Universal Ball And Socket Patents (Class 403/122)
  • Patent number: 8875353
    Abstract: Described herein are axially and radially swivelable detangling connector devices that are suitable for preventing entanglement, or detangling, of a device or means that is used to secure one or more mobile objects or subjects to one or more objects or subjects. Methods of making and using the disclosed devices are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas Peter Okun Miron
  • Patent number: 8870146
    Abstract: A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vogel, Paul Turner
  • Patent number: 8864155
    Abstract: Injection molding is performed such that the reinforced resin is injected into the cavity and the space. The fixing portion shown is formed at the bottom portion side of the side surface portion of the main body portion by the injection molding. In this case, the fixing protrusion stripe portion, which is fitted to the fixing groove portion of the main body portion, is formed at the fixing portion. The projection portion projecting from the hole portion of the housing to an external portion is formed at the bottom portion of the fixing portion, and the projection portion is formed to have the shape engaging with the outer surface of the bottom portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8851785
    Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mark Belleau, Mike Holierhoek
  • Publication number: 20140294487
    Abstract: A connecting assembly for a vehicle, with a structural component (11) having a connection area (14), a joint (7) having a bearing element (4) and an inner joint component (3) fitted and able to move in the latter and which extends outward the assembly, in an axial direction (5). The bearing element (4) together with the connection area (14) form an insert, and a cast element (9) is produced by casting around and enclosing the insert. The structural component (11) and the inner joint component (3) extend out of the cast element (9). The insert has a closing component (12) that engages with a mutual interlock with the structural component (11) to form, together with the structural component (11), a joint holder (8) that secures the bearing element (4) with an interlock, in the axial direction (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Nachbar, Dirk Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 8833018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting system and to a method for mounting a dividing wall (1) on at least one holding device (2, 3), for example a holding rod or a holding post. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for dividing regions. To this end, a first mounting device (23 to 28) which can be mounted on the holding device (2, 3) and a second mounting device (23 to 28) which can be mounted on the holding device (2, 3) are used. Furthermore, a mounting element (35) is provided which can be mounted on the first mounting device (23 to 28) and has a receptacle (36), in which a dividing wall (1) can be received in a non-clamping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: KL MEGLA GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Reinecke
  • Patent number: 8807495
    Abstract: A load-absorbing device introduces load forces such as cable forces or tensioning forces of sheet-shaped structures into supporting structures (10). At least one load-absorbing part (36, 40) can be anchored on the supporting structure (10) via a bearing element (24). The load-absorbing part (36, 40) has a transmission body (36) forming a convexly shaped transmission surface guided on the bearing element (24) on a carrier surface formed from surface parts adapted to the convexity of the transmission surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Stahl GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20140212204
    Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mark Belleau, Mike Holierhoek
  • Publication number: 20140212205
    Abstract: A joint housing of a ball joint comprises a sheet-metal part for accommodating a ball head, which is substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a joint axis and includes a circumferential wall portion, wherein the circumferential wall portion includes a housing opening at an axial end, through which a joint pin can extend, wherein the sheet-metal part is formed with two layers at this axial end of the circumferential wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Forthaus, Lothar Schaumann, Harald Walter
  • Publication number: 20140205365
    Abstract: Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Kelly Molenaar
  • Patent number: 8783993
    Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) has at least two connecting rods (2, 3), which come together in a receiving region (4), and accommodate a joint (5) or bearing in the receiving region (4), The joint or bearing (5) comprises a joint body (7), which is movably held in a joint body seat (6), and a housing (8) which accommodates and radially externally encloses the joint body seat (6), is designed such that the housing (8) comprises, on the outside, at least one rotation-lock region (9, 10, 14) having a non-circular contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Christian Losche
  • Publication number: 20140199113
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a ball and socket joint and a joint manufactured according to that process are provided for a simple manufacture of a completely assembled ball and socket joint with a low torque and overturning moment. The joint housing is manufactured in an injection or casting process, in which the joint ball with the bearing shell placed on it is surrounded by a metallic material or a plastic. The joint shell is provided with a bulge, which behaves elastically with respect to the pressure acting during the injection or casting process and arches slightly outwardly after the conclusion of the injection or casting process. It is achieved as a result that the joint shell does not lie over its entire area on the joint ball after the injection or casting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Alfons NORDLOH, Volker GRUBE, Metin ERSOY
