Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Corey M Rivard

Eric G Parker

Robert K Dutzi

An end link is provided for a stabilizer bar of a vehicle suspension system. The end link includes a rod having pairs of grommets generally at each end thereof. Each grommet includes a bushing and washer which are interengaged and rotatable with respect to each other. Each grommet further includes a central passageway that which the rod is disposed within and permits pivotal movement of the rod only substantially in a single plane relative to the grommets and permits substantially universal pivotal movement of the rod around the center of the grommets. The end link can also include a like rod having a pair of universal ball joint structures generally at each end thereof. Each structure includes a universal ball which is integrally formed with a spacer, a bushing and a washer. The bushing is rotatable with respect to the washer. Each structure further includes a central passageway that which the rod is disposed within and permits pivotal movement of the rod only substantially in a single plane relative to the structures and permits substantially universal pivotal movement of the rod around the center of the structures.

Pivotal ball-end link

An end link for a stabilizer bar of a vehicle suspension system is disclosed as having three preassembled subassemblies. One subassembly includes a bolt, a washer, and a grommet, and an opposite end subassembly includes a grommet, a washer, and a nut. An intermediate subassembly includes a plastic tubular spacer body having opposite ends closed by plastic end caps fixed to the tubular body by axially projecting fingers or abutments, which also serve to resist deflection of the end caps. The intermediate subassembly also includes grommets fixed to the end caps.

End link for a vehicle stabilizer bar

An attenuated hinge spring assembly for a trunk lid of an automotive vehicle includes a coiled spring which is connected to a bracket secured to the vehicle, a threaded stud which is secured to the bracket, a plate which is slidably mounted on the bracket and the stud, a nut rotatably attached to said threaded stud and selectively secured to an arm, and a washer which lies between the plate and the nut. The plate lies adjacent to the coiled spring. The arm is pivotally connected to the trunk lid and to the bracket. The spring is connected to the stud and the arm and uncoils as the arm pivots from a lowered position to a raised position to move the lid between a lowered position and a raised position. When the lid is raised, the arm rotates which causes the nut to rotate and translate along the stud, which in turn causes the washer and plate to translate along said stud. The plate moves against the coiled spring and frictionally brakes the spring and the nut to slow the momentum of the lid as the lid is being raised.

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Batavia, IL, United States of America

Corey M Rivard