Nut and washer assemblage for bushing

In a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle in which threaded ended rods in communication with wheel supports of wheels of the vehicle are resiliently clamped to a frame of the vehicle by elastomeric bushings secured on ends of the rods by a nut and washer fastener arrangement comprising:

• a three element assemblage including a nut formed with a threaded bore having a hex-head end and a radial collared end, a dish-shaped annular washer and a retaining strap with the nut and washer held in aligned relationship by said strap;
• said dish-shaped washer comprising a central base having a concentric through hole, said base defining a seating surface axially depressed from a surrounding radially extending peripheral flange having a facing surface, said flange terminating in a circular edge of predetermined diameter;
• said strap having a longitudinal axis of symmetry with said strap providing one facing surface adapted for flush contact with said washer facing surface, said strap provided with a circular aperture the center of which having its principal axis intersecting said strap longitudinal axis;
• said strap, having a predetermined width slightly greater than the diameter of said nut collar, formed with oppositely extending minor image bifurcated ends defining two pair of washer retention prongs symmetrically disposed about said longitudinal axis, each of said prongs having a distal end having an arcuate shape in cross section, said distal ends establishing four mutually opposed concave surfaces defining an imaginary cylindrical envelope with its axis aligned with said strap aperture principal axis, said imaginary cylindrical envelope having a predetermined diameter substantially equal to but slightly larger than said washer edge diameter;
• said nut collar defining an annular stop shoulder, said head end sized for journalled reception in said strap aperture a predetermined axial dimension limited by said stop shoulder, such that with said washer circular edge in conforming contact with said concave surfaces resulting in self-centering positioning of said washer on said strap aperture principal axis with said washer flange facing surface positioned in flush contact with said strap facing surface thereby locating said washer seating surface a determined axial dimension from said strap facing surface;
• and
• said four prong distal end portions extending about said washer circular edge and retaining said strap and said washer in fixed relation resulting in said nut collar being captured in a concentric manner between said strap facing surface and said washer seating surface, thereby enabling rotation of said nut relative to said strap and washer with said nut threaded bore aligned on said strap aperture principal axis.