Abstract: A device for articulated connection between a control element and a control rod having a ball head comprising a main body attachable to the control element. The main body envelops a locating section providing positive location for the ball head and has an opening area through which the control rod extends when the device is assembled. According to the invention, the locating section is in two parts whereby the main body forms a part into which the ball head can be introduced through a joint duct located outside the opening, while a molding insertable into the joint duct forms the other part of the locating section. As a result, a simple device is created, guaranteeing connection between the control element and the control rod which is backlash-free or has little backlash.

Abstract: A ceramic ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle, is provided, in which the ball-and-socket joint has a ball-and-socket joint housing (5) provided with a joint opening (7) and a ball pivot provided with a joint ball (1) and with a pivot (13), which said ball pivot is mounted rotatably and pivotably with its joint ball (1) in a bearing shell (2) arranged in the ball-and-socket joint housing (5), wherein the ball pivot protrudes with its pivot (13) from the ball-and-socket joint housing (5) through the joint opening (7). The bearing shell (2) is divided into at least two separate bearing shell parts (3, 4), wherein the joint ball (1) and the bearing shell (13) are made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly for pivotally interconnecting a first member and a second member includes a housing defining a cavity. The housing is adapted to be coupled to the first member. The ball joint also includes a ball stud having a ball segment retained in the cavity and a post segment adapted to be coupled to the second member. An elastomer is positioned within the cavity between the ball segment and the housing. The ball segment is rotatably coupled to the elastomer.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible tightening device, especially for medical purposes, with one of several jointed element pivotable against one another existing arm, in which the arm can be locked into the desired position of the locking element by means of a tightening element. In order to create a simply constructed tightening device, which is also easy to clean, which can be adjusted on many sides and is lockable, the invention is suggested, in which each jointed element demonstrates a ball joint at one end and at the opposite end a socket joint to receive the ball joint and that each jointed element is constructed in the length direction in two parts, whereby the individual length pieces are adjustable against one another for locking purposes.

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.

Abstract: A multi-positionable mounting device that provides a substantially stable, load-bearing but relatively adjustable ball and socket mounting device. An interior surface of the socket is formed of first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions that are relatively orientable with one another for forming therebetween a part spherical cavity. The interior surface of one socket portion is formed with multiple facets at a predetermined radial distance from a spherical center point of the cavity. The first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions are securable in a relationship which forms the part spherical cavity therebetween. A part-spherical coupler substantially fills the spherical cavity. The mechanical securing means applies clamping force that acts between the first and second opposing socket portions and secures the coupler therebetween in fixed orientation with one of the faceted socket portion.

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: A construction of a cover for ball joint for application in connections of both angular and rotational movements of automotive vehicles. The cover is constructed with a boss in its outermost circumference so that when assembling the ball joint, the bearing flange that is inserted in the interior of the box, that is closed by the cover, does not burst. Moreover, the bearing is maintained fixed to the assembling place as it is desired, for the perfect operation of the ball joint. The cover constructed in this manner functions as a limiting piece in the assembling process, so that, even if too strongly pressed upon the bearing flange, it may burst only the outermost part of the bearing flange preserving its major part, that will be retained between the recess provided in the interior of the ball joint box and the space immediately posterior to the boss constructed in the outermost circumference of the cover, thus keeping the bearing fixed to its place.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism secures a radiographic source connector to a drive assembly to prevent unintentional release. The source connector includes a cup sleeve with a sleeve slot cut along its axis. The sleeve is spring-loaded to capture the ball end of a drive assembly by applying a positive locking force from the spring. The sleeve slot provides clearance for the neck of the ball end of the drive connector ball. This clearance allows the source connector to pivot approximately 90° without detaching from the drive cable at any angle or orientation. The source connector cannot be disconnected from the drive assembly due to a force applied in any direction. The only mechanism for release is to intentionally move the sleeve in a direction opposite the urging of the spring and then remove the drive connector ball.

Abstract: A device for blocking first and second components (1, 2) relative to one another may be provided with first and second parts (3, 4) capable of cooperating with one another in order to effect the blocking, the first part (3) being carried by the first component (1) and being provided with a duct (15) and the second part (4) being carried by the second component (2) and being provided with a blocking finger (24) capable of being introduced frictionally into the duct (15). The first part (3) may have a first pivot system (8) with a pivot (10) that can rotate relative to the first component (1); the duct may be formed by a diametral conduit (15) pierced in the pivot (10) of the first pivot system (8); and the second part (4) may include a second pivot system (23) with which the blocking finger (24) is integral so as to be capable of tilting relative to the second component (2).

Abstract: Spherical mountings are useful for pivotally connecting a push arm of a blade to a track roller frame of a machine. When the blade is removed the bearing assembly must be disassembled and to reconnect the blade to the spherical mounting the bearing assembly needed to shimmed to obtain the correct gap or clearance between the bearing and the spherical mounting. The subject mounting arrangement includes a mounting assembly having a first end portion removeably connected to the push arm of a blade and a second end portion positioned around a spherical assembly and being removeably connected to a bearing assembly of the spherical assembly. This arrangement of components provides for removing the push arm of the blade from the mounting on the track roller frame without removing the bearing assembly.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a split-socket ball joint comprising, a stud with a ball portion and attachment portion, an upper and lower socket capable of being attached to each other, and at least one race disposed with either the upper or lower socket, wherein the race comprises either ball bearings, roller bearings, or a combination thereof, and provides a spherical inner surface to mate with the ball portion of the stud. Furthermore, the split-socket ball joint may be fastened using a reversible fastening means, such as bolting the upper and lower sockets together. The ball joint of the present invention can be dismantled and is therefor repairable. The ball joint is useful for heavy duty applications.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint preferably for vehicle suspensions or steerings of motor vehicles with a joint housing, with a housing cover closing the joint housing on one side, and with a pivot pin, which is mounted rotatably and deflectably in at least one bearing shell using a spherical bearing surface, is described. The bearing shell is in turn stationarily fixed in the joint housing and an elastic buffer element (6) is arranged on the outside of the joint housing (3) facing away from the pivot pin (1).

Abstract: A new class of spherical joints is disclosed. These spherical joints are capable of extremely large angular displacements (full cone angles in excess of 270°), while exhibiting no singularities or dead spots in their range of motion. These joints can improve or simplify a wide range of mechanical devices.

Abstract: A mount for plate-shaped components, more particularly glass plates is disclosed. The mount comprises a socket element, which penetrates a recess in the plate-shaped component, thereby fixing the component, and a hinged bolt. At its first end, the hinged bolt comprises ball element, which is rotatably mounted in a recess of the socket element, and can be secured with its opposite second end to a support structure, thereby fixing the socket element. In this respect, the ball element (6) is at least slightly linearly displaceable in the recess (7) of the socket element (2) along tile longitudinal axis of the hinged bolt (3), and at least one spring element (12, 13) acts indirectly or directly upon the ball element (6).

Abstract: A plug-in coupling having vibration damping characteristics. An elastomeric insert member comprising a ball-shaped female part is inserted into a socket integral with a member so as to be positively retained therein. The plug-in coupling can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Abstract: A link assembly for a vehicle control system comprising a spacer molded of glass-filled nylon and a socket housing mounted on each end of the spacer, both socket housings also being molded of glass-filled nylon. Each housing comprises a male socket component and a female socket component which are mirror-image, identical to each other except for complementary male locator protrusions and female locator depressions formed in opposing relationship on mating faces of respective components. The components are ultrasonically welded together to capture opposite ends of the spacer and the ball ends of respective ball studs.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus that can be universally adapted to golf umbrellas or which can be used with a specialized umbrella. Further, the invention is compact and thus lightweight so as not to detract from nor significantly effect the standard usage of the golf bag. The invention utilizes a spherical adapter which is attached to the bottom of the handle of the umbrella. The adapter is in turn captured within a clamp having a socket formed in it. The clamp is in turn secured to the golf bag. Normally, the clamp will remain with the bag and the spherical member will remain with the umbrella when the two are separated such that additional accessories such as cup holders and scorecard holders may be used instead of the umbrella.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint includes a bearing set having an upper bearing and a lower bearing that have respective rim portions that are shaped for complementary overlapping engagement to create a radial and axial preload on a ball and socket joint assembly. The upper and lower bearings include generally spherical inner surfaces for contacting a ball stud outer surface. A socket housing includes a generally cylindrical inner wall for contacting outer surfaces of the upper and lower bearings. The upper and lower bearing rims overlap at a bearing to bearing interface that is preferably at the equator of the ball stud.

