360 degree zero clearance bi-sectional damper assembly

Abstract

A combination of components forming a steering stabilizer mounting assembly including a stabilizer, a bracket shim, an independent hollow tubular housing with a fixedly attached base washer, and nuts and bolts to fasten the components into place.

Claims

1. In combination, a steering stabilizer mounting assembly comprising: i. a stabilizer bracket, said stabilizer bracket comprising a flat plate having a midpoint, a near end, and a distal end, said stabilizer bracket having an opening through said near end and a first open notch through said distal end, there being a stanchion unitarily surmounted at said midpoint on a top surface, said stanchion unit having a through hole in a distal end; ii. a bracket shim, said bracket shim having a washer configuration with a second open notch in said washer configuration, which second open notch opposes said first open notch when in use, there being fixedly surmounted on an upper surface of said washer configuration, a plug for an opening in said second open notch, creating a closed opening to said second notch; iii. a threaded bolt mounted through said near end opening, and an independent hollow tubular housing surrounding said threaded bolt, a bottom edge of said independent hollow tubular housing containing a fixedly attached washer, there being a threaded nut on said threaded bolt affixed perpendicular to said stabilizer bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded full top view of the stabilizer bracket in conjunction with a bracket shim.

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded full side view of the stabilizer bracket in combination with the independent hollow tubular housing and washer.

(3) FIG. 3 is an illustration of a prior art device.

(4) FIG. 4 is a full side view of a device of this invention connected to a body cross member and to a control arm mount.

(5) FIG. 5 is a full top view of the placement of the device of this invention on a cross member and control arm mount.

(6) FIG. 6A is a back view of the shim 13.

(7) FIG. 6B is a full front view of the shim 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(8) Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a full side view of a combination of the stabilizer bracket 1 in conjunction with a bolt 2 and an independent hollow tubular housing 3 and washer 4. By “independent” as used herein, it means that the independent hollow tubular housing 3 is not attached to the stabilizer bracket 1 until the nut 5 is tightened on the bolt 2, at which time it becomes rigid. The bolt 2 is inserted through the opening 6 (shown in phantom).

(9) It should be understood by those skilled in the art, that the bolt 2, with the independent housing 3 is inserted through a cross member 7 (FIG. 4) before being tightened. The washer 4 is fixedly attached to the bottom edge 20 of the independent housing 3 by welding or the like.

(10) The stabilizer bracket 1 has surmounted on its top surface 8, a stanchion 9, which consists of two separated tabs 10 (See FIG. 2). Each of the tabs 10 has an opening 11 near the top 12. In use, a bolt (not shown) is inserted through the openings 11 to allow the mounting of the stabilizer unit (not shown, not part of the invention) to the stabilizer bracket 1.

(11) Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a full top view of the stabilizer bracket 1 in combination with the bracket shim 13. There is shown the tabs 10, the openings therein 11 (shown in phantom) and an opening 15 in the near end 16 for the independent hollow tubular housing 3.

(12) As can be noted from FIG. 2, the distal end 14 of the stabilizer bracket 1 has a notch 21 in it. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, the bracket shim 13 has an aligned notch 17 in it. Also shown is the raised portion 19. FIG. 6A is a full back view of the bracket shim 13. The outside edge 18 of the bracket shim 13 has mounted on its surface a plug 19, which plug provides an additional shim to the bracket shim 13, as in most cases, the cross member and the control arm mount are not at the same level as mounted in the vehicle.

(13) Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a prior art device 22 in readiness for mounting in a vehicle wherein 23 is a cross member of a body of a vehicle and 24 is a control arm mount in the vehicle.

(14) The prior art device 22 does not have a notch in it at the distal end 25, and further, does not have a bracket shim associated with it. In addition, the near end 26 is comprised of a bolt 27 and an insert 28, that inserts in an opening 29 in the cross member 23. As suggested Supra, the problem associated with this device is that the vehicle has to be essentially disassembled in order to remove a bolt from the distal end attachment. Further, the insert 28 at the near end is only countersunk into the cross member 23 and thus can easily come unattached over time, requiring the disassembly and reassembly of the vehicle and unit to repair the unit.

(15) In use, in order to repair the device 1 of the instant invention, as shown in FIG. 4, wherein 7 is the cross member of the vehicle, and 24 is the control arm mount, one loosens the back nut 5 to allow the device 1 to rotate around the bolt 2. Thereafter, the nut 30 is backed off of the bolt 31 and the bolt 31 is lightly tapped to take the pressure off of the stabilizer 1. Thereafter, the stabilizer 1 is withdrawn from around bolt 31.

(16) FIG. 5 is a full top view of the device 1 in place, ready to assemble.

(17) All of the components of this device are manufactured from metals, and steel, cast iron and aluminum being preferred.