  • Patent number: 8770882
    Abstract: A ball joint comprising a housing (4) having a pin opening (12), a ball pin (3) having a joint ball (2), the ball pin being movably supported in the housing (4) by the joint ball (2). The ball pin extends out through the pin opening (12) of the housing (4) and the joint ball (2) has a non-planar control surface (7) which is in contact with an abutment (8) provided on the housing (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Metin Ersoy
  • Patent number: 8757648
    Abstract: A control arm assembly for an automotive wheel suspension, having: an elongate control arm having a transverse mounting socket with an internally threaded surface; and a ball joint having: a steel housing with an externally threaded surface and; a ball stud with a partially spherical ball head upwardly restrained within the housing and a shank extending upwardly through an upward opening in the housing; and a bearing having a partially spherical inner surface engaging the ball head and having an outer surface engaging the inner chamber; wherein the housing has a laterally extending collar with a lower contact surface that engages the upper mounting surface of the control arm when the threaded surfaces are fully torqued together; and wherein the upper portion of the outboard wall having a thickness greater than or equal to a thickness of a lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mevotech LP
    Inventor: Simon Winter
  • Patent number: 8757187
    Abstract: A load-absorbing device initiates load forces such as cable forces or tensioning forces of sheet-shaped structures into supporting structures (10). At least one bearing element (24, 80) is anchored on supporting structure (10). A tie rod (40) of a load-absorbing part (36, 40) is connected to the bearing element. A connection device (50) for tension members (16; 98) cooperates with the tie bar (40). The connection device (50) has at least one connection wing (66) projecting laterally from the longitudinal axis (A) and forming at least one connection point (69a) offset with respect to the longitudinal axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Stahl GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 8747012
    Abstract: A tie rod end includes a stud with a spherical ball at one end and a bearing having a concave spherical bearing running surface for sliding abutment with the ball. The contact area of the ball or the bearing running surface has a lubrication groove to facilitate channeling grease, wherein the grooved member is coated with a bonded lubrication coating. The lubrication coating reduces the initial preload torque from that which would be ordinarily be perceived as undesirable to a torque that is perceived as desirable. The lubrication coating is substantially consumed on the high contact area over about 100 to 500 thousand cycles, with the resulting torque being remaining greater than zero, which is also perceived as being desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Byrnes, Lawrence H. Fitch
  • Publication number: 20140152492
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a Portable Satellite Communication (“PSC”) antenna. The PSC antenna (100) comprises: a Parabolic Segmented Antenna (“PSA”) reflector (102) with a plurality of identical and interchangeable panels (106) that can be stowed in a nested stacked arrangement; a plurality of interchangeable feedhorn assemblies (104) that can be coupled to a center hub (110) via a quick-connect mechanism (112); an adjustment mechanism (2512, 2602, 2604) for adjusting an angular orientation of the feedhorn assemblies relative to the center hub; a transceiver (202) that can be coupled to a convex side of the PSA reflector; a base panel (120) which is coupled to a tripod positioning structure (118) such that reflector wind moment loads can be transferred through a base panel to the tripod positioning structure; and a tripod positioning structure with folding legs (3102, 3104) and hard stops (3306) against which the folding legs can be preloaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: HARRIS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20140153999
    Abstract: A restricted ball joint may include a passage that has a sidewall, which restricts the oscillation of the ball joint by restricting the range of motion of a shaft or stud that extends at least partially into the passage and makes contact with the sidewall when the ball joint is at a point of maximum oscillation. The ball joint may be restricted in one, two, or three axes. Restricting the ball joint in one or more axes may reduce stress on the ball joint due to flop because the loading of a vehicle tie rod may be carried by the neck of the shaft or by a stud extending from the ball shaft away from the stud when the passage is located opposite the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Holmes, Markus Fischer, William Ryan
  • Publication number: 20140139222
    Abstract: A connector and medical equipment are provided. The connector includes at least one framework and at least one fastening structure. The at least one connector is used to connect a main body and a housing. The at least one framework is arranged along the outside of the main body. The fastening structure is located on the at least one framework. The at least one fastening structure is used to connect the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jian Hua Pei, Ting Qiang Xue, Wen Qiang You
  • Publication number: 20140086666
    Abstract: One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Lilitab LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Rudolf Grziwok, Adam Scott Aronson
