NZ234734A - Two-part snap-fit bush for mounting a helical spring. (51) f16b19/02; - Google Patents

Description

P.F.5 Code 1050 Fee $200 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 No. 234734 Date: 31 July 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION An Improved Bearing Bush ft $ i 234734 WE Victor Industries Limited of 12 Cape Hill Road, Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand a New Zealand company, do hereby declare the invention for which WE pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 23 4 73 4 This invention relates to a bush and more particularly a two section bush suitable for utilisation with a pivotal support for an end of an helical tension spring or similar application.

An intention of this invention is to provide a two section bush which can, for example, be mounted through and captivate a mounting coil or eye of an helical tension spring to facilitate the articulation of the spring on an associated mounting. Preferably the bush is utilised with a separate inner bearing sleeve.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a bush comprising a first end section having a body portion of a lesser diameter than the diameter of a body portion of a second end section with each end section incorporating an axial bore therethrough and a shoulder at one end thereof extending radially of the body portion, a part of the bore of the second end section corresponding to the non-shouldered end thereof being of a diameter commensurate to the diameter of the body portion of the first end section whereby the first end section can be inserted, non-shouldered end foremost, into that part of the bore of the second end section and retained in a snap-fit assembly therein, with, in assembly, the shoulders being spaced apart to form a y 23 4 7 channel therebetween extending at least partly about the body portion of the second end section.

According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a bush as described in the preceding paragraph wherein an annular groove is formed in the exterior face of the body portion of the first end section and a rib is formed in the face of the associated part of the bore of the second end section whereby in assembly the rib and groove inter-engage to snap-fit the bush sections together.

In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment and wherein; Fig 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the device depicted schematically with a conventional mounting therefor, and Fig 2 is a perspective view of the device assembled in a mounting eye of a tension spring.

A bush 3 is formed in two end sections 3a and 3b adapted to be axially assembled together to provide a pivotal mounting. In situ preferably the bush 3 is utilised with a separate inner bearing sleeve 5 as described in more ... detail hereinafter. .. ■ ;* 3 234734 Preferably the bush end sections 3a and 3b are moulded from suitable plastics material. Each end section 3a and 3b incorporates a body portion 6a, 6b respectively, through which an axially disposed bore 8 is provided. Bore 8 is of a diameter that will provide that sleeve 5 is a close working fit therein. At one end each body portion 6a, 6b incorporates a shoulder, 11a and lib respectively, to extend at least partly and preferably, as depicted, completely thereabout.

A part 8b of the bore 8 of the end section 3a corresponding to the non-shouldered end thereof is a diameter commensurate to the diameter of body portion 6b of end section 3b. This enables the non-shouldered end of end section 3b to be inserted in bore section 8b. Preferably an annular groove 9 is formed about the exterior periphery of body portion 6b and preferably the length of body portion 6b matches the length of bore section 8b. A rib 10 is preferably formed on the face of bore section 8b whereby in assembly of the end sections as aforesaid the rib 10 and groove 9 inter-engage to snap-fit the end sections 3a and 3b together. Preferably a step 7 is formed between the enlarged diameter bore section 8b and the remainder of bore 8 of end section -3a. Preferably the length of bore section 8b matches ti 4 234734 length of body portion 6b such that in assembly the non-shouldered end of end section 3b abutts the step 7.

In assembly, as depicted in Fig 2 the shoulders 11a and 5 lib, following radial alignment thereof, form an exterior channel 12 within which, for example, an eye or mounting coil 13 of a spring 14 can be captivated when the bush end sections 3a and 3b are mounted, one each from either side, into that coil 13 to provide a mounting bush for 10 the spring 14. The bush 3 is particularly suitable for use in enhancing a pivotal mounting of, for example, a helical tension spring 14 to an in situ mounting such as a bolt 15 extending therethrough preferably with bearing sleeve 5 therebetween.

Preferably axially extending annular walls 16a and 16b are provided at the periphery of each shoulder 11a and lib to extend away from the groove 12. Wall 16b forms a cavity 17 in which the head of a mounting bolt 15 can be 20 located. Preferably a cap 18 is provided to seal cavity 17. >■/ V< rt« AV;>' - ZJ 234 73

Claims (5)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A bush comprising a first end section having a body portion of a lesser diameter than the diameter of a body portion of a second end section with each end section incorporating an axial bore therethrough and a shoulder at one end thereof extending radially of the body portion, a part of the bore of the second end section corresponding to the non-shouldered end thereof being of a diameter commensurate to the diameter of the body portion of the first end section whereby the first end section can be inserted, non-shouldered end foremost, into that part of the bore of the second end the section and retained in a snap-fit assembly therein, with, in assembly, the shoulders being spaced apart to form a channel therebetween extending at least partly about the body portion of the second end section.

2. A bush as claimed in claim 1 wherein each shoulder extends completely about the periphery of its supporting body portion and a sleeve is provided to line the bore of the assembled bush.

3. A bush as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein an annular groove is formed in the exterior face of the body portion of the first end section and a rib is formed in " "6" 14D^ m

, , L<-I993 234734 the face of the associated part of the bore of the second end section whereby in assembly the rib and groove inter-engage to snap-fit the bush sections together. 5 4. A bush as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an axially extending annular peripheral wall is formed on at least one shoulder to form a cavity at that end of the bush section and a detachable cap is provided to seal the cavity. 10

5. A bush substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15 VICTOR INDUSTRIES LIMITED ROSS NEWNHAM V, 1 "■ c ✓. .. o ■ '? -7-