of the dynamic spring constant may be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kojima, Yoshitaka Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8292312
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing is provided which effectively reduces a torsional friction between a bushing body and a stabilizer bar. The stabilizer bushing includes a bushing body 16 made of a tubular elastic body, a sliding member 42 fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the tubular elastic body, and two partition members 26, 26 embedded in and bonded to a radially middle area of the bushing body 16. The partition members 26, 26 divide the bushing body 16 into an inner rubber portion 38 that is thin enough not to be elastically-deformed by a load applied thereto and an outer rubber portion 40 that is thicker than the inner rubber portion 38. Further, each of the partition members 26, 26 includes through holes 36a, 36b, 36c that are located so as to divide the partition member into a plurality of sections both in the axial and circumferential directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kato, Hiroaki Nagai, Hideo Yanagino, Katsuzo Okada, Kouichi Kobayashi, Yuji Homma, Shinji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8276893
    Abstract: An elastomer-containing rod end isolator. The isolator includes a handle for connection to a load and inner and outer members. The outer member is a pocket and the inner member is spherical or nearly so. The pocket and the inner member are concentric and the inner member has two continuous exterior legs extending in a circular path. An elastomer fills most of the space between members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: S. Gregory Martin
  • Patent number: 8256735
    Abstract: The invention is in particular a supporting device for relative supporting loads with respect to a base comprising a load side part, a base side part, and an intermediate part giving support to the load side part, and thus defining a supporting direction with reference to the base and the load side, including a pressure chamber bounded by chamber walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 8246022
    Abstract: This vibration-proofing device is a vibration-proofing device 12 including an elastic body 28 which elastically connects an intermediate cylinder fitting 130 and an inner cylinder fitting 20, a first liquid chamber 161 and a second liquid chamber 162 disposed around the central axis of the inner cylinder fitting 20, and a partition wall 29 made of the elastic body 28, which is disposed between the adjacent liquid chambers 161 and 162. The initial load is input in a +Z-direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the intermediate cylinder fitting 130. When the inner cylinder fitting 20 has been displaced in the ?Z-direction, a displacement regulating member 71 which abuts a formation area of the partition wall 29 in the elastic body 28 to regulate the displacement of the elastic body 28 is connected to the intermediate cylinder fitting 130. It is thus possible to regulate the displacement of the elastic body at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 8246024
    Abstract: A bushing, having a core member, at least one enveloping body surrounding the same, and at least one elastic connecting layer, the elastic connecting layer joining together and spacing apart the enveloping body and the core member, and the core member and the enveloping body being movable relative to one another. In view of the object of designing and further refining a bushing of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it exhibits an adjustable stiffness response that is dependent on the deflection of the core member relative to the enveloping body, following the cost-effective manufacturing thereof, the bushing has at least one limit stop, which is structurally separate or is produced separately from the connecting layer, is assigned to the core member and/or the enveloping body and limits the relative movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Michael Ebert, Andreas Hinze, Andreas Erl
  • Patent number: 8235350
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit support structure includes a bracket (40) having a slot (50) and seat surfaces formed around the slot, and a shock-absorbing member (70) attached to the hydraulic unit (10). The shock-absorbing member (70) is fitted into the slot (50) of the bracket so that the hydraulic unit is supported on the bracket by the shock-absorbing member. The shock-absorbing member has a small-diameter portion (74) inserted into the slot of the bracket and large-diameter portions (76, 78) making contact with the seat surfaces of the bracket around the slot. The slot of the bracket has an insertion-fit region (52) formed at one end of the slot in the long-axis direction and a reduced width region formed at a position spaced apart from the one end in the long-axis direction by a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the small-diameter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tetsuda, Masashi Kodan, Katsuyuki Furuhata
  • Patent number: 8231115
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount has an upper support member and a lower support member. An upper elastomeric spring and a lower elastomeric spring are disposed between the upper support member and the lower support member to define an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber. A channel extends between the upper and lower chambers. During compression and extension of the hydraulic mount, fluid transfers between the upper and lower chamber to provide a damping force for the hydraulic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Goudie, Zoren E. Gaspar
  • Patent number: 8226066
    Abstract: Center-bonded mounts for resiliently connecting a supported structure to a support structure are assembled from members that are adapted to disproportionately affect the axial and radial stiffness of the mount. Each of the members includes a shoulder portion for engaging an opposite side surface of the support structure and a neck portion that extends within a socket formed through the support structure. The shoulder portion of one member disproportionately affects the downward axial stiffness of the mount, and the neck portion of the other member disproportionately affects the radial stiffness of the mount. A mount stiffness characteristic of the individual members can be varied, and the varied members can be interchangeably combined to provide both a greater selection and a greater range of axial and radial stiffness characteristics for a given part count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Kubat, Kyle R. Zimmerman, Scott K. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8201812
