Connection structure for vehicle body parts

Claim 2

A bumper mounting assembly comprising: a metal bumper support having a first through hole therein; an elastomeric member disposed on said support, said elastomeric member have a second through hole which overlays said first through hole, said first and second through holes having different cross sectional areas; a fastener disposed through said first and second through holes for securing said elastomeric member to said support; and a deformable resilient member associated with said fastener for applying a surface pressure to said elastomeric member which surface pressure biases said elastomeric member against said support, said surface pressure remaining within a predetermined range irrespective of the expansion of said elastomeric member within a predetermined range.

Claim 3

The assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a metal trim disposed on the surface of said elastomeric member and secured thereon by said fastener.

Claim 4

The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric member is a vehicle bumper and said metal bumper support is a bumper stay.

Claim 5

A bumper mounting assembly comprising: a metal bumper support having a first through hole therein; an elastomeric member disposed on said support, said elastomeric member having a second through hole which overlays said first through hole, said first and second through holes having different cross sectional areas; a fastener disposed through said first and second through holes for securing said elastomeric member to said support, said fastener having first and second diameter portions which define a shoulder therebetween, said shoulder being adapted to abut said support and limit the amount of axial movement of said fastener with respect to said elastomeric member; and biasing means associated with said fastener for biasing said elastomeric member against said support, the biasing pressure generated by said biasing means remaining within a predetermined range irrespective of the expansion of said elastomeric member within a predetermined range.

Claim 6

A bumper mounting assembly comprising: a metal bumper support having a first through hole therein; an elastomeric member disposed on said support, said elastomeric member having a second through hole which overlays said first through hole, said first and second through holes having different cross sectional areas; a fastener disposed through said first and second through holes for securing said elastomeric member to said support, said fastener having first and second diameter portions which define a shoulder therebetween, said shoulder being adapted to abut said support and limit the amount of axial movement of said fastener with respect to said elastomeric member; and biasing means associated with said fastener for biasing said elastomeric member against said support, the biasing pressure generated by said biasing means remaining within a predetermined range irrespective of the expansion of said elastomeric member within a predetermined range.

Claim 7

A bumper mounting assembly comprising: a metal bumper support having a first through hole therein; an elastomeric member disposed on said support, said elastomeric member having a second through hole which overlays said first through hole, said first and second through holes having different cross sectional areas; a fastener disposed through said first and second through holes for securing said elastomeric member to said support; and a deformable resilient member associated with said fastener for applying a surface pressure σ to said elastomeric member which surface pressure biases said elastomeric member against said support, said surface pressure being such that: Fo/A<σ<Fcr/μA wherein: Fo=the force provided by said resilient member; Fcr=the critical load stress which causes deformation of said elastomeric member; P=the force which when applied to said resilient member will produce a given deformation; A=the contact area of said resilient member; and μ=the coefficient of friction between said elastomeric member and said metal support; said resilient member being deformed by a predetermined amount without the surface pressure applied thereby falling below a lower limit equal to Fo/A or exceeding an upper limit equal to Fcr/μA.

Claim 8

A bumper mounting assembly comprising: a metal bumper support having a first through hole therein; an elastomeric member disposed on said support, said elastomeric member having a second through hole which overlays said first through hole, said first and second through holes having different cross sectional areas; a fastener disposed through said first and second through holes for securing said elastomeric member to said support; and a deformable resilient member associated with said fastener for applying a surface pressure σ to said elastomeric member which surface pressure biases said elastomeric member against said support, said surface pressure being such that: Fo/A<σ<Fcr/μA wherein: Fo=the force provided by said resilient member; Fcr=the critical load stress which causes deformation of said elastomeric member; P=the force which when applied to said resilient member will produce a given deformation; A=the contact area of said resilient member; and μ=the coefficient of friction between said elastomeric member and said metal support; said resilient member being deformed by a predetermined amount without the surface pressure applied thereby falling below a lower limit equal to Fo/A or exceeding an upper limit equal to Fcr/μA.

Claim 9

The assembly as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a metal trim disposed on the surface of said elastomeric member and secured thereon by said fastener.

Claim 10

The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said elastomeric member is a vehicle bumper and said metal bumper support is a bumper stay.