Patent Publication Number: US-11643840-B2

Title: Apparatus, method, and assembly for attenuating vibrations between a latch and a striker

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to vibration attenuation. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and an assembly for attenuating vibrations between a latch and a striker in an assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An overhead bin assembly on an aircraft is typically equipped with a latch and a striker mounted to the bin assembly. The latch is often mounted to a door of the bin assembly and the striker is often mounted to an overhead bin portion of the bin assembly, so that when the door is brought into a closed position relative to the overhead bin portion, the latch engages the striker and retains the bin door in a closed position. 
     However, if any of the components of the bin assembly is not made to within the desired tolerance(s) then vibrations between the components of the bin assembly will likely occur. For example, if the latch and/or the striker are not made to within the desired tolerances then the latch will not securely engage the striker, so that the latch and the striker move against one another and create vibrations during operation of the aircraft. These vibrations are often noisy and a nuisance to aircraft passengers. Further, oftentimes vibrations are created even when components are made to within the desired tolerance(s) due to tolerance stack-up, deformation from gravity, external forces, and/or wear. For example, if the latch and/or striker deform due to gravity, the latch and the striker will move against one another and create vibrations. 
     In order to address this issue, a current solution includes adding a rubber component to the latch to facilitate a secure engagement of the latch with the striker if the latch and/or striker. Yet, such a rubber component tends to degrade over time and becomes ineffective in enabling the latch to securely engage the striker. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus, a method, and an assembly for attenuating vibrations between a latch and a striker, which enables the bin assembly to perform satisfactorily under various conditions including high vibration conditions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In some example aspects, a vibration-reducing apparatus for an assembly comprising a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker, the latch and the striker being engageable with one another when the first and second members are in a closed position relative to each other, is disclosed. For example, the vibration-reducing apparatus comprises: a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom, the threaded post being rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening defined by and extending through the first member such that, in the closed position of the first and second members, a distal portion of the threaded post extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening; and a locking region surrounding the threaded opening and being arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members of the threaded post upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening by one of the discrete increments so as to at least prevent rotational retraction of the threaded post, the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening and subsequent contact with the second member reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, and attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker. 
     In another example aspect, a method for vibration-reducing vibrations of an assembly comprising a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker is disclosed. For example, the method comprises arranging the first and second members in a closed position relative to each other such that the latch and the striker are engaged with one another; rotatably advancing a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom in discrete increments in a threaded opening extending through the first member until a distal portion of the threaded post extending through the first member contacts the second member; and interacting a locking region in the first member surrounding the threaded opening with at least a portion of the arm members of the threaded post upon rotatably advancing the threaded post in the threaded opening by one of the discrete increments so as to at least prevent rotational retraction of the threaded post, the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening and subsequent contact with the second member reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, and attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker. 
     In another example aspect, an assembly is disclosed. For example, the assembly comprises a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker, the latch and the striker being engageable with one another when the first and second members are in a closed position relative to each other, the assembly comprising a vibration-reducing apparatus arranged with respect to the assembly to reduce an engagement distance and to attenuate vibrations between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure or recited in any one or more of the claims, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific embodiment description or claim herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described examples of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates an assembly including first and second members in a closed position relative to each other and a vibration-reducing apparatus arranged on the first member of the assembly according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  illustrate a first embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus including a threaded post and a locking region according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate a second embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vibration-reducing apparatus of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B ; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate a third embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus including a threaded post and a locking region according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  illustrate a fourth embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus including a threaded post and a locking region according to various aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a fifth embodiment of a locking region of a vibration-reducing apparatus according to various aspects of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a method for vibration-reducing vibrations of an assembly comprising a first member and a second member according to various aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all examples of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various examples of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, unless otherwise indicated, reference to something as being a first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a particular order. Also, something described as being above something else (unless otherwise indicated) may instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, something described as being to the left of something else may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     Examples of the present disclosure are generally directed to an apparatus, a method, and an assembly for attenuating vibrations between a latch and striker. In some aspects, the latch is included on a first member and the striker is included on a second member, where the latch and the striker are engageable with one another when the first and second members are in a closed position relative to each other. Alternatively, the latch is included on the second member and the striker is included on the first member. In one example, the first member comprises a moveable or pivotable door and the second member comprises a stationary compartment. Accordingly, in this example, the first and second members form an assembly that is selected from an overhead bin in an aircraft, an automobile trunk, body panels of machinery (e.g., generators, engine shrouds/heat shields), or other applications where there is play between members or bodies in a potential vibration environment. Examples include a lid and a container, a door and a cabinet or booth or locker or the like; a cover and an apparatus; a hood and an automobile or tractor or the like; a cap and a container; a lid and a container; and the like. 
     As used herein, “attenuating vibrations” is defined as the reduction or dissipation of energy or motion between the first and second members of the assembly. Vibration between the first and second members between the assembly occur if, for example, any components of the assembly are not made to within desired tolerances or if any of the components have been subjected to tolerance stack-up, deformation from gravity, external forces, and/or wear. For example, if the latch is made too large or if the latch deforms due to gravity, then the latch will either not securely engage the striker or will slip out of engagement with the striker when the first and second members are in the closed position. In either instance, any distance between the latch and the striker that is greater than an allowable design gap (i.e., a distance between the latch and the striker that enables secure engagement of the latch with the striker) will result in movement between the latch and the striker, with vibrations resulting therefrom. These vibrations, which can manifest as rattling, are often noisy enough to be a nuisance. 
     Accordingly, the apparatus, the method, and the assembly disclosed herein attenuate vibrations by reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, so that vibrations between the latch and the striker are attenuated or reduced. More particularly, the apparatus, the method, and the assembly disclosed herein are directed to attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker by reducing the engagement distance between the latch and the striker to an allowable design gap, the allowable design gap being determined by design intent, hardness or rigidity of the striker/latch, tolerance(s), etc. 
     For example, and as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , an assembly  100  comprising a first member  102  including a latch  104  ( FIG.  1 B ) and a second member  106  including a striker  108  ( FIG.  1 B ) is illustrated. The assembly  100  is an overhead bin assembly useful in, for example, an aircraft, where the first member  102  is a bin door and the second member  106  is an overhead bin. However, the assembly  100  can be any type of assembly where the first member  102  is a moveable door, cover, hood, cap, lid, and the like, and the second member  106  is a stationary compartment, container, apparatus, locker, booth, holder, and the like. 
       FIG.  1 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the latch  104  and the striker  108  of the assembly  100  of  FIG.  1 A . The latch  104  and the striker  108  form any type of mechanical fastener arrangement that joins two members together (i.e., the first and second members  102 ,  106 ) while allowing for regular separation. As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the latch  104  and the striker  108  are arranged so that they are engageable with one another when the first and second members  102 ,  106  are in a closed position relative to each other. More particularly, a handle  110  that a user interacts with to move the first member  102  relative to the second member  106  is provided on the first member  102 . As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the handle  110  is in an open position. The handle  110  extends from an exterior surface of the first member  102  to an opposite, interior surface thereof. The latch  104  is pivotably attached to a portion of the handle  110  arranged about the interior surface of the first member  102 . A biasing member (not shown) applies a force at the pivotable attachment of the handle  110  and the latch  104  to bias the handle  110  into the closed position. This biasing member force opposes a force applied to the handle  110  by a user to move the handle  110  out of the closed position and into the open position. 
     When the handle  110  is in an open position, as shown in  FIG.  1 B , the latch  104  is not engaged with the striker  108  so that the first member  102  is moveable or pivotable into an open position relative to the second member  106 . When the handle  110  is in the closed position, the latch  104  is engaged with the striker  108  so that the first member  102  is in a closed position relative to the second member  106 . The present invention seeks reduce any engagement distance between the latch  104  and the striker  108  that is greater than an allowable design gap as any such engagement distance results in movement between the latch  104  and the striker  108  and vibrations resulting therefrom. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  1 A , the assembly  100  further comprises a vibration-reducing apparatus, generally designated  200 , arranged with respect to the assembly  100  to reduce an engagement distance between the latch  104  and the striker  108  and thereby attenuate vibrations between the latch  104  and the striker  108  with the first and second members  102 ,  106  in the closed position. The vibration-reducing apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1 A  is a first embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus, which is described in more detail in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . However, any vibration-reducing apparatus as described herein or contemplated by this application is usable with regard to the assembly  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the vibration-reducing apparatus  200  comprises, in some example aspects, a threaded post  202  having arm members  204  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the threaded post  202  has two arm members  204 , although more arm members or less arm members are contemplated by this embodiment, such as from about 1 to about 10 arm members or about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 arm members. 
     In some example aspects, the arm members  204  of the threaded post  202  each include a first portion  206  extending radially outward from an end portion  208  of the post  202  and a second portion  210  extending from a distal end  212  of the first portion  206 . The second portions  210  are resiliently deformable toward each other. The second portion  210  of the arm members  204  each includes a protrusion  214  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the protrusion  214  extends outwardly from the second portions  210  so that the protrusion  214  is at an acute angle or about 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the threaded post  202 . The protrusion can be of any shape, such as spherical, triangular, cubical, rectangular, or a polygon having from about 4 to about 10 sides, or about 6 to about 8 sides. The protrusion can be of a rubber material, such as a fluoropolymer, fluoroelastomer, silicon rubber or any rubber or elastomeric material having suitable flexibility and conformabilty. 
     The threaded post  202  is rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening  216  defined by and extending through the first member  102 . The threaded opening  216  longitudinally extends from the exterior surface to the opposite, interior surface of the first member  102  and includes threads therethrough. The threaded post  202  is thereby rotatable within the threaded opening  216  such that rotation of the threaded post  202  results in the arm members  204  advancing towards the exterior surface of the first member  102 . In addition, the distal end of the threaded post  202  moves toward the second portion  210  upon rotation of the threaded post  202  so as to urge the first portion  206  away from the second portion  210 . In doing so, the engagement distance between the latch  104  and striker  108  is reduced to the extent necessary to prevent undesirable vibration therebetween. 
     In some example aspects, the threaded post  202  comprises a metal, a plastic, or an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicones, siloxanes, nitriles, fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, neoprenes, and combinations thereof. The elastomeric material of the threaded post  202  has a hardness of from about 10 to about 100 Shore 00, from about 0 to about 100 shore A, or from about 0 to about 80 shore D. The threaded post  202  is manufactured by injection molding, compressive molding, extruding, or the like. 
     A locking region  218  surrounds the threaded opening  216  on the first member  102 . In some example aspects, the locking region  218  comprises a metal, a plastic, or an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicones, siloxanes, nitriles, fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, neoprenes, and combinations thereof; the plastic is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene or the like; and the metal is selected from steel, aluminum, titanium, and the like, and alloys thereof. The elastomeric material of the locking region  218  has a hardness of from about 10 to 100 Shore 00, about 0 to 100 shore A, or about 0 to 80 shore D. The locking region  218  is manufactured by injection molding, compressive molding, extruding, stamping of the first member  102 , or the like. As illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , for example, the locking region  218  is stamped using a die or otherwise formed directly on an exterior surface of the first member  102  and surrounding the threaded opening  216 . Alternatively, the locking region  218  is a component joined to the exterior surface of the first member  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2 B , the locking region  218  defines spaced-apart depressions  220  extending about the opening  216 . The locking region  218  and/or the depressions  220  are arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members  204  of the threaded post  202  upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post  202  in the threaded opening  216  by one of the discrete increments so as to at least prevent or substantially hinder rotational retraction of the threaded post  202 . As used herein, “discrete increments” refers to a continuous distance that the threaded post  202  is rotatable in a single direction. This distance directly corresponds to an arrangement of the depressions  220  of the locking region  218 , where a distance between two individual depressions  220  defines the distance that the threaded post  202  is rotatable continuously. More particularly, the threaded post  202  is arranged to continuously rotate in the threaded opening  216  until at least a portion of each of the arm members  204  interacts with a corresponding one of the depressions  220 . The distance that the threaded post  202  rotates until at least a portion of each of the arm members  204  interacts with the corresponding one of the depressions  220  is a discrete increment. The threaded post  202  is then rotatable another discrete increment or until at least a portion of each of the arm members  204  interacts with a corresponding, successive one of the depressions  220 . In this manner, the protrusions  214  are receivable by corresponding depressions  220  upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post  202  by at least one of the discrete increments in the threaded opening  216 . 
     In some example aspects, in the closed position of the first and second members  102 ,  106 , a distal portion  222  of the threaded post  202  extending through the first member  102  contacts the second member  106  upon rotational advancement of the threaded post  202  in the threaded opening  216 . More particularly, rotational advancement of the threaded post  202  in the threaded opening  216  and subsequent contact with the second member  106  causes tension between the first member  102  and the second member  106  (i.e., the threaded post  202  pushes the first member  102  away from the second member  106 ). This tension between the first member  102  and the second member  106  reduces the engagement distance between the latch  104  and the striker  108  with the first and second members  102 ,  106  in the closed position, and thereby attenuates vibrations between the latch  104  and the striker  108 . 
     Another embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus is illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  and an embodiment of the vibration-reducing apparatus of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  provided in an assembly is illustrated in  FIG.  3 C . More particularly, the vibration-reducing apparatus  300  comprises a threaded post  302  having arm members  304  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the threaded post  302  has two arm members  304 , although more arm members or less arm members are contemplated by this embodiment. The threaded post  302  is rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening  306  ( FIG.  3 C ) defined by and extending through a first member (e.g., first member  102  in  FIG.  1 A ) such that, in the closed position of the first member and a second member (e.g., second member  106  in  FIG.  1 A ), a distal portion  308  of the threaded post  302  extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post  302  in the threaded opening  306 . 
     In some example aspects, the arm members  304  of the threaded post  302  each include a first portion  310  extending radially outward from an end portion  312  of the post  302  and a second portion  314  extending from a distal end  316  of the first portion  310 . The second portions  314  of the arm members  304  are resiliently deformable toward each other (i.e., are able to be temporarily moved towards each other upon application of stress thereto). The second portions  314  of the arm members  304  each include a protrusion  318  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the protrusion  318  extends outwardly from the second portions  314  so that the protrusion  318  is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the threaded post  302 . 
     The vibration-reducing apparatus  300  further comprises a locking region  320 . The locking region  320  is a component extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the first member and surrounding the threaded opening  306 . The locking region  320 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , defines spaced-apart depressions  322  extending about the opening  306  and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart tines  324 . Two successive spaced-apart tines  324  define one of the depressions  322  therebetween, such that a discrete increment is defined by the depressions  322  or the distance between two successive spaced-apart tines  324 . In this manner, the protrusions  318  are receivable by corresponding depressions  322  upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post  302  by at least one of the discrete increments in the threaded opening  306 . 
       FIG.  3 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the apparatus  300  provided on an assembly including the first member  102  and the second member  106  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . As illustrated in  FIG.  3 C , the locking region  320  is arranged to interact with at least a portion of the arm members  304  of the threaded post  302  upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post  302  in the threaded opening  306  by one of the discrete increments so as to at least prevent rotational retraction of the threaded post  302  (e.g., outwardly of the threaded opening  306 /first member  102 ). The rotational advancement of the threaded post  302  in the threaded opening  306  and subsequent contact with the second member  106  reduces an engagement distance between a latch (e.g., latch  104  in  FIG.  1 B ) included on the first member  102  and a striker (e.g., striker  108  in  FIG.  1 B ) included on the second member  106  with the first and second members  102 ,  106  in the closed position, and attenuates vibrations between the latch and the striker. 
     Still another embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus is illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B . More particularly, the vibration-reducing apparatus  400  comprises a threaded post  402  having arm members  404  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the threaded post  402  has two arm members  404 , although more arm members or less arm members are contemplated by this embodiment. The threaded post  402  is rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening  406  defined by and extending through a first member (e.g., first member  102  in  FIG.  1 A ) such that, in the closed position of the first member and a second member (e.g., second member  106  in  FIG.  1 A ), a distal portion  408  of the threaded post  402  extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post  402  in the threaded opening  406 . 
     In some example aspects, the arm members  404  of the threaded post  402  each include a first portion  410  extending radially outward from an end portion  412  of the post  402  and a second portion  414  extending from a distal end  416  of the first portion  410 . The second portions  414  of the arm members  404  are resiliently deformable toward each other. The second portions  414  of the arm members  404  each include a protrusion  418  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , the protrusion  418  extends outwardly from the second portions  414  so that the protrusion  418  is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the threaded post  402 . 
     The vibration-reducing apparatus  400  further comprises a locking region  420 . The locking region  420  is stamped using a die or otherwise formed directly on an exterior surface of the first member and surrounding the threaded opening  406 . Alternatively, the locking region  420  is a component joined to the exterior surface of the first member. The locking region  420 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4 B , defines spaced-apart depressions or grooves  422  extending about the opening  406 . A discrete increment is defined by the depressions or grooves  422  or the distance between two successive grooves  422 . In this manner, the protrusions  418  are receivable by corresponding grooves  422  upon the rotational advancement of the threaded post  402  by at least one of the discrete increments in the threaded opening  406 . 
     A still further embodiment of a vibration-reducing apparatus is illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . More particularly, the vibration-reducing apparatus  500  comprises a threaded post  502  having arm members  504  extending outwardly therefrom. As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , the threaded post  502  has six arm members  504 , although more arm members or less arm members, such as from about 1 to about 10, or about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 are contemplated by this embodiment. The threaded post  502  is rotatably advanceable in discrete increments in a threaded opening  506  defined by and extending through a first member (e.g., first member  102  in  FIG.  1 A ) such that, in the closed position of the first member and a second member (e.g., second member  106  in  FIG.  1 A ), a distal portion  508  of the threaded post  502  extending through the first member contacts the second member upon rotational advancement of the threaded post  502  in the threaded opening  506 . 
     In some example aspects, the arm members  504  of the threaded post  502  are angularly spaced-apart and extend radially outward from an end portion  510  of the threaded post  502 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , each of the arm members  504  is angled about 60 degrees relative to longitudinal axis of the threaded post  502 . 
     The vibration-reducing apparatus  500  further comprises a locking region  512 . The locking region  512  is stamped using a die or otherwise formed directly on an exterior surface of the first member and surrounding the threaded opening  506 . Alternatively, the locking region  512  is an component joined to the exterior surface of the first member. The locking region  512 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B , comprises a plurality of angularly spaced-apart raised elements  514  extending longitudinally outward of the opening  506 , where areas  516  of the locking region  512  between the successive spaced-apart raised elements  514  are correspondingly angularly spaced-apart, e.g., are spaced apart about 60 degrees. As such, a discrete increment is defined by the raised elements  514  or the distance between two successive raised elements  514 . In this manner, each of the arm members  504  are receivable by corresponding angularly spaced-apart areas  516  of the locking region  520  upon rotational advancement of the threaded post  502  by at least one of the discrete increments in the threaded opening  506 . The parts of the locking region  512  can be comprised of any suitable plastic or metal material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, titanium, and the like. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an alternative to the locking region  512  in  FIG.  5 B . For example, a locking region  600  in  FIG.  6    comprises a washer  602 . The washer  602  includes a plurality of angularly spaced-apart raised elements  604  similar to the raised elements  514  in  FIG.  5 B , as well as a central opening  606 . A discrete increment is defined by the raised elements  604  or the distance between two successive raised elements  604 . In this manner, each of the arm members of a threaded post (e.g., threaded post  502  in  FIG.  5 A ) is receivable by corresponding angularly spaced-apart areas  608  of the locking region  600  upon rotational advancement of the threaded post by at least one of the discrete increments. There can be from about 1 to about 10 washers  602 , such as from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 washers. The washers can be comprised of any suitable plastic or metal material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, aluminum, steel, titanium, and the like. 
     However, rather than being stamped using a die or otherwise formed directly on an exterior surface of the first member, the washer  602  is stamped from a piece of material and then embedded in a first member (e.g., first member  102  in  FIG.  1 A ) so that the central opening  606  is aligned with a threaded opening of the first member. More particularly, embedding elements  610  are angularly spaced-apart but oriented in a direction opposite from the angularly spaced-apart raised elements  604 . The embedding elements  610  are formed so that they embed into the exterior surface of the first member upon applied force thereto. 
     A method for vibration-reducing vibrations of an assembly comprising a first member including a latch and a second member including a striker is illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The method, generally referred to as reference numeral  700 , is applicable to the vibration-reducing apparatus described in any of the embodiments hereinabove or any other embodiment contemplated by this disclosure. In a first step,  702 , the first and second members are arranged in a closed position relative to each other such that the latch and the striker are engaged with one another. In a second step,  704 , a threaded post having arm members extending outwardly therefrom is rotatably advanced in discrete increments in a threaded opening extending through the first member until a distal portion of the threaded post extending through the first member contacts the second member. In a third step,  706 , a locking region in the first member surrounding the threaded opening is interacted with at least a portion of the arm members of the threaded post upon rotatably advancing the threaded post in the threaded opening by one of the discrete increments so as to at least prevent rotational retraction of the threaded post, the rotational advancement of the threaded post in the threaded opening and subsequent contact with the second member reducing an engagement distance between the latch and the striker with the first and second members in the closed position, and attenuating vibrations between the latch and the striker. 
     In the method  700 , in some example aspects, the arm members of the threaded post each include a first portion extending radially outward from an end portion of the post and a second portion extending from a distal end of the first portion and including a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. In this manner, rotatably advancing the threaded post comprises resiliently deforming the second portion of each of the arm members toward each other and rotatably advancing the threaded post in discrete increments in the threaded opening until the protrusions of the arm members interact with spaced-apart depressions extending about the opening and defined by the locking region. 
     In some still further example aspects, the arm members of the threaded post are angularly spaced-apart and extend radially outward from an end portion of the threaded post. In this manner, rotatably advancing the threaded post comprises rotatably advancing the threaded post in discrete increments in the threaded opening until the arm members interact with a plurality of angularly spaced-apart raised elements defined by the locking region and extending longitudinally outward of the opening, and are received by corresponding angularly spaced-apart areas of the locking region between the successive spaced-apart elements. 
     Many modifications and other examples of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples disclosed and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative examples without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.