  • Publication number: 20140086667
    Abstract: A ball joint for interconnecting relatively movable components is provided. The ball joint includes a housing and a stud with a spherical bearing surface disposed in the housing. The bearing has a concave spherical bearing surface which is brought into sliding abutment with the spherical bearing surface of the stud. The bearing is of a monolithic piece of fiber-reinforced polyamide material and includes carbon fibers which extend circumferentially about the concave spherical bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Federal-Mogul Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James Elterman, Thomas J. Byrnes, JR., Timmy L. Henson
  • Patent number: 8672576
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ball joint, the ball joint capable of preventing damage due to interference between parts even when the ball joint is tilted at a maximum angle and guaranteeing operational reliability, and including a spherical ball stud, a shaft coupled to a side of the ball stud, a holder having a seat portion to surround an outer circumference of the ball stud, and an elastic portion protruding upwards from the holder, having on an inner circumference thereof an inclined surface to limit a tilting angle of a portion of the shaft adjacent to the ball stud, and undergoing elastic deformation when the shaft is tilted at a maximum angle, so that the elastic portion absorbs shock when the ball joint is rotated to the maximum, thus preventing damage or removal of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suhyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 8672575
    Abstract: A pivot joint has a first member having a ball located at one end, a fixed member having one or more bearing surface, which locates on the ball of the first member and a second member having one or more bearing surface located at one end which locates onto the ball of the first member. The first and second members are rotatable about the center of the ball. This type of pivot joint is suitable for use in a machine such as a Stewart platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: David Roberts McMurtry
  • Publication number: 20140020799
    Abstract: Disclosed are the design and utilitarian characteristics of a support device for supporting a cover wherein such cover is typically used to cover a vehicle such as a boat or automobile. The invention includes a dome shaped support device with a depending base configured for extending through a cover. The depending base defines an interface for being associated with a support structure such as a pole and such interface may be a swivel interface. Additionally, the support device may define a suspension interface so that a tether may be used to apply a support force from above the support device. The support device may also define a swivel device configured for being associated with a support surface such as a floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: William E. Gridley
  • Publication number: 20130336708
    Abstract: A modular component (1) comprising an elongate hollow body (4) having first and second attaching means (2,3) for attaching the modular component (1) to another modular component (1). The first attaching means (2) is in the form of a cylindrical shaped spigot (6) extending along an external surface of a first side wall of the body (4). The second attaching means (3) is in the form of socket (8) extending along an external surface of a second side wall of the body (4) directly opposite the spigot (6). The socket has an internal shape that is sized and of a complementary shape of the spigot (6) for receiving a spigot (6) of another modular component (1). The socket (8) is connected to the spigot (6) by one or more bracing members (14) that extend in a direction from the first side towards the second side between the spigot (6) and the socket (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: CURVOMATIC LIMITED
    Inventor: James Burgess
  • Patent number: 8608120
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a stationary object, a movable object, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has first and second rigid link sections, each link section having an upper socket section and a lower socket section, so that an upper receiving space is defined by the two upper socket sections and a lower receiving space is defined by the two lower socket sections. The assembly further includes an upper coupler having an upper ball that is received for rotation inside the upper receiving space, with the movable object secured to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler having a lower ball that is received for rotation inside the lower receiving space, with the stationary object secured to the lower coupler. A link member secures the link sections together with the upper ball retained inside the upper receiving space, and with the lower ball retained inside the lower receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptiv Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Adam Gold
  • Patent number: 8602673
    Abstract: A housing component for a ball joint which has an interior space (3) for mounting the joint ball (1) of a ball journal, an opening (4) for guiding the journal section (5) of the ball journal (2) adjoining the joint ball (1), a contact region (7) formed on an outer lateral surface of the housing (6) for fastening a sealing bellows edge (8) thereto and forming a seal, and a deformed section (9) which rotationally and pivotally fixes the joint ball (1) of the ball journal (2) in the interior space (3) of the housing (6). The deformed section (9) has a smaller material cross-section in comparison to the contact region (7) for the sealing bellows edge (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Schmitz, Frank Schmeink
  • Patent number: 8602368