    Abstract: A viscous fluid-sealed damper (1) having a shaft receiving section (2c) in which an installation shaft (3) with a swollen head (3b) is fitted and also having a separation wall (2). At least a portion of the separation wall (2) is constructed from an elastic separation membrane, and the separation wall (2) continues to the periphery of the upper edge of the shaft receiving section (2c) such that the shaft receiving section (2c) extends inward. Viscous fluid is sealed inside the separation wall (2). A positioning section (2f) for positioning the shaft receiving section (2c) is provided at that position of a bottom face (2a) of the separation wall section (2) that faces the shaft receiving section (2c). The viscous fluid-sealed damper can be assembled with good work efficiency and is unlikely to be damaged during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kenwood
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sannoh
  • Publication number: 20120146271
    Abstract: Rubber burrs which are formed on a first molding product are set to the closer side of spaces of side surfaces. Therefore, when the first molding product is placed in a resin mold for a resin molding process, it is unnecessary to insert a rubber-burr portion in the resin mold at a predetermined position (at which protrusion rubber parts can be brought into tight contact with the resin mold for sealing). That is, the rubber burrs formed along the parting lines can be placed in a cavity of the resin mold. Therefore, since second rubber covering parts can be easily inserted in the resin mold at the predetermined positions and working time can be reduced, workability can be improved. Moreover, since the predetermined positions of the resin mold can be surely sealed by tight contact with the side faces, generation of resin burrs can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Kato, Yukio Takashima
  • Publication number: 20120146270
    Abstract: To provide a vibration isolation apparatus which prevents a vibration isolation leg from being pushed by a resin material injected in a resin molding process and to prevent generation of resin burrs. Because a rubber notch 5055 is formed in a first molding product 5100, when the first molding product 5100 is placed in a resin mold 400 in an insert molding process, the pressure of the flowing resin material injected in the resin mold 400 through the injection gate can be relieved and thus first wall covering rubber parts 52 may be less pushed by the resin material. This reduces positional deviation of a vibration isolation leg 50 and sealing errors caused by deformation of the first wall covering rubber parts 52, and thus generation of resin burrs can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hironori Kato
  • Publication number: 20120146272
    Abstract: To provide a vibration isolation apparatus the spring constant of which can be prevented from increasing in two directions of three orthogonal directions but can be adjusted to increase in the other direction of the three orthogonal directions. If the internal cylinder member 40 is moved in the left and right directions or front and back directions of the vehicle, the spring constant is not increased. On the other hand, when the internal cylinder member 40 is moved in the up and down directions of a vehicle, a relatively short portion connecting the highest portion of the protrusion part 2064 and the outer surface of the internal cylinder member 40 is mainly expanded and contracted, and thus the spring constant is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Oniwa
  • Patent number: 8196911
    Abstract: A subframe mount capable of having its rate adjusted is disclosed. Subframe mount is configured with damping regions configured to removably receive inserts that would modify rate upon insertion. In this configuration, subframe mount may have its rate adjusted without removal from the motor vehicle. In certain configurations, the subframe mount provides the ability to tune the rate in multiple directions, providing an enhanced motor vehicle development tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael A. Baumbarger
  • Patent number: 8192106
    Abstract: A lightweight heavy duty bushing assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system and being low cost and having a high assembly tolerance is disclosed. A metal bar pin is press fit into a bushing formed from a metal sleeve bonded to an elastomeric housing. The metal sleeve is deformable such that exact tolerances of the metal sleeve and the bar pin are not required. The metal bar pin has extended ends with a hole in each end for attachment of the metal bar pin to vehicle suspension components, mounting brackets, or to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard Gregory Vogler, Michael Brannigan, Ashley Thomas Dudding, Christopher Wayne Forrest
  • Publication number: 20120133091
    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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: KIA Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8181945
    Abstract: A cylindrical vibration isolating device that prevents damage to a vibration isolating rubber and cracks in a welded portion of a sub-frame. The sub-frame mount comprises an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder connected by the vibration isolating rubber. Small and large diameter portions are provided on a lateral wall of a barrel portion of the outer cylinder. Between the small and large diameter portions is formed a step-like boundary portion. The height in the axial direction of the boundary portion changes in the circumferential direction and has a substantially mountain-like shape with a top projecting in the press fitting direction. A contact area of the large diameter portion contacting a mounting hole of the sub-frame is increased in accordance with an amount of the press fitting. Therefore, when the sub-frame mount is press-fitted into the mounting hole of the sub-frame, the press fitting load is gradually increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyahara, Tsutomu Ogawa, Yuichi Nakamaru, Yuji Muto
  • Patent number: 8177201
