Low lash rotating conduit end fitting for a remote control cable assembly that isolates against vibration/noise transmission

An end fitting for use in a remote control cable assembly of the type having a control cable that includes a conduit and a wire-like strand or core element. The end of the strand is typically attached to a slider rod that extends within a swivel tube. The swivel tube is supported within a swivel socket provided in the end fitting. The end fitting allows for easy rotation of the end fitting relative to the axis of the conduit and provides for isolation against noise and vibration transmission, while not adding additional lash into the cable system from the rotating end fitting joint. The end fitting has four pieces, a molded sleeve, conduit isolator, outer fitting (side entry fitting) and end cap. The conduit isolator, end cap, molded outer fitting and molded sleeve, are toleranced such that when they are assembled, they have a slight interference and thus reduce the lash generated by the rotational joint. The conduit isolator further is manufactured from a resilient material that isolates against transmission of vibration/noise and can be easily compressed by a snap fitting operation.

BACKGROUND 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a conduit end fitting for a motion 
transmitting remote control cable assembly of the type used in 
transmission shift cables, park brake cables and light duty control cables 
and a method for making such a fitting. 
2. Background Art 
Motion transmitting remote control cable assemblies are used for 
transmitting both force and travel along a curved path in aircraft, 
automotive, and marine environments. Known cable assemblies can be used 
for transmitting load and motion in both push and pull type applications. 
In the automotive environment, typical applications include but are not 
limited to parking brake, accelerator, hood release, brake release, trunk 
release, park lock, tilt wheel control, fuel filler door, transmission 
shifter cables and hydraulic control cables. One specific use of such 
remote control assemblies is the positioning of throttle and transmission 
shift members in automobiles. 
Motion transmitting remote control assemblies for transmitting motion in a 
curved path typically include flexible core element (strand) slidably 
enclosed within a flexible outer sheath (conduit) with end fittings 
attached to both ends of each respective member. These fittings attach to 
and react load from the conduit to its mounting points and from the strand 
to its mounting points respectively. The core element is adapted at one 
end to be attached to a member to be controlled whereas the other end is 
attached to a manual actuator for longitudinally moving the core element. 
Thus, in the automotive environment, for example, assemblies normally 
include one or more fittings secured to the conduit for attaching the 
conduit to a support structure of the automobile. 
The conduit end fittings must remain attached to the conduit while 
resisting relative axial movement (lash) between the conduit and the 
conduit end fittings. These conduit end fittings may be attached to the 
conduit in many ways, which can include: over molding, gluing, press 
fitting, screw on, spin welding, staking as well as many other methods. 
Although all these methods provide for a strong joint that resists axial 
movement, unfortunately, they all eliminate relative rotational movement 
between the conduit and the conduit end fittings. 
Having the conduit end fittings fixed against rotation relative to the 
conduit creates a problem in that, during the assembly operation, the 
operator frequently has to twist the conduit end fitting along the axis of 
the conduit in order to line it up and install it in the mounting point. 
When the conduit end fitting is fixed against rotation relative to the 
conduit, this twisting operation has the detrimental effect of, among 
other things, slowing down the assembly process and twisting and binding 
the conduit. To eliminate the assembly problems, it is desirable to have 
conduit end fittings on the conduit that provide for easy rotation about 
the axis of the conduit, and thus speed up the assembly time and reduce 
binding and twisting of the conduit. 
One example of a known conduit end fitting product is shown in FIG. 1. As 
shown, the control cable 10 includes a conduit 12 and a wire-like strand 
or core element 14. The end of the strand 14 is attached to a slider rod 
16 that extends within a swivel tube 18. The swivel tube 18 is supported 
within a swivel socket provided an the conduit end fitting. The conduit 
end fitting of this prior art design includes a hard plastic sleeve 8 
molded onto an end of the conduit. A compressible isolator 9 is molded or 
pressed over the molded sleeve. The sleeve and isolator are tapered toward 
the end of the conduit and contained within molded outer fitting 2. A 
spherical cavity or socket 2s for receiving the swivel tube is formed 
entirely within the outer fitting 2 at the one of the conduit end fitting. 
The opposite end of the conduit end fitting, i.e., the end that receives 
the conduit, is capped with a cap, which is typically formed of metal. 
This design does not, however, include any means to facilitate rotation of 
the end fitting relative to the conduit. 
