Abstract: A spring isolator that may include a reinforcing insert, at least one flow hole, a ramp, a wall, a track/groove, an inner wall, an outer wall, and/or a locator pin. The spring isolator may be molded over the reinforcing insert and/or may be secured to the reinforcing insert via at least one flow hole. The spring isolator may include a ramp, a wall, track/groove, an inner wall, and/or an outer wall that may engage and/or retain a coil spring. One or more locator pins and/or a cavity and raised portion may secure the spring isolator to a spring seat.

Abstract: A jounce bumper for mounting in a vehicle suspension system having a bore extending therethrough, the bore configured to receive the piston rod, a nose having a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, the nose being generally spherical or elliptical shaped and an undercut within the jounce bumper in the bore of the jounce bumper, the undercut creating an ununiformed thickness between the predetermined inner diameter and the predetermined outer diameter so as to provide improved handling characteristics of the jounce bumper.

Abstract: A spring isolator assembly may include an outer shell with a spring track, an inner wall, and an outer wall for receiving a coil of a spring. The spring track may be disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The assembly may also include an insert disposed within the outer shell and includes an angled portion disposed between an inner portion and an outer portion. The insert may include a plurality of holes configured to receive the outer shell. The outer shell may include an inner ring disposed adjacent to the inner wall. The outer shell may include at least one spline configured about the inner diameter of the inner ring. The spring isolator may include at least one spline. The outer shell may include an alignment guide.

Abstract: A spring isolator that may include a reinforcing insert, at least one flow hole, a ramp, a wall, a track/groove, an inner wall, an outer wall, and/or a locator pin. The spring isolator may be molded over the reinforcing insert and/or may be secured to the reinforcing insert via at least one flow hole. The spring isolator may include a ramp, a wall, track/groove, an inner wall, and/or an outer wall that may engage and/or retain a coil spring. One or more locator pins and/or a cavity and raised portion may secure the spring isolator to a spring seat.

Abstract: A jounce bumper for mounting in a vehicle suspension system having a bore extending therethrough, the bore configured to receive the piston rod, a nose having a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, the nose being generally spherical or elliptical shaped and an undercut within the jounce bumper in the bore of the jounce bumper, the undercut creating an ununiformed thickness between the predetermined inner diameter and the predetermined outer diameter so as to provide improved handling characteristics of the jounce bumper.

Abstract: An isolation mount is provided including a frame bracket having an aperture therein. A fastener is received in the aperture. The fastener includes a threaded shaft and a cone-shaped head portion integrally formed with the threaded shaft. The cone-shaped head portion includes a narrow end and a relatively wider end with the narrow end being closer to the threaded shaft than the wider end and a tool engaging portion on the head portion. An elastomeric member is disposed between the fastener and the frame bracket. The design integrates multiple features into a single element thereby greatly improving the assembly process and cost of the isolation mount.

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.

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.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a retainer to secure a dust shield and a jounce bumper to a top mount. The retainer has a base portion adapted to engage an end of the jounce bumper. The retainer further includes a retainer clip adapted to retain mating surfaces of the dust shield and top mount in tension thereby eliminating or reducing noise and loose assembly due to tolerance stack-up of the jounce bumper assembly.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A suspension device is provided having a casing that defines a cavity, which further defines a stop face. A piston is slidably disposed in the cavity and offset from the stop face, wherein the piston is operable to move axially relative to the stop face when a force is imparted on at least one of the casing and the piston. A spring is disposed in the cavity and between the stop face and the piston, wherein the spring communicates with the piston and the end face and is operable to compress as the piston moves toward the end face and absorb the force. A friction damper is disposed in the cavity and operable to generate frictional drag between the piston and the casing, wherein the frictional drag inhibits axial movement of the piston in the cavity.

Abstract: An isolation mount is provided including a frame bracket having an aperture therein. A fastener is received in the aperture. The fastener includes a threaded shaft and a cone-shaped head portion integrally formed with the threaded shaft. The cone-shaped head portion includes a narrow end and a relatively wider end with the narrow end being closer to the threaded shaft than the wider end and a tool engaging portion on the head portion. An elastomeric member is disposed between the fastener and the frame bracket. The design integrates multiple features into a single element thereby greatly improving the assembly process and cost of the isolation mount.

Abstract: A tire includes a rigid outer ring, a rigid inner ring, and an intermediate ring interconnecting the rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring. The intermediate ring is biasingly compressible in a first direction and rigid in a second direction. The intermediate ring may include a plurality of lattice members and a resiliently compliant elastomer. The plurality of lattice members may be disposed within the resiliently compliant elastomer. The rigid outer ring and the rigid inner ring may include a solid cross-section.

Abstract: A motor vehicle engine and cooling fan arrangement mounted together by means of a tunable bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a bracket member, a washer and a bushing. The bracket member has an angled configuration for attenuating vehicular noise, vibration and harshness and the washer integrally formed therewith. The bushing is received in the bracket member for attenuated attachment to the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A motor vehicle engine and cooling fan arrangement mounted together by means of a tunable bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a bracket member, a washer and a bushing. The bracket member has an angled configuration for attenuating vehicular noise, vibration and harshness and the washer integrally formed therewith. The bushing is received in the bracket member for attenuated attachment to the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rate stiffening jounce bumper assembly, including a cup member having a large-headed mushroom stud which is inserted into the cup-shaped member and overmolded with an elastomeric bumper material. The head portion of the mushroom stud forms a shelf against which the bumper material is compressed such that the head portion effectively shortens the bumper spring thereby providing a stiffer spring rate to be obtained with a taller jounce bumper assembly.

Abstract: A polymeric based composite bearing is injected molded of a thermoplastic material reinforced with a high strength fiber and reinforcing beads. Typically, the high strength fiber is selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide fiber, high strength/high purity glass fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, and metallic fibers. The reinforcing spheres are selected from the group consisting of glass beads, boron nitride beads, silicon carbide beads and silicon nitride beads. The thermoplastic matrix material may consist of polyamide, polyacetal, polyphenylene sulfide, polyester and polyimide. Preferably, the composite bearing comprises between about 5 to about 35 percent weight of the high strength fiber, between about 5 to about 15 percent weight percent of the reinforcing spheres, and between about 50 to about 90 weight percent of the thermoplastic matrix material.

Abstract: An engine is attached to a vehicle frame with at least one synthetic engine mount strut mounted generally axially in the principal directions of displacement resulting from engine torque. The strut provides isolation of noise and vibration from the engine and drive train, and reduces engine rotation resulting from the same. A one-piece strut member provides rigid engine-to-frame fixation, while at the same time accommodating small displacement flexing of the structure to isolate and damp high frequency vibration and noise through the use of selected material and structural geometry. The generally one-piece strut, which is pivotally fixed at one end to the engine and at the other end to the frame, can provide for insertion of a bushing surface about each hole provided for pivotal fixation.

Abstract: An improved bearing for use in a ball and socket joint is disclosed. The bearing is generally cylindrical in shape, having a recess formed in one end thereof. The recess defines a semi-spherical bearing surface adapted to engage and support a head portion of a ball member of the joint. A plurality of lubricant passageways are formed through the bearing. Each of the passageways extends axially from the semi-spherical bearing surface to an annular channel formed in the opposite end of the bearing. A plurality of grooves are also formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The grooves extend radially inwardly from the channel to a central recess formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The channel functions as a reservoir for lubricant, thereby permitting the joint to be used without frequently re-injecting lubricant therein. An annular bead is formed about the circumference of the channel to provide a seal which prevents lubricant from escaping from the joint.