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount has an upper support member and a lower support member. An upper elastomeric spring and a lower elastomeric spring are disposed between the upper support member and the lower support member to define an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber. A channel extends between the upper and lower chambers. During compression and extension of the hydraulic mount, fluid transfers between the upper and lower chamber to provide a damping force for the hydraulic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Goudie
  • Patent number: 8167286
    Abstract: A cylindrical vibration isolating device having an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder, an elastic leg having a pair of right and left leg portions to connect the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and, when viewed in the axial direction of the inner cylinder, being formed in a substantially inverted V-shape while placing the inner cylinder in an intermediate position, and a mass projection being provided in the elastic leg such that the mass projection resonates in a frequency range that the elastic leg causes bending resonance. The mass projection is provided outside of an inner restraint line that is a perpendicular line passing an outermost point of an inner restrained portion that is a connected portion between the inner cylinder and the elastic leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Yamashita Rubber Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukinobu Hirano, Hironao Nishimae
  • Patent number: 8157251
    Abstract: A vibration damping mount assembly having a vibration damping mount main body and a tubular bracket. The tubular bracket is made of lightweight material composed of non-ferric metal or synthetic resin, and has an inside peripheral face including an upper tapered face and a lower tapered face that gradually expand in diameter towards openings at either axial end from an axially medial section. A flanged portion of a second mounting member is axially juxtaposed against an open end of the upper tapered face, while the lower tapered face is pressed against a rubber fitting, with the lower tapered face locked in contact against an annular mating face of the rubber fitting thereby providing dislodging of the vibration damping mount main body from the tubular bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8136894
    Abstract: The shock and vibration isolation system for hard mounting of a manifold of a brake control valve protects the brake control valve manifold from shock and vibration by incorporation of shock and vibration isolators in mounting feet of the manifold. The shock and vibration isolators have a pre-selected natural frequency chosen to protect components of the brake control valve damaging shock and vibration. The shock and vibration isolators each include a silicone rubber insert portion, a first outer sheath secured about a first end of the silicone rubber insert portion, a second outer sheath member secured about a second end of the silicone rubber insert portion, with a gap between the first and second outer sheaths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Aire, Inc., a Subsidiary of Crane Co.
    Inventor: Ernest Blazic
  • Patent number: 8128076
    Abstract: A noise attenuator for attaching a side wall panel to a frame that is exposed to vibratory loads and which includes a rigid core having a sleeve with two radially disposed end plates. A bracket encircles a portion of said sleeve between the end plates and is in non-contiguous relationship with the core. An elastomeric bushing is bonded to a portion of the bracket and the core with the exception of the outer faces of the end plates, which remain exposed. Voids are passed through the rear plate and extend axially between the bracket and the sleeve some length into the sleeve. Due to the geometry of the unit, the non-voided sections of the bushing are loaded in either a combination of tension and shear or compression and shear when the core is connected to a vibrating frame and the bracket is connected to a side wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ITT Manfacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Sanetick, Jeffrey N. Weisbeck
  • Patent number: 8122866
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel acoustic bumpers that can dampen vibrations and control noise transmission from an engine front cover, or other component. In one embodiment, the front cover carries a water pump and internal water distribution passages and covers an overhead camshaft drive mechanism and an oil pump mounted on the engine block. Noise control of unsupported cover central portions is provided by acoustic bumpers carried on inside cover bosses and engaging surfaces in accessible locations on the engine block front face or on associated components. The acoustic bumpers may be doughnut shaped annular rings having identical coaxial locating recesses on opposite sides for error-free installation. A central web between the recesses includes an axially located retainer hole. Each bumper may be mounted on a pillar on the inside cover face that includes a fastener receiving blind hole centrally located on a raised circular boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carl E. Fonville, Michael R. Thelen
  • Patent number: 8123308
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for suspending a unit, especially a hydraulic unit of an electronically traction-controlled brake system of a motor vehicle. The unit is suspended in a receptacle provided on the vehicle such that vibrations are damped. Hydraulic units of vehicle brake systems are usually equipped with an electric motor for driving pumps located in the hydraulic unit. The brake pressure in the wheel brakes can be modulated via the pumps. The pump drive can cause mechanical and hydraulic vibrations in the unit which can result in unwanted operational noise in case the vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle body without being damped. The improved device is manually preloaded due to limited space for using tools. A clamping mechanism is guided in an axially movable manner on an armature which is fixed to the hydraulic unit and which can be moved from a basic position into a clamping position. The clamping mechanism is interlocked with the armature in both positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schlitzkus, Andreas Weh, Matthias Mayr
  • Patent number: 8091871
