Elastomer Interposed Between Radially Spaced Members Patents (Class 403/225)
  • Patent number: 4907564
    Abstract: A plurality of abrasive sleeves (3) surround a wire rope (2) and are spaced at predetermined intervals longitudinally of the wire rope. An elastic material (4) of rubber such as natural rubber is formed between the abrasive sleeves in such a manner as to surround the wire rope. A rubber/metal bonding agent (7) such as chlorinated rubber type bonding agent is used to effect vulcanization bonding between the opposite end surfaces of each abrasive sleeve and the elastic material and between the wire rope and the elastic material. The ends (19) of the wire rope are connected together by a combination of end connecting members (5, 6a) provided with male threads (17, 17a) and fixed to the ends of the wire rope and on internally threaded connecting sleeve (30), whereby a closed loop is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignees: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., Osaka Diamond Industrial Co.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Sowa, Syuichiro Koroku
  • Patent number: 4897014
    Abstract: A device for interchanging tools on a mechanical manipulator arm includes a male locking cone unit, a female receptacle cone unit and a motor unit. The male locking cone unit has 3, 6 or 12 equal size balls captured in a male conical cage to extend through its external surface. The female receptacle cone unit that carries a tool includes a dished member having an internal conical surface mating with the external surface of the locking cone, a groove in the conical surface contoured to embrace portions of the balls positioned therein and lands in the groove dividing it into 8 sections of substantially equal length. The lands prevent the balls when in the groove from moving from one of the sections to another. The motor unit, which axially connects via a power take off system with the tool to operate it, is mounted on the female receptacle cone unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Tietze
  • Patent number: 4854766
    Abstract: A clamp is described for resiliently mounting a sway bar on an automobile frame. The clamp comprises a U-shaped bolt and plate, a split cylindrical rubber innerliner adjacent the plate, a split cylindrical elastomeric sleeve adjacent the innerliner for contacting the sway bar, and a split cylindrical layer of material between the sleeve and innerliner for reducing the coefficient of friction between the sleeve and innerliner to a level where any slippage between the sway bar and clamp will shift away from the metal sway bar to the interface between the innerliner and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: GenCorp Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Hein
  • Patent number: 4826145
    Abstract: A resilient bearing able to accommodate relative torsional movement between two concentric inner and outer tubular rigid members comprises between those members a resilient bearing having a layer of elastomeric material secured relative to one of the rigid members and a support member for sliding relative to the other rigid member. The support member is axially movable and preferably inclined relative to the axis of the bearing at its interface with the elastomeric material whereby any such axial movement results in compression loading of that elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited a British Company
    Inventors: Alan F. Moore, Jerzy Poniatowski
  • Patent number: 4823487
    Abstract: A flex pin includes an elongated rigid locking member having an elongated lateral recess formed therein. An elongated rigid wedge member is intersecured to the locking member by means of a spaced series of elastomeric segments positioned in the recess, and is laterally movable into the recess against the resilient resistance of the elastomeric segments. The wedge member has a longitudinally intermediate portion which is engageable by a forward side surface of the adapter nose opening and is interlockable therewith, and a pair of rearwardly swept outer end portions which underlie opposite end surfaces of the locking member recess and are engageable therewith as the flex pin is being driven into its installed position to prevent shearing of the elastomeric segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: GH Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4809960
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for use in a suspension of an automotive vehicle. The bushing assembly is comprised of inner and outer cylinder members which are coaxial and spaced from each other. An elastic member and a rigid sleeve member are disposed between the inner and outer cylinder members. A sliding member is disposed between the inner cylinder member and the rigid sleeve member in order to reduce torsion spring effect of the elastic member. The sliding member is prevented from its axial displacement upon contacting with a radially outwardly extending retainer section formed in the inner cylinder member. Additionally, a generally cap-shaped seal rubber is provided to accomplish seal between the end section of the rigid sleeve member and the end section of the inner cylinder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kakimoto, Satoshi Osawa
  • Patent number: 4804290
