Abstract: An adjustable locking mount system permits rotation about at least one of x, y, and z axes. Methods provide for rotating and rocking the mount to obtain the desired position, fixing the mount in the desired position, and mounting an object onto the mount.

Abstract: In a ball joint including a retaining ring to which a boot is mounted and which is press-fitted to a ball stud, the ball stud is formed with a press-fit portion to which a cylindrical portion of the retaining ring is press-fitted, and an annular projection having a tapered forming face rising with an up-grade from a press-fit terminal end of the press-fit portion. When the cylindrical portion is press-fitted to the press-fit portion, a particular cylindrical portion set at a tip end of the cylindrical portion is expanded by pressing the particular cylindrical portion against the tapered forming face, thereby forming a small flange. Thus, the small flange of the retaining ring can be simultaneously formed utilizing a force of press-fitting of the cylindrical portion of the retaining ring to the ball stud. This can contribute to a reduction in the number of assembling steps.

Abstract: The end connector assembly (12) for a gas spring (44) enables the connector body to be connected with and disconnected from a ball (14) on the end of a ball stud (16) by relatively moving the connector body (26) and ball along a path generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the gas spring (44) to which the connector body (26) is connected. The ball (14) enters the connector body (26) through an opening (32) in the body's front surface, that is, the surface generally perpendicular to the gas spring's longitudinal axis. A slot in the body's bottom surface, that is, the surface facing the ball (14), accommodates the shaft portion (22) of the ball stud (16), adjacent the ball (14), as the ball moves into or out of the connector body (26) through the opening (32).

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for motor vehicles is presented, which has a ball pivot (1), which comprises at least one joint ball (4) accommodated rotatably and/or pivotably in a bearing shell (2) of a housing (3), and a pivot section (5). A sealing bellows (6), whose first edge area (7) is fastened to the housing (3) and whose second edge area (8) has a sliding connection with a thrust ring (9) fixed on the pivot section (5), is used to seal the joint components. A protective cover (11), which is used to seal the thrust ring area as well as for shielding against damaging heat radiation and against the effects of splash water or corrosive media, is inserted between a surface of the thrust ring (9) and the surface of a motor vehicle component (10), which said surface faces the said surface of the thrust ring.

Abstract: A slidably movable member such as an adjusting shim used in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The slidably movable member is used in contact with lubricating oil and comprises a substrate. A hard carbon-based film is coated on a surface of the substrate. The hard carbon-based film has a surface section which contains at least one of nitrogen and oxygen in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 30 at % and/or hydrogen in an amount of not more than 10 at %.

Abstract: A bearing shell for a ball and socket joint made of plastic as well as the ball and socket joint per se, wherein the bearing shell has first areas, which are subject to higher mechanical loads than the other areas of the bearing shell, wherein the material of the bearing shell forming the first areas is formed from a reinforced plastic, and the other areas are made of a less reinforced or unreinforced plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting ball joint (10), for example an anti-roll bar of a running vehicle, said ball joint (10) comprising a straight support (20) running along a general axis of elongation (xx′) and an elastically deformable member (30) mounted around this support (20). This ball joint has the characteristic that its elastically deformable member (30) comprises at least one laminated structure (35; 135) made up of (a) layer(s) (32) of elastically deformable flexible material and of (a) layer(s) (34) of more rigid material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball joint (10), particularly for chassis parts of motor vehicles, comprising a joint housing (12), at least one bearing seat (14) and one pivot pin (18) with a joint ball (16), which is mounted inside the bearing seat, and comprising a sealing cup (22) between the pivot pin and the housing, whereby the pivot pin is made of steel and the housing is made of a material having a low modulus of elasticity. Reinforcements (32, 34) made of a higher strength material, particularly also of steel, are placed inside the housing in order to provide the ball joint with a stronger construction.