    Abstract: A load-absorbing device for introducing load forces, in particular cable forces in support devices for tent-shaped coverings and the like, has at least one load-absorbing part (9) on a supporting structure (7). The load-absorbing part (9) is provided on a transmission body (17) forming on at least part of its outer surface, a convex transmission surface (21) which transmits the load forces and which is guided on the supporting structure (7) on carrier surface formed from concave surface parts adapted to the convexity of the transmission surface (21). A load-absorbing node is formed allowing a ball joint-like mobility of the load absorbing part (9) relative to the supporting structure (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Stahl GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Kiefer
  • Patent number: 8602376
    Abstract: A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vogel, Paul Turner
  • Patent number: 8584303
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper arm (1) for a window wiper system, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a wiper rod (2) and a control rod (5) which is movable relative to the wiper rod (2) and is coupled to the wiper rod (2), wherein the control rod (5) can be fixed by means of an articulated shell (21) on an articulated head (13) of a window wiper system. According to the invention, the articulated shell (21) is designed as an articulated shell component (14) which is separate from a fastening component (11) fixed to the control rod (5) and can be fixed to the fastening component (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a window wiper system and to an installation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Wolfgarten, Frank Moser, Harald Rapp, Hermann Burkard
  • Publication number: 20130302083
    Abstract: A fitting for an aircraft bracing device including anchor points, wherein the fitting includes a face able to press against the aircraft and at least one guide hole for a connecting element able to collaborate with an anchor point, a slider able to move in a translational movement parallel to a first direction parallel to the face of the fitting and a connection between the slider and the connecting element which allows a movement in a second direction different from the first direction and parallel to the face of the fitting so as to align the connecting element with an anchor point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Mickaël Matignon, Francis Ramond
  • Patent number: 8573877
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball pin and a steel ball pin with a joint ball. The ball joint and ball pin are suitable for use when solid-on-solid friction predominates, for example under high static pre-loading or under high operational loads and with small joint movements. At least in a bearing contact area, between the joint ball and the bearing shell, does not include any nitrided layer. The surface of the ball pin has an oxide layer, provided as wear protection, at least in the bearing contact area of the joint ball. The oxide layer in the ball joints, previously regarded (as part of the nitriding treatment) as only improving corrosion protection functions as a form of wear protection. Thus, the mutual exclusion between increasing the fatigue strength (by surface layer hardening) and improving the wear resistance (by nitriding/oxidation) is overcome with such ball pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Pape
  • Patent number: 8505204
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball joint assembly including providing an internal centerpiece substantially in the shape of a hollow truncated sphere, placing the centerpiece within a metal hollow sleeve and deforming the sleeve by forcing the sleeve against an outer surface of the centerpiece to shape the sleeve to complement the outer surface of the centerpiece, forming at least one groove in an exterior surface of the sleeve and there after molding a plastic matrix composite material over the exterior surface of the sleeve to form an external body over the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SKF Aerospace France
    Inventor: Patrick Jean-Marie Firmin Reverchon
  • Publication number: 20130183080
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball stud (2) which has a spherical bearing area (3), which with the bearing area (3) is fitted and can move by sliding within a ball socket (4). The ball socket (4) is arranged in an opening (5) of a holder (6) and, with a solid body (12), is formed by injection-molding a material, which solidifies, around the ball socket (4) and the holder (6). The ball stud (2) projects outward, in an axial direction (11), from the holder (6). An axial retainer for the ball stud (2), which axially engages with the ball socket (4) and is encapsulated by the injection-molded material, is provided in the solid body (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Nachbar, Volker Grube, Cord Groneweg, Tobias Hodde
  • Publication number: 20130177347
    Abstract: A method of producing a spherical joint (1) with a spherical sleeve (3) having a spherical bearing area (16) and provided with a through-going assembly opening that extends, in an axial direction (4), which by virtue of the bearing area (16) is mounted and able to move by sliding in a spherical shell (2). The spherical sleeve (3) is arranged in an outer sleeve (7) in such a manner that the spherical sleeve (3) extends outwardly, in an axial direction (4), from both sides of the outer sleeve (7). A material, which hardens, is injected into an intermediate space (17), located between the spherical shell (2) and the outer sleeve (7), such that when the material hardens, the assembly of the spherical sleeve (3) and the spherical shell (2) is joined to the outer sleeve (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Martin Rechtien, Volker Grube
  • Publication number: 20130121754
    Abstract: A ball joint includes, a ball stud with a shaft portion and a ball portion, a ball seat accommodated in a housing and including a recessed spherical surface into which the ball portion is inserted, a projecting portion having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the ball portion, and a slope portion formed at a hole portion through which the shaft portion is inserted, the slope portion being shaped to have an inner diameter increasing from the projecting portion toward an opening, and a caulking portion including an edge formed at an end wall of the opening in the housing and folded toward an end surface of the ball seat, the edge being arranged so as to overlap the end surface of the ball seat and extending toward the projecting portion and opposite the slope portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8419309
    Abstract: A pivoting ball mount provides four essentially equal and (generally) evenly spaced constraints on the ball, creating a ball and socket joint in which the “socket” is composed of four small constraining pads of equal size and equally spaced around the surface of the ball or sphere. If a sphere is constrained by four equidistant points, each point will exert the same amount of force on the sphere. If additional pressure is applied to one point, the pressure exerted by the other points will rise to match this increased pressure. The effect of constraining a smooth ball by four equidistant points is to create the equivalent of a ball and socket joint in which the force required to rotate the ball at a particular rate is about the same in any direction. The ball is constrained by four equidistant points such that the relative movement between the ball and housing is smooth and predictable in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wimberley, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Wimberley
  • Publication number: 20130071175
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball pin and a steel ball pin with a joint ball. The ball joint and ball pin are suitable for use when, for example, solid-on-solid friction predominates under high static pre-loading or high operational loads and with small joint movements. A portion of the surface of the ball pin has surface layer hardening in order to increase a fatigue strength of the ball pin. The ball pin and the ball joint, on portion of the ball pin without the any surface layer hardened, includes a nitrided layer as wear protection. The ball pin and the ball joint provide an advantageous combination of high fatigue strength, good corrosion protection and high wear-resistance. The nitrided layer of ball joints, previously only regarded as improving corrosion protection, also functions as a wear protection. Thus, these ball pins overcome the mutual exclusion between surface layer hardening and nitriding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Dirk Adamczyk, Wolfgang Kleiner, Klaus Pape, Wolfgang Eulerich, Martin Rechtien, Thomas Wiegmann, Manfred Heidemann, Jochen Kruse, Johannes Tabor, Rainer Jasper, Ulrich Schefzyk
  • Publication number: 20130069366
    Abstract: A shear element (10, 30, 50, 70, 70A, 90, 90A) for a coupling (110, 112, 114, 150) that couples the ends of high-pressure pipes or high-pressure hoses. The shear element (10, 30, 50, 70, 70A, 90, 90A) includes a plurality of interconnected shear bodies (12, 32, 52, 72, 72A, 92, 92A), each shear body (12, 32, 52, 72, 72A, 92, 92A) including a discrete connector section (14, 34, 54, 74, 74A, 94, 94A) which forms a connection with an adjacent shear body (12, 32, 52, 72, 72A, 92, 92A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: AUSTRALASIAN STEEL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Leigh Wayne Morrison, Kon Lai, Matthew Paul King
  • Publication number: 20130071174
    Abstract: A ball joint with a ball pin and a steel ball pin with a joint ball. The ball joint and ball pin are suitable for use when solid-on-solid friction predominates, for example under high static pre-loading or under high operational loads and with small joint movements. At least in a bearing contact area, between the joint ball and the bearing shell, does not include any nitrided layer. The surface of the ball pin has an oxide layer, provided as wear protection, at least in the bearing contact area of the joint ball. The oxide layer in the ball joints, previously regarded (as part of the nitriding treatment) as only improving corrosion protection functions as a form of wear protection. Thus, the mutual exclusion between increasing the fatigue strength (by surface layer hardening) and improving the wear resistance (by nitriding/oxidation) is overcome with such ball pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Klaus Pape
  • Publication number: 20130064599
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mannequin having one or more articulated joints capable of exhibiting a full range of motion and of supporting substantial weight. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for movably joining two parts of a mannequin. The apparatus includes a first element having an arcuate surface and a second element having a convex surface and a magnetic portion. The second element is movably engageable with the first element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Anna Ehrsam
  • Publication number: 20130033016
    Abstract: A ball stud has a flange that outwardly projects in a radial direction of a stud portion. The flange has a concave portion that has a curved shape from a root to an outer circumferential portion in cross section. The concave portion is concave with respect to a straight line connecting an end on the root side and an end on the outer circumferential portion side of the curved shape. A dust cover has a lip to be abutted on a sealing portion and the flange of the ball stud. The lip is formed with a side lip portion. The side lip portion has a shape corresponding to the curved shape of the concave portion of the flange so as to be abutted on the concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kuroda, Shuji Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8366189
