SELF-ADJUSTING SPACER DEVICE

• US 20160303960A1
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Published: 10/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: YON, Fulvio Pacifico, COCCOZ, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 10,150,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/45 Assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/50 characterised by means for prevention or reduction of noise, e.g. of rattling or vibration of windows
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/022 specially adapted for vehicles, e.g. for hoods or trunks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/61 Threaded members
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/12 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 21/04 Special measures taken in connection with the properties of the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/004 Sealing; Insulation by means of washers F16B43/001
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/085 with at least one unthreaded portion in both the nut and the bolt

Abstract

Self-adjusting spacer device, comprising:

• • a bushing having a cavity with a longitudinal axis,
  • a pin having a shank inserted into said cavity and a head projecting outside of said cavity,
  • the cavity of the bushing and the pin being provided with respective threaded portions that do not extend over the entire circumference of the pin and the cavity, and the pin being rotatable relative to the bushing between:
  • an adjustment position in which the threaded portion of the pin is disengaged from the threaded portion of the bushing and the pin is capable of moving axially with respect to the bushing, and
  • a locking position in which the threaded portion of the pin engages the threaded portion of the bushing and in which the pin is locked axially with respect to the bushing.

Claims

1. A self-adjusting spacer device, comprising:

a bushing having a cavity with a longitudinal axis, and

a pin having a shank inserted into said cavity and a head projecting outside of said cavity,

characterized in that the cavity of the bushing and the pin are provided with respective threaded portions that do not extend over the entire circumference of the pin, and the cavity, and in that the pin is rotatable relative to the bushing between;

an adjustment position in which the threaded portion of the pin is disengaged from the threaded portion of the bushing and the pin is capable of moving axially with respect to the bushing, and

a locking position in which the threaded portion of the pin engages the threaded portion of the bushing and in which the pin is locked axially with respect to the bushing.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the pin comprises two non-threaded flat portions opposite to each other and spaced apart by a distance less than the diameter of the threaded portion.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said threaded portion of the bushing is formed on two radial projections extending inwardly from the inner wall of said cavity.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin is provided with radial projections which engage a first and a second pair of axial grooves formed on the inner surface of said cavity respectively in the adjustment position and in the locking position.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin comprises a sealing element which establishes a sealing contact with the inner surface of said cavity.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sealing element is a sleeve of elastomeric material overmolded on the shank of the pin.

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sealing element is an O-ring inserted into an annular groove of said pin.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bushing has an annular collar fitted with an annular sealing lip.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bushing is provided with integral fastening elements protruding from the outer surface of said bushing and located below said collar.