Including Central Guide Rod Or Tube Through Spring Patents (Class 267/293)
  • Publication number: 20100295224
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norikatsu Namito, Katsumi Someya, Akihiro Saito
  • Publication number: 20100258991
    Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided and may include a support member for supporting a bumper and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. The support member may include a base member having a center and a radius, and a projection extending from the base member and away from the bumper. The projection may include a length greater than the radius of the base member and may be formed from a portion of the base member having a longitudinal axis that is skewed from the center of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Mickey L. Love, Robert J. Ramm
  • Patent number: 7793922
    Abstract: A bound stopper provided with a drainage path for draining water that has passed through drainage holes formed in a bottom portion of a bracket. The drainage path is constituted by a recessed portion formed on at least one of a plurality of corresponding portions of a fixing metal fitting and the recessed portion opens outward in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the fitting. The corresponding portions are positioned so as to correspond to each of the plurality of the drainage holes, upon the fitting being in contact with the bracket. A locating projection is provided on an outer surface of the corresponding portion different from the corresponding portion having the recessed portion. Insertion of a locating projection into the drainage hole corresponding to the different corresponding portion allows the fitting to be circumferentially positioned such that the corresponding portions correspond to the drainage holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiharu Hikosaka, Yasutaka Fukumoto, Takuya Hishinuma, Fumitake Murakami
  • Patent number: 7789405
    Abstract: A linkage-type air suspension system for supporting either a front steer axle or a rear drive axle includes a lower structure assembly which combines the lower control rods, a transverse rod and a stabilizer control system which functions as a single structure. The transverse control system includes a pair of lower beams which have one end thereof pivotally connected to mounting brackets secured to the frame members of the vehicle by pivot bearings. The other ends of the lower beams are pivotally connected to axle and wheel supports. A transverse control is secured to and extends between the lower beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Link Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tjong T. Lie
  • Patent number: 7779975
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shock absorbing and indicating bumper. The bumper includes, a spherical shaped body with a surface mountable to a corner of a device to which shock is to be absorbed. The bumper includes a crushable conical member engaged with a conical recess of the spherical shaped body, the crushable conical member having a hole therethrough from the vertex to the center of the base, and a shell with a substantially hollow semispherical shape slidably engaged with a surface of the spherical shaped body. The bumper further includes a rigid shaft with a first end fixedly attached to a central portion of the hollowed side of the shell and a second end pivotally engaged with the spherical shaped body at substantially the center of the spherical shaped body, the shaft extending through the hole in the crushable member and aligned thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Boraas
  • Patent number: 7758027
    Abstract: An upper bush is secured to a bracket of a compressor unit, and a lower bush is abutted against a panel member of a vehicle body through a washer. A coil spring is interposed between the upper and lower bushes. A pipe member is inserted through the upper and lower bushes and the coil spring. A bolt is inserted through the pipe member and screwed into the panel member of the vehicle body. The compressor unit is resiliently supported floatingly by the coil spring. Vibration of the compressor unit is damped by friction generated by sliding contact between the pipe member and raised portions of the upper bush. When the vibration amplitude is large, respective projections of the upper and lower bushes abut against each other to suppress the vibration while absorbing impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Yama, Tsutomu Itou
  • Patent number: 7748689
    Abstract: The invention provides for a radially flexible bushing, comprising an outer annular element, an inner rigid element surrounded by the outer element, an elastomer body, which adherently attaches the inner rigid element and the outer element. The elastomer body comprises spaced-apart arms extending radially from the inner rigid element to the outer element. It further comprises at least one radial stop for limiting the radial displacement of the inner rigid element. The radial stop, which is positioned on the outer element between the arms, comprises an arch having extremities joined to the outer element and a top oriented towards the rigid element. The arch defines together with the outer element a tubular cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Paulstra CRC
    Inventors: Bertrand Thibault, Bertrand Barrio, Fred Stillman
  • Patent number: 7740236
