WO2021173863A1

WO2021173863A1 - Adjustable height stopper assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2021173863A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/019717
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ryuji Kubo
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Priority date: 2020-02-25
Filing date: 2021-02-25
Publication date: 2021-09-02

Abstract

A stopper assembly, disposed between a static member and a movable member, for maintaining a constant distance between the static member and movable member includes a base member that is fixed to the static member and that has an internal thread, a coupling member that has an external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member on a base end side and an internal thread on a tip end side, and a contact member that has an external thread that engages the internal thread of the main body part on the base end side and a contact surface that contacts the movable member on the tip end side.

Description

Adjustable Height Stopper Assembly

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits from Japanese Patent Application No. JP2020-029775, filed February 25, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. JP2021-013833, filed January 29, 2021, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods of maintaining a constant distance between a static member and a moveable member, and, more particularly, to systems and methods of maintaining distance between a body of an automobile and a door or trunk of an automobile.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Stopper assemblies arranged between a static member, such as the body of an automobile, and a movable member, such as a door or trunk lid of an automobile, disposed so as to be able to move toward and away from the static member, have been employed in the prior art for maintaining a constant distance between the static member and the movable member. Such stopper assemblies include those with an adjustable height, i.e. axial dimension.

SUMMARY

[0004] It is the purpose of the present invention to enable finer adjustment of the height or axial dimension of such stopper assemblies.

[0005] To achieve the aforesaid purpose, according to the present invention, there is provided a stopper assembly, which is arranged between a static member and a movable member disposed so as to be able to move toward and away from the static member, for maintaining a constant distance between the static member and the movable member. The stopper assembly comprises a base member that is fixed to the static member and has an internal thread, a coupling member having an external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member on a base end side and having an internal thread on a tip end side, and a contact member having an external thread that engages the internal thread of the coupling member on a base end side and having a contact surface that contacts the movable member on a tip end side. [0006] The base member may be composed of a hollow substantially round tubular member having a base end portion, which fits into a hole formed in a static member, and a tip end portion on the side opposite the base end portion. The internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base end portion.

[0007] The contact member may comprise a flat, plate-shaped head part that forms the contact surface and a shank part that extends axially from the surface of the head part opposite to the contact surface. An external thread that engages the internal thread of the coupling member may be formed on the shank part.

[0008] In some embodiments, the coupling member may be composed of a hollow, substantially round tubular member. The tubular member comprises a base end portion with an external thread, which engages the internal thread of the base member, and a tip end portion on the side opposite the base end portion. An internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact member may be formed on the tip end portion.

[0009] In other embodiments, the coupling member may comprise a main body member having external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member, and a receiving member that is mounted to the main body member on the side opposite the external thread. An internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact member may be formed in the receiving member.

[0010] The main body member may further comprise a base end portion, upon which the external thread is formed, and a tip end portion opposite to the base end portion. A recessed part that accommodates the receiving member may be formed in the tip end portion.

[0011] The receiving member may further comprise a flat, plate-shaped flange part having a center hole, and a hollow fitment part that extends from one surface of the flange part and fits into the recessed part. An internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact member may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fitment part. Additionally, a plurality of axially extending slits may be formed in the fitment part of the receiving member so that the tip end of the fitment part can spread open.

[0012] The contact member may further comprise a flat, plate-shaped head part that forms the contact surface and a shank part that extends axially from the surface of the head part opposite to the contact surface. An external thread that engages the internal thread of the fitment part may formed on the shank part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. l is a perspective view of a stopper assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the stopper assembly of FIG. 1 along a plane comprising the axis.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the main body member, receiving member and contact member of the stopper assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the receiving member and contact member of the stopper assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the receiving member and contact member of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the main body member of the stopper assembly of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the receiving member and contact member of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the contact member fully pushed into the receiving member.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating the state where the movable member has contacted the contact member and the contact member, receiving member and main body member have been pushed into the base member.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the stopper assembly of FIG. 1, intended to explain the method of displacing the contact member axially from the receiving member starting from the state of FIG. 9.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the axis, illustrating a groove and rib for rotational positioning of the contact member.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a stopper assembly according to a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the appended drawings.