Abstract: A steering shaft double joint for motor vehicles includes two shaft ends each connected nonrotatably in a respective first and second joint. The first and second joints are operatively arranged in a housing to movably mount the two shaft ends. A ball joint is arranged between the first and second joints, wherein the ball joint includes a ball arranged on one of the shaft ends and a receptacle arranged on the other shaft end. The ball is arranged in the receptacle, and is rotatable around the midpoint of the ball and slidably movable in a direction of a shaft axis of the other shaft end. A plastic sliding guide is disposed between the receptacle and the ball, and a spring surrounds radially the plastic sliding guide and is disposed radially between the plastic sliding guide and the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting ball joint (10), for example an anti-roll bar of a running vehicle, said ball joint (10) comprising a straight support (20) running along a general axis of elongation (xx′) and an elastically deformable member (30) mounted around this support (20). This ball joint has the characteristic that its elastically deformable member (30) comprises at least one laminated structure (35; 135) made up of (a) layer(s) (32) of elastically deformable flexible material and of (a) layer(s) (34) of more rigid material.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a process and a device for mounting ball and socket joints with at least one connecting piece, wherein a first ball and socket joint housing part (3a) is fed to a mounting device, a ball pivot (1), surrounded by a bearing shell (2), is inserted into the first ball and socket joint housing (3a), a second housing part (3b) closing the ball and socket joint is positioned at the first ball and socket joint housing part (3a), and a connecting piece (4) is placed at the ball and socket joint housing (3a, 3b), and the [error in German original—Tr.Ed.] housing parts (3a, 3b) are joined together and to the connecting piece (4) in a non-positive and positive-locking manner and/or in substance via a corresponding connection (5).

Abstract: A ball-stud joint having a flange on a stud thereof, the flange having a sloping side for making it easy to locate centrally the stud relatively to a lower die jig. The ball stud is comprised of a ball fit for pivoting movement into a major body, a stud having a plain end adapted to be formed into a rivet head to joint the stud with any counterpart, and a flange formed integrally around the stud to provide a surface coming into abutment against the counterpart. The flange has a sloping side extending radially outwardly from a flat surface facing on to the ball to an outside periphery of the flange in such a way that the sloping side comes into engagement with a slantwise bearing area on a lower die jig when the plain end of the stud is formed into rivet head.

Abstract: A joint housing (1) has a housing recess (2), a pivot pin (4), mounted in the housing recess. The pivot pin has a joint ball (3) provided with a surface protection. A pin section protrudes from a housing opening (18), with a bearing shell (5) arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball, and with a closing ring (7), which closes the housing recess of the joint housing and tensions the bearing shell arranged therein in the joint housing. The closing ring follows essentially with its inner contour the outer contour of the bearing shell due to a bevel or a radius formed. The closing ring (7) to be inserted into the joint housing is fixed in its position in the joint housing (1) and has a sealing lip (17) which is in contact with the joint ball (3) under elastic pretension on the side of the housing opening (18) through which the pin section of the pivot pin (4) protrudes from the joint housing (1).

Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes a housing (142), a ball stud (170), a first bearing layer (110), and a second vibration dampening layer (120 or 130). The housing (142) defines a chamber (160) and has an opening (147) in communication with the chamber (160). The ball stud (170) has a ball portion (172) located in the chamber (160) and a stud portion (174) extending from the ball portion (172) through the opening (147). The ball portion (172) has a center (180). The stud portion (174) has a longitudinal axis (181) intersecting the center (180). The first bearing layer (110) is disposed in the chamber (160) and engages the ball stud (170). The ball stud (170) is rotatable about the center (180) relative to the first bearing layer (110). The second vibration dampening layer (120 or 130) dampens vibration transmitted between the housing (142) and the ball stud (170).

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball joint, in particular for wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, having an outer more or less cylindrical housing, an inner joint element having a ball pivot bearing a ball section, and a bearing ring enclosing the ball section, such bearing ring being retained in the cylindrical housing, and having annular seals on both sides of the ends of the ball pivots, annular gaps which are indirectly or directly filled with a damping fluid being formed around the ball pivots adjacent to the ball section in order to achieve a hydraulic damping function.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint with a pivot pin (1, 31), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably with a spherical joint area (9, 39) in a bearing shell (4, 34), which is in turn arranged in the recess (3, 33) of a joint housing (2, 32), wherein a closing ring (5, 35, 36 [sic-Tr.Ed.]) fixes the bearing shell (4, 34) in the joint housing (2, 32) in the axial longitudinal direction of the pivot pin (1, 31) by at least one surface pair. Corresponding to a first solution variant, an intermediate element (20, 50) made of an elastic material may be arranged according to the present invention between the corresponding contact surfaces of the surface pair on the bearing shell (4, 34) and the closing ring (6 [sic—Tr.Ed.], 36 [sic—Tr.Ed.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a cavity formed in a joint case, a planar plate fitted in the cavity, a spherical member arranged in the cavity so that it is held by a spherical surface receiving seat and a portion of the planar plate, and pressure screw for pressing the planar plate toward the spherical surface receiving seat.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for a rocker pendulum of a motor vehicle, is provided with a housing (1), which is open on at least one side and into the interior space (2) of which a bearing shell (3) is inserted, which in turn accommodates a joint ball (4) of a ball pivot (5) in a slidingly movable manner. The interior space (2) has elevations and/or depressions (7) along its inner jacket surface (6) or a polygonal cross section, so that the bearing shell (3), which is provided with an oversize in relation to the inner jacket surface (6), can be inserted into the housing (1) in a positive-locking manner while its outer surface undergoes a partial plastic deformation. The inner jacket surface (6) may have pressure zones (19) which shorten the effective length of the elevations and/or depressions (7).