    Abstract: A latching and sealing device suitable for use as a cover seal for a plunger or piston in a syringe or plunger pump includes a cylindrical seal member having a body portion and lip-and-latch means for both sealably engaging a surrounding surface and latching to the piston. A spring disposed in between the lip-and-latch means and the piston provide a constant sealing pressure while allowing the piston and seal member to be moved within a bore. Sealing between the lip-and-latch means and the bore is enhanced by use of a berm and notches radially aligned with the biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignees: Peter J. Balsells, Joan C. Balsells
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 4794847
    Abstract: A rotary actuator for a damper shaft controls the angular position of the damper shaft in accordance with variations in fluid pressure inside of the actuator. The actuator includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm within the housing separating it into a fluid-tight compartment and a second compartment open to the atmosphere. The fluid-tight compartment is provided with a fluid pressure receving port open to a control source of variable pressure. The piston and piston rod are slidably mounted in the second compartment in contact with the diaphragm. The piston rod includes a longitudinally extending rack, and a crank arm rotatably mounted in the housing has a gear segment in meshing relationship with the rack. The actuator shaft to be controlled extends through the housing and is mounted in the crank arm to support the rotary actuator, and the rotary actuator is clipped to an air conditioning duct to prevent it from rotating on the damper actuator shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Kreuter Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Kreuter, Larry G. Odegaard
  • Patent number: 4784512
    Abstract: A pivotal joint assembly including a socket housing having a cavity essentially of the shape of the bearing end of the stud member to receive the bearing member in operative relationship, said bearing member of said stud member being essentially cylindrical in shape and at least covered with sufficient elastomer to form a head and shoulder appearing elastomer ring thereon and to cause the elastomer in the head portion to be compressed 25 to 35% and preferably 27 to 32% in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Vernon C. Warner
  • Patent number: 4768393
    Abstract: A shift lever including first and second elongated parts includes an improved vibration dampening coupling between the two parts. The coupling enhances the rigidity between the parts under conditions of hard or forceful shift, wherein radial loads normally imparted to elastomer bushings are supported by thermoplastic load-bearing elements positioned adjacent the bushings. In a preferred form, the shift lever includes a first elongated portion and a second hollow body portion secured partially over one end of the first portion. In the preferred form, the elastomer as well as the thermoplastic elements are each defined by an annulus, and while the elastomer elements are adhesively bonded between the first and second parts of the shift lever, the thermoplastic load-bearing elements, which operate to limit deflection of the elastomer elements, are fixed only to one of the shift lever parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Beaman
  • Patent number: 4763870
    Abstract: A traffic signal hanger is disclosured in which an elastomeric member is provided intermediate a traffic signal support arm and a traffic signal housing which elastomeric member provides advantagous damped pivoting of the signal housing relative to the support to accommodate wind forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Fortran Traffic Systems Limited
    Inventor: Harold M. Wodlinger
  • Patent number: 4744677
    Abstract: A bush assemblage having an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve disposed around the inner sleeve in co-axial and radially-spaced relation thereto, a rigid sleeve member disposed between the inner and outer sleeves, a cylindrical resilient member interposed between the outer sleeve and the rigid sleeve member, and a cylindrical sliding member interposed between the inner sleeve and the rigid sleeve member, a retainer member located at at least one of axial ends of the inner sleeve to extend radially outwardly, and a sealing device for sealing at least between the inner sleeve and the rigid sleeve member. The sealing device includes a rubber member which is disposed on the retainer member and an axial end of the rigid sleeve member corresponding to the at least one axial end of the inner sleeve, and which abuts against the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Koji Sawada, Takafumi Tachibana, Koji Shinohara
  • Patent number: 4690231
    Abstract: A tracklaying undercarriage for bulldozers, crawler loaders or other tracklaying vehicles including a central main frame and two tracklaying frames disposed on opposite sides of the main frame. The tracklaying frames are mounted at one end on mutually aligned supporting axles, which are fixed to the main frame, and at the other end on a rocker bridge, which is pivoted at its center to the main frame. The undercarriage also includes track chains, which are trained around driving and reversing chain sprockets mounted at mutually opposite ends of the tracklaying frames, and rotary hydraulic motors for driving the driving chain sprockets. The motors are supplied with fluid by hydraulic pumps, which are driven by an internal combustion engine mounted on the main frame. The tracklaying frames are mounted on the supporting axles by means of elastic bearings, which have outer and inner races that are interconnected by elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Telfs GES. m.b.H.