[0026] In FIGS. 1 through 10, the stopper assembly 100 comprises, as its main constituent elements, a base member 200 in which an internal thread 202 has been formed, a main body member 300 on which an external thread 302 has been formed, which engages with the internal thread 202 of the base member 200, a receiving member 400 which fits into the main body member 300, and a contact member 500. The stopper assembly 100 can be formed from a metal or plastic material.

[0027] The stopper assembly 100 is arranged between a static member 10 (see FIG. 9), such as a steel plate forming the body of an automobile, and a movable member 14 (see FIG. 9), such as a door mounted rotatably so as to move toward and away from the body that acts as the static member 10. In the present embodiment, the base member 200 is fixed to the static member 10.

[0028] The base member 200 is formed from a bottomed hollow substantially round tubular member. The base member 200 comprises a flange part 206 which extends radially outward, a base end portion 208, which extends axially from the flange part 206 and fits into a mounting hole 12 formed in the static member 10, and a projecting portion 210, which extends from the flange part 206 in a direction opposite to the base end portion 208. In the projecting portion 210, there is formed at least one and preferably two locking slots 214. The locking slot 214 is provided extending to a predetermined length in the circumferential direction of the projecting portion 210. When two locking slots 214 are provided, the two locking slots 214 are arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the projecting portion 210.

[0029] An internal thread 202 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base end portion 208. The internal thread 202 does not extend along the entire circumference of the inner circumferential surface of the base end portion 208, but is formed in two regions disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the base end portion 208, and between these two regions, there is provided a curved surface portion 208a in which no thread is formed (see FIGS. 2 and 9). [0030] On the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 208, there is provided an engagement part 212 which engages the circumferential edge part of the mounting hole 12 of the static member 10. The engagement part 212 is arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the base end portion 208. The engagement part 212 comprises a first and second clamp parts 212a, 212b. The first clamp part 212a engages a static member 10 made of relatively thick plate material, and the second clamp part 212b is arranged at a different axial distance from the flange part 206 so as to engage a static member 10 made of relatively thin plate material.

[0031] The base member 200, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, can comprise a sealing lip 204 which forms a liquid-tight seal against the surface of the static member 10 when the base member has been attached to the static member 10 by engaging the engagement part 212 to the circumferential edge part of the mounting hole 12. The sealing lip 204 can be provided so as to extend along the outer circumferential edge part of the surface of the flange part 206 on the side where the base end portion 208 is formed. The sealing lip 204 can be formed from the same material as the base member 200 or from a different, more flexible material.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the main body member 300 is a substantially round tubular member comprising a base end portion 302 and a tip end portion 306. The main body member 300 is inserted into the base member 200 through the projecting portion 210 of the base member 200. In the main body member 300, a flange part 310 projecting inward from the inner circumferential surface of the main body member 300 is formed between the base end portion 302 and the tip end portion 306. An external thread 304 capable of engaging the internal thread of the base member 200 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end portion 302. The external thread 304, similarly to the internal thread 208 of the base member 200, is formed in two regions disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the base end portion 302, and between these two regions, there is provided a curved surface portion 302a in which no thread is formed (see FIGS. 2 and 9). When the external thread 304 of the main body member 300 engages the internal thread 202 of the base member 200, the central axes of the main body member 300 and of the base member 200 align with the central axis O of the stopper assembly 100

[0033] In the main body member 300, in the tip end portion 306 on the side opposite from the base end portion 302, there is formed a recessed area 308 serving as an accommodation area for accepting the receiving member 400. At least one and preferably two locking openings 312 are formed in the outer circumferential surface of the tip end portion 306. The two locking openings 312 are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the tip end portion 306.

[0034] The receiving member 400 comprises a hollow round tubular fitment part 402 and a flange part 404 coupled to one end of the fitment part 402. An internal thread 406 is formed in the fitment part 402. A plurality of axially extending slits 408 are formed in the fitment part 402, whereby the fitment part 402 is formed into a plurality of leg parts 410 swingable in relation to the flange part 404. When the plurality of leg parts 410 and the contact member 500, described below, are pushed into the fitment part, the tip end part on the side opposite the flange part 404 spreads open.

[0035] Furthermore, on the outer surface of the fitment part 402 at a location adjacent to the tip end part, at least one locking protrusion 416 is formed. When the fitment part 402 is pushed into the tip end portion 306 of the main body member 300, the locking protrusion 416 enters into the locking opening 312 of the tip end portion 306 of the main body member 300 and engages the locking opening 312, thus preventing the receiving member 400 from separating from the main body member 300. Furthermore, a center hole 412 is formed in the flange part 404.

[0036] The contact member 500 comprises a head part 502 having a contact surface 508, and a shank part 504 extending along the central axis from the head part 502. An external thread 506 engageable with the internal thread 406 of the receiving member 400 is formed on the shank part 504. Preferably, the contact member 500 can be molded integrally with the receiving member 400, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this case, the tip end of the shank part 504 is coupled to the flange part 404 of the receiving member 400 by a plurality of crosslinking parts 414 extending radially from the outer circumferential part of the center hole 412 of the receiving member 400.

[0037] A recessed part 510 extending axially from the contact surface 508 may be formed in the head part 502. The recessed part 510 has a shape appropriate for a screwdriver (not illustrated) or hexagonal wrench (not illustrated) for rotationally driving the contact member 500 about the central axis. In the present example, the recessed part 510 has a hexagonal cross- section.

[0038] As stated previously, the fitment part 402 of the receiving member 400 is formed from a plurality of leg parts 410, and the tip end part 402a thereof spreads open, so the contact member 500 can be pushed into the fitment part 402 of the receiving member 400, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, by pushing axially toward the receiving member 400 at the time of use. The crosslinking parts 414 between the shank part 504 of the contact member 500 and the flange part 404 of the receiving member 400 will thereby be broken.

[0039] Next, the receiving member 400 and contact member 500 that have been assembled in this manner are inserted into the recessed area 308 of the tip end portion of the main body member 300, integrally joining the main body member 300, receiving member 400 and contact member 500. The integrally joined main body member 300, receiving member 400 and contact member 500 are inserted into the base member 200 through the projecting portion 210 of the base member 200.

[0040] Here, the main body member 300 is rotationally positioned about the central axis O such that the external thread 304 formed in two regions of the outer circumferential surface of the main body member 300 align with the region 208a of the base member 200 in which no internal thread 202 is formed. In this way, the integrally joined main body member 300, receiving member 400 and contact member 500 can be inserted into the base member 200 through the projecting portion 210 of the base member 200 simply by pushing in axially until the locking part 314 of the main body member 300 engages the locking slot 214 of the base member 200, without engagement of the external thread 304 of the main body member 300 with the internal thread 202 of the base member 200 (see FIGS. 2 and 9).

[0041] In this way, the base member 200, main body member 300, receiving member 400 and contact member 500 are assembled into a stopper assembly 100. When the main body member 300 is coupled to the base member 200, the locking part 314 engages with the locking slot 214, thereby preventing the main body member 300 from separating from the base member 200. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the main body member 300 and the receiving member 400 constitute a coupling member which couples the contact member 500 to the base member 200.

[0042] With the stopper assembly 100 which has been assembled in this manner, the base end portion 208 of the base member 200 is inserted into the mounting hole 12 formed in advance in the static member 10, after which the base member 200 is rotated about the central axis O to engage the engagement part 212 with the circumferential edge part of the mounting hole 12 of the static member 10, thereby fixing the stopper assembly 100 to the static member 10, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Next, the movable member 14 is displaced toward the static member 10 and brought into contact with the contact surface 508 of the contact member 500 of the stopper assembly 100 that has been fixed to the static member 10. FIG. 9 illustrates the state where a cushioning pad 14a mounted on a movable member 14 such as a trunk lid has come into contact with the contact surface 508. Here, due to the impact from the movable member 14 acting upon the contact member 500, the locking opening 312 of the main body member 300 separates from the locking slot 214 of the base member 200, and the contact member 500, receiving member 400 and main body member 300 move as a unit axially to the base member 200.

