Adjustable closure damper including locknut
By introducing a locking nut and ratchet mechanism into the adjustable closed buffer, the problems of cumbersome adjustment and unintentional engagement in the prior art are solved, achieving rapid and stable height adjustment and improved assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520159511.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-01-14
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing adjustable closing buffers require trial and error and are cumbersome to adjust in height, and the locking feature of ratchet closing buffers may engage unintentionally, leading to increased assembly time and damage.
The design incorporates a base, rod, stop block, ratchet mechanism, and locking nut. The ratchet mechanism is locked by the locking nut to quickly set the buffer height, reducing the possibility of accidental engagement.
It enables faster and easier adjustment of the buffer height, reduces assembly time and prevents damage, and provides a stable height setting.
Smart Images
Figure CN223839648U_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-reference to related applications
[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 625,122, filed January 25, 2024. The entire disclosure of the above-cited applications is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This disclosure relates to an adjustable closing damper including a locking nut. Background Technology
[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of presenting the overall context of this disclosure. The work of the currently attributed inventors, to the extent described in this background section, and in aspects that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, is neither expressly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to this disclosure.
[0005] Adjustable closure dampers can be mounted to a body panel adjacent to an opening for closing panels (such as liftgates) and provide the desired fit and finish between the body panel and the closing panel. The height of the damper is adjustable to accommodate various fits between the body panel and the closing panel. A screw-in closure damper includes a base with a hole, a threaded rod screwed into the hole in the base, and a stop block attached to one end of the rod. The base can be attached to the body panel adjacent to the opening of the closing panel, and the stop block engages the closing panel when it is closed. The height of the damper is adjusted by tightening or loosening the threaded rod into or from the threaded hole in the base. The process of adjusting the height of a screw-in closure damper requires trial and error and can be time-consuming and tedious.
[0006] To overcome these problems, closed-loop buffers have been developed, incorporating ratchet mechanisms for faster and easier adjustment of the rod's height relative to the base compared to screw-in closed-loop buffers. Ratchet closed-loop buffers typically include feature structures for locking the ratchet mechanism and thereby setting the height of the closed-loop buffer. One such closed-loop buffer comprises two sets of threads—one set of flexible threads and another set of rigid threads—extending partially around the rod, and a base with an internal thread extending only partially around the hole. When the flexible threads move past the internal threads in the base, they deflect, thus acting as a ratchet mechanism. When the rigid threads engage with the internal threads in the base, they prevent axial movement of the rod. The height of the closed-loop buffer is set by rotating the rod to disengage the flexible threads and engage the rigid threads. The locking feature structures used in these types of closed-loop buffers can be unintentionally engaged, which can increase assembly time and lead to damage to the closed-loop buffer. Utility Model Content
[0007] An example of an adjustable closing buffer according to this disclosure includes a base, a rod, a stop block, a ratchet mechanism, and a locking nut. The base can be mounted to a body panel adjacent to an opening for closing the panel. The rod can be inserted into a socket in the base. The stop block is attached to one end of the rod for engaging the closing panel. The ratchet mechanism allows the rod to move into the socket in the base to adjust the height of the adjustable closing buffer while preventing the rod from moving out of the socket. The locking nut is fitted onto a portion of the base forming the socket and is rotatable relative to the base to lock the ratchet mechanism, thereby setting the height of the adjustable closing buffer.
[0008] In one aspect, the base defines a pair of recesses spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the base, and the locking nut includes a radially inwardly projecting positioning protrusion that disengages from one of the recesses and engages with the other of the recesses when the locking nut rotates between its unlocked position and its locked position.
[0009] In one aspect, the base includes a retaining protrusion disposed between the recesses around the periphery of the base, and the locking nut defines a slot adjacent to the positioning protrusion, the slot allowing the positioning protrusion to be radially outwardly deflected and moved past the retaining protrusion when the locking nut rotates between its unlocked position and its locked position.