    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: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: S. Gregory Martin
  • Patent number: 7735812
    Abstract: A vibration damping device (10) comprising an axisymmetric elastomeric body (20), which has a base side (40), a periphery (50), and a through hole (60). The body comprises an integrally bonded cup-shaped axisymmetric structure (70), which has a base portion (80), a side wall (90), and an opening (100) encompassing the through hole. The base portion and the side wall adjoin to the base side and periphery, respectively. The elastomeric body has a groove (110) encompassed by the side wall, which groove extends along and close to the periphery, and is adapted to receive a separately provided axisymmetric snubber member. A vibration damper assembly comprising two vibration-damping devices of said kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Trelleborg AB
    Inventor: Dermot James Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7722018
    Abstract: A subframe bearing and method of forming same is provided with a subframe (12) having a main section between a first engagement flange (30) and a second engagement flange (32), an inner tube (2), an outer tube (4) and an elastomer bushing (6), as well as a stop plate (16). The elastomer bushing is vulcanized with the inner tube (2) and the outer tube (4) defining a bushing subassembly. The outer tube has a main section (42), an angled transition portion (44) and a step portion (40). The outer tube continues axially from the main section (42) to a stop flange (20). The elastomer bushing (6) has a bulged outer surface portion (36) extending continuously and uninterrupted outwardly of the angled transition portion (44) and extending continuously and uninterrupted outwardly of the step portion (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Meyerboeck, Barry Graul, Val Moreno
  • Publication number: 20100065998
    Abstract: In an arrangement for retaining an outer collar (13) of a compliance bush assembly, an internal bore of a corresponding retaining collar (9) which may be welded to a front end of a trailing arm (2, 3) is provided with an increased diameter portion (20) defining an annular step (21) adjacent to a leading axial end thereof at the time of the press fitting process. When the outer collar is press fitted into the internal bore of the retaining collar, the part of the outer collar facing the increased diameter portion is allowed to bulge out as a result of creep deformation. Thus, even when the outer collar undergoes a creep deformation, and this causes the pressure acting between the outer collar and retaining collar to diminish, the part of the outer collar facing the increased diameter section that has bulged out prevents the outer collar from shifting or dislodging from the retaining collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Tomida, Tetsushi Yamada, Takaki Ohdo
  • Patent number: 7644911
    Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which defines a void extending into the elastomeric body from one side and a void extending into the elastomeric body from the opposite side. One member for attaching the elastomeric body to a component is located inside of the two voids and another member for attaching the elastomeric body to a component is located outside of the two voids. The two voids overlap a specified distance to determine the stresses and stiffness for the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Troy P. Rodecker
  • Patent number: 7637472
    Abstract: A muffler hanger including: a rubber annular portion; a rubber arm constituting an elastic support portion for the muffler; an upper space and a lower space for permitting deformation of the rubber arm; a first mounting hole disposed in a center of the rubber arm in a vehicle left-right direction to extend in a vehicle front-back direction when installed on the vehicle, and attached in a mated condition to a support pin provided on one of a muffler side and a vehicle body side; and a pair of second mounting holes disposed at locations away to right and left sides from the first mounting hole to extend in the front-back direction, and attached in a mated condition to support pins on the other side. The first and second mounting holes are arranged to form a row in the left-right direction, with positional relationships such that when installed on the vehicle the holes overlaps one another as viewed in the left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 7637486
    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: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Goudie
  • Publication number: 20090295051
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Il Lang Kim
  • Patent number: 7594559
    Abstract: An engine support structure improves energy absorbing efficiency at the vehicle body frame in relation to impact input from the vehicle front to rear direction. The support structure includes a vehicle body frame having front frame side members extending in the front to rear direction of the vehicle, a sub-frame disposed below the vehicle body frame and that supports the engine, and connecting members that connect the front frame side members and sub-frame. A suspension device for an automobile prevents insecure tightening. A support member which connects a body vehicle side member and sub-frame is provided with an outer tubular member connected to the sub-frame and that extends in the upper to lower direction, an inner tubular member mated into the upper portion of outer tubular member, and an insulator mated into inner tubular member and whose length in the upper to lower direction is shorter than outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Kitoh, Toru Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 7591353