[0043] Next, the flange part 404 of the receiving member 400 is held with the operator’s fingers (not illustrated) or a tool such as pliers (not illustrated), and the receiving member 400 is rotated, causing the external thread 304 of the main body member 300 to engage the internal thread 202 of the base member 200 and securing the main body member 300 to the base member 200. Next, rotating the contact member 500 about the central axis O in a loosening direction causes displacement thereof in a direction away from the receiving member 400 and main body member 300 (upward in FIG. 10). This makes it possible to finely adjust the distance that will be present between the static member 10 and movable member 14 when the movable member 14 contacts the contact member 500. This operation can be performed in a state where the movable member 14 has been moved away from the contact member. [0044] In order to fix the rotational position of the contact member 500 relative to the receiving member 400, an axially extending groove 418 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving member 400, and a rib 512 engageable with said groove 418 may be formed on the shank part 504 of the contact member 500. If a groove 418 is formed on the receiving member 400 and a rib 512 is formed on the contact member 500 in this manner, when performing fine adjustment of the axial dimension of the stopper assembly 100 by rotating the receiving member 400 after securing the stopper assembly 100 to the static member 10, the rib 512 will engage the groove 418 in snapping fashion once per revolution, and the resulting click will inform the operator that one revolution of the contact member 500 has occurred. Furthermore, by turning the contact member 500 by one revolution, the axial dimension or height of the stopper assembly 100 projecting from the static member 10 can be adjusted by a distance corresponding to the pitch of the internal thread 406 of the receiving member 400 and the external thread 506 of the contact member 500.

[0045] In this way, the main body member 300 is coupled to the base member 200 through threaded engagement between the internal thread 202 of the base member 200 and the external thread 304 of the main body member 300, and the contact member 500 is coupled through threaded engagement between the internal thread 406 of the receiving member 400 and the external thread 506 of the contact member 500, so that the height or projecting axial dimension of the stopper assembly 100 from the static member 10 can be adjusted in two stages. Therefore, the axial dimension or height of the stopper assembly 100 can be easily adjusted so as to appropriately maintain the distance between the static member 10 and the movable member 14.

[0046] In the embodiment as described above, the main body member 300 and receiving member 400 making up the coupling member were separate members, but these may also be integrally formed, as shown in FIG. 11. In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11, the coupling member 600 comprises a fitment part 602 having an internal thread 604 capable of engagement with the external thread 06 of the shank part 704 extending from the head part 702 of the contact member 700. The fitment part 602, similarly to the fitment part 402 of the receiving member 400 of the first embodiment, comprises a plurality of leg parts 608 formed by means of a plurality of axially extending slits 606, so that the end on the side opposite the flange part 610 spreads open. It should be noted that in the second embodiment as well, a groove (not illustrated) that engages a rib (not illustrated) provided on the contact member 700 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling member 600, similarly to the rib 512 and groove 418 of the first embodiment.

Claims

1. A stopper assembly, which is arranged between a static member and a movable member disposed so as to be able to move toward and away from the static member, for maintaining a constant distance between the static member and the movable member, the stopper assembly comprising: a base member fixed to the static member and having an internal thread; a coupling member having an external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member on a base end side and having an internal thread on a tip end side; and a contact member having an external thread that engages the internal thread of the coupling member on a base end side and having a contact surface that contacts the movable member on a tip end side.

2. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the base part is composed of a hollow substantially round tubular member having a base end portion that fits into a hole formed in a static member and a tip end portion on the side opposite the base end portion, wherein the internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base end portion.

3. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the contact member comprises a flat plate shaped head part that forms the contact surface, and a shank part that extends axially from the surface of the head part opposite to the contact surface, wherein an external thread that engages the internal thread of the coupling member is formed on the shank part.

4. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the coupling member is composed of a hollow substantially round tubular member comprising a base end portion on which external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member is formed, and a tip end portion on the side opposite to that of the base end portion, wherein an internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact member is formed on the tip end portion.

5. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises a main body member on which an external thread that engages the internal thread of the base member is formed, and a receiving member which is mounted to the main body member on the side opposite to that of the external thread, wherein an internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact member is formed in the receiving member.

6. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the main body member comprises a base end portion on which the external thread is formed, and a tip end portion opposite to the base end portion, with a recessed part that accommodates the receiving member being formed in the tip end portion.

7. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the receiving member comprises a flat plate shaped flange part having a center hole, and a hollow fitment part that extends from one surface of the flange part and fits into the recessed part, wherein an internal thread that engages the external thread of the contact part is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the fitment part.

8. The stopper assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of axially extending slits are formed in the fitment part of the receiving member such that the tip end of the fitment part can spread open.

9. A stopper assembly as set forth in Claim 7, wherein the contact member comprises a flat plate shaped head part that forms the contact surface, and a shank part that extends axially from the surface of the head part opposite to the contact surface, wherein an external thread that engages the internal thread of the fitment part is formed on the shank part.