Abstract: A tie rod end having a purgative zerk for removal of used lubricants is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the tie rod end includes a socket member that defines a first bore in which a ball stud member is disposed and a second bore in communication with the first bore. The purgative zerk is disposed in the second bore. In a second embodiment of the invention, the purgative zerk is disposed in a plug used to close one end of the first bore. The use and location of the purgative zerk enable purge holes to be eliminated from a boot seal disposed at one end of the first bore thereby reducing contamination of the tie rod end.

Abstract: A low insertion force snap together automotive coupler for the suspension of a vehicle includes a spherical bearing insert having a first end, a second end, a pocket adapted to engage a ball stud that is integrally formed onto a suspension component, and an axially extending annular flange. The coupler further includes a receiver adapted to receive the spherical bearing insert after the spherical bearing insert has been placed to a ball stud and to engage the flange to secure the spherical bearing insert within the receiver. The pocket within the spherical bearing insert is shaped such that an axial force tending to pull the ball stud out of the pocket will result in a radial force exerted upon the flange, thereby causing additional force to keep the flange engaged within the receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting ball joint (10), for example an anti-roll bar of a running vehicle, the ball joint (10) comprising a straight support (20) running along a general axis of elongation (xx′) and an elastically deformable member (30) mounted around the support (20). The ball joint has the characteristic that its elastically deformable member (30) comprises at least one laminated structure (35; 135) made up of (a) layer(s) (32) of elastically deformable flexible material and of (a) layer(s) (34) of more rigid material.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes a housing (142), a ball stud (170), a first bearing layer (110), and a second vibration dampening layer (120 or 130). The housing (142) defines a chamber (160) and has an opening (147) in communication with the chamber (160). The ball stud (170) has a ball portion (172) located in the chamber (160) and a stud portion (174) extending from the ball portion (172) through the opening (147). The ball portion (172) has a center (180). The stud portion (174) has a longitudinal axis (181) intersecting the center (180). The first bearing layer (110) is disposed in the chamber (160) and engages the ball stud (170). The ball stud (170) is rotatable about the center (180) relative to the first bearing layer (110). The second vibration dampening layer (120 or 130) dampens vibration transmitted between the housing (142) and the ball stud (170).

Abstract: An assembly for a reaction rod for shafts of automotive vehicles, more specifically, to be applied in heavy vehicles provided with pneumatic or mixed suspension, basically composed of a box provided in the end of a bar, being that this box has an internal housing in the cylindrical or spherical form where is introduced a pin with a segment also cylindrical or spherical, where is a vulcanized rubber confectioned by injection and the pin is fixed in the interior of the box by retaining rings. The reaction rod thus composed has in the injected rubber that is vulcanized in the cylindrical or ball type segment of the pin, a recess or channel that in a version is provided in the entire circumference of the injected rubber that is vulcanized on the pin, with the objective of providing a relief in small radial and angular movements, in all senses of direction, which relief is progressively reduced in the proportion that the radial and angular movement increases.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, especially for steering mechanisms and/or wheel suspensions of motor vehicles, with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) within a joint housing (7), wherein the bearing shell (4) is fixed in the joint housing by a closing ring (9), wherein a metallic compressible element (18), which provides a sealing contact surface between the joint housing (7) and the closing ring (9) in the assembled state of the ball-and-socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (9) and the joint housing (7).

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint, preferably for chassis suspensions and/or steering mechanisms of motor vehicles, is presented, which has a ball pivot pin (1), which is accommodated rotatably and tiltably in a joint housing (8) with one of its free ends with a spherical joint area (3). The other free end of the ball pivot pin (1) is fixed to a body part. The ball-and-socket joint has a stop device for limiting the tilting movement of the ball pivot pin (1) in the joint housing (8), which comprises a stop element, which is arranged in the bottom area (11) of the joint housing (8) rotationally symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the sphere and cooperates with the end-side joint area (6) of the ball pivot pin (1).

