IP Library Granted Patent US 7,163,216
Granted Patent B2
US 7,163,216 · App. 10/938,364 · Granted Jan 16, 2007

One end adjustable torque rod

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,163,216
App. No.
10/938,364
Granted
Jan 16, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A length adjustment system for a torque rod assembly includes a tubular rod attached to one joint assembly and a solid rod attached to another joint assembly. The solid rod extends into the tubular rod. An adjustment nut attached to the tubular rod threadingly receives the solid rod and rotation of the adjustment nut adjusts the length of the torque rod assembly. The length adjustment system can be incorporated into a straight torque rod assembly or into a V-configuration torque rod assembly.

Claims (34)

1. A torque rod assembly comprising:

a first joint assembly;

a first solid rod extending from said first joint assembly;

a second joint assembly;

a first tubular rod extending from said second joint assembly, said first solid rod being disposed within said first tubular rod, said first tubular rod defining an external groove;

a first adjustment nut attached to said first tubular rod, said first adjustment nut threadingly receiving said first solid rod for providing length adjustment for said torque rod assembly, said first adjustment nut defining a radially inwardly extending annular flange, said radially inwardly extending annular flange being disposed within said external groove defined by said first tubular rod.

2. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first tubular rod defines an axially extending slot.

3. The torque rod assembly according to claim 2 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a pair of flanges extending radially from said first tubular rod.

4. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a clamp secured to said first tubular rod.

5. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first adjustment nut defines an internal annular groove and said first tubular rod defines a radially outwardly extending annular flange disposed within said internal annular groove defined by said first adjustment nut.

6. The torque rod assembly according to claim 5 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a pair of flanges extending radially from said first tubular rod.

7. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises:

a third joint assembly;

a second solid rod extending from said third joint assembly;

a second tubular rod extending from said second joint assembly, said second solid rod being disposed within said second tubular rod; and

a second adjustment nut attached to said second tubular rod, said second adjustment nut threadingly receiving said second solid rod for providing length adjustment for said torque rod assembly.

8. The torque rod assembly according to claim 7 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a first clamp secured to said first tubular rod and a second clamp secure to said second tubular rod.

9. The torque rod assembly according to claim 7 wherein said first tubular rod defines a first axially extending slot and said second tubular rod defines a second axially extending slot.

10. The torque rod assembly according to claim 7 wherein

one of said second adjustment nut and said second tubular rod defines a second annular groove and the other of said second adjustment nut and said second tubular rod defines a second annular flange disposed within said second annular groove.

11. The torque rod assembly according to claim 10 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a first clamp secured to said first tubular rod and a second clamp secure to said second tubular rod.

12. The torque rod assembly according to claim 11 wherein said first tubular rod defines a first axially extending slot and said second tubular rod defines a second axially extending slot.

13. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises

a third joint assembly;

a second tubular rod extending from said third joint assembly;

a second solid rod extending from said first joint assembly, said second solid rod being disposed within said second tubular rod; and

a second adjustment nut attached to said second tubular rod, said second adjustment nut threadingly receiving said second solid rod for providing length adjustment for said torque rod assembly.

14. The torque rod assembly according to claim 13 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a first clamp secured to said first tubular rod and a second clamp secure to said second tubular rod.

15. The torque rod assembly according to claim 13 wherein said first tubular rod defines a first axially extending slot and said second tubular rod defines a second axially extending slot.

16. The torque rod assembly according to claim 13 wherein

one of said second adjustment nut and said second tubular rod defines a second annular groove and the other of said second adjustment nut and said second tubular rod defines a second annular flange disposed within said second annular groove.

17. The torque rod assembly according to claim 16 wherein said torque rod assembly further comprises a first clamp secured to said first tubular rod and a second clamp secure to said second tubular rod.

18. The torque rod assembly according to claim 17 wherein said first tubular rod defines a first axially extending slot and said second tubular rod defines a second axially extending slot.

19. The torque rod assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a sleeve disposed between said first solid rod and said first tubular rod.

Assignments (4)
CONFIRMATION OF TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS (R/F 19009/0247) Recorded Feb 26, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: TENNECO INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE INC.); TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TMC TEXAS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 055429/0284 →
AMENDMENT TO SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Mar 14, 2007
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TMC TEXAS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.; TENNECO INC. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE INC.)
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK
Reel/Frame 019009/0247 →
AMENDMENT TO SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Apr 28, 2005
From: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE INC.; TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.; TENNECO INTERNATIONAL HOLDING CORP.; TENNECO GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; THE PULLMAN COMPANY; TMC TEXAS INC.; CLEVITE INDUSTRIES INC.
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 015953/0848 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2004
From: MCLAUGHLIN, RONALD J.
To: PULLMAN COMPANY,THE
Reel/Frame 015803/0370 →