    Abstract: A decoupled mono tube damper assembly includes an outer tube attached to a vehicle's unsprung mass. The outer tube has a base and a sleeve end. An outer tube sleeve engaging end of an inner tube is slidingly engaged with the sleeve end. The inner tube has an end distal to the sleeve engaging end, and is attached to the vehicle's sprung mass at the distal end. A damper rod has one opposed end extending axially into a base aperture, and an opposed end connecting to the inner tube. The rod moves axially relative to the outer tube. A low amplitude energy-managing member is operatively disposed within the outer tube, and has a throughbore receiving the rod. A travel-limiting member attaches to the rod and is engageable with the energy-managing member to constrain axial movement of the rod through the outer tube base to a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Quinn, Gregory J. Fadler, William C. Gregory, Carl T. Wright, Kenneth L. Oblizajek
  • Patent number: 7584944
    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: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Goudie
  • Publication number: 20090179362
    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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Michael Ebert, Andreas Hinze, Andreas Erl
  • Patent number: 7506862
    Abstract: An elastomer bush bearing is disclosed with at least one axial limit stop. An elastomeric bush bearing is provided with a damping characteristic that can be adapted to the respective application and/or to changing preloads. The bearing is constructed in that a stop face formed on the bearing body and the opposing stop face, arranged on the inner sleeve or on a stop element supported by the inner sleeve, which can be rotated relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing by an actuator or can be displaced relative to each other in the axial direction. The mutual separation between the stop faces determined by the gap changes simultaneously with a corresponding relative motion of the stop faces effected by a rotation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hubert Siemer, Bernarda Holtze
  • Patent number: 7503552
    Abstract: A mount assembly having a support structure mounted to a frame of a vehicle and a carrier mounted to a vehicle body. The support structure is displaceable relative to the carrier along a central axis (L). The support structure defines an inverted cup having a bottom with an aperture and a cylindrical skirt on a central axis (L) extending below the frame. A lower insulator is disposed between the support structure and a plate allowing the lower insulator to interact with the bottom and cylindrical skirt of the support structure and the plate to isolate forces in a vertical and/or lateral direction. The interaction with the support structure and the plate improves handling of lateral forces seen in a vehicle during driving events such as braking or cornering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Huprikar, William G. Dieter
  • Patent number: 7478803
    Abstract: A compact shock absorption, vibration, isolation, and/or suspension device is provided having long life and increased performance in a compact design. The device of the present disclosure is both less expensive and simpler to manufacture. In addition to being able to be used as a shock absorber in the hub of a wheel of an in-line skate, scooter or other small wheeled vehicle, the device of the present disclosure may be used in locations outside a wheel hub as well as in non-wheel devices where there is a need to isolate, damp, and absorb shock and/or vibrations experienced by a component of the device in order to minimize their effect on the entirety of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Elmer Lee
  • Patent number: 7464919
    Abstract: In an elastic insertion bearing for supporting a component extending substantially axially, such as a damper rod for a strut tower on a vehicle body and for fitting in a vehicle body-side mount, comprising a rigid core to which the component can be secured, and an elastomeric body radially surrounding the core, it is provided for that at least two of the outer shell sections radially surrounding the elastomeric body are provided circumferentially spaced away from each other in the unfitted condition and which on being fitted can move each radially on the other such that the circumferential spacing is reduced in precompression of the elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Woco AVS GmbH
    Inventors: Waldemar Hermann, Holger Ries, Ferenc Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7451967
    Abstract: A pivot bushing for a suspension system has an inner metal and a split outer metal with an elastomeric bushing disposed between the metals. The split outer metal has one end which is partially closed by an inwardly curved portion and one end which is open. The assembly of the bushing is through the open end. Once assembled the open end is closed by placing a cover over the open end and crimping the cover to a flange formed at the open end. In another embodiment, the cover is inserted into the outer metal and the split outer metal is crimped to secure the cover in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. McLaughlin, Jeff Raymond