    Abstract: A hydromount assembly includes a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber that communicate with one another through an inertia track. The inertia track is interposed between the first and second fluid chambers, and is used as a fluid actuating plunger to move relative to at least one of the first and second chambers in response to vibration to pump fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, and vice versa, through the inertia track. An opening extends through the first and second fluid chambers and the inertia track and receives a shaft therein. The inertia track is secured to the shaft so that axial movement of the shaft results in axial movement of the inertia track. Elastomeric portions of the hydromount may be differently tuned from one another. The center mount hydromount may be selectively assembled with a body mount, or the body mount integrated into the hydromount whereby the center mount arrangement increases the functionality of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Michael Bradshaw, Chris Dowson
  • Publication number: 20110316209
    Abstract: A dual rate shock absorbing apparatus for a suspension system of a heavy off-road vehicle including a housing having two axially elongated members. A dual rate spring package is disposed in the housing. Such spring package includes a first spring assembly for absorbing, dissipating and returning a first predetermined level of energy imparted to the shock absorbing apparatus. One end of the first spring assembly acts against a closed end of the housing and a second end acts against a spring seat. A second spring assembly absorbs, dissipates and returns a second predetermined level of energy. One end of the second spring assembly acts against an opposed closed end of the housing and a second end acts against the spring seat. An axially elongated guide assembly, extending substantially the cumulative length of the first and second spring assemblies, controls axial compression of the first and second spring assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald W. KERR, Richard J. BERANEK
  • Patent number: 8079576
    Abstract: An insulator for a bushing may include a plurality of insulator bodies, a center hole formed to each insulator body for coupling the insulator bodies of the bushing to a bushing bracket, and operation slot being formed on each insulator body, wherein the insulator bodies are separately and relatively-rotatably coupled each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Il Lang Kim
  • Patent number: 8016275
    Abstract: A dual-rate resilient isolator having a plurality of raised, generally conical bumps formed on an engagement surface thereof. The bumps in combination with a main body of the resilient isolator provide a dual-rate for isolating CRFM noise vibration and or other vibrations (via the relatively softer resiliency of the bumps) and isolating road vibration and shock (via the relatively harder resiliency of the main body) even though the bumps and the main body are composed of the same resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kent Ting, Craig W. Lewitzke, Patrick E. Fix, III, Dwayne R. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110175269
    Abstract: A stabilizer bush includes a cylindrical body section including a through-hole into which the stabilizer is inserted. In the body section, a slit is continuously formed from an outer circumferential surface of the body section toward an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole, and is formed so as to extend along a full length of the body section in a center axis direction of the through-hole. A direction of the slit from the outer circumferential surface toward the inner circumferential surface is set to a direction which does not pass through the center of the through-hole, and the slit is formed so as to extend parallel to a center axis of the through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KURASHIKI KAKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya HARADA, Keiichi FUNAKOSHI
  • Patent number: 7967282
    Abstract: Vibration isolators are provided that include a shaft, a first bushing, a second bushing, a first outer annular member, a second outer annular member, a first elastomeric member, a second elastomeric member, and a shim. The first elastomeric member is adapted to provide a first stiffness for damping a first vibration, and the second elastomeric member is adapted to provide a second stiffness for damping a second vibration, the second stiffness being greater than the first stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Boyd, Dale Thomas Ruebsamen, Timothy Hindle
  • Patent number: 7922156
    Abstract: A mount has an inner metal and an outer metal with an elastomeric bushing disposed between them. The elastomeric bushing includes a first pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during axial motion and a second, separate pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during motion orthogonal to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Goudie
  • Patent number: 7922157
    Abstract: A stopper for a cylindrical elastic mount includes a concave portion which is formed at each of a plurality of locations on a circumference of a cylindrical portion of a stopper fitting, the concave portion being concaved in a radially inward direction to partially enlarge a width of an outward flange so as to provide a large width portion on an enlarged width portion of the outward flange of a first rubber portion. The stopper further includes a plurality of second rubber portions each of which is fixedly disposed only between adjacent concave portions in a circumferential direction of a bottom portion and protruding higher than the first rubber portion. The first and each of the plurality of the second rubber portions are separated by a groove-shaped gap that is provided so as to continuously extend around each of the plurality of second rubber portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hayashi, Kunio Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7866640
    Abstract: A bush includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder, a cylindrical elastic member interposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, a flange formed on one edge of the outer cylinder, and an elastic brim extending from the cylindrical elastic member. The flange engages with one end face of the cylindrical member, and the elastic brim covers an end face of the flange. The flange includes a thick portion that protrudes toward the elastic brim side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuyoshi Funano, Takuya Yanagida