    Abstract: A coupling/uncoupling device is disclosed for joining and disjoining first and second segments of a transmission and/or connection means. An end fitting of the device is arranged on the first segment. The end fitting creates a snap connection with a receiver part arranged on the second segment. The device may be adapted for use in vehicles, such as for a vehicle seat, a tailgate, an engine cover, a storage compartment, a battery pole connection, or for securing transported or loaded items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Andreas Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8366064
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a stationary object, a movable object, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has first and second rigid link sections, each link section having an upper socket section and a lower socket section, so that an upper receiving space is defined by the two upper socket sections and a lower receiving space is defined by the two lower socket sections. The assembly further includes an upper coupler having an upper ball that is received for rotation inside the upper receiving space, with the movable object secured to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler having a lower ball that is received for rotation inside the lower receiving space, with the stationary object secured to the lower coupler. A link member secures the link sections together with the upper ball retained inside the upper receiving space, and with the lower ball retained inside the lower receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptiv Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Adam Gold
  • Patent number: 8359702
    Abstract: An articulating ball joint for connecting a pair of driven members to a driving member such as a crank pin. In one embodiment, a single ball is held in a first, or inner, socket defined by a coupling member having a convex outer surface, and the first socket is held within a second, outer, socket defined in a second coupling member also having a convex outer surface, which is, in turn, engaged by a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Albany Magneto Equipment, Inc
    Inventor: Edward S. Powell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130022388
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a lower ball joint assembly for connecting a lower control arm to a steering knuckle of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the lower ball joint assembly comprises a plurality of components including a ball-head tapered ball joint pin (or stud), a ball joint housing and a securing ring configured to assemble together into a lower ball joint assembly. In an assembled configuration, a proximal, or ball-head, of the ball-head tapered ball joint pin may be housed within the ball joint housing. The securing ring may reversibly couple with a distal end of the ball joint assembly by a plurality of fasteners to complete the assembly. The ball joint assembly may have a hardness characteristic of between forty (40) and one-hundred (100) Rockwell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Sage T. Carli
  • Publication number: 20130020443
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a connecting device for connecting a first structural component and a second structural component that can be moved relative to the first structural component in an articulated fashion such that three rotational degrees of freedom are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Werner Dyckrup, Hauke Harding
  • Patent number: 8353776
    Abstract: A universal ball joint includes a first pivotal body and a second pivotal body rotatably assembled with the first pivotal body. The first pivotal body includes a substantially elliptical ball head and a connecting portion extending out from the ball head. The ball head has a major axis and a minor axis substantially perpendicular to the major axis. The second pivotal body defines a substantially elliptical ball socket rotatably engaging with the ball head of the first pivotal body such that the ball head may rotate around the major axis or the minor axis of the ball head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guo-Qing Zhang, Zhi-Ming Zhao
  • Patent number: 8348541
    Abstract: Joint arrangement for a vehicle, with a joint (7), which has a joint housing (8) and a pivot pin (9) mounted movably in relation thereto; a rod (4), which has a cavity (6) and which is connected to the joint (7); a ring element arranged between the joint and the rod; a sealing bellows (10), which defines the interior space (11) and in which the joint (7) is arranged at least partially; and a gas-permeable connection (13), which connects the cavity (6) of the rod (4) to the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10), wherein at least part of the gas-permeable connection (13) is formed by at least one groove, which is formed on the ring element and opens into the interior space (11) of the sealing bellows (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dirk Mählmann, Benjamin Ziebart
  • Publication number: 20130004233
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ball joint unit, the unit including a ball member, a plurality of lubricant reception recesses formed on a surface of the ball member, each having a predetermined depth, a rod member connected to a first element to be integrally formed with the ball member, and a retainer connected to a second element and formed with a spherical ball member receptor corresponding in shape to the ball member, wherein the lubricant is accommodated and coated in an interior of the lubricant recesses and a surface of the ball member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suhyoung Lee