Buffer

• US 7,114,217 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Awano, Hironori, Matsuzawa, Kazunari
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah, Chuck Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kyle, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/751,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 16/82, 16/85, 16/86.A, 16/86.R, 16 21- 25, 296/207, 267139-141, 267/141.2, 248/573, 248/574, 248632-635, 411/383, 411/384, 411/535, 411/182, 411/349, 411/549, 411/550, 411/551
• US Class Current: 16/2.2
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/022 specially adapted for vehicles, e.g. for hoods or trunks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

A buffer includes a grommet having a tube portion, an attaching portion and an elastic engaging piece projecting inside the tube portion; an engaging member having an engaging step portion provided on an outer surface thereof for engaging the elastic engaging piece to prevent the engaging member from coming out in a counter-insertion direction when the engaging member is inserted into the tube portion in an insertion direction; and a damper main member having an abutting portion provided in a middle in a longitudinal direction for abutting against the engaging member when the damper main member is inserted into the engaging member. A projecting length adjustable device is formed for moving the damper main member in the counter-insertion direction and for fixing a projecting length of the damper main member projecting from the grommet.

Claims

1. A buffer to be attached to an attaching member, comprising:

a grommet having a hollow tube portion, an attaching portion for holding said grommet to said attaching member, and an elastic engaging piece projecting inside said tube portion,

an engaging member slidably disposed in said hollow tube portion and having engaging step portions for engaging said elastic engaging piece,

a damper main member slidably disposed in said engaging member and having an abutting portion at a middle portion thereof in a longitudinal direction for abutting against said engaging member, and a first screw portion disposed above said abutting portion, and

means disposed between said engaging member and said damper main member for moving said damper main member in a direction away from said engaging member and fixing said damper main member relative to said engaging member so that said damper main member projects from said grommet by a desired distance, said means comprising a collar having a second screw portion for engaging said first screw portion of said damper main member, and said collar capable of being rotated, after said collar abuts against said grommet,

wherein one of said engaging member and said damper main member includes a long groove provided along a direction that the damper main member slides in the engaging member, and the other of said engaging member and said damper main member includes an elastic engaging claw engaging the long groove.

2. A buffer according to claim 1, wherein said damper main member further includes a stopper for restricting the damper main member from moving in a counter-insertion direction, said stopper being formed at one end of the long groove.

3. A buffer according to claim 2, wherein said damper main member further includes a lower portion formed below the abutting portion and having non-circular walls inserted into the engaging member.

4. A buffer according to claim 3, wherein said lower portion has the long groove with the stopper, and the engaging member has the engaging claw.