Abstract: A housing (2) of a ball joint (1) includes a socket (13) which is light in weight and formed of an aluminum alloy in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. Together with a bearing seat (4), a ball head portion (31) of a ball stud (3) is contained in an inner chamber (29) of the socket (13). A recess (26) facing the inner chamber (29) is formed in a bottom portion (12) of the socket (13). A ring-shaped wear resistant member (27) made of steel that is harder than the material of the socket (13) is contained in the recess (26). Should the bearing seat (4) be worn and damaged by muddy water that has entered as a result of breakage or damage of a dust cover (5) that covers the opening of the housing (2), the wear resistant member (27), which is made of a harder material, comes into contact with the ball head portion (31) and thereby prevents premature wear of the socket (13).

Abstract: What is disclosed herein deals with low to medium pressure, high temperature, all ceramic, air-to-air, indirect heat exchangers, novel ball joints; connecting slip ring collars for ceramic tubes, that are useful in such heat exchangers, systems comprising several heat exchangers or systems comprising heat exchangers that are fabricated such that they provide more efficient heat exchangers than has been possible heretofore.

Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a wall or plate type structure resists accidental pull-out therefrom. The ball socket includes a socket cup for retaining a ball stud. Snap locks extend from the ball socket to provide a mechanical connection with the structure. A sleeve located initially in the socket cup is driven between the snap locks as the ball stud is placed in the socket cup. This prevents the snap locks from moving in a manner that allows the ball socket to be accidentally pulled from the structure. The structure may be a wall in a headlamp assembly.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint is provided with a joint housing which is open on at least one side with a housing recess, with a joint pin mounted in the housing recess with its joint ball provided with a surface protection. A pin section projects from a housing opening. A bearing shell is arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball. A sealing bellows is provided between the joint housing and the joint pin. A sealing element, which is under elastic pretension in sliding contact with the joint ball, is arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly having sealing caps made of elastomer enclosing openings at both extremities. One of the sealing caps is connected between the ball pin and an integral part of a bearing utilized in the ball joint shaped during the process of injection of the bearing. The integral part of the bearing being formed as an appendix those projects itself towards outside of the ball joint box. A second sealing cap is connected directly between the ball pin and an integral part of the ball joint box being an appendix thereof shaped during the stamping of the ball joint box. The sealing arrangement provides a perfect seal that prevents the entry of any impurity between the movable pieces and those of friction, of the ball joint.

Abstract: A pivot socket of the present invention incorporates a stud shaft component having a tapered head portion disposed within a housing cavity, and an axial pin extension extending upward into the cavity therefrom. The tapered head portion seats against a tapered bearing surface disposed within the housing cavity, and the axial pin extension is enclosed within a resilient bushing. During use, lateral and axial loads imparted on the stud shaft are transformed into radial and axial component forces at the bearing surfaces. Angulation loads are resisted by the tapered head portion, and converted to axial forces. The radial force components are distributed to the interior walls of the housing cavity, while the axial force components are transferred axially through the resilient bushing to the end closure components secured to the housing, or directly to the housing through the tapered bearing surface.

Abstract: A pivotal ball joint assembly includes a ball joint, an input/output member, and a secondary seal element to prevent contamination of the boot seal during movement and articulation of the input/output member relative to the ball joint. The ball joint has a socket body and a ball stud pivotally mounted to the socket body. The ball stud has a shank portion which extends therefrom and is aligned along a shank axis. An elastic boot seal which extends between the ball stud and socket body is also included. The pivotal ball joint assembly also includes an input/output member affixed to the ball stud shank portion so that the socket body is able to freely rotate relative to the input/output shaft about the shank axis. The pivotal ball joint assembly is further rotatable through a limited range about a transverse axis perpendicular to the shank axis.

Abstract: A joint assembly and a joint socket sleeve. The joint assembly includes a first yoke including a ball portion, a second yoke including a socket portion and a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve has a continuous side wall defining an opening for receiving the ball portion. A portion of the side wall is flexible. In some constructions, flat surfaces and/or grooves are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve. In some constructions, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, and especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle, with a ball-and-socket joint housing (4) provided with a joint opening (6), in which [housing] is arranged a bearing shell (5), is created. The ball-and-socket joint has a ball pivot (3) with a pin (2) and with a joint ball (1), which is rotatably and pivotably mounted in the bearing shell (5), in which case the pin extends out of the ball-and-socket joint housing (4) through the bearing shell (5) and the joint opening (6). The bearing shell (5) is made at least partially of a plastic mixed with an anti-adhesive material and reinforced with fibers.

