Abstract: A cage nut assembly includes a cage, a nut and a heat sensitive adhesive. The cage includes a plurality of walls defining an internal chamber and an open end. An opening is formed through one of the walls. The nut is secured to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut includes a threaded channel exposed through the opening. The heat sensitive adhesive adhesively secures the nut to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut breaks away from the cage within the internal chamber when heat is applied to the heat sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: Metal parts can be economically fabricated by a metal stamping that comprises preforming a piece of wire to have a shape corresponding to the 2-dimensional configuration of a desired product workpiece, flattening the wire to form a metal blank, and subjecting the metal blank to metal stamping to obtain the desired product workpiece. The process can significantly reduce the amount of scrap material and thereby reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a stabilizer bracket configured to securely stabilize a sway bar with respect to a vehicle frame. The stabilizer bracket includes a bar clamp defining an insulator retention area, and at least one fastener mount integrally formed with the bar clamp. The bar clamp and the fastener mount are formed as a single unit from a single piece of material.

Abstract: A cage nut assembly includes a cage, a nut and a heat sensitive adhesive. The cage includes a plurality of walls defining an internal chamber and an open end. An opening is formed through one of the walls. The nut is secured to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut includes a threaded channel exposed through the opening. The heat sensitive adhesive adhesively secures the nut to the cage within the internal chamber. The nut breaks away from the cage within the internal chamber when heat is applied to the heat sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An elongated T-nut fastener is formed from a single piece of material. The fastener includes a barrel and a flange, with a threaded portion in the barrel and an unthreaded portion beyond the threaded portion. Fastening sites are provided at spaced locations along the length of the fastener.

Abstract: A cage for a cage fastener includes a base and sides, with a flap integral with one side bendable to be disposed in spaced relation to the base and overlying the base. A distal edge of the flap and a distal edge of one of the sides define a cooperating locking structure whereby the position of the flap relative to the side can be secured, with a fastener positioned between the flap and the base.

Abstract: A mounting plate is provided having at least one protuberance protruding from a face thereof. A bumper is molded around the mounting plate such that an end of the protuberance extends out from the bumper. A mounting cup is also provided having a recess sized and shaped to correspond with the periphery of the lower portion of the bumper, the recess having at least one hole corresponding to the protuberance, and having a means for attaching the jounce bumper assembly to a frame, which means is independent of the protuberance. The bumper is snugly received in the recess such that the end of the protuberance passes through the hole. Relative sliding between the bumper and the mounting cup is inhibited by the snug fit therebetween. The end of the protuberance is then deformed radially outwardly such that the bumper is fixed within the recess of the mounting cup.

Abstract: An improved cage nut assembly for attachment to a frame, which includes a channel therein adapted to receive the caged nut assembly is provided. The caged nut assembly includes a fastener body having a female connector therein and a retainer for encaging the fastener body. The retainer provides a limited range of movement of the fastener body in at least one direction and has cutouts therein sized and adapted to allow access to the female connector within the range of movement of the fastener body. At least one detent extends from a surface of the retainer, which detents are sized and shaped to correspond to at least one notch in the channel of the frame.

Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly for cushioning the impact between two components of an automotive suspension system is provided. The jounce bumper assembly includes a mounting plate with at least one, but preferably two, substantially tubular proturbances protruding from a face thereof. A bumper is molded from a microcellular polymeric material around the mounting plate such that the ends of the proturbances extend out from the bumper. The bumper is disposed within a mounting cup having a recess sized and shaped to receive the bumper. The recess has holes passing therethrough corresponding to the proturbances such that the ends of the proturbances pass through the holes. The ends of the proturbances passing through the holes are deformed radially outwardly such that the bumper is fixed within the recess of the mounting cup. A method of manufacturing such a jounce bumper assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An improved shock isolating mount for securing a body part of a vehicle to a support is provided. The shock mount includes a two-part spool having: a spacer formed from an annular flange integral with a tube, the tube projecting through apertures in mating elastically resilient bodies and a mounting part of a vehicle body part disposed between them; and a thimble, formed from a flange integral with a tube designed such that the thimble tube can telescope into the spacer tube. The thimble tube is formed into a polygon shape at the tube shoulder adjacent the thimble flange and the spacer tube is formed in a matching polygon shape such that the thimble tube shoulder can mate with the spacer tube. The thimble tube has an enlarged end which is engaged by a plurality of inward protrusions mounted in the spacer tube to prevent the spacer and thimble assembly from accidental engagement.