[0010] In one respect, the leading edge of the retaining protrusion has a smaller angle of inclination than the trailing edge of the retaining protrusion.
[0011] In one aspect, the base includes a plurality of fingers defining a socket, each finger having an internal thread that engages with an external thread on a rod, and when the rod is inserted into the socket in the base, the fingers are configured to deflect radially outward and inward whenever one of the external threads of the rod moves past one of the internal threads of the fingers, the external threads of the fingers and the rod forming a ratchet mechanism.
[0012] In one aspect, the locking nut includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting locking protrusions, wherein when the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the locking protrusions and the fingers are radially spaced apart by gaps, and the gaps are eliminated when the locking nut is in its locked position.
[0013] In one respect, the fingers have a variable outer diameter, and the locking protrusion has a variable inner diameter.
[0014] In one aspect, each finger includes a rotation stop disposed on its outer radial surface, which contacts a locking protrusion to stop the rotation of the locking nut when the locking nut is rotated from its unlocked position to its locked position.
[0015] In one aspect, each finger includes a retaining flange that engages the axial end surface of the locking nut, thereby retaining the locking nut on the base as it slides onto the base past the retaining flange.
[0016] In one respect, when the locking nut is in its locked position, the force required to compress the stop block is less than the force required to move the external thread of the rod through the internal thread of the finger.
[0017] In one aspect, the base includes a cylindrical portion defining a lug, the locking nut being fitted onto the cylindrical portion of the base, and when the locking nut slides onto the cylindrical portion, the lug of the cylindrical portion engages the axial end surface of the locking nut, thereby preventing the locking nut from sliding further onto the cylindrical portion.
[0018] In one aspect, the base also includes an elongated portion from which a cylindrical portion protrudes, the elongated portion having a pair of countersunk holes configured to receive fasteners for securing the base to a vehicle body panel.
[0019] In one respect, a ratchet mechanism consists of a base and a lever.
[0020] In one aspect, the base and rod are made of plastic, the locking nut is made of thermoplastic, and the stop block is made of rubber.
[0021] In one aspect, the locking nut has an annular body having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and a plurality of knurling protruding from the outer radial surface for hand-rotating the locking nut.
[0022] Another example of an adjustable closing damper according to the principles of this disclosure includes a base, a rod, a stop block, and a locking nut. The base is mountable to a body panel adjacent to an opening for closing the panel. The base includes a cylindrical portion with a recess. The rod is inserted into the recess in the base. The stop block is attached to one end of the rod for engaging the closing panel. The locking nut is fitted onto the cylindrical portion of the base and is rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the rod can move axially within the recess to adjust the height of the adjustable closing damper. When the locking nut is in its locked position, the rod is axially immovable within the recess, such that adjusting the locking nut from its unlocked position to its locked position sets the height of the adjustable closing damper.
[0023] In one aspect, the cylindrical portion of the base defines a pair of recesses spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the cylindrical portion, and the locking nut includes a radially inwardly projecting locating protrusion that disengages from one of the recesses and engages with the other when the locking nut rotates between its unlocked and locked positions.
[0024] In one aspect, the cylindrical portion of the base includes retaining protrusions disposed between recesses around the periphery of the base, and a locking nut defines a slot adjacent to the positioning protrusion, the slot allowing the positioning protrusion to deflect radially outward and move past the retaining protrusion as the locking nut rotates between its unlocked and locked positions.
[0025] In one aspect, the base includes a plurality of fingers defining a socket, each finger having an internal thread that engages with an external thread on a rod, and the fingers being configured to deflect radially outward and inward whenever one of the external threads of the rod moves past one of the internal threads of the finger when the rod is inserted into the socket in the base.
[0026] In one aspect, the locking nut includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting locking protrusions, wherein when the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the locking protrusions and the fingers are radially spaced apart by gaps, and the gaps are eliminated when the locking nut is in its locked position.
[0027] Other applicable areas of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description
[0028] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an adjustable closing buffer according to the principles of this disclosure, the adjustable closing buffer including a base, a locking nut, a threaded rod, a stop block, and a pair of washers;
[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the adjustable closed buffer;
[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the base and locking nut;
[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the base;
[0033] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The line AA shown is intercepted Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an adjustable closed buffer;
[0034] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The line BB shown is cut off Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of an adjustable closed buffer, with the locking nut in its unlocked position;
[0035] Figure 7 It is along Figure 5 The line BB shown is cut off Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of an adjustable closed buffer, with the locking nut in its locked position;
[0036] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 The line shown is intercepted by CC. Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of an adjustable closing buffer, with the locking nut in its unlocked position; and
[0037] Figure 9 It is along Figure 5 The line shown is intercepted by CC. Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of an adjustable closed buffer, with the locking nut in its locked position.
[0038] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals may be used repeatedly to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Implementation
[0039] The adjustable closing damper according to this disclosure includes a ratchet mechanism for adjusting the damper height faster and easier than a screw-in closing damper. Furthermore, the adjustable closing damper includes a locking nut for locking the ratchet mechanism and thereby setting the damper height. The locking nut is less likely to engage unintentionally relative to other ratchet closing dampers, reducing assembly time and preventing damage. Additionally, the locking nut is easily adjustable between its locked and unlocked positions.
[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The adjustable closing damper 10 can be mounted to a body panel (not shown) adjacent to an opening for closing a panel (not shown) (such as a liftgate), and provides the desired fit and finish between the body panel and the closing panel. The damper 10 includes a base 12, a locking nut 14, a threaded rod 16, a stop block 18, and a pair of washers 20. The base 12 and rod 16 can be made of plastic, such as 15% glass-filled nylon 6. The locking nut 14 can be made of a thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene. The stop block 18 can be made of rubber, such as EPDM rubber. The washers 20 can be made of foam, such as closed-cell foam.
[0041] The base 12 includes an elongated oval portion 22 and a cylindrical portion 24 projecting from one side of the elongated oval portion 22. The elongated oval portion 22 of the base 12 has a pair of countersunk holes 26 configured to receive fasteners (not shown), such as screws, for securing the base 12 to a vehicle body panel. In this respect, the elongated oval portion 22 of the base 12 can be referred to as the vehicle body panel mounting portion. The countersunk holes 26 are double-sided, and the rear side of the countersunk holes 26 (i.e., Figure 1 and Figure 2 The side (not shown) is configured to receive the washer 20. In various embodiments, the base 12 may not include the elongated oval portion 22 and / or the base 12 may be secured to the vehicle body panel using features other than fasteners. For example, the cylindrical portion 24 may include a flange that engages the outer surface of the vehicle body panel and a tab that engages the back side of the vehicle body panel when the cylindrical portion 24 is inserted into a hole in the vehicle body panel and rotated relative to it.
[0042] The cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12 includes a variable diameter portion 28, three fingers 30 equidistant from each other around the circumference of the cylindrical portion 24, and a rotation stop 31 disposed on the outer radial surface of each finger 30. Figure 4 As best shown, the variable diameter portion 28 includes three pairs of axially extending grooves 32 and three retaining protrusions 34, wherein each retaining protrusion 34 is circumferentially disposed between a pair of grooves 32. Each finger 30 has a retaining flange 36 and an internal thread 38 in the form of an annular rib segment.
[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As best shown, the locking nut 14 has a hollow truncated conical (or annular) body 40, which has an inner radial surface 42 and an outer radial surface 44, a plurality of knurling 46 protruding from the outer radial surface 44, and three L-shaped slots 48 extending radially through the body 40. The knurling 46 are equidistant from each other around the circumference of the body 40. Similarly, the slots 48 are equidistant from each other around the circumference of the body 40.
[0044] Brief reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The locking nut 14 also includes three locating protrusions 50 projecting from the inner radial surface 42 of the body 40. The locating protrusions 50 are equidistant from each other around the circumference of the body 40. (Brief reference) Figure 8 and Figure 9 The locking nut 14 also includes three locking protrusions 52 that protrude from the inner radial surface 42 of the body 40 and are axially spaced from the positioning protrusions 50 (e.g., spaced from the positioning protrusions 50 along the longitudinal axis of the body 40). The locking protrusions 52 are equidistant from each other around the circumference of the body 40.
[0045] Refer again Figures 1 to 5 The rod 16 includes a head 54, a handle 58, and a disc-shaped flange 60 projecting radially outward from the handle 58. The handle 58 has an external thread 62 in the form of annular ribs. The stop block 18 has a dome-shaped body 64 and an annular flange 68, the dome-shaped body 64 having an internal cavity 66, and the annular flange 68 projecting radially inward from the body 64.
[0046] To assemble the buffer 10, the locking nut 14 slides onto the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12, past the retaining flange 36 on the fingers 30 of the base 12. The retaining flange 36 on the base 12 then engages the first axial end surface 70 of the locking nut 14, thereby retaining the locking nut 14 on the base 12. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12 defines a lug 71 that engages the second axial end surface 72 of the locking nut 14, thereby preventing the locking nut 14 from sliding further toward the elongated portion 22 of the base 12 onto the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12.
[0047] The base 12 and the locking nut 14 can be assembled together using a fixing device to ensure that when the locking nut 14 slides onto the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12, the locking nut 14 is in its unlocked position, such as... Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown. Conversely, the positioning protrusion 50 on the locking nut 14 is disposed within one of the grooves 32 in the base 12, as shown. Figure 6 As shown, and the locking nut 14 is due to Figure 8 The engagement between (i) the locking protrusion 52 and (ii) the finger 30 and the rotation stop 31 allows the nut to rotate only in the direction from its unlocked position to its locked position (i.e., the locking nut 14 cannot be rotated due to this engagement). Figure 8 (The orientation shown is rotated counterclockwise). Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown, there is a radial gap 73 between the finger 30 of the base 12 and the locking protrusion 52 of the locking nut 14, which allows the finger 30 to deflect radially outward.
[0048] After the locking nut 14 slides onto the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12, the handle 58 of the rod 16 is inserted into the insertion hole 74 formed by the fingers 30 of the base 12. In this respect, the cylindrical portion 24 of the base 12 may be referred to as the rod receiving portion. Before or after this step, the head 54 of the rod 16 is inserted into the internal cavity 66 of the stop block 18. Figure 5 As shown in the best embodiment, once the head 54 of the rod 16 is in the internal cavity 66 of the stop block 18, the annular flange 68 prevents the head 54 from being pulled back out of the internal cavity 66.
[0049] When buffer 10 is Figure 1 During assembly, the buffer 10 is installed to the body panel by inserting fasteners through countersunk holes 26 in the base 12 and screwing the fasteners into holes in the body panel. Then, when the closing panel is closed for the first time, it pushes the lever 16 further into the socket 74 of the base 12. When this occurs, the fingers 30 act like a ratchet mechanism by deflecting radially outward and inward whenever one of the external threads 62 of the lever 16 moves past one of the internal threads 38 of the fingers 30 (or a set of axially aligned threads). The external threads 62 of the lever 16 can be considered part of a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism allows the lever 16 to move incrementally into or out of the socket 74 of the base 12 while inhibiting this axial movement.
[0050] After the closing panel is closed for the first time, the closing panel is opened, and the axial position of the rod portion 16 (e.g., the position of the rod portion 16 along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion 24) is locked by rotating the locking nut 14 (e.g., by hand) using the knurled 46 on the locking nut 14. More specifically, the locking nut 14 is... Figure 6 and Figure 8 The unlock position is shown; rotate it clockwise approximately one-quarter of a turn. Figure 7 and Figure 9 The locking position is shown. Then, the positioning protrusion 50 on the locking nut 14 moves past the retaining protrusion 34 on the base 12 and into another groove in the groove 32 of the base 12. The slot 48 on the locking nut 14 allows the positioning protrusion 50 to be radially deflected outwards, allowing it to move past the retaining protrusion 34 on the base 12. The locking nut 14 rotates clockwise until the locking protrusion 52 contacts the rotation stop 31 on the outer radial surface of the finger 30.
