Supports – Resilient support – Nonmetallic resilient element
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-15
2001-07-17
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Resilient support
Nonmetallic resilient element
C248S674000, C248S678000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260814
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The field of this invention relates sound insulating brackets for automotive components.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Automobiles have seen vast improvements in ride comfort. Part of the comfort is due to improved noise insulation from undesirable road noises and operating parts of the automobile. It is becoming more common for automobiles to have active suspensions. Some of these active suspensions have air springs or air leveling systems that sense the height position of the automobile body and will raise, lower, and level the body. When air is needed to be pumped into the appropriate air spring, an air compressor is activated.
However, the operation of an air compressor can be noisy. The noise and the accompanying vibrations need to be insulated from the automobile body.
The air compressor has been mounted not directly to the body but has been mounted to a bracket which in turn is attached to the automobile body. However, previous brackets have been made from metal and transferred too much noise to the automobile body.
What is needed is an improved composite bracket for mounting an air compressor to an automobile body that insulates vibration and noise of the compressor from the automobile body while still providing the necessary structural strength to support the air compressor.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mounting bracket for mounting a vibrating component to a motor vehicle body includes a three dimensional body formed of plastic material. The body has an open top end for receiving a component such as an air compressor for an air leveling system. The body also has a closed bottom panel section for enclosing the air compressor under the main body of the motor vehicle. The bracket also has a plurality of side walls extending from the closed bottom panel section, and at least one tier interposed between the closed bottom panel and open top substantially the entire footprint of the bracket and from a closed downwardly facing wall section for protection against splashing of water and mud. A first set of mountings within the at least one tier is used to connect the air compressor components to the three dimensional body. A second set of mountings within body is used to connect the mounting bracket to the motor vehicle body. The first and second sets of mountings are spaced different distances with respect to the closed bottom panel section.
Preferably the first set of mountings includes metal inserts securely embedded within the at least one tier and having threaded aperture for connection with the component. It is also desirable that the second set of mountings includes at least one metal bushing pressed fitted in an aperture in the plastic body. Preferably the metal bushing is pressed fitted in said closed bottom panel section of the plastic body.
Preferably a perforated metal grid is embedded in the closed bottom end panel section of the plastic body. It is desirable that the plastic body and perforated metal grid are shaped and molded together by a compression mold in a single step in a compression mold set of dies such that the perforated metal grid conforms to the shape of the closed bottom end panel section.
In this fashion, a bracket nestingly mounts a vibrating air leveling components such as an air compressor to a motor vehicle body and insulates much of the vibration and noise from the air compressor to the vehicle body while still maintaining the structural strength necessary to support the vibrating components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4946351 (1990-08-01), Richradson, Jr.
patent: 5201624 (1993-04-01), Ecktman
patent: 5222850 (1993-06-01), Medal
patent: 5484162 (1996-01-01), Kanoh et al.
patent: 5524860 (1996-06-01), Ives
Cambridge Industries, Inc.
King Anita M.
Sanders Naschica
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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