BUSHING HAVING SELF-LUBRICATING OVERMOLD
An elastomeric bushing has an outer structural member within which is located an outer elastomeric member, a self-lubricating elastomer and an inner structural member. The self-lubricating elastomer is located between the inner structural member and the outer structural member and is overmolded with the outer elastomeric member to provide adhesion between the self-lubricating elastomer and the outer elastomeric member. The self-lubricating elastomer can be located between the outer structural member and the outer elastomeric member or between the inner structural member and the outer elastomeric member.
1 . An elastomeric bushing comprising:
an outer structural member;
an outer elastomeric member disposed within said outer structural member;
a self-lubricating elastomer disposed between said inner and outer elastomeric member; and
an inner structural member disposed within said outer elastomeric member; wherein
said self-lubricating elastomer is overmolded with said outer elastomeric member.
2 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 1 wherein said self-lubricating elastomer is overmolded to said outer elastomeric member.
3 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 2 wherein said self lubricating elastomer is overmolded to an inside surface of said outer elastomeric member.
4 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 2 wherein said self lubricating elastomer is overmolded to an outside surface of said outer elastomeric member.
5 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 1 wherein said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to said self-lubricating elastomer.
6 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 5 wherein said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to an inside surface of said self lubricating elastomer.
7 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 5 wherein said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to an outside surface of said self lubricating elastomer.
8 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 1 further comprising an adhesion bond between said self-lubricating elastomer and said outer elastomeric member.
9 . The elastomeric bushing according to claim 8 wherein an adhesive or a tackifier agent is not disposed between said self-lubricating elastomer and said outer elastomeric member.
10 . A method for producing an elastomeric bushing comprising:
overmolding a self-lubricating elastomer with an outer elastomeric bushing;
assembling one of said inner structural member and said outer structural member to said self-lubrication elastomer;
assembling said outer elastomeric bushing to the other of said inner structural member and said outer structural member.
11 . The method according to claim 10 wherein in said overmolding step, said self-lubricating elastomer is overmolded to said outer elastomeric member.
12 . The method according to claim 11 wherein in said overmolding step, said self-lubricating elastomer is overmolded to an inside surface said outer elastomeric member.
13 . The method according to claim 11 wherein in said overmolding step, said self-lubricating elastomer is overmolded to an outside surface said inner elastomeric member.
14 . The method according to claim 10 wherein in said overmolding step, said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to said self lubricating elastomer.
15 . The method according to claim 14 wherein in said overmolding step, said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to an inside surface of said self-lubricating elastomer.
16 . The method according to claim 11 wherein in said overmolding step, said outer elastomeric member is overmolded to an outside surface said self-lubricating elastomer.
17 . The method according to claim 10 further comprising providing an adhesion bond between said self-lubricating elastomer and said outer elastomeric member.
18 . The method according to claim 17 wherein in said step of providing adhesion, an adhesive or a tackifier agent is not provided between said self-lubricating elastomer and said outer elastomeric member.