Richard J Shebib

US Patent:

52477649, Sep 28, 1993

Filed:

Aug 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/935700

Inventors:

David R. Jeshurun - Birmingham MI
John K. Hill - Troy MI
Dwight A. Snelling - Birmingham MI
John R. Hall - Dearborn MI
Richard J. Shebib - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

E06B 716

US Classification:

494951

Abstract:

A resilient, supportive material provides low friction contact with moving parts, and includes a plurality of small diameter, resilient bristles disposed on at least one surface of a substrate. The plurality of bristles include at least a first and second group of bristles, where the first bristles of the first group have a first spring constant and a first bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part, and the second bristles in the second group have a second spring constant and a lower, second bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part. The second bristles in the second group are positioned to inhibit damage to the first group of bristles due to contact with a moving part which deviates from an intended path. As well, the first and second bristles provide two levels of resilient support to a part which is subjected to lateral forces. Where lateral forces are sufficiently high to compress the first bristles to the height of the second bristles, the second bristles compress to provide additional force in response to the applied force, while cushioning the part from damage.