U.S. patent application number 11/508650 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for preassembly of cooperating parts.
Invention is credited to Kenneth S. Dobson, Robert K. Dutzi, Jason K. Trotter.
Application Number | 20070080088 11/508650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37910230 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070080088 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trotter; Jason K. ; et
al. |
April 12, 2007 |
Preassembly of cooperating parts
Abstract
A grommet is provided with an anchoring structure or structures
for capturing a shrink wrap sleeve thereagainst, to inhibit the
sleeve from sliding off the grommet. The anchoring structures are
remote from an end surface of the grommet in an assembly.
Inventors: |
Trotter; Jason K.; (Des
Plaines, IL) ; Dutzi; Robert K.; (Palatine, IL)
; Dobson; Kenneth S.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
3600 WEST LAKE AVENUE
PATENT DEPARTMENT
GLENVIEW
IL
60025
US
|
Family ID: |
37910230 |
Appl. No.: |
11/508650 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60724359 |
Oct 6, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/497 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 41/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/497 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/00 20060101
B65D065/00 |
Claims
1. A group of parts comprising: at least a first part and a loosely
associated second part; a shrink wrap sleeve encircling said parts;
and at least one said part having at least one shrink wrap anchor
in the form of an abrupt diameter transition on an outer surface
against which said shrink wrap sleeve is constricted for holding
said first and second parts in position relative to one
another.
2. The group of parts of claim 1, said shrink wrap anchor
comprising an outwardly extending ring surrounding one of said
parts.
3. The group of parts of claim 1, said shrink wrap anchor
comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting dimples on at least
one said part.
4. The group of parts of claim 1, one said part comprising a
grommet, said grommet having an outwardly projecting ring
surrounding said grommet, said ring comprising at least one said
shrink wrap anchor.
5. The group of parts of claim 1, at least one said part comprising
a grommet, and said grommet having a plurality of outwardly
projecting dimples, and said dimples comprising shrink wrap
anchors.
6. The group of parts of claim 1, at least one said part comprising
a grommet, and said grommet having a substantially smooth outer
surface and a projection on said outer surface defining an abrupt
diameter transition, and said sleeve having a terminal edge near
said transition.
7. The group of parts of claim 6, said grommet having an end
surface, and said terminal edge of said the sleeve being disposed
remote from said and surface.
8. A grommet comprising: a grommet body having a first end, a
second end and a substantially smooth outer surface; said first end
configured for engagement against another part in use; and a shrink
wrap anchor spaced from said first end for anchoring a shrink wrap
sleeve remote from said first end.
9. The grommet of claim 8, said shrink wrap anchor comprising an
outwardly projecting ring surrounding said grommet.
10. The grommet assembly of claim 8, said shrink wrap anchor
comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting dimples.
11. The grommet assembly of claim 8, said shrink wrap anchor
comprising an abrupt diameter transition.
12. The grommet assembly of claim 1, said abrupt diameter
transition being of abrupt increasing diameter.
13. A grommet assembly comprising: a grommet; a second part held
against an end of said grommet; a shrink wrap sleeve encircling
said grommet and said second part, said shrink wrap sleeve being
constricted against said second part; at least one shrink wrap
anchor on an outer surface of said grommet, said anchor comprising
an abrupt transition in diameter of said grommet near said end of
said grommet, and said sleeve and being constricted against said at
least one shrink wrap anchor; and an opposite end of said grommet
being not covered by said sleeve.
14. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said at least one shrink wrap
anchor comprising an outwardly extending ring surrounding said
grommet.
15. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said at least one shrink wrap
anchor comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting dimples on
said grommet.
16. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said abrupt transition being
a transition of increasing diameter.
17. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said at least one shrink wrap
anchor being discontinuous.
18. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said second part being one of
a washer, a spacer and a nut.
19. The grommet assembly of claim 18, said abrupt transition being
a transition of increasing diameter.