Abstract: A display support device for displaying flags and banners comprises a base having a cavity; a shaft attached to a rotatable member received by the cavity for rotation freely in all directions; and a clamping arrangement for clamping the rotatable member against the cavity of the base to prevent relative movement therebetween. This attachment arrangement employs a plunger, positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis of the base, which is forced out of the bottom of the base by the rotatable member pressing against the bottom wall of the cavity of the base under the action of the clamping arrangement. The plunger, when the display support device is loosely clipped or strapped to the disparate object, acts to tighten the clip or strap so as to clasp the display support device to the disparate object, regardless of the surface irregularity of the object.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly for connecting a tie rod to a rack and pinion steering assembly includes first and second housing members selectively mated to define a cavity that receives the ball of the tie rod and a bearing. The first housing member includes a threaded portion matingly engaging a threaded portion disposed on the second housing member.

Abstract: A ball joint generates play when wear of a ball sheet reaches a predetermined allowable amount so that the end of service life of the ball joint can be recognized by a simple inspection. A spherical portion of a ball stud is interposed between an upper sheet and a lower sheet. The upper sheet is displaced toward the lower sheet when the upper sheet or the lower sheet has been worn due to sliding of the spherical portion. The displacement of the upper sheet is restricted so that the upper sheet is supported at a predetermined position relative to the lower sheet.

Abstract: An inventive ball and socket joint has a metallic socket with a cavity that receives a semi-rigid annular bearing, a ball stud, and an annular rigid metallic retainer ring. The retainer ring is self-centering within the socket cavity. It includes a lower wedge portion that is received in a corresponding pocket formed between an upper stepped portion of the bearing and inner surface of the socket. Besides being self-centering, the retainer ring also acts as a wedge between the socket and bearing to provide a compression pre-load to the bearing which is controllably released as the bearing wears during use.

Abstract: A ball joint (12) is disclosed comprising a stamped sheet metal socket (14) and a ball end (18). The socket (14) comprises a base portion (40) and a conical portion (38) above the base portion (40) integral with the base portion (40). A wear tolerance compensator (44) is seated against the base portion (40). A plastic spherical bearing (46) is contained within the socket (14) and seats against the wear tolerance compensator (44). The ball end (18) is contained by the spherical bearing (46). An annular metal collar (48) fits over the spherical bearing (46). The collar (48) comprises a tapered end (82) which seats in the socket conical portion (38). The socket (14) comprises an annular lip (32) which clamps the collar (48) and presses the collar tapered end (82) into sealing engagement with the conical portion (38), under a predetermined load, sealing the socket (14) against environmental ingress.

Abstract: A prepackaged ball joint subassembly is adapted to be installed into a final housing that is then closed to retain the subassembly. The subassembly comprises a bearing and a stud with stud head and a shank which are received in an encasement. The encasement is then sealed. In one preferred embodiment, the encasement includes an upper hood with a lower hook and a lower bowl with an upper hook. One of the hooks extends radially outwardly and the other hook extends radially inwardly such that the upper hood and lower bowl may be snapped together without using special tools.

Abstract: A ball joint is formed of a joint device having a ball holder with a through hole, a plurality of ball abutting ribs projecting inwardly from an inner surface of the ball holder, a ring-shaped projecting stand formed at a lower part of the ball holder to extend along a periphery of the inner surface of the ball holder, a fitting ring disposed on the projecting stand, and a rotation preventing rib projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the ball holder. The fitting ring is elastically deformable and has a slit. The rotation preventing rib is placed in the slit of the fitting ring to thereby prevent the fitting ring from moving on the projecting stand. In the invention, a ball stud having a spherical fitting part can be reliably disposed between the fitting ring and the ball abutting ribs.

Abstract: A swivel connector for supporting a fixture and including a swivel socket, a spherically shaped hollow member located in the socket and forming with the socket a first universal joint, and two adaptors for connecting the swivel connector to a support and the fixture, respectively, with the support-connecting adapter being connected to the swivel socket and with the fixture-connecting adaptor having a spherical portion received within the hollow swivel member and forming with the swivel member a second universal joint.

Abstract: A non-oscillating joint comprises a housing with an annular inner surface, an annular sleeve wedged within the housing, a stud with a radially outer bearing surface received in said housing, a radially outer bearing surface of the stud adjacent a radially inner surface of the sleeve, and an annular bearing wedged within the sleeve, the bearing having a longitudinally inner bearing surface contacting a longitudinally outer bearing surface of the stud. In a first embodiment of the present invention, both the radially outer bearing surface of the stud and the radially inner surface of the sleeve are generally conical, the stud wedged within the sleeve. In a second embodiment, a second bearing is wedged between the sleeve and the stud. The joint is subjected to additional compression pre-load when the housing is closed.

