Link assembly

Abstract

A link for connecting a pair of spaced members having a set of aligned holes, together, generally including a bolt having threaded end portions and a pair of upset portions based inwardly relative to the threaded end portions thereof, a pair of inner grommets each formed of a resilient material, mountable on the bolt and having a portion functional to snap-fit on one of the upset portions of the bolt when such grommet is mounted on the bolt, a pair of outer grommets each formed of a resilient material, mountable on the bolt and cooperable with one of the inner grommets to engage one of the members therebetween and a pair of nuts threadable on the threaded portions of the bolt, engageable with an exterior grommet mounted on the bolt.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . A link for connecting a pair of spaced members together comprising: 
 a bolt having a threaded end insertable through an opening of one of said spaced members, a ball portion at the other end thereof cooperable with a socket provided in the other of said spaced members to provide a ball and socket connection therewith and an upset portion disposed adjacent said threaded end thereof;    an inner grommet formed of a resilient material mountable on said bolt and having a portion functional to snap-fit on said upset portion of said bolt when said inner grommet is mounted on said bolt;    an outer grommet formed of a resilient material, mountable on said bolt and cooperable with said inner grommet to engage said one of said spaced members therebetween when said inner grommet is mounted on said bolt, said threaded end portion of said bolt is inserted through said opening in said one of said spaced members and said outer grommet is mounted on a portion of said bolt extending through said opening; and    a nut threadable on the threaded portion of said bolt, engageable with said outer grommet mounted on said bolt.    
   
   
       41 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said inner grommet includes a bore for receiving said bolt therethrough and said bore is provided with a annular groove which receives said upset portion of said bolt when said inner grommet is mounted on said bolt and snap-fit on said upset portion.  
   
   
       42 . A link according to  claim 40  including a washer insert molded in said inner grommet and engageable with said upset portion of said bolt when said inner grommet is mounted on said bolt.  
   
   
       43 . A link according to  claim 42  wherein said washer is disposed in a main body portion of said inner grommet.  
   
   
       44 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said inner grommet is formed of a urethane material.  
   
   
       45 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said inner grommet includes a hub portion receivable in said opening of said one of said spaced member.  
   
   
       46 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said outer grommet is formed of a urethane material.  
   
   
       47 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said outer grommet includes a hub portion receivable in the opening of said one of said spaced members when said outer grommet is mounted on said bolt.  
   
   
       48 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said outer grommet includes a washer insert molded therein.  
   
   
       49 . A link according to  claim 48  wherein said washer is disposed within a main body portion of said outer grommet, positioned adjacent a nut threaded onto an end portion of said bolt when said link is fully assembled.  
   
   
       50 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said nut includes an annular flange and wherein said outer grommet includes a portion functional to snap-fit on the annular flange of said nut.  
   
   
       51 . A link according to  claim 50  wherein said outer grommet includes a bore for receiving said bolt therethrough and said bore is provided with an annular groove which receives the flange portion of said nut when said outer grommet is snap-fit on said nut.  
   
   
       52 . A link according to  claim 40  wherein said outer grommet includes a bore for receiving said bolt therethough, and the wall of said bore is provided with a protrusion engageable with said bolt extending through said bore, functional to permit said outer grommet to be temporarily fictionally held on an end of said bolt for shipping purposes.  
   
   
       53 . A link according to  claim 52  wherein said protrusion has an annular configuration, protruding radially inwardly into said bore.  
   
   
       54 . (canceled)