Non-slip rate-plated sta-bar bushing
First Claim
1. A stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
- a stabilizer bar;
a first bushing assembly attached to said stabilizer bar, said first bushing assembly comprising;
a first annular outer metal member disposed around said stabilizer bar; and
a first elastomeric bushing engaging said first outer metal member and said stabilizer bar, said first elastomeric bushing having a prespecified percent compression.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stabilizer bar assembly has a stabilizer bar and a pair of bushing assemblies. Each bushing assembly has an elastomeric bushing disposed around the stabilizer bar and an outer metal member disposed around the elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing has a molded in rate plate to increase the stiffness of the elastomeric bushing. The outer metal member compresses the elastomeric bushing between the stabilizer bar and the outer metal member to a prespecified percent of compression. When the stabilizer bar rotates with respect to the outer metal member, the compression of the elastomeric bushing stops movement between the elastomeric bushing and the stabilizer bar and between the elastomeric bushing and the outer metal member. A fastening strap is attached to the outer metal member to attach the stabilizer bar assembly to a vehicle.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
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a stabilizer bar;
a first bushing assembly attached to said stabilizer bar, said first bushing assembly comprising;
a first annular outer metal member disposed around said stabilizer bar; and
a first elastomeric bushing engaging said first outer metal member and said stabilizer bar, said first elastomeric bushing having a prespecified percent compression. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A stabilizer assembly comprising:
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a stabilizer bar;
a first bushing assembly attached to said stabilizer bar, said first bushing assembly comprising;
a first outer metal member disposed around said stabilizer bar, said first outer metal member defining a first annular gap between said stabilizer bar and an inner surface of said first outer metal member; and
a first elastomeric bushing compressingly disposed within said first annular gap, an outer surface of said first elastomeric bushing being fixed to said inner surface of said first outer metal member and an inner surface of said first elastomeric bushing being fixed to said stabilizer bar. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
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a stabilizer bar;
a first bushing assembly attached to said stabilizer bar, said first bushing assembly comprising;
a first elastomeric bushing disposed around said stabilizer bar; and
a first outer metal member disposed around said stabilizer bar in engagement with said first elastomeric bushing, said first elastomeric bushing being compressed by said first outer metal member to a first prespecified percent of compression. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A stabilizer bar assembly comprising:
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a stabilizer bar;
a first bushing assembly attached to said stabilizer bar, said first bushing assembly comprising;
a first outer metal member disposed around said stabilizer bar;
a first elastomeric bushing compressed between said first outer metal member and said stabilizer bar, said first elastomeric bushing having a percent compression between 20% and 60%; and
a first rate plate disposed within said first elastomeric bushing. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of assembling a stabilizer bar, said method comprising:
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providing a stabilizer bar;
providing an interference fit between said stabilizer bar and an annular bushing;
position said annular bushing having a rate plate around said stabilizer bar, said interference fit maintaining said position of said annular bushing around said stabilizer bar;
assembling an outer annular metal member around said annular bushing and around said stabilizer bar by compressing said annular bushing between said stabilizer bar and said outer annular metal member. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42)
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Specification