20. The grommet assembly of claim 13, said abrupt transition
defining a major diameter of said grommet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present regular United States Patent Application claims
the benefits of United States Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/724,359, filed Oct. 6, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the grouping,
preassembly and fixation of adjacent cooperating parts that may not
securely attach one to another, for subsequent installation of the
group as one subassembly in an overall assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide preassembled parts and subassemblies
that subsequently are attached to other components to complete
assemblies. For example, on assembly lines for automobiles, many
different preassembled components are arranged and installed to
complete the automobile. Some preassemblies are complex having many
parts attached to one another and ultimately installed in the final
assembly.
[0004] Some systems of an automobile, for example, require many
individual parts that are installed in succession, and which
cooperated with one another but do not attach securely to each
other until the final assembly is complete. For example, in
automobile suspension systems a connection between a suspension arm
and rod may include the rod passing through a hole in the arm with
fasteners, washers, grommets, spacers and the like on each side of
the arm. The installation of each individual piece during final
assembly of the automobile can be complex and time consuming. If
assembled in a wrong order, or with one part missing the assembly
will not work correctly. Nuts, grommets, washers and the like can
be difficult to handle individually as discrete parts, slowing
final assembly.
[0005] To facilitate final assembly, it is known to group
unconnected but adjacent parts together so that an entire group can
be installed in a single step. Grommets, nuts, washers and the like
may engage each other to some limited degree; however, handling can
cause the parts to become dislodged. When the preassembled group of
parts is disrupted, the entire group is unusable unless a skilled
assembler can properly position the random parts.
[0006] Accordingly, it has been known to use shrink wrap
surrounding the grouped, pre-assembled parts to secure the
relationships between the individual parts in the group. The group
is installed in the final assembly with the shrink wrap in tact,
and allowed to remain bundled with the shrink wrap after
assembly.
[0007] For example, in a known prior art group of parts for a
vehicle suspension, a grommet and a washer have been grouped alone,
or with a nut, spacer or the like, and held together by a shrink
wrap sleeve of known material that is installed initially loosely
over the parts and subsequently treated, such as by heat, to shrink
and fit snugly against the parts, securing the parts together. In a
final assembly, a group of a grommet and a washer with a shrink
wrap sleeve in tact is placed on a rod and against a shoulder. A
suspension arm is positioned also on the rod and against the group.
Thereafter, a second group of a grommet a washer and a nut with its
shrink wrap sleeve in tact is positioned against the arm, and the
nut is rotated to engage threads on the rod to secure the final
assembly in proper position between the shoulder at one end and the
nut at the other end.
[0008] While groupings of parts such as that described above have
worked successfully and advantageously for efficient assembly, to
ensure that the shrink wrap sleeves remain in position during
handling and installation of the groups of parts so that the parts
are not dislodged and lost, the sleeves surround substantial
portions of the grommets and other parts, including downwardly
sloping ends thereof that come in contact with other parts in the
final assembly. As a result, during angular movement of a joint
formed by the parts, as the parts move and twist at various angles
relative to each other, the shrink wrap sleeves can be pinched
between opposed surfaces of the arm and grommets or other parts
initially held by the shrink wrapped sleeve. With continued angular
movement, continuous or intermittent rubbing of the shrink wrap
sleeves between the parts can cause unacceptable noise, and even a
mistaken presumption of failing or improperly working parts.
However, due to the smooth outer surface and shape of the grommet,
if the downward sloping surface of the grommet is not wrapped by
the sleeve, the sleeve can slide off the grommet, resulting in the
group becoming unusable.
[0009] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a means for using
shrink wrap to hold otherwise loose parts in proper sequence and
position, without causing subsequent interference with the
cooperating parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides shrink wrap retaining or
anchoring features on one or more of the parts, such as the grommet
to provide an anchor against which the shrink wrap can constrict,
with the anchors and shrink wrap positioned away from contact
surfaces in the final assembly.
[0011] In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a
group of parts with at least a first part, a loosely associated
second part and a shrink wrap sleeve encircling the parts. At least
one of the parts has at least one shrink wrap anchor in the form of
an abrupt diameter transition on an outer surface against which the
shrink wrap sleeve is constricted for holding the first and second
parts in position relative to one another.
