The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2005
John Michael Herald, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Takeshi Takahashi, Novi, MI (US);
John Michael Herald, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Takeshi Takahashi, Novi, MI (US);
Yazaki North America, Inc., Canton, MI (US);
Abstract
A grommet fits around a wire harness and seats within and passes through an opening in a vehicle panel. The grommet has an internal tube section for snugly receiving the harness. At a first end of the grommet, a flange section is sized to seal against one side of the opening. A groove immediately adjacent the flange section receives an edge of the opening. From a side of the groove opposite the flange section, a tapered section converges to the tube section at a second end of the grommet. An engagement area of the tapered section immediately adjacent the groove is wider than a depth of the groove, so the engagement area rubs against the edge of the opening as the second end of the grommet and the tapered section are pulled through the opening. Multiple circumferential rows of depressions are provided around the tapered section within the boundaries of the engagement area. The depressions are circular in shape at an outer surface of the engagement area and bowl-shaped extending into the tapered section. The rows are offset so the depressions do not align along a longitudinal axis of the grommet. The depressions reduce frictional contact between the engagement area and the edge of the panel opening, and provide holding reservoirs for lubricant if used.