Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Design of fastener or substructure restricts rotation
Patent
1990-05-02
1992-04-14
Lindsey, Rodney M.
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Design of fastener or substructure restricts rotation
411392, 411389, 403220, 403388, 248635, 267141, F16B 3900
Patent
active
051042711
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a bolt connection between a structural part and a rubber-metal bearing element, which has two parallel flat, first and second washers, which are joined together by a rubber block. A threaded bolt, which starts out centrally from the first washer, extends through a hole in the structural part. A nut is screwed onto the threaded bolt. When the nut is tightened, the first washer is pulled against the surface of the structural part facing the first washer.
Such bolt connections are to be found frequently in elastic bearings of motor vehicle accessories, for example to fasten the fan guard of the air-cooling fan or of the water radiator to the car body. In attaching such rubber-metal bearing elements, which are also known as "silent block", there exists the problem that, when the nut is tightened, the threaded bolt turns along within the limits of the torsional elasticity of the rubber block, so that it is difficult to screw down the nut actually tightly. The usual remedy by means of a tooth lock washer or a spring washer on the threaded bolt between the washer and the second surface of the structural part is frequently not practicable, for example, when the structural part consists of a relatively soft material, such as a plastic or a light metal, so that the locking washer can dig into this material and, in the case of light metal, for example, increase the danger of corrosion. Moreover, the danger exists when a fan hood is screwed down by a large number of nuts on an assembly line that individual locking washers will be forgotten. They are then also no longer inserted subsequently, since this would require a loosening of already tightened nuts, a procedure that frequently is not possible because of cycle times. As a consequence, individual nuts cannot tightened down, so that, on the whole, there is an unsatisfactory bolt connection between the guard and the car body. In the event of a repair, the danger exists that some of these locking washers are lost.
The FR-A 1,356,037 discloses a rubber-metal bearing element, which uses, instead of washers, rectangular plates with a U-shaped cross section, to the outer surface of which a nut is secured, into which a connecting bolt can be screwed. The upper edge of the nut lies somewhat below the edges of the plate. Due to the slight difference in height, a prestress can be produced as the rubber bearing is being secured. This prestress enables the bolt to be fixed without additional parts. Owing to the fact that the plate lies only with the edges of its legs against the structural part, to which the bearing element is to be secured, it is to be expected that the plate will not turn while the bolt is being screwed in. Due to the rectangular shape of this bearing element, which deviates from the usual circular shape, the use of this bearing element is limited to special cases. Moreover, its manufacture is relatively expensive compared to that of conventional rubber-metal bearing elements.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,892 discloses a rubber-metal bearing element, which has two washers that are joined together by a rubber block. From each of these washers, a threaded bolt starts out, which extends through a hole in a supporting plate and on which a nut is screwed, with which the supporting plate is firmly connected with the washer. In its middle region, from which the threaded bolt starts out, the washer is pulled inwards, so that only the edge zone of the washer lies against the supporting plate. This bearing element is completed by a sheath of fibers, which surround the edge of the washers and the rubber block and are connected together by an elastomer and with the rubber block. The purpose of the sheath is to prevent or to limit a lateral emergence of the rubber block under load. Owing to the fact that the washer lies only with its edge zone against the cover plate, it is conceivable that the threaded bolt does not turn as the nut is being tightened. However, this problem is not addressed and also not of importance, since the cover plates are compone
REFERENCES:
patent: 1420725 (1927-06-01), Mattson
patent: 1977896 (1934-10-01), Saurer
patent: 3879024 (1975-04-01), Scott et al.
patent: 4006892 (1977-02-01), Koeneman
Xerox Disclosure Journal, vol. 5, Nr. 4, Jul./Aug. 1980.
Audi AG
Lindsey Rodney M.
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