Band for anti-lateral movement of stabilizer bar

Abstract

Bands fixedly attached to the outer surface of a stabilizer bar prevent lateral movement of the stabilizer bar during turning. As the stabilizer bar rotates in a pair of bushings during turning, the stabilizer bar tends to move laterally. One of the bands contacts the side of one of the bushings, preventing further lateral movement of the stabilizer bar. In one embodiment, the band includes an attachment portion on a first end and a notched portion on an opposing second end. The attachment portion expands after entry through the notched portion to secure the band to the stabilizer bar. Alternatively, the band includes an arm on a first end which engages a protrusion on a second end to secure the band to the stabilizer bar. In a third embodiment, a first inclined edge of a first portion of the band is slidingly engaged into a second inclined edge of a second portion of the band to secure the band to the stabilizer bar. A protrusion is deflected into a notch to secure the edges together. In a fourth embodiment, a bracket including apertures is positioned on the band such that flanges on opposing ends of the band are received in the apertures. The flanges are deflected to retain the bracket and secure the band to the stabilizer bar. In a fifth embodiment, the band includes a pair of opposing curved ends which are crushed after engagement to secure the band around the stabilizer bar.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.