    Inventor: Peter Riml
  • Patent number: 4671678
    Abstract: A resilient radial sliding bearing is intended for connecting parts, particularly motor vehicle parts which perform oscillatory movements relative to each other. The bearing comprises a resilient body of elastic material, having a slide surface which is provided with recesses for a lubricant and cooperates in rotary motion as well as, within limits, axially sliding motion, with an opposite surface of a sliding sleeve. A mounting for the bearing comprises a sleeve member having downturned edges which engages over the sliding sleeve and each end of the resilient body and limits the axial sliding movement of the resilient body to a defined clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Gunter Munch
  • Patent number: 4667530
    Abstract: A variable length shaft assembly particularly for steering shafts in motor vehicles, wherein a pair of telescopically axially displaceable shaft members have a resilient sliding sleeve interposed therebetween, with the sleeve being affixed to one of the shaft members and with pairs of radially extending fins formed longitudinally along the sliding sleeve being radially directed toward the other shaft member to effect deformation and a resilient force attending to eliminate the feeling of play between the shaft members during operation of the steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Etablissement Supervis
    Inventors: Karl Mettler, Max Oertle, Hermann Sp/o/ ttl
  • Patent number: 4664636
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a cycloidal propeller is disclosed which has elastic support rings and elastic thrust rings. At least the elastic thrust rings are clamped between two frustoconical surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other. One surface is on a ring attached to the propeller base plate and the other is on a ring attached to the propeller foundation. The position of the rings may be changed to adjust the natural frequency of the mounting, for better damping of the forces from the propeller. The elastic support rings are preferably also clamped between parallel frustoconical surfaces. The angle of inclination of all the frustoconical surfaces in relation to the plane of the propeller base plate is between 32.degree.-38.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignees: J. M. Voith GmbH, Muller-BBM GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Blickle, Werner Fork, Hermann Wunder
  • Patent number: 4661009
    Abstract: A quick change coupling is provided which is suitable for coupling shafts or tubular members to one another and for coupling a machine tool arbor to a shaft. The apparatus includes a shaft provided with a bayonet receptacle defining one or more bayonet slots. Another elongated member is receivable by the bayonet receptacle and includes one or more detents which are received in locked relation by the bayonet slots. A protective skirt extends from one of the elongated members and encloses a portion of the opposite member. One or more elastomeric members are positioned for engagement with the protective skirt and an elongated member and functions to dampen vibrations therebetween. The elastomeric member may be in the form of a seal to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the bayonet joint between the elongated elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Grentek, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred D. Tripp
  • Patent number: 4655778
    Abstract: A joint prosthesis for replacing a damaged or diseased joint between two or more skeletal members, including a distal joint component formed with a sleeve connected to a stem adapted to mount to one skeletal member, a proximal joint component having a housing connected to a stem adapted to mount to an adjoining skeletal member, and a hinge element comprising a hollow cylinder, a pin disposed within the cylinder and a layer of elastomeric material bonded therebetween. The joint components are pivotally interconnected by inserting the cylinder of the hinging element for rotation within the sleeve of the distal joint component, and fixing the ends of the pin of the hinging element to the housing of the proximal joint component so that the distal joint component is pivotal about the hinging element relative to the proximal joint component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Harrington Arthritis Research Center
    Inventor: James B. Koeneman
  • Patent number: 4643608
    Abstract: A pivotal joint assembly including a socket housing having a cavity essentially of the shape of the bearing end of the stud member to receive the bearing member in operative relationship, said bearing member of said stud member being essentially cylindrical in shape and at least covered with sufficient elastomer to form a head and shoulder appearing elastomer ring thereon and to cause the elastomer in the head portion to be compressed 25 to 35% and preferably 27 to 32% in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Vernon C. Warner
  • Patent number: 4636106
    Abstract: A coaxial joint for joining inner and outer cylindrical members permitting rotational and/or linear movement between them, comprises an outer bushing sleeve non-rotatably receivable within the outer cylindrical member, an inner bushing sleeve formed with a central bore for receiving the inner cylindrical member; a first group of longitudinally-extending, circumferentially-spaced ribs formed between the inner and outer sleeves; and a second group of such ribs formed in staggered relationship with respect to the first group on the outer face of the outer sleeve and effective, when forcibly received within the outer cylindrical member, to distort inwardly the portions of the outer sleeve between the first group of ribs and thereby to minimize the distortion of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Tzora Furniture Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Neville Waisbrod
  • Patent number: 4619544
    Abstract: A bush assembly for a vehicle suspension system has an inner sleeve which locates within aligned apertures in spaced support members. The inner sleeve is located by opposed hollow plug members, each having a flange which engages the outer face of respective support members and a boss which extends through the respective support members into the interior of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve may be continuous or comprised of two tubular portions. The assembly is locked together by a bolt extending through the hollow plugs and inner sleeve(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Inventor: Peter Laidely
  • Patent number: 4605207
    Abstract: A fluid-filled resilient bushing structure having a resilient member interposed between an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed radially outwardly of the inner sleeve. The resilient member has portions in which are formed plural fluid chambers which are filled with an incompressible fluid and held in communication with each other through an orifice. The resilient bushing structure comprises a non-fixed independent radial stop member of a rigid material accommodated in at least one of the plural fluid chambers and movable in this at least one fluid chamber. The radial stop member is abuttable on surfaces defining the at least one fluid chamber, thereby preventing an excessive displacement of the inner and outer sleeves relative to each other in a radial direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Konishi
  • Patent number: 4603598
    Abstract: A shift lever is composed of a lower lever section connected to a control rod of a transmission, and an upper lever section formed with a hollow cylindrical portion and provided with a shift lever knob. The lower lever section is formed with an elongate end portion which is being inserted in the hollow cylindrical portion of the upper lever section. Additionally, lower and upper elastomeric insulators spaced from each other are securely mounted on the elongate end portion of the lower lever section. The lower elastomeric insulator is securely connected to the upper lever section cylindrical portion, while the upper elastomeric insulator is adapted to form a clearance between it and the upper lever section cylindrical portion, thereby avoiding contact between the upper elastomeric insulator and the upper lever section cylindrical portion upon the shift lever being not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Koko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsaku Tsuji, Toshimitsu Kimura, Yasushi Asano, Yasuhito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4569246
    Abstract: The shift lever of a transmission is comprised of a first shift lever having a cylindrical portion for mounting a grip, and a rod-like second shift lever inserted into the cylindrical portion of the first shift lever. In the space defined between the cylindrical portion of the first shift lever and the second shift lever, there are packed a plurality of soft rubber rings and at least one hard rubber rings. The soft rubber rings serve to diminish the propagation of the vibration through the second shift lever to the first shift lever. The hard rubber ring is bonded onto one of the peripheral surfaces of the first and the second shift lever in radially spaced apart relation to the other of the peripheral surfaces of the first and the second shift lever and serves to prevent an excessive bending of the first shift lever relative to the second shift lever during the operation of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuaki Katayama, Kazuhito Ikemoto, Yoshio Ohta
  • Patent number: 4566400
    Abstract: An improved bell is disclosed which features a clapper continuously adjustable for hardness of strike. The clapper comprises a hard inner member and a resilient outer member. The periphery of the clapper is circular but the hard inner member is not circular about the same center as the periphery so that the amount of resilient material between the solid inner core member and the periphery varies circumferentially around the clapper. At the time of manufacture of the bell it is tested to locate the point on the bell body at which "wow and flutter" in the tone emitted by the bell is minimized. A single insulated pin serves to orient the handle of the bell, the bell body and the plane of swing of the clapper. The attachment of the handle, the bell body and the clapper is such as to minimize extraneous noise. An elastomer clapper shaft is employed, and its effective flexing length may be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Schulmerich Carillons, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Keenan, Richard E. Mattern, Charles A. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 4543695
    Abstract: A clutch is disclosed consisting of two parts, the first part being a tubular shell closed at one end, the shell having therein a resilient female clutch member that is held in position by lips on the open end of the shell. A male member is provided which is adapted to be received within the resilient member. The resilient member within the shell is cylindrical of a longitudinal dimension less than the space within the shell and of an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the shell. The male member is made of a size so that the sum of its diameter plus the wall thickness of the resilient clutch member is greater than the inside diameter of the tubular shell, so as to create an airtight joint when the male member is inserted within the resilient member, but yet permitting air to escape around the outside of the resilient member and retarded ony when disengagement is attempted, at which time the resilient clutch member will seal against the lip of the tubular shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventor: Edmund Dorsey
  • Patent number: 4543010
    Abstract: Joint means for flexibly coupling a first member having a body portion and at least two arms extending from the body portion generally parallel to and radially spaced from the longitudinal axis of the joint means to a second member positioned radially inwards of said arms comprises elastomeric means acting between an internal curved surface on the body portion of the first member and an external curved surface on the second member opposite to and axially spaced from said internal curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited
    Inventor: Alan F. Moore
  • Patent number: 4541646
    Abstract: A mud flap hanger for use on road vehicles such as trucks and truck-tractors wherein the hanger is adapted with pivotally mounted arms to which are attached mud flaps. The mud flaps may be moved from behind the wheel of a truck and stowed centrally between the rear wheels. Pivotal movement of the arms is achieved through use of a flexible bushing generally rectangular in shape wherein the inner walls of a generally square aperture has expansion slots and lubrication grooves for lubricating the arms carried within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: David W. Knowley
  • Patent number: 4524633
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a floor-mounted type speed change lever of a motor vehicle is disclosed, which comprises two identically constructed supporting units which are mounted to the vehicle floor and oriented abreast facing toward the front of the vehicle, the two supporting units being arranged to put therebetween an enlarged spherical portion formed on the lever so that the lever is pivotal at the spherical portion relative to the supporting units. The supporting structure is characterized in that each of the units comprises at least two parallel elastic blocks which are spaced from each other in a direction in which the lever extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Murata, Isao Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4485999
    Abstract: Coaxial inner and outer tubular members are mutually supported by a resilient tubular elastic intermediate member mounted between them. A main plate is formed with a fixing portion substantially corresponding in shape to a first fixing portion of the outer member and fixed thereto and with a protruding portion extending outwards, and extends parallel to the central axis. A bracing plate is formed with a fixing portion fixed to a second fixing portion of the outer member and with a protruding portion extending outwards, and is also parallel to the central axis. The extreme ends of the protruding portions of the main and bracing plates are fixed together. A planar filler plate extends perpendicularly to the central axis at an axially intermediate position along the main and bracing plates and spans between the tubular outer member and the main and bracing plates with its peripheral edge abutting against axially intermediate portions thereof and with its major portion fixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 4395143
    Abstract: A bearing assembly of concentric, cylindrical or conic rigid layers alternated with and bonded to elastomeric layers is bonded to a rigid, inner ring. A protective outer ring surrounds the bearing assembly and is equipped with devices for compressing the elastomeric layers to prevent bond failure between the layers when the assembly is subjected to radial loads. Bond failure is especially likely in bearings of this type because of tensile stresses built into the elastomer as a result of its tendency to shrink during its cure process. The bearing assemblies are conic in form, so that the elastomeric layers can be compressed by axial displacement of the rigid layers when the inner and outer rings are drawn together axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon J. Bakken, Alfred R. Randall, Richard W. Bodily
  • Patent number: 4364368
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve pintle is secured on a hollow valve stem by a radially elastic retaining ring which allows the pintle to be withdrawn from the stem for removal of exhaust gas deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jon A. Blanchette
  • Patent number: 4326848
    Abstract: A constant-tension spring device for the accessory belt of an automobile engine. The device includes a cylinder having an elastomer ring mounted within each of its ends. A rod passes through each elastomer ring, the rod having spaced shoulders each bearing against one end of a respective elastomer ring. Abutments within the cylinder position and retain the elastomer rings. Upon sufficient axial motion between the rod and cylinder, the elastomer rings are distorted by twisting and display a flat segment of the load vs. deflection curve between the rod and cylinder. The spring device maintains a desired tension within the accessory belt, compensating for temperature, humidity, and ageing changes in belt length which would otherwise result in change of belt tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Wallace Murray Corporation
    Inventors: Larry T. George, Herbert W. Egan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4322062
    Abstract: A torsional damper integral with a torsion bar wherein the damper is not directly connected to any support structure. Torque applied by the torsion bar to the damper on one side of the damper's mid length is equilibrated by torque exerted by the torsion bar to the damper on the opposite side of its mid length. In this manner, a part of the torsion load is transmitted to the energy dissipating damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Aleck
  • Patent number: 4316643
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension bushing that is constructed of an inner metal member, an outer metal member, and an elastomeric member inserted between the metal members has an improved construction that increases the bushing's axial rate, or resistance to axial deflection, and decreases its radial rate, or resistance to radial deflection. The main features of the improvement are circumferentially extending slots in the outer surface of the elastomeric member, located adjacent each end of the member, and inwardly extending flanges on the ends of the outer member that fit into the slots in the elastomeric member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: The General Tire & Rubber Co.
    Inventors: Michael D. Burk, Gary L. Hipsher, Gregory M. Nicoles
  • Patent number: 4285447
    Abstract: A bin-activator of the kind which is supported beneath the outlet opening of a bin or hopper and which is vibrated to facilitate discharge of material from the bin or hopper, the bin-activator being suspended by a plurality of hangers (17) each of which extends between a fixed part on the bin or hopper, and the bin-activator itself, and each hanger comprising a vertically disposed rod (19) mounted in resilient bushes (22, 23) adjacent its upper and lower ends, the bushes surrounding a portion of the length of the rod, and themselves surrounded by a pair of rigid sleeves (24, 25) and the whole assembly being held together by means of nuts (26, 27) screwed onto the ends of the rod, such that pivoting movement of the rod with respect to the bin or hopper and the bin-activator, to effect horizontal movement of the bin-activator, is restricted by the resilient bushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Simon-Solitec Limited
    Inventor: Paul Fairbank
  • Patent number: 4240763
    Abstract: In a resilient coupling of the kind comprising an inner shaft nested concentrically within an outer shaft by means of a sleeve unit of elastomeric material for transmission of torque between the shafts there is provided a buffer unit mounted within the outer shaft to transit torque between the shafts only when a certain degree of torsional deflection is exceeded by the sleeve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited
    Inventor: Alan F. Moore
  • Patent number: 4200267
    Abstract: A tandem axle leaf spring suspension in which the structure for pivotally interconnecting each equalizer member to its associated mounting bracket comprises a cylindrical wall member disposed between the mounting bracket plates and two end disks between each end of the cylindrical wall member and the adjacent bracket plate, the cylindrical wall member having a plurality of annularly spaced recesses formed in the opposite end portions thereof defining a plurality of annularly spaced axially extending projections at each end portion thereof and each end disk having a plurality of annularly spaced recesses formed in the exterior periphery thereof defining a plurality of annularly spaced radially extending projections. Each of the end disks is mounted with the radial projections thereof engaged within recesses within the associated end portion of the cylindrical wall member and with the recesses thereof receiving the associated axially extending projections of the cylindrical wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Hutchens Industries Inc.
    Inventor: John B. King
  • Patent number: 4195887
    Abstract: An elastomeric bushing especially useful in the construction of track-type vehicles. Track links of such vehicles are formed with circular openings and joined by octagonal link pins. A metal pin sleeve having an octagonally shaped internal opening slides onto the pin. The pin sleeve is formed with an elliptical cross sectional shape. An elastomeric bushing having an elliptical shape is bonded to the elliptical metal sleeve with their major axes at right angles to each other. The bushing is forced into the circular opening in the track link so that the elastomeric bushing is under compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Burke Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Adrian Ruddell
  • Patent number: 4158511
    Abstract: An improved pivot joint has a rotatable and tiltable stud. A rotational preload force is applied to the stud by a bearing which is circumferentially stressed in tension to apply a clamping force to the stud. This clamping force resists rotation of the stud relative to a housing until a predetermined minimum rotational force is applied to the stud. A tilting or sidewise preload force is applied to the stud by a resiliently compressible bushing which is disposed between the bearing and the housing. Since the tilting preload force is applied to the stud by the bushing, the bearing can be designed to provide an optimum rotational preload force without regard to tilting preload force design considerations. Similarly, the bushing can be designed to provide optimum tilting preload forces without regard to design considerations influenced by the rotational preload forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1979
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Herbenar
  • Patent number: 4130002
    Abstract: Slip coupling incorporating bearing-quality friction surfaces and a flexible structure that isolates torsional vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon H. Katz
  • Patent number: 4113979
    Abstract: A device for spacing individual conductors of an overhead transmission line having a hub provided with at least two cavities each opening onto the periphery of the hub, at least two arms each having a conductor clamp at one end and a knob at the other end, the knob being received with clearance within a cavity to permit limited articulation of each arm with respect to the hub, and an elastomeric bush mechanism substantially encircling the arm in the clearance gap between the knob and the cavity wall, the cross-section of each half of the bush on opposing sides of a maximum diameter portion of the knob having been deformed by compression during assembly of the device such that the edge or side portions of the deformed cross-sections include elastomeric material displaced from the central portions of the uncompressed cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Andre Rubber Company Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Percival Torr, Miles Albert Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 4090746