  • Publication number: 20080191401
    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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Lancer D. Halcom, David Haynie, Brian D. Bouquillon
  • Patent number: 7389977
    Abstract: A body mount assembly for reducing vibration between a vehicle body and a frame includes a radial isolator bushing including an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve coaxial with the inner sleeve and having an elastomeric isolation member disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. A bottom retainer is positioned below a first end of the radial isolator bushing. An upper retainer is positioned above a second end of the radial isolator bushing. A flange bracket includes an axial sleeve portion coaxially surrounding the radial isolator bushing and a plate portion extending from an end of the axial sleeve portion and including mounting apertures adapted for mounting the flange bracket to the vehicle frame. A vertical isolator is disposed between the upper retainer and the flange bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Paul M. Fernandez, Neil S. Cummings, Timothy A. Rogge
  • Publication number: 20080136076
    Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly includes a bumper and a support member for supporting the bumper. The support member is made of a flexible material and is stiffer than the bumper. As the bumper is compressed, the support member is flexibly deformed and expands radially and at the same time limits the radial expansion of the bumper. The support member may have a base portion with a varied thickness. The base portion is also compressed as the bumper is compressed. The support member has the advantages of increasing the spring rate of the bumper to improve the load-carrying capability and providing a softer feel for occupants in a vehicle to which the jounce bumper assembly is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Neil S. Cummings, Mikey L. Love
  • Patent number: 7380775
    Abstract: The invention is to permit a bushing main body of rubber elastomer to be adhered to a bar member while retaining a necessary contact pressure for adhering and after adhering, to permit a further compressive force to be imparted. The bushing main body (10) having a bore (11), through which the bar member (B) passes, and a bracket (20) holding the former are longitudinally split into two, respectively, the resulting split rubber bodies (10a)(10b) are vulcanization bonded to inner peripheral surfaces of the resulting half bracket members (20a)(20b). The inside diameter (D1) of both split rubber bodies as molded is made smaller than the outside diameter (D2) of the bar member, and inner peripheral surfaces (11a)(11b) at the bore are formed to be eccentric on mutually opposite sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Toyo Tire Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Niwa, Kazushi Nishiyama, Hiroyuki Masuda, Yasuhiro Teranishi
  • Patent number: 7370852
    Abstract: A bush assembly is seated in a housing, having an outer sleeve (10), an inner tube (12) and a resilient body (14) connecting the inner tube (12) and the outer sleeve (10). The outer sleeve (10) has projections (20) from its outer surface that abut the inner surface of the housing (40) and cause local deformations on the sleeve around the projections (20). The local deformations around the projections (20) cause the radial gap (16) between the inner tube (12) and the outer sleeve (10) to change circumferentially and thus bush has different radial stiffness in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Avon Vibration Management Systems Limited
    Inventors: Ian Nicholson, Michael Paul Rooke
  • Patent number: 7369405
    Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a base (10), a securing member (30) and a bracket (50). A through hole (164, 184) is defined in the base. The securing member secured to base. A guiding groove (32) is defined in the securing member. The bracket is attached to the base, and has a latching tab (534, 544) and a post (536, 566). During engaging of the latching tab in the through hole of the base, the latching tab presses against an edge of the though hole. The bracket is thereby driven to slide forward on the base, with the post engaging in the guiding groove of the securing member. The bracket is thus secured to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Yu-Ming Xiao, Xian-Huang Gao
  • Patent number: 7360756
    Abstract: A bushing assembly adapted for application in vehicle suspension systems includes an embedded position sensor and an embedded speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Urquidi, Hector H. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7338037
    Abstract: A rubber bearing with a bearing body implemented as an elastomer spring, wherein the spring travel of the bearing body is limited in at least one damping direction by path delimiters. The path delimiter(s) are formed by at least two corresponding stop elements, whereby the spring travel of the elastomer bearing body in the respective direction is determined by the spacing or gap between the stop faces of the stop elements which form the path delimiter. The rubber bearing is constructed so that it can adapt to changing preloads. The path delimiter is designed so that the position of one of its stop elements can be changed, the spacing between the stop face of this stop element and that of the corresponding stop element can be changed, and the new position of the corresponding stop element can be fixed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hubert Siemer, Frank Duisen, Frank Tepe
  • Patent number: 7325796
    Abstract: A rigid bearing assembly designed to achieve a low tolerance fit to an imprecisely sized, misaligned, out-of-round or otherwise distorted suspension member. Assembly is comprised of a rigid bearing enveloped with a elastomer layer. The elastomer layer is disposed between the bearing and suspension member. Upon insertion of the assembly into the suspension member, the elastomer layer compresses slightly to absorb irregularities and broad manufacturing tolerances in the suspension member while insulating the rigid bearing from distortion. The rigid bearing provides low-friction movement of suspension members about an axis. The polymer layer is sufficiently hard to provide precise location of suspension members under load. The ability to isolate the bearing from irregularities enables lower cost of production of all components. This same ability facilities easy retrofit of the invention to suspension members originally designed for rubber bushings without need for custom fitment or specialized tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Charles E. Moreland
  • Patent number: 7311181
    Abstract: A bearing for a shock absorber element of a motor vehicle via an elastomer element on a vehicle body is provided, whereby the bearing consists of a cover and a bearing plate to be mounted on the vehicle. The elastomer element is accommodated in a recess in the bearing plate. To create a bearing for a shock absorber element of a motor vehicle that is simple to manufacture and install, the elastomer element is arranged in a housing configured as a bearing plate and sealed by a cover. The cover is configured so that, in the installed state of the bearing plate, it is supported on the vehicle body. In the uninstalled state, however, the cover sits loosely on the bearing plate and the elastomer element, so that the elastomer element is essentially not under any prestress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Francesco Germano, Maximilian Seibel, Achim Schulz, Georg Tardy-Tuch, Sven Bergholz
  • Patent number: 7306208
    Abstract: A vehicle roll-rod includes a front insulator, rear insulator, rod, front stopper, rear stopper, and middle stopper. The roll-rod restrains and attenuates rolling of relatively small movements occurring during driving. The vehicle roll-rod also restrains and attenuates rolling of large movements occurring in the event of a force of impact and vibration during rapid accelerations, sudden stops, or turning on/off the ignition key of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dong-Jin Hwang
  • Patent number: 7306211
    Abstract: A coupling for resilient interconnection of two objects, especially a wheel axle housing and a chassis of a vehicle. The coupling comprises an elongated supporting piece (50), which extends in a longitudinal direction and two end attachment portions (52, 54) and a central portion (56). The coupling also comprises an elastic element (60), which is arranged around the central portion (56) and has an approximately cylindrical outer surface (64) and two end surfaces (68, 70). The coupling further comprises a first and a second abutment member (82, 84), where the first abutment member (82) has a bottom (90) and a tubular portion (86), which is fixed to the bottom (90) and has an open portion and a cylindrical inner surface (98). The bottom has a trough-going hole (106) through which one end attachment portion (52) can extend. The second abutment member (84) has a hole (108) through which the second end attachment portion (54) can extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ASA
    Inventor: Sven Bjørkgård
  • Patent number: 7296786
    Abstract: A composite bushing including an outer sleeve coaxially surrounding an inner sleeve, and including an elastomeric body extending between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. The elastomeric body is provided with circumferentially alternating wedge sections having different physical characteristics, so as to provide a bushing having directional differences in resistance to deflection. The resiliency in a first radial direction appreciably differs from the resiliency in a second radial direction, where the second radial direction is at an angle to the first radial direction. The resulting bushing configuration can be used to attenuate vibration and noise in a vehicle, and thereby contribute to improved vehicle handling and ride comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Erich Hees
  • Patent number: 7284644
    Abstract: An air spring assembly, for use on an associated vehicle suspension system having a mounting member and a damping member, includes spaced apart first and second end members. A flexible wall is secured on the first and second end members and defines a spring chamber therebetween. An isolator is supported on and sealingly engages the first end member. The isolator includes and isolator passage sealingly receiving the damping member. The isolator and the first end member at least partially form a first load transmission path such that a damping member load is distributed to the mounting member through the isolator and the first end member. The first end member at least partially forms a second load transmission path such that an air spring load is distributed to the mounting member through the first end member without substantial transmission through the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Cmich, Dean R. Tener
