Abstract:
A fastener assembly includes a grommet having an enlarged bulbous body and a cylindrical extension projecting therefrom, the projection and body defining axially aligned openings therethrough. The cylindrical projection is configured to retain a washer on the outside thereof and a fastener on the inside thereof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present regular United States patent application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/566,206 filed Apr. 26, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to grommets and, more particularly to grommets configured for assembly with fasteners and washers that are used in conjunction with the grommet. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Grommets are used extensively in a variety of applications and assemblies, including many different assemblies and subassemblies in motor vehicles. In motor vehicles, grommets are used frequently in stabilizer links, control arms, shock mounts and various other suspension applications and mounting assemblies. Often a grommet is installed onto a threaded component of the vehicle together with a washer and/or fastener such as a nut. Properly placing two or three components can be difficult and time-consuming, particularly if placement is at a difficult angle or orientation. Efficient assembly line installation, such as used for automobiles and other high volume products, is dependent upon rapid, error free performance of each assembly step. Therefore, there has been a desire to make the installation of grommets easier and more efficient, which has resulted in attempts to pre-assemble or in some way unitize the grommet with other associated components of the assemblies. 
   A variety of different grommet designs are known that can retain a washer and/or a nut or other fastener that will be used in cooperation with the grommet. For example, it is known to use shrink-wrap to capture a grommet and mating part together, to facilitate subsequent installation of both parts. As another example, it is known to use adhesives to secure a grommet to an associated member. Yet another known example involves insert molding the grommet to the cooperating structure. Although each of these prior designs has proven satisfactory in some applications, there is a continuing need for improved grommet designs that are inexpensive to manufacture, that are easy to assembly and install and that are adapted and configured to be durable and dependable in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a grommet having a body and a cylindrical extension projecting therefrom, with axially aligned openings therethrough. The outside of the cylindrical extension is configured to retain a washer and the inside of the cylindrical extension is configured to retain a fastener, such as a nut. 
   In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a grommet with a grommet body, a cylindrical extension projecting from the grommet body and an opening extending through the body and the extension. An outward projection on the extension in spaced relation with the body defines with the body a washer retention zone between the body and the projection. 
   In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a fastener assembly with a grommet having a body and a cylindrical extension defining an axial opening therethrough. A washer is disposed on the extension; and a fastener is held at least partly within the cylindrical extension. 
   In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a grommet with a bulbous body and a cylindrical extension having axially aligned openings therethrough. An outwardly projecting rib on the cylindrical extension is in spaced relation with the bulbous body, and an internal projection is provided within the opening in the cylindrical extension near an end of the cylindrical extension opposite the bulbous body. 
   An advantage of the present invention is providing a grommet that can be pre-assembled with a washer and/or fastener such as a nut or a bolt. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is providing a grommet assembly having a nut and washer pre-assembled together for subsequent simultaneous installation. 
   Still another advantage of the present invention is providing a grommet that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assembly and install with a washer and fastener and that is durable in use. 
   Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a grommet in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the grommet shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a portion of the grommet shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of one configuration for use of the grommet of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, illustrating an assembly in accordance with the present invention, which includes a grommet, a washer and a nut; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a grommet in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  in particular, numeral  10  designates a grommet in accordance with the present invention. Grommet  10  is operatively associated with a washer  12  and a fastener  14  in the nature of a nut  14 . As will be described in further detail hereinafter, grommet  10  can be used in a variety of different configurations with washers and/or fasteners, such as nuts. Grommet  10  also can be configured for use in a variety of applications in automobiles and other devices. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand readily that the general overall configuration, proportionate size and other features of grommet  10  can vary as required for the particular application in which it is used. 
   Grommet  10  is a compliant, elastomeric body of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and the like. The present invention for grommet  10  can be used with any suitable grommet material, with the features of the present invention, to be described hereinafter, formed as grommet  10  is cast, molded or otherwise shaped. Thus, the present invention can be used with known grommet materials suitable for the application and use to which grommet  10  will be put. 
   Grommet  10  includes an enlarged, bulbous body  16  and a cylindrical extension  18  therefrom. Body  16  and extension  18  together define an axial opening  20  through grommet  10 . Grommet  10  therefore can be applied to a rod, arm, fastener or other elongated structure extending through axial opening  20 . 
   Cylindrical extension  18  projects outwardly from one end of bulbous body  16  and defines a distal end  22  of extension  18  opposite the end joined with bulbous body  16 . Distal end  22  is configured on its internal portion of axial opening  20  within cylindrical extension  18  to define an internal configuration  24  for securing a fastener  14 , such as the depicted nut  14 , at least partially within axial opening  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, internal configuration  24  is an internally projecting annular rib  24  disposed substantially at the external entrance to axial opening  20 , at distal end  22 . However, those skilled in the art should readily understand that internal configuration  24  in the nature of an annular rib  24  can be positioned inwardly of the outermost edge of axial opening  20 . 
   On the external surface thereof, cylindrical extension  18  defines an outward projection  26 . In the exemplary embodiment, outward projection  26  is a circumferential rib  26  extending completely around cylindrical extension  18 . Outward projection  26  in the nature of circumferential rib  26  is spaced axially along cylindrical extension  18  to be in spaced relationship with bulbous body  16 . Accordingly, a washer retention zone  28  is defined between outward projection  26  and bulbous body  16 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , axial opening  20  through bulbous body  16  and cylindrical extension  18  further defines an inward stop  30  in the nature of an inwardly projecting annular ring  30  spaced from internal configuration  24 . Thus, grommet  10  can engage a component (not shown) inserted through axial opening  20  abutting or frictionally engaging stop  30 , and a fastener retention zone  32  is provided within axial opening  20 , between internal configuration  24  and stop  30 . 
   As thus far described and shown, internal configuration  24 , outward projection  26  and stop  30  are substantially continuous, ring-like structures extending completely around cylindrical extension  18  or within axial opening  20 . However, those skilled in the art should readily understand that a plurality of discontinuous inward or outward projections can be used, or even a single projection can be used for one or more of internal configuration  24 , outward projection  26  and stop  30 . Rather than discrete formations on the surfaces of grommet  10 , internal configuration  24 , outward projection  26  and stop  30  can be provided in the way of changes in diameter to perform the retaining functions as will be described more fully hereinafter. 
   One application and use of grommet  10  is shown in  FIG. 4  where a nut  14  is inserted fully within cylindrical extension  18 . Washer  12  is disposed at distal end  22  and a second nut or other fastener  34  can then be engaged with a threaded member (not shown) engaging both nut  34  and nut  14 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an advantageous application of the present invention in which both washer  12  and nut  14  are pre-assembled with and retained by grommet  10 . An outside diameter of cylindrical extension  18  is selected to fit snugly within a central opening  36  of washer  12 . Cylindrical extension  18  can be collapsed partly or otherwise deformed to be inserted into central opening  36  of washer  12 , and moved therethrough until washer  12  is moved past outward projection  26 . Washer  12  is thus retained within washer retention zone  28 , generally between bulbous body  16  and outward projection  26 . 
   Nut  14  is provided with a radially outwardly projecting flange  38  of slightly greater diameter than a selected internal diameter of cylindrical extension  18 . Flange  38  of nut  14  is inserted into axial opening  20  of cylindrical extension  18  at distal end  22 , and is positioned just inwardly of internal configuration  24 . Stop  30  prevents nut  14  from moving too deeply into axial opening  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a portion of nut  14  projects outwardly of cylindrical extension  18 , and can be engaged by a wrench or other implement for tightening nut  14  on a threaded device (not shown) extending through axial opening  20 . 
   Flange  38  can be provided with a sharpened or other cutting edge  40  for severing the grommet material from between washer  12  and nut  14 , thereby allowing for a solid connection of nut  14  against washer  12 . 
   Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , grommet  10  can be pre-assembled with washer  12  and nut  14  so as to secure each to grommet  10  for transport and assembly. Installation in an automobile subassembly on a production line is facilitated in that three components can be pre-assembled and thereafter installed in one simple motion. It should be understood that grommet  10  need not be assembled with both washer  12  and nut  14 , but instead also can be assembled with only washer  12  or only nut  14 . 
   It should be understood that the features of the present invention also can be provided by insert molding cylindrical extension  18  through or around washer  12  and/or nut  14 , thereby capturing washer  12  and/or nut  14 . 
     FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a grommet  50  in accordance with the present invention. Grommet  50  includes an enlarged, bulbous body  52  similar to body  16  described previously, and a cylindrical extension  54  therefrom similar to extension  18  described previously. Body  52  and extension  54  together define an axial opening  56  through grommet  50 . Extension  54  defines one or more holes  58  therein, six such holes  58  being shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 . Holes  58  provide improved flexibility of extension  54 , to facilitate assembly with a washer  12  and/or fastener  14  and improved retention of washer  12  and/or fastener  14 . 
   Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
   Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.