Nut and washer assemblage for bushing

• US 5,507,517 A
• Filed: 08/22/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Krawczak, Lawrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Application Number:
  US08/294,157
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 280/690, 280/701, 280/673, 411/533, 411/432, 411/428, 411/534
• US Class Current: 411/533
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/1442 including longitudinal rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/00 Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof means for maintaining substantially constant wheel camber during suspension movement B60G3/26; articulations for wheels B60G5/00; leaf spring attaching means B60G11/10, B60G11/12; trailing arm twist beam axle attaching means B60G21/052; articulations in general F16C
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/3732 having an annular or the like shape, e.g. grommet-type resilient mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2236/04 Compression
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 3/0873 of the same material or the material not being specified

Abstract

A three element fastening assemblage comprising a nut formed with a head end and a collared end, a dished-shaped washer and a retaining strap having a circular aperture aligned on the strap longitudinal axis of symmetry. The washer central base has its seating surface axially depressed from a radially extending peripheral washer flange facing surface. The retainer strap has oppositely extending bifurcated ends defining pairs of washer retention prongs the distal ends of which are pre-bent to extend normally from a facing surface of the strap. The nut is initially positioned with its head end extending through the strap aperture with the nut collar providing a stop shoulder contacting the strap facing surface. With the strap facing surface in flush contact with the washer facing surface the prong distal ends are reverse bent about the washer flange circular edge thereby capturing the nut collar between the strap facing surface and the washer seating surface. The assemblage enables rotation of the nut relative to the strap and washer about the strap principal axis.

Claims

1. A three element fastener assemblage comprising:

a nut formed with a threaded bore having a head end and a radially extending annular collar at its other end, a dish-shaped annular washer and a retaining strap wherein the nut and washer are held in aligned relationship by said strap;

said dish-shaped washer comprising a central base having a concentric through hole, said base defining a seating surface axially depressed from a surrounding radially extending peripheral flange having a facing surface, said flange terminating in a circular edge of predetermined diameter;

said strap having a longitudinal axis of symmetry with said strap providing one facing surface adapted for flush contact with said washer flange facing surface, said strap formed with a circular aperture the center of which having its principal axis intersecting said strap longitudinal axis;

said strap, having a predetermined width slightly greater than the diameter of said nut collar, formed with oppositely extending mirror image bifurcated ends defining pairs of washer retention prongs symmetrically disposed about said longitudinal axis, each of said prongs having a distal end having an arcuate shape in cross section, said distal ends establishing four mutually opposed concave surfaces defining an imaginary cylindrical envelope with an axis of curvature aligned with said strap aperture principal axis, and said imaginary cylindrical envelope having a predetermined diameter substantially equal to but slightly larger than said washer edge diameter;

said nut collar defining an annular stop shoulder, said nut head end sized for journalled reception in said strap aperture a predetermined axial dimension limited by said stop shoulder, such that with said washer circular edge in conforming contact with said concave surfaces resulting in self-centered positioning of said washer on said strap aperture principal axis with said washer flange facing surface positioned in flush contact with said strap facing surface thereby locating said washer seating surface a determined axial dimension from said strap facing surface; and

each said prong distal end extending about said washer circular edge and retaining said strap and washer in fixed relation resulting in said nut collar being captured in a concentric manner between said strap facing surface and said washer seating surface, thereby enabling rotation of said nut relative to said strap and washer with said nut threaded bore aligned on said strap aperture principal axis.

2. The assemblage as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nut head end is formed with a plurality of flanks.

3. The assemblage as set for in claim 2 wherein said nut head end is a hex-head end having six side flanks.

4. In a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle in which threaded ended rods in communication with wheel supports of wheels of the vehicle are resiliently clamped to a frame of the vehicle by elastomeric bushings secured on ends of the rods by a nut and washer fastener arrangement comprising:

a three element assemblage including a nut formed with a threaded bore having a hex-head end and a radial collared end, a dish-shaped annular washer and a retaining strap with the nut and washer held in aligned relationship by said strap;

said dish-shaped washer comprising a central base having a concentric through hole, said base defining a seating surface axially depressed from a surrounding radially extending peripheral flange having a facing surface, said flange terminating in a circular edge of predetermined diameter;

said strap having a longitudinal axis of symmetry with said strap providing one facing surface adapted for flush contact with said washer facing surface, said strap provided with a circular aperture the center of which having its principal axis intersecting said strap longitudinal axis;

said strap, having a predetermined width slightly greater than the diameter of said nut collar, formed with oppositely extending minor image bifurcated ends defining two pair of washer retention prongs symmetrically disposed about said longitudinal axis, each of said prongs having a distal end having an arcuate shape in cross section, said distal ends establishing four mutually opposed concave surfaces defining an imaginary cylindrical envelope with its axis aligned with said strap aperture principal axis, said imaginary cylindrical envelope having a predetermined diameter substantially equal to but slightly larger than said washer edge diameter;

said nut collar defining an annular stop shoulder, said head end sized for journalled reception in said strap aperture a predetermined axial dimension limited by said stop shoulder, such that with said washer circular edge in conforming contact with said concave surfaces resulting in self-centering positioning of said washer on said strap aperture principal axis with said washer flange facing surface positioned in flush contact with said strap facing surface thereby locating said washer seating surface a determined axial dimension from said strap facing surface; and

said four prong distal end portions extending about said washer circular edge and retaining said strap and said washer in fixed relation resulting in said nut collar being captured in a concentric manner between said strap facing surface and said washer seating surface, thereby enabling rotation of said nut relative to said strap and washer with said nut threaded bore aligned on said strap aperture principal axis.