In addition, because the spherical socket or cavity for receiving the 
swivel tube 18 is formed entirely within the outer fitting 2, the swivel 
tube must be snapped into the socket during assembly. As a consequence, 
the spherical extent of the socket is limited and the degree to which the 
swivel tube is securely retained within the socket is also limited. 
It is known to make conduit end fittings that rotate about the axis of the 
conduit. Conduit end fittings that rotate about the axis of the conduit 
are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,860,609; 4,951,524; 5,161,428 
and 5,383,377. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,609 discloses a flexible motion transmitting core 
element that includes a conduit (12), a flexible motion transmitting core 
element (14) that is slidably supported by the conduit and a connector 
member (16) that includes an annular radially extending flange (18). The 
assembly (10) further includes an end fitting (30) having a cylindrical 
portion (32). The cylindrical portion (32) is positioned over the outer 
surface of the connector member (16) such that the cylindrical portion 
(32) abuts the flange (18). A retainer (38) simultaneously engages the end 
fitting (30) and the flange (18) for preventing relative axial movement 
between the conduit (12) and the end fitting (30) while permitting 
relative rotational movement therebetween. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,524 discloses a flexible motion transmitting core 
element (28) that includes a supporting fitting (14) having first and 
second ends defining a first axis for extending through a substantially 
U-shaped seat (18) in a support structure (20). A core element (28) is 
movably supported by the support fitting (14) for transmitting motion 
between the ends thereof. The assembly (10) includes a pair of spaced 
flanges (52, 52', 54, 54o) supported about the support fitting (14) for 
allowing relative rotation therebetween and positioning the support 
fitting (14) in the substantially U-shaped seat (18) on the support 
structure (20). 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,428 discloses a motion transmitting remote control 
assembly (10) for transmitting forces along a curved path by a flexible 
core element (26) slidably disposed within a flexible conduit (12). The 
assembly (10) includes an elongated member (62) for adjusting the 
longitudinal position of the conduit (12) by being slidably disposed 
within a passageway (68) of a support member (32). A locking clip (86) is 
movable between a disengaged position for permitting relative longitudinal 
movement between the elongated member (62) and the base (32) and an 
engaged position for preventing longitudinal movement therebetween. The 
elongated member (62) is rotatably supported on the conduit (12) to allow 
rotation of the conduit (12) relative to the support member (32) while in 
an engaged position. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,377 discloses a flexible motion transmitting core 
element (54) that includes a conduit (12) and a cable (54) that is movably 
supported along its length within the conduit (12). A support member (48) 
attaches one end (14) of the conduit (12) to a support structure (46). An 
isolator (96) is disposed between the support member (48) and the conduit 
end (14). The conduit end (14) has an integral conduit end fitting (18). 
The isolator (96) dampens vibrations and shocks transmitted between the 
support member (48) and the conduit end (14). The isolator (96) is fixed 
against transnational movement relative to the conduit end (14). An 
anti-stick coating (106) disposed on the outer surface (100) of the 
conduit end fitting (18) allows the conduit end (14) and conduit end 
fitting (18) to rotate relative to the support member (48). 
The assemblies described in these patents have various disadvantages. For 
example, the fittings may introduce extra lash into the cable assembly, 
which in turn reduces the travel efficiency of the push pull cable system. 
The fittings may also complicate assembly and increase capital and labor 
expense. 
Another known assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,251, which 
discloses a flexible core element (12) in a conduit (18) and a method of 
making same. An end fitting (20) is disposed about the conduit (18) by a 
cylindrical section which includes abutments (24). A vibration dampener 
(16) includes a cylindrical tube disposed about the end fitting (20) with 
grooves (28) aligned with the abutments (24) and tabs (30) extending 
radially outward from the vibration dampener (16). A support (14) includes 
a cylindrical wall (32) disposed about and coextensive with the vibration 
dampener (16) with openings (34) aligned with the tabs (30) of the 
vibration dampener (16). The vibration dampening means (16) is in axial 
mechanical interlocking engagement with the end fitting (20) and support 
(14) for maintaining the vibration dampener (16) free of radial 
compressive forces. 