[0012] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a
grommet with a grommet body having a first end, a second end and a
substantially smooth outer surface. The first end is configured for
engagement against another part in use. Shrink wrap anchors spaced
from the first end are provided for anchoring a shrink wrap sleeve
remote from the first end.
[0013] In a still further aspect thereof, the present invention
provides a grommet assembly with a grommet, a second part held
against an end of the grommet and a shrink wrap sleeve encircling
the grommet and the second part. The shrink wrap sleeve is
constricted against the second part. At least one shrink wrap
anchor is provided on the outer surface of the grommet, and forms
an abrupt transition in diameter of the grommet near the end of the
grommet. The sleeve is constricted against the at least one sleeve
anchor. An opposite end of the grommet is uncovered by the
sleeve.
[0014] An advantage of the present invention is providing a
structure whereby a minimal amount of shrink wrap can be used for
holding otherwise loose parts together without enveloping the
entire group of parts completely.
[0015] Another advantage of the present invention is providing
structure whereby shrink wrap can be used to group otherwise loose
parts together whereby the shrink wrap can be held away from
surface areas of the parts that are contact surfaces in a final
assembly.
[0016] Still another advantage of the present invention is
providing structure whereby shrink wrap can be used to group
otherwise loose parts and whereby the shrink wrap can be removed
easily after final assembly, if desired.
[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals
are used to designate like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a grouped assembly of parts
in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an end view of the grommet assembly shown in FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to that of FIG. 1, but
illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an end view similar to that of FIG. 2, but
illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an assembly having two
groups of parts in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and
equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIG.
5 in particular, an assembly 10 is shown having a first group of
parts 12 and a second group of parts 14, each of the groups of
parts 12 and 14 being preassembled in accordance with the present
invention. Groups of parts 12 and 14 are first and second grommet
subassemblies mounted on a rod 16 which also engages an arm 18,
with groups 12 and 14 on opposite sides of arm 18. As depicted,
assembly 10 can be a portion of a vehicle suspension system;
however, it should be understood that the present invention can be
used for groups of parts in other types of suspension systems, in
automobile systems other than suspensions systems and for
assemblies other than automobiles.
[0025] With reference now to FIG. 1, group 12 is shown. Group 12 is
an outer grommet subassembly and includes a grommet 20 being a body
having a substantially smooth outer surface 22. A washer 24 and a
nut 26 are provided at one end of grommet 20. Nut 26 can be
attached to washer 24 or loosely associated therewith for rotation
thereagainst. Nut 26 also can be connected to a spacer or
sleeve-like extension 28 extending through grommet 20. Grommet 20
is provided with a sloping first end surface, generally designated
by numeral 30, which is held against arm 18 in assembly 10 and
thereby is a contact surface of grommet 20 against arm 18. As
relative movement occurs between grommet 20 and arm 18, the area of
contact against end surface 30 changes. Grommet 20 has a second end
32 opposite first end 30. Second end 32 is adjacent washer 24 and
nut 26.
[0026] A sleeve 34 is provided to group and secure the associated
parts of grommet 20, washer 24 and nut 26. Sleeve 34, designated by
a line in FIG. 1, surrounds the associated parts, or at least a
portion thereof, encircling washer 24 and the end portion of
grommet 20 adjacent washer 24. Sleeve 34 is a shrinkable film that
can be applied loosely and thereafter shrunk to lie tightly along
and over the surfaces it covers. Suitable shrinkable films are
known for many uses and purposes. Upon activation, such as by heat,
the film constricts tightly. Since the film conforms closely
against even irregular surfaces, otherwise nonconnected parts can
be held together securely.
[0027] If shrink wrap substantially surrounds and envelopes things
to be held thereby, the shrink wrap remains in place securely.
Relative movement between a shrink wrap package and a substantially
smooth surface can occur, particularly if the shrink wrap
terminates on a major diameter of the smooth surfaced object.
[0028] Accordingly, in part groups such as group 12, it has been
known to envelope the grommet and the other parts, including
substantially end face surfaces of the outer most parts, including
end surface 30 of grommet 20, so that shrinkage of film 34 applies
axial force against the outermost parts to secure the relative
positions of the parts with respect to one another.