[0051] When the closing panel is closed, the stop block 18 is compressed due to the load applied by the closing panel. The damper 10 can be designed such that when the locking nut 14 is in its locked position, the force required to compress the stop block 18 is less than the force required to move the external thread 62 of the rod 16 through each set of internal threads 38 of the fingers 30. Therefore, the stop block 18 can be compressed to a certain extent at any time when the closing panel is closed, which minimizes the vibration of the closing panel.
[0052] When the locking nut 14 is in its locked position, there is no gap between the fingers 30 of the base 12 and the locking protrusion 52 of the locking nut 14. Conversely, the fingers 30 are not allowed to deflect radially outward, and therefore the rod 16 cannot move axially relative to the base 12. The outer diameter of the fingers 30 is variable (i.e., the radial thickness of the fingers 30 varies around the circumference of the cylindrical portion 24) and / or the inner diameter of the locking protrusion 52 on the locking nut 14 is variable (i.e., the radial thickness of the locking protrusion 52 varies around the circumference of the body 40), such that a gap 73 exists when the locking nut 14 is in its unlocked position, and the gap 73 is eliminated when the locking nut 14 is in its locked position.
[0053] To unlock the locking nut 14 so that the buffer height can be reset, the locking nut 14 is rotated counterclockwise from its locked position to its unlocked position. The leading edge 76 of each retaining protrusion 34 has a smaller tilt angle than the trailing edge 78 of each retaining protrusion 34, making it easier to rotate the locking nut 14 from its unlocked position to its locked position than to rotate it from its locked position to its unlocked position. This prevents the locking nut 14 from accidentally moving out of its locked position.
[0054] The foregoing description is illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. The broad teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, its true scope should not be limited thereto, as other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the drawings, specification, and appended claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within the method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, although each embodiment is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure may be implemented in and / or combined with features of any other embodiment, even if such combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and substitutions of one or more embodiments for each other remain within the scope of this disclosure.
[0055] Spatial and functional relationships between components (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including “connection,” “joint,” “coupled,” “adjacent,” “closely adjacent,” “on top,” “above,” “below,” and “set.” Unless explicitly described as “direct,” when describing the relationship between a first component and a second component in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intermediate components exist between the first component and the second component, or an indirect relationship in which one or more intermediate components exist between the first component and the second component (spatially or functionally).
[0056] Although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.
[0057] For ease of description, this document may use spatial relative terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “below,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “up,” etc., to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the figures. Spatial relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below” or “below” other elements or features will be oriented “above” other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.
[0058] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as meaning the logic of using non-exclusive logic OR (AOR B OR C) and should not be interpreted as meaning “at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C”.
Claims
1. An adjustable closed buffer, characterized in that, include: A base that can be mounted to a vehicle body panel adjacent to an opening for closing the panel; A rod, which can be inserted into a socket in the base; A stop block, attached to one end of the rod, for engaging the closed panel; A ratchet mechanism that allows the lever to move into the socket in the base to adjust the height of the adjustable closing buffer, while preventing the lever from moving out of the socket; and A locking nut, which is fitted onto a portion of the base forming the socket and is rotatable relative to the base to lock the ratchet mechanism and thereby set the height of the adjustable closing buffer.
2. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base defines a pair of recesses spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the base, and the locking nut includes a radially inwardly projecting positioning protrusion that disengages from one recess and engages with the other recess as the locking nut rotates between its unlocked and locked positions.
3. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base includes a retaining protrusion disposed between the grooves around the periphery of the base, and the locking nut defines a slot adjacent to the positioning protrusion, the slot allowing the positioning protrusion to be radially outwardly deflected and moved past the retaining protrusion when the locking nut is rotated between its unlocked and locked positions.
4. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The leading edge of the retaining protrusion has a smaller tilt angle than the trailing edge of the retaining protrusion.
5. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base includes a plurality of fingers defining the insertion hole, each finger having an internal thread that engages an external thread on the rod. When the rod is inserted into the insertion hole in the base, the fingers are configured to deflect radially outward and inward whenever one of the external threads of the rod moves past one of the internal threads of the fingers. The fingers and the external threads of the rod form the ratchet mechanism.
6. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locking nut includes a plurality of locking protrusions that project radially inward; When the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the locking protrusion and the finger are radially spaced apart by a gap; and When the locking nut is in its locked position, the gap is eliminated.
7. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The finger has a variable outer diameter, and the locking protrusion has a variable inner diameter.
8. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each finger includes a rotation stop on its outer radial surface, which contacts the locking protrusion to stop the rotation of the locking nut when the locking nut is rotated from its unlocked position to its locked position.
9. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each finger includes a retaining flange that engages the axial end surface of the locking nut, thereby retaining the locking nut on the base as it slides onto the base past the retaining flange.
10. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the locking nut is in its locked position, the force required to compress the stop block is less than the force required to move the external thread of the rod through the internal thread of the finger.
11. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base includes a cylindrical portion defining a lug, the locking nut is fitted onto the cylindrical portion of the base, and when the locking nut slides onto the cylindrical portion, the lug of the cylindrical portion engages the axial end surface of the locking nut, thereby preventing the locking nut from sliding further onto the cylindrical portion.
12. The adjustable closed buffer according to claim 11, characterized in that, The base also includes an oblong portion from which a cylindrical portion protrudes, the oblong portion having a pair of countersunk holes configured to receive fasteners for securing the base to the vehicle body panel.
13. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ratchet mechanism is formed by the base and the rod.
14. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 12, characterized in that, The base and the rod are made of plastic, the locking nut is made of thermoplastic, and the stop block is made of rubber.
15. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking nut has an annular body with an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, and a plurality of knurling protrudes from the outer radial surface for hand rotation of the locking nut.
16. An adjustable closing buffer, characterized in that, include: A base capable of being mounted to a vehicle body panel adjacent to an opening for closing the panel, the base including a cylindrical portion having a socket; A rod, which can be inserted into the socket in the base; A stop block, attached to one end of the rod, for engaging the closed panel; and A locking nut, which is fitted onto the cylindrical portion of the base and is rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein, when the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the rod is axially movable within the socket to adjust the height of the adjustable closing buffer, and when the locking nut is in its locked position, the rod is not axially movable within the socket, such that adjusting the locking nut from its unlocked position to its locked position sets the height of the adjustable closing buffer.
17. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 16, characterized in that, The cylindrical portion of the base defines a pair of recesses spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the cylindrical portion, and the locking nut includes a radially inwardly projecting positioning protrusion that disengages from one recess and engages with the other recess as the locking nut rotates between its unlocked and locked positions.
18. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 17, characterized in that, The cylindrical portion of the base includes a retaining protrusion disposed between the grooves around the periphery of the base, and the locking nut defines a slot adjacent to the positioning protrusion, the slot allowing the positioning protrusion to be radially outwardly deflected and moved past the retaining protrusion when the locking nut rotates between its unlocked and locked positions.
19. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 16, characterized in that, The base includes a plurality of fingers defining the insertion hole, each finger having an internal thread that engages an external thread on the rod, and when the rod is inserted into the insertion hole in the base, the fingers are configured to deflect radially outward and inward whenever one of the external threads of the rod moves through one of the internal threads of the finger.
20. The adjustable closing buffer according to claim 19, characterized in that: The locking nut includes a plurality of locking protrusions that project radially inward; When the locking nut is in its unlocked position, the locking protrusion and the finger are radially spaced apart by a gap; and When the locking nut is in its locked position, the gap is eliminated.