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,050 discloses a flexible core element (12) in 
a conduit (18) and a method of making same. An end fitting (20) is 
disposed about the conduit (18) by a cylindrical section which includes 
abutments (24). A vibration dampener (16) includes a cylindrical tube 
disposed about the end fitting (20) with grooves (28) aligned with the 
abutments (24) and tabs (30) extending radially outward from the vibration 
dampener (16). A support (14) includes a cylindrical wall (32) disposed 
about and coextensive with the vibration dampener (16) with openings (34) 
aligned with the tabs (30) of the vibration dampener (16). The vibration 
dampener (16) is in axial mechanical interlocking engagement with the end 
fitting (20) and support (14) for maintaining the vibration dampener (16) 
free of radial compressive forces. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,838 discloses a flexible motion transmitting core 
element assembly (10) that includes a conduit (16) with a male end fitting 
(20) molded at one end, which engages with a female end fitting (30). The 
female end fitting (30) includes a conduit (38) and attaches to a support 
structure (90). Splining (24, 32) is provided on the engaging portions of 
the male end fitting (20) and the female end fitting (30) to allow for 
precise rotational adjustment and locking between the male end fitting 
(20) and the female end fitting (30). 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,177 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,348 disclose a flexible 
motion transmitting core element that includes a flexible motion 
transmitting core element and a flexible conduit. An end fitting is 
disposed about the end portion of the conduit for supporting the conduit 
and core element with the core element extending from the end fitting. The 
assembly also includes a support housing for supporting the end fitting 
and the conduit on a support structure. A resilient vibration dampener is 
disposed between the support housing and the end fitting for providing 
noise and vibration isolation therebetween. A mold assembly and a method 
are also disclosed for making the motion transmitting remote control 
assembly including the steps of; inserting the end portion of the conduit 
into a cavity of a first mold and injecting organic polymeric material 
into the cavity for molding the end fitting about the conduit, inserting 
the end fitting into a cavity of a second mold and injecting a vibration 
dampening material into the mold for molding a vibration dampener about 
the end fitting, and placing the vibration dampener into a cavity of a 
third mold and injecting an organic polymeric material for molding a 
support housing about the vibration dampener. 
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,755 discloses a mold assembly and a method 
for making a motion transmitting remote control assembly including the 
steps of; inserting the end portion of the conduit into a cavity of a 
first mold and injecting organic polymeric material into the cavity for 
molding the end fitting about the conduit, inserting the end fitting into 
a cavity of a second mold and injecting a vibration dampening material 
into the mold for molding a vibration dampener about the end fitting, and 
placing the vibration dampener into a cavity of a third mold and injecting 
an organic polymeric material for molding a support housing about the 
vibration dampener. 
Notwithstanding these prior art disclosures, there remains a need for an 
end fitting for a remote control cable assembly that allows for easy 
rotation of the end fittings relative to the axis of the conduit, provides 
for isolation against noise and vibration transmission, and does not add 
significant additional lash into the cable system from the rotating end 
fitting joint. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the known systems 
described above by providing an end fitting for a remote control cable 
assembly that allows for easy rotation of the end fittings relative to the 
axis of the conduit and provides for isolation against noise and vibration 
transmission, while minimizing lash added into the cable system from the 
rotating end fitting joint. This is accomplished by a four piece conduit 
end fitting assembly that connects the conduit to its mounting point. 
The first piece (molded sleeve) is fastened directly onto and along the 
longitudinal axis of the conduit and is characterized by having a first 
cylindrical shoulders feature for receiving and retaining the second 
piece, and a second cylindrical shoulder feature for guiding the 
rotational movement of the whole end fitting assembly along the axis of 
the conduit. 
The second piece (conduit isolator) is characterized by being molded from a 
elastomeric material and being comprised of two pieces that are connected 
by a living hinge, but not limited to being connected this way. The second 
piece is further characterized by a cylindrical cavity for receiving the 
cylindrical shoulder of the molded sleeve and having a partial spherical 
cavity for receiving and supporting a swivel tube. The conduit isolator is 
assembled to the molded sleeve by folding the two halves about the living 
hinge and over the shoulder portions of the molded sleeve, but could be 
overmolded. 
The third piece (molded outer fitting or side entry fitting) is 
characterized by having features molded into its outside periphery that 
mate with and snap into a transmission and/or shifter mounting bracket. 
The side entry fitting is further characterized by having a partial 
spherical cavity for receiving and supporting a swivel tube, and having a 
cylindrical cavity for receiving the front cylindrical portion of the 
assembly created by folding the conduit isolator over the molded sleeve. 
The side entry fitting is also characterized by having a outside lip that 
mates with the fourth piece and forms a annular snap fit. It should be 
understood, however, that the outer surface of the end fitting 24 could 
take any form that is suitable for mounting in a fitting and need not be 
limited to a side entry fitting. 
The fourth piece (end cap) is characterized by having a cylindrical cavity 
for receiving the rear cylindrical portion of the assembly created by 
folding the conduit isolator over the molded sleeve. The end cap is 
further characterized by having an internal lip the mates with the third 
piece and forms a annular snap fit. The side entry fitting and end cap are 
snapped together over top of the assembly created by folding the conduit 
isolator over the molded sleeve, which in turn compresses the conduit 
isolator up against both the front and back portions of the first shoulder 
of the molded sleeve. A small amount of lubricant is applied to the 
conduit isolator prior to assembly to facilitate the easy rotational 
movement of the conduit end fitting assembly relative to the axis of the 
conduit. 
The conduit isolator, end cap, side entry fitting and molded sleeve, are 
toleranced such that when they are assembled, they have a slight 
interference and thus reduce the lash generated by the rotational joint. 
The conduit isolator further is manufactured from a resilient material 
that isolates against transmission of vibration/noise and can be easily 
compressed by the snap fitting operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The present invention is an end fitting that is particularly well suited 
for use in a remote control cable assembly of the type having a control 
cable 10 that includes a conduit 12 and a wire-like strand or core element 
14. The end of the strand 14 is typically attached to a slider rod 16 that 
extends within a swivel tube 18. The swivel tube 18 is supported within a 
swivel socket provided in the end fitting. 
Each of the end fittings described hereinafter allow for easy rotation of 
the end fittings relative to the axis of the conduit and provide for 
isolation against noise and vibration transmission, while not adding 
additional lash into the cable system from the rotating end fitting joint. 
In each instance, this is accomplished by a four piece conduit end fitting 
assembly that connects the conduit to its mounting point. While the four 
pieces can take different forms, they may be generally referred to as a 
molded sleeve, conduit isolator, outer fitting (side entry fitting and end 
cap). 
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention. The 
control cable 10 includes a conduit 12 and a wire-like strand or core 
element 14. The end of the strand 14 is attached to a slider rod 16 that 
extends within a swivel tube 18. The swivel tube 18 is supported within a 
swivel socket provided in the end fitting. 
The end fitting of this embodiment is similar in many respects to the prior 
art design shown in FIG. 1, but there are significant differences. The end 
fitting includes a hard plastic sleeve 28 molded onto an end of the 
conduit 12. The molded sleeve is fastened directly onto and along the 
longitudinal axis of the conduit and is characterized by having a first 
cylindrical shoulder feature (provided by radial flange 26) for receiving 
and retaining a compressible isolator 29 and a second cylindrical shoulder 
feature for guiding the rotational movement of the whole end fitting 
assembly along the axis of the conduit. 
The compressible isolator 29 is preferably molded from a elastomeric 
material as two pieces that are connected by a living hinge, but not 
limited to being connected this way. Instead the isolator could be molded 
over the molded sleeve. The sleeve and isolator are tapered toward the end 
of the conduit and located within a molded outer fitting 24. The taper 
facilitates assembly of the sleeve and isolator into the molded outer 
fitting, while reducing lash by providing a radial reaction component to 
axial forces and facilitates compression of the isolator for the same 
reason. 
The isolator 29 is preferably formed of a compressible elastic (resilient) 
elastomeric material. This is to be contrasted with the molded sleeve 28 
and the outer fitting 24 both of which are formed of a hard, 
noncompressible plastic material. The specific materials used are not 
critical, but the isolator must be significantly more compressible that 
the molded sleeve and outer fitting. The isolator 29 is preferably a 
compressible material such as urethane or TPO (santoprene). The molded 
sleeve is preferably formed of nylon (32% mineral filled nylon 66) and the 
outer fitting is preferably formed of the same material. 
The isolator 29 includes a cylindrical cavity 39a for receiving the 
cylindrical shoulder of the molded sleeve and has a partial spherical 
cavity or socket 24s for receiving and supporting the swivel tube 18 at 
one end of the conduit fitting. The conduit isolator is preferably 
assembled to the molded sleeve by folding the two halves about the living 
hinge over the shoulder portions of the molded sleeve, but the conduit 
isolator could also be overmolded. The molded outer fitting 24 includes 
features molded into its outside periphery that allow the outer fitting to 
be secured to a transmission and/or shifter mounting bracket, any suitable 
outer periphery shape could be used. The molded outer fitting is further 
characterized by having a partial spherical cavity for receiving and 
supporting a swivel tube, and having a cylindrical cavity for receiving 
the front cylindrical portion of the assembly created by folding the 
conduit isolator over the molded sleeve. The molded outer also includes a 
radial flange that mates with end cap 23. 
The opposite end of the conduit end fitting, i.e., the end that receives 
the conduit, is capped with the end cap 23, which, in this embodiment, is 
typically formed of metal. The end cap 23 has a cylindrical cavity for 
receiving the rear cylindrical portion of the outer fitting 24. The end 
cap can thus be bent around the outer fitting as shown or otherwise 
connected to cap the assembly created by folding the conduit isolator over 
the molded sleeve. 
The conduit isolator, end cap, side entry fitting and molded sleeve, are 
dimensioned such that when they are assembled, they have a slight 
interference. Because of this interference, the capping action compresses 
the conduit isolator up against both the front and back portions of the 
first shoulder of the molded sleeve thus reducing the lash generated by 
the rotational joint. A small amount of lubricant is applied to the 
conduit isolator prior to assembly to facilitate the easy rotational 
movement of the conduit end fitting assembly relative to the axis of the 
conduit. This avoids the need for a circumferential anti-stick surface 
provided contiguous with the isolator or an anti-stick coating on the 
outer surface of the molded sleeve. Again, the conduit isolator is 
manufactured from a compressible resilient material that isolates against 
transmission of vibration/noise and can be easily compressed by the snap 
fitting operation. 
As noted above, there are several significant differences between the end 
fitting of this embodiment and the prior art design shown in FIG. 1. To 
begin with, a radially outwardly extending flange 26 is formed on the 
sleeve 28 proximate one end thereof. To accommodate the flange, the outer 
fitting 24 includes an annular collar 22 with an internal lip that extends 
radially inward of the outer edge of the flange 26. The provision of the 
flange 26 and collar 22 allows the flange 26 of the sleeve 28 to be 
sandwiched and thus secured against lash in both directions. Specifically, 
the flange is sandwiched between the end cap 23 in one direction and the 
internal lip of the outer fitting in the other direction. As a result, the 
only lash possible is due to compression of the isolator. Consequently, 
this design reduces lash to a very low level, while also providing noise 
and vibration isolation. 
In addition, the partial spherical socket or cavity 24s for receiving the 
swivel tube 18 is formed by partial spherical portions of two distinct 
components, the outer fitting 24 and the isolator 29. This makes it 
possible to insert the swivel tube through the back side of the outer 
fitting 24 (before the isolator and sleeve are inserted therein) rather 
than snapping the swivel tube into the socket. As a consequence, the 
spherical extent of the socket can be greater than otherwise possible to 
ensure that the swivel tube is securely retained within the socket. 
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. Again, 
the control cable 10 includes a conduit 12 and a wire-like strand or core 
element 14. The end of the strand 14 is attached to a slider rod 16 that 
extends within a swivel tube 18. The swivel tube 18 is supported within a 
swivel socket provided in the end fitting. 
The end fitting of this embodiment includes a hard plastic sleeve 38 molded 
onto an end of the conduit 12. The molded sleeve is fastened directly onto 
and along the longitudinal axis of the conduit and is characterized by 
having a first cylindrical shoulder feature (provided by radial flange 36) 
for receiving and retaining a compressible isolator 39 and a second 
cylindrical shoulder feature for guiding the rotational movement of the 
whole end fitting assembly along the axis of the conduit. 
The compressible isolator 39 is formed of a compressible elastic 
(resilient) elastomeric material. This is to be contrasted with the molded 
sleeve 38 and the outer fitting 34, both of which are formed of a hard, 
noncompressible plastic material. The specific materials used are not 
critical, but the isolator must be significantly more compressible that 
the molded sleeve and outer fitting. The isolator 39 is preferably a 
compressible material such as urethane or TPO (santoprene). The molded 
sleeve 38 is preferably formed of nylon (32% mineral filled nylon 66) and 
the outer fitting 34 and end cap 33 are preferably formed of the same 
material. 