[0029] Grommet 20 is provided with an anchoring fixture or
structure in the form of an annular ring 40 projecting outwardly
from surface 22 remote from end surface 30. Ring 40 in the
exemplary embodiment is nearer to second end 32 than to first end
30. Ring 40 defines an abrupt diameter transition on surface 22
against which the shrink wrap sleeve 34 can constrict. In the
exemplary embodiment, ring 40 defines an overall major or largest
diameter of grommet 20.
[0030] Sleeve 34 extends just beyond ring 40, only minimally toward
end surface 30. However, a terminal edge 42 of sleeve 34 is held
securely in position on grommet 20, being anchored by ring 40
against which sleeve 34 constricts. Sleeve 34 is retained well away
from portions of surface 30 that contact arm 18 during angulations
of the completed assembly.
[0031] Group 14 (FIG. 5) is similar to group 12, and similar
components thereof are identified with the same numerals as the
corresponding components in group 12. Essentially, group 14
includes a second grommet 20, a second washer 24 and a second
shrink wrap sleeve 34 there around. However, being an inner grommet
subassembly, second group 14 does not include a nut 26.
[0032] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a variation of the previously
described grommet 20. A grommet 50 has a substantially smooth outer
surface 52 and includes a plurality of dimples or bumps 54 arranged
spaced from a curved end surface 56 of grommet 50 which is a
contact surface against arm 18 after installation. In FIGS. 3 and
4, four dimples 54 are shown, although more or fewer dimples 54 can
be used. Dimples 54 serve as anchors for and cooperate with a
shrink wrap sleeve 58 to retain sleeve 58 on the group of parts,
but with an edge 60 of sleeve 58 well away from the portions of
surface 56 that may contact arm 30 after installation. Again, a
terminal portion of sleeve 58 surrounds each dimple 54 and is
anchored there against to hold sleeve 58 securely on grommet
50.
[0033] Grommets 20 and 50 have substantially smooth outer surfaces,
22 and 52, respectively, except for ring 40 and dimples 54 that
project outwardly therefrom as abrupt changes in diameter. The use
of outward projections or anchors, such as dimples 54 or annular
ring 40, allows the use of shrink wrap sleeves 34, 58 that are of
short axial length, and that are held well away from the areas of
end surfaces 30, 56 that may contact arm 18. Shrink wrap sleeves 34
and 58 are held away from and not located where the sleeves can be
pinched between grommets 20, 50 and arm 18, thereby eliminating
noise and mistaken interpretations of defective operation from
noise generated by pinching and rubbing against the sleeves.
[0034] It should be understood that a variety of shrink wrap
retaining configurations other than dimples 54 and annular rings 22
can be used to secure the positioning of the shrink wrap sleeve.
Dimples 54 and annular rings 22 are merely two exemplary anchoring
structures that create abrupt diameter transitions of increasing
diameter. However, anchoring structures defining abrupt diameter
transitions also can be abruptly decreased diameters. Accordingly,
inward depressions or a channel also could be used to provide
regions in which inward constriction of the shrink wrap can occur,
thereby securing the shrink wrap in place and securing the group of
parts. A plurality of discontinuous segments can be used, rather
than a continuous ring 40. Dimples of various shapes can be used.
The present invention can be used on outer parts of large part
groups as well as various intermediate parts within part groups.
The invention can be used for large groups having many individual
parts, as well as on relatively small groups of parts as shown.
While shown for use with grommets and parts such as washers, nuts
and spacers, the present invention can be used also for first and
second loosely associated parts of other types.
[0035] In assembly 10, rod 16 is inserted through second group 14,
and washer 24 abuts a shoulder (not shown) on rod 16 to limit
further axial movement thereon. Rod 16 is inserted through arm 18,
and first group 12 is then installed on rod 16, against the
opposite side of arm 18 from group 14. Nut 26 is rotated to engage
a threaded end (not shown) of rod 16. As can be seen clearly from
the illustration of FIG. 5, sleeves 34 are held well away from any
pinch points that might occur between arm 18 and grommets 20 and
50.
[0036] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0037] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *