Flanged bushes and methods for the manufacture thereof

A flanged bush, comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical body portion;
• a radial flange portion integrally formed with the substantially cylindrical body portion;
• and
• an undercut region disposed within a surface of the substantially cylindrical body portion and the radial flange portion, wherein the undercut region is operable for relieving stresses present in the surface of the substantially cylindrical body portion and the radial flange portion, wherein the undercut region comprises a substantially trapezoidal shape.

A method for the manufacture of a flanged bush, comprising:

• providing a substantially cylindrical body portion;
• undercutting a region disposed within a surface of the substantially cylindrical body portion;
• and
• bending an end portion of the substantially cylindrical body portion to form a radial flange portion, wherein the resulting bend is coincident with the undercut region, thereby relieving stresses present in the surface of the substantially cylindrical body portion and the radial flange portion, wherein bending the end portion of the substantially cylindrical body portion to form a radial flange portion comprises bending the end portion of the substantially cylindrical body portion radially-inward to form an in-turned radial flange portion.

A method for the manufacture of a flanged bush, comprising:

• providing a substantially cylindrical body portion;
• providing a plurality of substantially semi-circular members;
• and
• fixedly attaching the plurality of substantially semi-circular members to the substantially cylindrical body portion, wherein the plurality of substantially semi-circular members form a radial flange portion of the flanged bush, wherein the radial flange portion extends radially-inward from the substantially cylindrical body portion.

A method for the manufacture of a flanged bush, comprising:

• providing a substantially cylindrical structure, wherein the substantially cylindrical structure comprises an end portion;
• bending the end portion of the substantially cylindrical structure about 45 degrees;
• and
• bending the end portion of the substantially cylindrical structure about 90 degrees, wherein the bent end portion of the substantially cylindrical structure forms a radial flange portion of the flanged bush.

A method for the manufacture of a flanged bush, comprising:

• providing a flat strip of bearing material;
• bending an edge of the flat strip of bearing material about 90 degrees;
• and
• rolling the flat strip of bearing material into a substantially cylindrical structure such that the bent edge forms a radial flange portion, wherein the radial flange portion extends radially-inward from the substantially cylindrical structure.