Bolt-washer assembly for attaching truck body to frame, method and apparatus for assembling the bolt-washer assembly

Abstract

A bolt and washer assembly adapted for the purpose of mounting automotive body structures to frame structures includes a flanged head high strength bolt, a metal load distributing washer, and a plastic retaining washer. A method for assembling a bolt and washer assembly, adapted for the purpose of mounting automotive body structures to frame structures, includes the following steps: forging a high strength bolt having a flanged head, stamping a metal load distributing washer, stamping a plastic retaining washer, and assembling a metal load distributing washer and a plastic retaining washer to the bolt. An apparatus for pre-assembling a bolt and washer assembly is configured to: insert the bolt into the metal load distributing washer, and insert the bolt, coupled with the metal load distributing washer, into the plastic retaining washer by pressing the plastic retaining washer along the bolt's axial direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.