    Abstract: A press fit sleeve bearing member supported in a bearing support in which the support portion of the bearing member is of limited length along the longitudinal dimension of the bearing member. The bearing zone is isolated from the support zone by a transition zone to isolate the bearing zone from dimensional changes due to distortions created by the press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Leeds & Northrup Company
    Inventors: Samuel Jordan Harkins, Curtis Robert Alvin Johnson
  • Patent number: 4065218
    Abstract: Seismic or earthquake bracing includes brace members, in this form, a channel iron which at each end has an articulated connection respectively to a building element and to the item supported; each brace connector includes a pair of elements pivotally connected, and the hinged or pivot portions of at least one of the connector elements being provided with acoustical snubber which not only cushions the parts pivoted but also reduces noise of vibration which may be caused by earthquakes or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: Super Strut, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Biggane
  • Patent number: 4050844
    Abstract: In the connection between the unison ring and the actuating arms carried by the several vanes of a variable stator ring in an axial flow compressor and providing for turning the vanes as the unison ring is moved, the pivot that must permit angular misalignment, relative rotation and axial movement is an elliptical-shaped bushing mounted on either the ring or arm and engaging a cylindrical surface on the other of the ring or arm. The bushing is normally mounted on a pin and the cylindrical surface is provided by a sleeve, the elliptical element having slidable engagement with the sleeve. The bushing may be a metallic spring or may be made of an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Guy W. Miller, James R. Norris
  • Patent number: 4014588
    Abstract: A device for elastically supporting an upper structure on a frame and thus reducing the vibration which is transmitted from the frame to the upper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kohriyama
  • Patent number: 3976338
    Abstract: An elastic pivotal bearing support of a structural part carrying out exclusively angular movements, particularly in individual wheel suspensions of motor vehicle wheels, which absorbs forces directed axially and/or radially to the pivot axis and which transmits the same into a frame; the pivot bearing support is thereby equipped with two coaxial sleeves, namely, an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve which are under radial prestress from the presence of a rubber-elastic material with a layer thickness sufficient to absorb shocks; one sleeve is connected with the frame and the other with the structural part, whereby the two sleeves immovably adhere at the contact surface of the rubber-elastic material during pivotal movements of the structural part; at least one axial collar is provided which is moved along with the structural part and at least one further corresponding axial collar is provided which is moved along with the frame; a layer of rubber-elastic material of shock-absorbing thickness is arranged between
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Trachte, Walter Willingshofer, Einhard Kleinschmit
  • Patent number: 3961813
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a trailer hitch for coupling a draft vehicle to a drawn vehicle wherein the eye portion of the hitch includes a molded insert of flexible material having an axial bore extending therethrough adapted to receive the pintle portion of the hitch in coupling relation. The flexible insert completely surrounds the pintle and thus maintains the pintle in spaced relation from the eye for yieldingly restraining relative radial movement between the pintle and the eye during all phases of operation, including flexing in the vertical plane when the trailer is negotiating inclined ramps or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventor: O. Leon Thomas
  • Patent number: 3961542
    Abstract: A cam operated control link mounts on the trunnion shaft of a transmission swash plate through an interposed elastomeric collar or bushing providing for both a damping of vibration transfer from the transmission to the controls and an initial deflection lag of approximately four degrees between rotation of the link and rotation of the trunnion shaft and associated swash plate. Limit pin means preclude an independent movement of the link relative to the trunnion shaft beyond pre-set extremes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventors: David A. Fulghum, John R. Badini
  • Patent number: RE29823
    Abstract: A resilient bushing with long fatigue life comprises an outer rigid member having curvilinear inner surface portions and inner rigid member having curvilinear outer surface portions. At least one of said surface portions has a surface roughness height rating measured by SAE Standard J448a. Said surface roughness height rating is provided by sandblasting said surface portions of a metal member, and thereafter forming on said surface portions a phosphate coating. An elastomeric insert is compressively positioned between said inner surface portions of the outer member and said outer surface portions of the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: The General Tire & Rubber Co.
    Inventors: David L. Sievers, Gary L. Hipsher, Robert Vosburgh, deceased