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FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a cap for suspension strut rod of vehicle. It is
particularly a snap fit type cap fitted over threads of suspension strut rod.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
Suspension system of vehicle comprising a strut having a strut rod. The strut
rod is provided with a plurality of threads in its upper part with a cavity. The
cavity is called alien cavity meant for torquing.
The strut rod is required to be covered from top to protect the threads from
rusting as it may create problems during servicing of vehicle.
Cover for said strut rod is known to have been provided, for which reference
may be made to fig. 1. The cap (1) resting on the top of strut rod (2), thereby
covering its threads and a Nut (3) as shown. It relies on grip concept.
However, with usage there is development of looseness of grip. This results in
water spillage from cap sides leading to corrosion of the Nut and strut rod.
Further, the cap is made of high grade polymer, which makes it expensive.
Another cap is also available in the art, for which reference may be made to fig.
2. This cap (1) also covers the top of strut rod (2) together with a nut (3), which
relies on grip concept.
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Said cap constitutes an umbrella structure, which is bigger in size and
therefore heavy in weight.
It avoids water spillage from cap sides because of its bigger surface, but it may
lead to looseness with prolonged uses. Further, it is expensive because it is
made of rubber.
Some more prior arts are also available, which are discussed hereinbelow:-
CN 102555719A:- The invention discloses a dustproof cover for an automobile
front strut assembly. The dustproof cover comprises a top cover and a cylinder
of which the upper end is connected with the central part of the lower side of
the top cover. The lower part of the cylinder is cone-shaped, a ring-shaped boss
is arranged on the lower part of the cylinder, a ring-shaped groove is arranged
on the ring-shaped boss, and three open grooves are arranged at equal
intervals in the axial direction on the lower part and the middle part of the
cylinder.
This patent involves snap fit concept. However, it requires separate provision
for fitment. Further, it can't be fitted on threaded geometry of strut rod.
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Another prior art relates to an aluminium extruding section strut and cover
plate assembly for a lighting glass house. A shading edge is arranged at the
upper end face of the strut, a containing trough is arranged at the center of the
strut, and clamp tenons are arranged at the both sides of the containing
trough. A cover plate is an arc shape, C-shaped troughs are arranged at the
both sides of the cover plate and are used for placing rubber gaskets, the
center of the cover plate is provided with a positioning plate, fastening teeth are
arranged at the outer side of the cover plate, and the cover plate can be
inserted in the containing trough of the strut. The fastening teeth are fixedly
fastened with clamp tenons, a plastic plate is firmly fastened and positioned,
and the rubber gaskets are pressed on the plastic plate.
Another known art discloses a cap member capable of preventing intrusion of a
foreign matter by ensuring sealing property of a joint part of a vehicle panel
and a strut mount comprising First and second outer peripheral projection
parts circumferentially continued while projecting from the outer peripheral
surface to an outside in a radial direction are arranged on an opening side of a
body part constituted in a bottomed cylindrical body and projection dimensions
of the first and second outer peripheral projection parts are set larger than a
distance between opposed surfaces of an outer peripheral surface of a case
body and an inner peripheral surface of a wall part of the vehicle panel.
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Thereby, in the state in which the strut mount is mounted to the vehicle panel,
the first outer peripheral projection part is clamped/retained between an
upper surface of the strut mount and a lower surface of the vehicle panel and
the second outer peripheral projection part is abutted on the inner peripheral
surface of the wall part of the vehicle panel. Therefore, intrusion of the foreign
matter such as rain water, muddy water and dust can be prevented by
ensuring the sealing property of the joint part of the vehicle panel and the
strut mount.
It requires more components for its fitment. It does not rely on snap fit concept
involving rubber components, which is expensive.
None of the above cited arts fulfill requirements of the present invention.
Hence, the present invention intrpduces a cap for suspension strut rod of
vehicle so as to address the aforesaid drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a cap for suspension strut
rod of vehicle which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
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Another object of the present invention is to a cap for suspension strut rod of
vehicle which is simple in construction.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a cap for suspension strut
rod of vehicle which is reliable and efficient.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cap for suspension
strut rod of vehicle which is cost effective.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cap for suspension
strut rod of vehicle which avoids spillage of water and looseness of grip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is a cap for suspension strut rod of vehicle
comprising a hollow cylindrical member with bottom side open, wherein an
extended member is provided with top surface of said cylindrical member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: conventional cap for strut rod of vehicle.
Fig. 2 shows: another conventional cap for strut rod of vehicle.
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Fig. 3 shows: different views of cap in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 3A shows: Strut rod with polygonal cavity.
Fig. 4 shows: snap fitted cap over threads of strut rod in accordance with the
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention is directed to a cap for suspension strut rod of vehicle.
Referring to fig. 3, the cap for suspension strut rod comprising a hollow
cylindrical member (1) with bottom side open. There is provision of a member
(2) at the centre of the cylindrical member extended downward from its inner
top surface as shown.
The extended member (2) constitutes a polygonal core, which maintains gap
from the inner side surface (3) of said cylindrical member.
The inner side surface is having a plurality of lugs (4) for tight fitment of cap
with the threads of the rod.
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The polygonal core (2) is accommodated inside corresponding polygonal cavity
(5) of a mating part i.e. the rod (R) by snap fitting as indicated in fig. 3A.
In absence of the polygonal core (2), the lugs (4) which are snap fitted over the
threads of rod (R) will revolve back to un-assemble the cap from the strut top 85
hence fall-off.
Now, reference may be made to fig. 4 indicating cap of invention, polygonal core
(P) and lugs (L) of which are snap fitted over threads (T) of strut rod.
The cap of the invention is made of a polymer such as polypropylene because it
is very cost effective.
However, the conventional cap does not work efficiently if made up of
Polypropylene. Therefore they are made up of expensive material.
The cap can be manufactured by the method of injection molding. The material
and method are given as example. Other materials and methods readily
apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within scope of the
invention.
As the cap is tightly snap fitted over threads of the strut rod, therefore it
effectively prevents passage of water from cap sides. This avoids rusting of nut
and strut rod.
? ^ FEB 2014
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Advantageous Features
- Avoid rusting of Nut and strut rod.
- Prevents spillage of water from cap sides
- Can be made of cheaper polymer such as polypropylene.
- Reduction in weight.
- Cost effective.
- Ensures tight fitment
- Involves no maintenance problem.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

0 57 a°^^i*
2 3 FEB 2014
^\ ORIGINAL
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WE CLAIM:
1. A cap for suspension strut rod of vehicle comprising a hollow cylindrical
member with bottom side open, wherein an extended member is provided
with top surface of said cylindrical member.
2. A cap for suspension strut rod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
extended member is positioned at the centre of inner top surface of said
cylindrical member, which is extended downward.
«
3. A cap for suspension strut rod as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said
extended member constitutes a polygonal core to be accommodated in
the corresponding polygonal alien cavity of strut rod.
4. A cap for suspension strut rod as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the polygonal core maintains a gap from the inner side surface
of said cylindrical member.
2 8 FEB m
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5. A cap for suspension strut rod as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein the inner side surface is having a plurality of lugs for tight
fitment of the cap with threads of the strut rod.
6. A cap for suspension strut rod as claimed in any of the preceding
claims, is associated with the advantageous features such as herein
described.
7. A cap for suspension strut rod of vehicle substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.