Abstract: An assembly technique is provided for enclosing an open end of a movable socket comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper or lower surface. Internal components of the movable socket are installed within a housing through a posterior opening and a expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper surface or a lower surface is positioned over the components within the posterior opening. A ram of the present invention having a configured contact surface is brought into engagement with the solid cover-plate, and pressure is exerted on the solid cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the contact surface, deforming and expanding the cover-plate in a predetermined manner to close the socket housing.

Abstract: The fastener includes a post element, a blind aperture assembly with a blind aperture into which the post element is inserted, and a rigid fastening member. The rigid fastening member includes a lower helical edge with an inwardly extending lip which threadably engages the external threads formed on the post. The inclined rotationally symmetric wall deflects upon insertion into the blind aperture, but then interferes with the walls of the blind aperture to resist withdrawal.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint (1) with a housing (2) closed by a cover (3), with a bearing shell (5, 6) and a joint ball (4) accommodated therein rotatably and tiltably with a ball pivot, wherein the said bearing shell (6) provided with projections and offsets on its outside as well as an entropy-elastic, pretensioned spring element (7) are fixed by the cover (3) in the housing (2), wherein the bearing shell is formed by lower and upper bearing shells (5, 6), both of which are closed, and the lower bearing shell (5) extending partially over the upper bearing shell (6) is provided on its overarching inside (5b) and the upper bearing shell (6) is provided on its outside (6a) with the said projections and offsets (20, 21; 11, 12) with which the said entropy-elastic spring element (7) cooperates in a positive-locking and/or non-positive manner under the action of the cover (3) in its closed position and nonrotatably couples the two bearing shells (5, 6) with one another.

Abstract: A stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket comprising a base having an opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The ball socket further comprising at least two walls extending from the base and at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-in fingers and the walls of the ball socket flex to allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers such that when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by the lock-in fingers. Additionally, the base, walls, and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first suspension member (12), and a second suspension member (14) having a through hole (24) with a first tapered surface (32) defining a first end of the through hole and a second tapered surface (34) defining a second end of the through hole. A socket (40) is connected with the first suspension member (12). A stud (50) has a first end portion (52) and a second end portion (60). The socket (40) supports the first end portion (52) of the stud (50) in the socket (40) for pivotal movement relative to the socket. The second end portion (60) of the stud (50) has a tapered outer surface (66) in engagement with the first tapered surface (32) of the second suspension member (14). A fastener (90) on the second end portion (60) of the stud (50) has a tapered outer surface (96) in engagement with the second tapered surface (36) of the second suspension member (14).

Abstract: Tie rod end for a steering system that comprises a crosslink axis and a stud; the crosslink axis has on one of its ends a box portion for coupling with the stud, the box has two recesses perpendicular, the recesses form two housings shaped as half-cubes in which the bearings are housed; the recesses being of greater dimensions widthwise relative the bearings, so they allow the bearings to move with an oscillating motion.

Abstract: A spherical joint for coupling three or more links together at one point. The joint includes a bail and a hollow spherical body wrapping the ball therein. The ball is movable in the hollow spherical body. An upper link inserted into and fixed to the hollow spherical body through an upper link insertion opening formed on the hollow spherical body. Lower links are connected to the hollow spherical body through lower link insertion openings, wherein the number of the lower links correspond to that of the hollow spherical body. Link support discs are set within a gap between outer surface of the central ball and inner surface of the hollow spherical body and fixed to each end of the lower link, and all the axes of the lower links and the upper link are coincident with a center point of the ball.

Abstract: A ball joint includes: a ball stud having a spherical ball part and a shank part extending from the spherical ball part; a bearing cupping the spherical ball part of the ball stud; and a housing holding the bearing therein. The housing is provided with a recess in an inner surface thereof. The bearing deforms to enter into the recess of the housing in such a manner that a space is formed between the bearing and the spherical ball part.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, comprising a joint housing 1 with a housing recess 2, a pivot pin 4, which is mounted in the housing recess with its joint ball 3 provided with a surface protection, and whose pin section protrudes from a housing opening 18, with a bearing shell 5 arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball, and with a closing ring 7, which closes the housing recess of the joint housing and tensions the bearing shell arranged therein in the joint housing.

Abstract: A joint assembly and a joint socket sleeve. The joint assembly includes a first yoke including a ball portion, a second yoke including a socket portion and a socket sleeve. The socket sleeve has a continuous side wall defining an opening for receiving the ball portion. A portion of the side wall is flexible. In some constructions, flat surfaces and/or grooves are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve. In some constructions, ribs are formed on the outer surface of the socket sleeve.

Abstract: A tie rod end having a purgative zerk for removal of used lubricants is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the tie rod end includes a socket member that defines a first bore in which a ball stud member is disposed and a second bore in communication with the first bore. The purgative zerk is disposed in the second bore. In a second embodiment of the invention, the purgative zerk is disposed in a plug used to close one end of the first bore. The use and location of the purgative zerk enable purge holes to be eliminated from a boot seal disposed at one end of the first bore thereby reducing contamination of the tie rod end.

Abstract: A ball joint for different applications in special car suspension is disclosed. The ball joint includes a pin (1) with a first end for fixing in a counterpart, and a second spherical end (2),that is encased in a bearing (3) of consequently spherical internal profile, that by its turn is mounted in the internal area of a housing (4), whose external area is intended for fixing in a second counterpart. The housing (4) is closed over a retaining ring (5), that by its turn presses the bearing (3) and the pin (1), in such a way as to prevent axial or radial moving between the parts, including the dismounting of the assembly, but allowing rotational and oscillatory movements required for the operation of the assembly. Further, the retaining ring (5) supports the external (6) and the internal (7) sealings, preferably vulcanized, both of the area between the retaining ring (5) and the housing (4) and of the area between the retaining ring (5) and the pin (1).

Abstract: An assembly technique is provided for enclosing an open end of a movable socket comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper or lower surface. Internal components of the movable socket are installed within a housing through a posterior opening and a expanding solid cover-plate having a circumferential groove on either an upper surface or a lower surface is positioned over the components within the posterior opening. A ram of the present invention having a configured contact surface is brought into engagement with the solid cover-plate, and pressure is exerted on the solid cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the contact surface, deforming and expanding the cover-plate in a predetermined manner to close the socket housing.

Abstract: A ball joint (10) for supporting a first suspension member (12) for movement relative to a second suspension member (14) comprises a socket (30) for connection with the first suspension member, a bearing (38) in the socket, and a stud (40) having a first end portion (42) and a second end portion (50). The bearing (38) supports the first end portion (40) of the stud (40) in the socket (30) for pivotal movement relative to the socket. The second end portion (50) of the stud (40) projects from the socket (30) for connection with the second suspension member (14). The second end portion (50) of the stud (40) has a tapered outer surface (60). The second suspension member (14) has a tapered inner surface (22) defining an opening (24) in the second suspension member. The ball joint (10) further comprises a collar (70) on the stud (40).

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket that defines an outer surface having multiple, annular, smoothly-curved teeth. A ball is received in the socket, and the socket is received in a recess of a housing. This recess defines complementarily-shaped annular, smoothly-curved teeth. The crests of the teeth are arranged along lines that are angled with respect to the insertion axis such that the teeth of the socket pass over the teeth of the housing without an interference fit therebetween during an early stage of assembly. It is only at the end of assembly that the teeth of the socket mechanically interfere with the teeth of the housing to create the desired snap lock. In one example, the ball joint housing forms a recess that receives a rod. The inner surface of this recess undulates and includes gradually converging surfaces and gradually diverging surfaces with respect to the rod axis.

Abstract: An improved socket liner for a ball and socket joint is adapted to be fixedly installed within a joint housing so as to encase the ball. The housing defines a longitudinal axis, and the liner, formed in two longitudinally extending mating halves that confront one another along surfaces parallel to the axis of the housing, are oriented to provide a theoretically tightest possible ball bearing-socket fit. Each liner half includes at least one protuberance on each longitudinally confronting surface. The protuberances not only facilitate location of the liner halves during assembly, but also assure a physical separation between the halves, creating an additional lubrication groove for enhanced operation of the joint during its useful life. In one preferred form, a compliant thin soft material cover is overmolded over the exterior socket liner structure, and exterior surface slots integrally provided on the cover interlock with protruding ribs fixed to the interior of the housing.