  • Patent number: 7281705
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a plurality of wheels movable relative to the vehicle body. A hydraulic damper, which includes a piston rod and a cylinder, is disposed between the vehicle body and wheels. A striker plate is mounted to the cylinder and is displaceable with the cylinder relative to a support on the vehicle body. A jounce assembly is mounted to the support about the piston rod and extends outwardly toward the striker plate. The jounce assembly includes a jounce bumper and a cap. The cap is mounted to the jounce bumper with the cap having a flange extending to a distal edge for defining a cavity. The distal edge of the flange deflects into the cavity when the cap engages the striker plate during a predetermined displacement of the striker plate relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Anand Huprikar
  • Patent number: 7261365
    Abstract: A mount assembly having a first carrier and a first insulator disposed about the first carrier for isolating movement of a frame relative to a vehicle body in a first direction. A second carrier engages the first carrier for coupling the second carrier to the first carrier. A second insulator is disposed about the second carrier for further insolating the movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in the first direction. A sleeve is disposed about both of the first and second carriers and is coupled to the first carrier. The sleeve is formed of an elastomeric material for isolating movement of the frame relative to the vehicle body in a second direction transverse to the first direction such that the isolation of movement about the first and second directions are accomplished by separate and independent components of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Dickson, Anand Huprikar, Thomas E. St. Henry, William G. Dieter
  • Patent number: 7234693
    Abstract: Bearing for a motor vehicle, with an inner part 1 with an outer surface 7 having a first undulated contour 10 extending in a longitudinal direction L, an outer sleeve 2 surrounding the inner part 1 and having an inner surface 11 with a second undulated contour 14 extending in the longitudinal direction L, an undulated elastomer body 6 disposed between the two corrugated contours 10, 14 and extending in the longitudinal direction L. The elastomer body 6 connects the inner part 1 with the outer sleeve 2. The two undulated contours 10, 14 do not run equidistant relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schnaars, Karl Heuer
  • Patent number: 7232005
    Abstract: A power plant mounting apparatus includes a mount member that enables a side member of a vehicle to support a power plant. The mount member has a supporting member whose one end is fixed to the power plant. The supporting member has a shaft portion at the other end thereof which is disposed within an outer tube. An insulator is provided between the shaft portion and the outer tube. A bracket of a flat plate-shape attached to the outer tube is fastened to an inner side surface of the side member by means of a bolt. A center point of the shaft portion within the outer tube is positioned within the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Komatsu, Eiki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7219883
    Abstract: An isolation assembly for use with a vehicle. The isolation assembly includes a collar having a continuous wall. A carriage is disposed within a cavity of the wall and is displaceable relative to the collar. A fastener supports the carriage relative to a frame portion of the vehicle. An insulator is disposed between the carriage and the wall of the collar for coupling the carriage to the collar and for isolating the carriage and the fastener from the collar. The insulator has a first portion and a plurality of second portions. The first portion encapsulates one of the second end surface and the peripheral surface of the carriage. The second portions are movable relative to the first portion about a living hinge to encapsulate the other of the peripheral surface and second end surface of the carriage such that the carriage is adequately isolated from the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Anand Huprikar
  • Patent number: 7198256
    Abstract: A bush-type rubber mount is provided, preferably a hydraulically damping rubber mount, with a, preferably tubular, metallic inner part, an elastomeric mount body surrounding the inner part and connected to it by vulcanization. An outer sleeve accommodates the inner part. The inner part has, in an axial section, two radially outwardly extending elevations located opposite each other on its circumference and are completely embedded in the elastomer. Two elastomer recesses extend in a kidney-shaped pattern in relation to the circumference of the mount body between the elevations and pass axially through the mount body. The two elastomer recesses are arranged in the elastomeric mount body near the inner part, so that the inner part standing free in relation to the outer sleeve in the area of the kidneys is connected to the mount body essentially only via the elevations on the mount body. A defined cardanic axis extending through the apices of the elevations is formed at right angles to the axis of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Alfred Tatura, Claudia Hoping
