Self-locking plug-in stabilizer bar links
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An anti-roll system for a vehicular suspension comprising:
- a stabilizer bar having a hollow end;
an end link having a housing and a shank extending from said housing; and
a locking mechanism mounted in said hollow end of said stabilizer bar and adapted to engage said shank for securing said end link to said stabilizer bar.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a suspension assembly for a motor vehicle including a pair of end links which interconnect the opposite ends of a stabilizer bar to a pair of suspension members. Each end link has a first fastener adapted for connection to the end of the stabilizer bar and a second fastener adapted for connection to the suspension member. In addition, a locking mechanism is provided for securing the first fastener in a socket formed in the hollow end of the stabilizer bar.
86 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An anti-roll system for a vehicular suspension comprising:
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a stabilizer bar having a hollow end; an end link having a housing and a shank extending from said housing; and a locking mechanism mounted in said hollow end of said stabilizer bar and adapted to engage said shank for securing said end link to said stabilizer bar. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An end link adapted for plug-in connection into the hollow end of a stabilizer bar, comprising:
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a housing; a fastener having an externally-threaded shank segment extending from said housing; and a locking sleeve adapted to be disposed in the hollow end of the stabilizer bar and having an internally-threaded bore, whereby tightening of said threaded shank segment into said threaded bore causes radial expansion of said locking sleeve such that its outer wall surface is forcibly urged into engagement with the inner wall surface of the hollow end of the stabilizer bar. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An end link adapted for plug-in connection into the hollow end of a stabilizer bar, comprising:
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a housing; a fastener having an externally-threaded shank segment extending from said housing; a bushing adapted to be disposed in the hollow end of the stabilizer bar and having a throughbore; and a capture nut acting on said bushing and having an internally-threaded bore, whereby tightening of said threaded shank into said threaded bore in said capture nut causes said capture nut to move axially relative to said shank segment thereby axially compressing and radially expanding said bushing such that an outer wall surface of said bushing is urged into engagement with the inner wall surface of the hollow end of the stabilizer bar. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An end link adapted for plug-in connection into the hollow end of a stabilizer bar, comprising:
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a housing; a fastener having an externally-threaded shank segment extending from said housing; a lock sleeve adapted to be disposed in the hollow end of the stabilizer bar and having a tapered throughbore; and an adapter disposed in said tapered throughbore of said lock sleeve and having an internally-threaded bore, whereby tightening of said threaded shank segment into said threaded bore of said adapter causes axial movement of said adapter relative to said shank segment for causing radial expansion of said lock sleeve such that its outer wall surface is forcibly urged into engagement with the inner wall surface of the hollow end of the stabilizer bar. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification