IP Library Granted Patent US 7,779,720
Granted Patent B2
US 7,779,720 · App. 11/405,395 · Granted Aug 24, 2010

Compact core adjuster with vibration dampening

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,779,720
App. No.
11/405,395
Granted
Aug 24, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A core adjuster assembly includes an adjuster body having a pin engagement end and a locking end. The adjuster body has a central longitudinal bore and a lock cavity formed through an outer peripheral surface. A slider body is formed on an end of a rod and is disposed in the central longitudinal bore of the adjuster body. A primary lock member is disposed in the lock cavity and is moveable from a shipping position to a locked position. A secondary lock member is associated with the adjuster body and the primary lock member and is adapted to maintain the primary lock member in the shipping and locked positions.

Claims (34)

1. A core adjuster assembly comprising:

an adjuster body having a pin engagement end and a locking end, the adjuster body including a central longitudinal bore and a lock cavity formed through an outer peripheral surface;

a slider body formed on an end of a rod, the slider body disposed in the central longitudinal bore;

a primary lock member disposed in the lock cavity, the primary lock member moveable from a shipping position to a locked position;

a secondary lock member associated with the adjuster body and the primary lock member, the secondary lock member adapted to maintain the primary lock member in the shipping and locked positions;

wherein the pin engaging end of the adjuster body includes a recess formed on a bottom surface and adapted to engage a pin, the recess including engagement prongs that snap around the pin to securely retain it within the recess.

2. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 wherein the slider body includes an isolator material formed on an end of the rod, the isolator material having a thickness sized to reduce lash associated with the core adjuster assembly.

3. The core adjuster assembly of claim 2 wherein the isolator material is formed on the rod with subsequent molding of the slider body such that the slider body and isolator material are integrally formed with the rod.

4. The core adjuster assembly of claim 2 wherein the thickness is from 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters.

5. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 including a biasing spring disposed in the central longitudinal bore of the adjuster body for biasing the slider body and adjuster body apart.

6. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary lock member includes a rectangular shaped body having top and side surfaces with an open bottom.

7. The core adjuster assembly of claim 6 wherein the primary lock member includes a lock slot formed centrally therein and extending from the top surface toward the open bottom, the lock slot including engagement teeth formed on an inner surface of the lock slot for engaging corresponding teeth formed on the slider body.

8. The core adjuster assembly of claim 6 wherein the primary lock member includes snap prongs formed thereon, the snap prongs extend from the top surface outwardly toward the side surfaces and angling downward.

9. The core adjuster assembly of claim 8 wherein the snap prongs engage notches formed on the adjuster body.

10. The core adjuster assembly of claim 9 wherein the snap prongs include an extraction assist feature to allow the snap prongs to be engaged and disengaged with the notches allowing adjustment of the primary lock member relative to the adjuster body.

11. The core adjuster assembly of claim 6 wherein the primary lock member includes a pocket formed proximate the top surface of the lock member extending from a front of the lock member to a rear of the lock member, the pocket sized to receive the secondary lock member.

12. The core adjuster assembly of claim 11 wherein the pocket includes a channel formed in a bottom surface of the pocket for engaging the secondary lock member.

13. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 wherein the locking end of the adjuster body includes guide features formed thereon for engaging the secondary lock member, the guide features including a raised track and slots for engaging the secondary lock member.

14. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 wherein the pin engagement end includes an orientation feature formed on the top surface, preventing insertion of the pin from the top surface.

15. The core adjuster assembly of claim 1 wherein the secondary lock member includes a central extension portion having first and second ends and a push-pull tab extending upward at the first end of the central portion.

16. The core adjuster assembly of claim 15 wherein the secondary lock member includes guide wings extending laterally outward from a bottom surface at the first end of the central portion and a guide slot formed and defined between the guide wings for riding along a raised track formed on the locking end of the adjuster body.

17. The core adjuster assembly of claim 16 wherein the bottom surface of the central extension portion includes a snap feature formed thereon for engaging an end surface of the adjuster body to maintain the secondary lock member in position when the primary lock member is in the shipping or locked positions.

18. The core adjuster assembly of claim 17 wherein the snap feature rides within a channel formed on a bottom surface of a pocket of the primary lock member.

19. A core adjuster assembly comprising:

an adjuster body having a pin engagement end and a locking end, the adjuster body including a central longitudinal bore and a lock cavity formed through an outer peripheral surface;

a slider body formed on an end of a rod, the slider body disposed in the central longitudinal bore;

a primary lock member disposed in the lock cavity, the primary lock member moveable from a shipping position to a locked position;

a secondary lock member associated with the adjuster body and the primary lock member, the secondary lock member adapted to maintain the primary lock member in the shipping and locked positions;

the slider body including an isolator material formed on an end of the rod, the isolator material positioned inside the slider body, the isolator material having a thickness sized to reduce lash associated with the core adjuster assembly.

20. A core adjuster assembly comprising:

an adjuster body having a pin engagement end and a locking end, the adjuster body including a longitudinal bore and a lock cavity formed through an outer peripheral surface;

a slider body formed on an end of a rod, the slider body disposed in the longitudinal bore;

at least one lock member disposed in the lock cavity and moveable from a shipping position to a locked position; and

wherein the slider body includes an isolator material formed on an end of the rod, the isolator material positioned inside the slider body, the isolator material having a thickness sized to reduce lash associated with the core adjuster assembly.

Assignments (22)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2026
From: ECLIPSE BUSINESS CAPITAL LLC
To: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
Reel/Frame 075646/0684 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2025
From: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE AGENCY, LLC
Reel/Frame 070077/0487 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2024
From: GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC
To: ECLIPSE BUSINESS CAPITAL LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 067799/0694 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2023
From: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
To: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD.; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING LLC; GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 064502/0136 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: DUS OPERATING INC.
Reel/Frame 059783/0288 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2022
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DUS OPERATING INC.; GROUPER STAMPING, LLC; GROUPER ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059704/0131 →
RELEASE OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 10, 2022
From: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC
To: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH; DUS OPERATING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058671/0253 →
PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2021
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS U.K., LTD; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH; DUS OPERATING INC.
To: BLUE TORCH FINANCE LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055224/0756 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 5, 2021
From: DUS OPERATING INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 055228/0843 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2021
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: DUS OPERATING INC.
Reel/Frame 055130/0694 →
CONVERSION TO LLC Recorded Jul 9, 2010
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 024663/0481 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST (LONDON) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 024244/0282 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 6, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 024195/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2010
From: DURA OPERATING CORP.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: PATRIARCH PARTNERS AGENCY SERVICES, LLC
Reel/Frame 024055/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2010
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.
Reel/Frame 023915/0548 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 26, 2010
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WACHOVIA CAPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION (CENTRAL)
Reel/Frame 023957/0946 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AS RECORDE Recorded Jan 26, 2010
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.
Reel/Frame 023963/0961 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2009
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC. (AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION); DURA OPERATING CORP. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION); DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC. (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 022482/0336 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 29, 2008
From: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021590/0917 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE Recorded Feb 8, 2008
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGRENT
To: DURA OPERATING CORP.; UNIVERSAL TOOL & STAMPING COMPANY, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020478/0674 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 10, 2006
From: DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; ATWOOD MOBILE PRODUCTS, INC.; UNIVERSAL TOOL & STAMPING COMPANY, INC.; DURA OPERATING CORP.; DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CABLE OPERATIONS, INC.; DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS (CANDA) LTD.; TRIDENT AUTOMOTIVE CANADA INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, LP
Reel/Frame 018654/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2006
From: RUHLANDER, GREGORY P.; GORDY, DONALD G.
To: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 018462/0070 →