  • Patent number: 7175166
    Abstract: The engine mount of the invention has a vibration side attaching member (2) to be attached to an engine, a supporting side attaching substrate (4) to be attached to a supporting frame (3), and a rubber vibration isolator (5). This is interposed and fixed between the supporting side attaching substrate (4) and vibration side attaching member (2) and prevents vibrations of the vibration generator. The vibration side attaching member (2) is fixed to the supporting frame (3) side in a condition penetrating the rubber vibration isolator (5), and serves as a stopper at the compression side in conjunction with the supporting frame (3) or supporting side attaching substrate 4. When great movement occurs, the supporting frame side end portion of the vibration side attaching member (2) comes into contact with the supporting frame (3) or supporting side attaching substrate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Hokushin Corporation, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Akamatsu, Motoka Nishida, Takayoshi Miura
  • Patent number: 7172182
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a wheel suspension system of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a support structure mounted to the vehicle body. A piston rod, along with a plate, is displaceable relative to the support structure along a line of travel. An insulator is disposed between the support structure and the plate for coupling the piston rod to the support structure. The insulator has a first portion defining a first resistance for isolating the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a first force which compresses the first portion only. The insulator also has a second portion defining a second resistance, with the second resistance being greater than the first resistance, for limiting the displacement of the piston rod and the plate during an application of a second force wherein the second force is greater than the first force such that both the first and second portions are compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Huprikar, Nathaniel Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7163200
    Abstract: A mount assembly having a first carrier with a first insulator coupled to a first flange of the first carrier. The mount assembly also includes a second carrier and a second insulator coupled to a second flange of the second carrier. A first locking member, which is formed of a polymeric material, is connected to the first carrier. A second locking member, which is also formed of a polymeric material, is connected to the second carrier with the first locking member engaging the second locking member to retain the first carrier in telescoping relationship with the second carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Dickson, Thomas E. St. Henry
  • Patent number: 7090208
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a vehicle suspension system includes first and second bushing components that are fixed to a central pin. The pin is supported on a suspension component and includes pin ends that are mounted to an axle housing component. A washer is supported on the pin between the first and second bushings and abuts against inboard edges of the first and second bushings. An outer retaining tube surrounds the first and second bushings and the washer. The outer retaining tube includes opposing deformed end portions that directly engage outboard edges of the first and second bushings to form axial load carrying surfaces for the first and said second bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Michael Kiddle
  • Patent number: 7066309
    Abstract: A suspension support device for a motor vehicle comprises an inner strength member comprising a support base and an annular side wall, an outer strength member having a side wall surrounding the side wall of the inner strength member, an elastomer body comprising a load-supporting portion interconnecting the inner and outer strength members. The outer strength member has a bottom portion located under the support base of the inner strength member, extending parallel to the support base and presenting a central passage for passing the top portion of a shock absorber. The side wall of the outer strength member includes a window between the support base of the inner strength member and the bottom portion of the outer strength member, the device including a cavity under the load-carrying portion of the elastomer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Patrice Colas, Bernard Bouhier, Pascal Carobolante
  • Patent number: 7052002
    Abstract: A vibration damping device includes an inner cylinder member having a first outer flange extending diametrically outward from its one axial end; an outer cylinder member having a second outer flange extending diametrically outward at its one axial end; and a rubber elastic body elastically connecting the inner cylinder member and the outer cylinder member, while having an end section sandwiched between sandwiched between the first and second outer flanges. The rubber elastic body is provided with hollow portions recessed diametrically inward from an outside periphery of the first outer flange at three or four locations in a circumferential direction of the end section of the rubber elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Imaeda, Hiroaki Hori