Multi-purpose grommet

A flexible annular grommet extending along a longitudinal axis that is adapted to radially deform and frictionally engage a bore of one of two separate but communicating mechanical components of an internal combustion engine, locate a gasket with respect to the mechanical components, and retain a threaded fastener prior to final assembly of the mechanical components, said grommet comprising:

• a continuous longitudinally extending sidewall undulating about a radial line to define at least three symmetrically spaced and circumferentially disposed radially outer interference sections and radially inner interference sections wherein said outer interference sections extend radially outwardly from said radial line and are adapted to frictionally engage the gasket and one of the mechanical components while said inner interference sections extend radially inwardly from said radial line and are adapted to frictionally engage the fastener, wherein an outermost periphery of said outer interference sections and an innermost periphery of said inner interference sections comprises a plurality of locking projections extending radially away from said sidewall to promote frictional engagement between said grommet and the gasket, fastener, and the one of the mechanical components;
• and
• at least one radially outwardly extending flange secured to said outermost periphery of said grommet at a longitudinal end of said grommet and adapted to be disposed between said gasket and the other one of the mechanical components.

A gasket sub-assembly for an internal combustion engine adapted to join and seal two separate but communicating mechanical components with mating bores, comprising:

• a gasket adapted to be disposed between and providing sealing for said mechanical components, said gasket having an aperture adapted to be aligned with the mating bores of said mechanical components;
• a threaded fastener adapted to join the mechanical components together;
• and
• an annular grommet extending along a longitudinal axis that is adapted to align said aperture with the mating bores of the mechanical components, said grommet including a continuous sidewall comprising at least three symmetrically spaced circumferentially disposed grooves extending longitudinally from a first longitudinal end of said grommet to a second longitudinal end of said grommet, each said groove extending radially inwardly, an innermost periphery of said sidewall defined by a base of each of said grooves, an outermost periphery of said sidewall extending circumferentially between said each of said grooves, wherein said outermost periphery of said sidewall comprises a plurality of locking projections extending radially outwardly such that said grommet frictionally engages a wall of said aperture to prevent separation of said grommet from said gasket, said innermost periphery of said sidewall comprising a plurality of locking projections extending radially inwardly to frictionally engage said fastener to prevent separation of said fastener from said grommet;
• and
• at least one radially outwardly extending flange secured to said outermost periphery of said grommet at one of said longitudinal ends of said grommet, said flange in selective contact with said gasket.

A gasket assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• two separate but communicating mechanical components with mating bores,
• a gasket disposed between and providing sealing for said mechanical components, said gasket having an aperture aligned with said mating bores of said mechanical components;
• a threaded fastener received in said mating bores and joining said mechanical components together;
• and
• an annular plastic grommet extending along a longitudinal axis, said grommet including a continuous sidewall comprising at least three symmetrically spaced circumferentially disposed grooves extending longitudinally from a first longitudinal grommet end to a second longitudinal grommet end, each said groove extending radially inwardly, an innermost periphery of said sidewall defined by a base of each of said grooves, an outermost periphery of said sidewall extending circumferentially between said each of said grooves, wherein said outermost periphery of said sidewall comprises a plurality of locking projections extending radially outwardly such that said grommet frictionally engages a wall of said aperture to prevent separation of said grommet from said gasket and frictionally engages one of said mating bores to align said aperture of said gasket with said mating bores to correctly position said gasket, said innermost periphery of said sidewall comprising a plurality of locking projections extending radially inwardly to frictionally engage said fastener;
• and
• at least one radially outwardly extending flange secured to said outermost periphery of said grommet at one of said longitudinal ends of said grommet, said flange in contact with said gasket and one of said mechanical components.