US4319768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle suspension strut
Assignee: Old Carco LLC
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Filing: 1980-04-03
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 2000-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle suspension strut is provided with an improved bearing assembly consisting of a metallic bearing member which directly supports a portion of the rod member of the strut and a plastic seal member which sealingly engages the bearing member and provides for securely resiliently mounting the bearing assembly in a self centering manner in the structure by which the strut is fixed to the body of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph A. Youngdale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G15/00; B60G15/02; B60G15/06; B60G15/067; B60G15/068; B60G2200/00; B60G2200/40; B60G2200/46; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/30; B60G2202/31; B60G2202/312; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/12; B60G2204/124; B60G2204/1242; B60G2204/128; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/41; B60G2204/418; B60G2204/43; B60G2204/44; B60G2204/45; B60G2204/4502; B60G2204/45021; B60G2204/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a vehicle suspension strut of the type including a housing member connected to support means of a vehicle wheel, a rod member extending from the housing member and reciprocably moveable with respect thereto, and mounting means for resiliently connecting a portion of the rod member to the body of the vehicle including a bearing assembly carried on the rod member portion and received in a bearing pocket formed in the resilient mounting means, an improved bearing assembly comprising: A. a generally hat shaped metallic bearing member having; 1. an inner diametral bearing surface engaging said rod member portion; 2. first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical shoulder surface extending between said first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and B. a generally cylindrical seal member having:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a vehicle suspension strut of the type including a housing member connected to support means of a vehicle wheel, a rod member extending from the housing member and reciprocably moveable with respect thereto, and mounting means for resiliently connecting a portion of the rod member to the body of the vehicle including a bearing assembly carried on the rod member portion and received in a bearing pocket formed in the resilient mounting means, an improved bearing assembly comprising: A. a generally hat shaped metallic bearing member having; 1. an inner diametral bearing surface engaging said rod member portion; 2. first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical shoulder surface extending between said first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and B. a generally cylindrical seal member having:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
an outer mounting diametral portion received in press fit relationship in said bearing pocket; p1 2. first and second inner sealing portions sealingly engaging said first and second bearing member sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical surface complementary to and abuttingly engaging said bearing member shoulder surface whereby upon imposition of eccentrically directed loads on said rod member self centering of said improved bearing assembly with respect to said vehicle suspension strut is effected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
an outer mounting diametral portion received in press fit relationship in said bearing pocket; p1 2. first and second inner sealing portions sealingly engaging said first and second bearing member sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical surface complementary to and abuttingly engaging said bearing member shoulder surface whereby upon imposition of eccentrically directed loads on said rod member self centering of said improved bearing assembly with respect to said vehicle suspension strut is effected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved bearing assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing frusto-conical shoulder surface and said frusto-conical seal surface define an angle of approximately 78° with the longitudinal axis of said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An improved bearing assembly as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein said seal member outer diametral portion is formed to define a corrugated surface whereby the amount of press fit employed in inserting said improved bearing assembly into said bearing pocket is increased.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved bearing assembly as defined in claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said seal member first and second sealing portions comprise highly flexible lip members abuttingly engaging said bearing member sealing surfaces with substantially line contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a vehicle suspension strut of the type including a housing member connected to support means of a vehicle wheel, a rod member extending from the housing member and reciprocably moveable with respect thereto, and mounting means for resiliently connecting a portion of the rod member to the body of the vehicle including a bearing assembly carried on the rod member portion and received in a bearing pocket formed in the resilient mounting means, an improved bearing assembly comprising: A. a generally hat shaped metallic bearing member having: 1. an inner diametral bearing surface engaging said rod member portion; 2. first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical shoulder surface extending between said first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and B. a generally cylindrical seal member having: 1. an outer mounting diametral portion received in press fit relationship in said bearing pocket;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a vehicle suspension strut of the type including a housing member connected to support means of a vehicle wheel, a rod member extending from the housing member and reciprocably moveable with respect thereto, and mounting means for resiliently connecting a portion of the rod member to the body of the vehicle including a bearing assembly carried on the rod member portion and received in a bearing pocket formed in the resilient mounting means, an improved bearing assembly comprising: A. a generally hat shaped metallic bearing member having: 1. an inner diametral bearing surface engaging said rod member portion; 2. first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and 3. a frusto-conical shoulder surface extending between said first and second outer diametral sealing surfaces; and B. a generally cylindrical seal member having: 1. an outer mounting diametral portion received in press fit relationship in said bearing pocket;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
means for sealingly engaging said bearing member; and 3. a frusto-conical surface complementary to and abuttingly engaging said bearing member shoulder surface whereby upon imposition of eccentrically directed loads on said rod member self centering of said improved bearing assembly with respect to said vehicle suspension strut is effected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
means for sealingly engaging said bearing member; and 3. a frusto-conical surface complementary to and abuttingly engaging said bearing member shoulder surface whereby upon imposition of eccentrically directed loads on said rod member self centering of said improved bearing assembly with respect to said vehicle suspension strut is effected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |