Automotive air intake assembly

• US 5,579,858 A
• Filed: 10/31/1994
• Issued: 12/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Buckhorn Rubber Products, Inc., Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Battles, Darin W., Petersen, James R., Champagne, Raymond T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth, Eric D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US08/332,196
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 277/166, 277/189, 277/227, 55/385.3, 55/DIG. 28, 180/68.1, 180/68.2, 180/68.3
• US Class Current: 180/68.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/02 concerning intake
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 55/28 Carburetor attached

Abstract

An automotive air intake assembly having a conduit is integrally molded to a rigid plastic striker plate without the need of additional fasteners or adhesives. The striker plate has an annular planar portion and a beveled portion surrounding the planar portion. The planar portion has first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures therethrough. The first surface mates with an air cleaner. Members on the second surface bisect the apertures and form an attaching surface. An elastomeric conduit is integrally molded about the attaching surface to permanently fasten the conduit to the striker plate.

Claims

1. An automotive air intake assembly comprising:

a rigid striker plate having an annular planar portion with a central opening for the flow of air therethrough and a beveled portion surrounding said planar portion, said planar portion having first and second opposed surfaces and a plurality of apertures therethrough, said apertures being arranged around a perimeter of said planar portion;

ring shaped members on said second surface bisecting said apertures and forming a continuous attaching surface; and

an elastomeric conduit integrally molded about said attaching surface and having a plurality of U-shaped projections mating with said apertures and encircling said ring shaped members through said apertures to permanently fasten said elastomeric conduit to said striker plate, said elastomeric conduit and said first surface forming an annular seal for mating with an air cleaner.

2. The automotive air intake assembly of claim 1, wherein said apertures are arranged in two or more concentric rows around said planar portion and said ring shaped members form two or more concentric rings bisecting said apertures.