The isolator 39 includes a cylindrical cavity 39a for receiving the 
cylindrical shoulder 36 of the molded sleeve having an outer periphery 36a 
and has a partial spherical cavity or socket 34s for receiving and 
supporting the swivel tube 18 at the one of the conduit end fitting. The 
conduit isolator is preferably assembled onto the molded sleeve by folding 
the two halves about the living hinge 39d and over the shoulder portions 
of the molded sleeve, but could be molded over the molded sleeve. 
Though it is not shown, the sleeve and isolator could be tapered toward the 
end of the conduit as in the previous embodiment. Again, such a taper 
facilitates assembly of the sleeve and isolator into the molded outer 
fitting 34, reduces lash by providing a radial reaction component to axial 
forces and facilitates compression of the isolator for the same reason. 
The molded outer fitting 34 (here a side entry fitting) is characterized by 
having features molded into its outside periphery that mate with and snap 
into a transmission and/or shifter mounting bracket. The molded outer 
fitting 34 is further characterized by having a partial spherical cavity 
34s for receiving and supporting the swivel tube 18 and having a 
cylindrical cavity 34c for receiving the front cylindrical portion 40a, 
comprising the front portion 39b of the isolator 39 and front portion 38a 
of the molded sleeve 38, of the assembly, comprising the isolator 39 and 
the molded sleeve 38, created by folding the conduit isolator over the 
molded sleeve. The molded outer fitting 34 also includes an outside lip 
34a that mates with an end cap 33 and forms a annular snap fit. 
The end cap 33 is formed of hard plastic and includes a cylindrical cavity 
33c for receiving the rear cylindrical portion 40b, comprising the rear 
portion 39c of the isolator 39 and rear portion 38b of the molded sleeve 
38, of the assembly 40, comprising the isolator 39 and the molded sleeve 
38, created by folding the conduit isolator over the molded sleeve 38. The 
end cap 33 also includes an internal lip 33a that mates with the outer 
fitting 34 to provide the aforementioned snap fit. In particular, the 
outer fitting 34 and end cap 33 are snapped together over the top of the 
assembly created by folding the conduit isolator over the molded sleeve to 
cap the assembly. 
The conduit isolator, end cap, side outter fitting and molded sleeve, are 
dimensioned such that when they are assembled, they have a slight 
interference. Because of this interference, the capping action compresses 
the conduit isolator up against both the front and back portions of the 
first shoulder of the molded sleeve thus reducing the lash generated by 
the rotational joint. A small amount of lubricant is applied to the 
conduit isolator prior to assembly to facilitate the easy rotational 
movement of the conduit end fitting assembly relative to the axis of the 
conduit. This obviates the need for a circumferential anti-stick surface 
provided contiguous with the isolator or an anti-stick coating on the 
outer surface of the molded sleeve. Again, the conduit isolator is 
manufactured from a compressible resilient material that isolates against 
transmission of vibration/noise and can be easily compressed by the snap 
fitting operation. 
Again, there are several significant differences between the end fitting of 
this embodiment and the prior art design shown in FIG. 1. To begin with, 
the radially outwardly extending flange 36 is formed on the sleeve 38 
proximate one end thereof. To accommodate the flange, both the outer 
fitting 34 and the end cap 33 include annular end surfaces that extend 
radially inward of the outer edge of the flange 36. The provision of the 
flange 36 and collar 32 allows the sleeve 38 to be sandwiched and thus 
secured against lash in both directions. Specifically, the flange is 
sandwiched between the end cap 33 in one direction and the outer fitting 
34 in the other direction. As a result, the only lash possible is due to 
compression of the isolator. Consequently, this design reduces lash to a 
very low level, while also providing noise and vibration isolation. 
The embodiment of FIG. 3 also includes a snap fit between the outer fitting 
and the end cap to ease assembly. In addition, the partial spherical 
socket or cavity 34s for receiving the swivel tube 18 is formed by two 
distinct components, the outer fitting and the isolator. This makes it 
possible to insert the swivel tube through the back side of the outer 
fitting rather than snapping the swivel tube into the socket. As a 
consequence, the spherical extent of the socket can be greater than 
otherwise possible to ensure that the swivel tube is securely retained 
within the socket. 
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides several 
significant advantages over prior art adjusters. In general, these 
advantages may be characterized as significantly reduced lash, greater 
simplicity and improved reliability. 
While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, the preferred forms and 
embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will 
be apparent to those skilled in the art that other changes and 
modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts 
set forth above.