Abstract: An electrical fan having a positioning mechanism, driven by the rotation of the fan's motor, which causes the fan's head to simultaneously pivot sinusoidally and continuously about a pair of perpendicular axes to continuously redirect the airstream from the fan in a conical pattern.

Abstract: An assembly for mechanically hanging a glazing element to a supporting structure uses an articulated fixing system allowing the plate to tilt about its support point on said system. It includes a cavity defining element engaging the glazing element and a carrying element connectable to the supporting structure and having a portion fittable in a cavity defined by said cavity defining element so as to form an articulated connection with said cavity defining element. The articulated connection has a bearing region and supports the glazing element for turning with a pendular motion about the bearing region. This makes possible a bending movement of controlled amplitude of the glazing element.

Abstract: A manual transmission shifter, which comprises a ball mounting a shift lever, a lateral shift control arm, and a depending shift control member, is mounted in a plastic shifter housing having a plastic closure plate. The housing has a plurality of spaced integral resilient spring fingers contoured to form a socket for receiving the ball. The fingers are interconnected at their upper ends to define an upper opening for the shift lever. The spring fingers define an opening smaller than the ball diameter at their bottom free ends and flex to receive the ball and contract to snugly embrace the ball. The shift control arm projects through a side slot in the housing to enable up-and-down vertical movement of the control arm from a centered neutral position. An integral spring finger biases the control arm to the neutral position. The closure plate has an annular surface which embraces the bottom ends of the spring fingers to define the size of the socket.

Abstract: Coupling devices have a housing comprised of first and second housing parts together forming an interior cavity which houses a rotatable coupler, preferably comprised of first and second coupler segments, the device being coupled or not depending upon the coupler's position within the cavity. Each housing part has one or more concave cavity wall portion(s) for rotatably retaining the coupler or a coupler segment in the cavity or in a housing part cavity portion. The coupler or each segment has one or more convex outer surface wall portion(s). The concave cavity wall portion(s) slip fit engage the coupler or coupler segment convex surface wall portions and rotatably retain the coupler or segment(s) within the housing cavity or housing part cavity portion.

Abstract: A structure is set forth to provide replacement of a grease cup relative to a steering linkage and an associated joint thereof. Should a steering link and its associated joint loose the cup fitting, use of a grease cup and mounting of the joint therewithin is lost to effect rapid erosion of the joint, wherein the structure provides for an angulated plate member containing a replacement cup secured to the steering link at the joint to retain the joint and replacement cup to the steering link.

Abstract: A socket (21) for retaining a pivot-forming spherical head (3) of a rod (1) in a cavity (5) is of substantially cylindrical shape having an annular groove (9). It consists of a first part (23) of hemispherical shape matched to the spherical head (3) a second part (25) of cylindrical shape matched to the shape of the cavity (5) and a third part (27) of substantially frustoconical shape, the free end (29) of which has a diameter larger than that of the cavity (5), longitudinal slots (31) being made in the second and third parts (25, 27), and the socket (21) being produced from an elastic material, such as a hard thermoplastic.

Abstract: A swivel design for a wear shoe is described which provides support to apparatus cantilevered from a vehicle. This effectively reduces wear to the contacting surface by distributing the wear more evenly. To accomplish this objective the wear shoe is mounted to the supported structure by a swivel joint which allows full freedom of movement. During use the wear shoe tilts and rotates on the swivel to maintain the wear surface of the shoe in facing relation to the road surface.

Abstract: A head-lamp having an adjuster construction comprising a pivot portion and an adjusting screw portion, in which a ball joint is provided for at least one of said portions, a part of a carrying surface of the ball joint being formed of a soft elastic member which extends into the region of the ball joint.

Abstract: A pin connector means for removably affixing structural members to central nodes enabling the erection of structural latticeworks is disclosed. The pin connector means includes a ball-ended bolt, a bearing seat, and a means for coupling a spherical ball of the ball-ended bolt to the bearing seat. The surface of the spherical ball and the contact surface of the bearing seat are finished to be of low friction. A threaded rod extending from the spherical ball of the ball-end bolt screwably affixes into an endpiece of a structural member. The bearing seat for receiving the spherical ball of the ball-ended bolt is affixed to a central node. Each of the central nodes can receive a plurality of the pin connector means. The latticework comprises a plurality of central nodes and a plurality of structural members, the structural members being enabled to removably affix to the central nodes using a pin connector means.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly provided with a connecting rod, which has a connecting member formed at one end and a ball head formed at other end, and a piston having a ball seat for placing a ball head therein, and a cylindrical sleeve protruding from the rear end of the piston having a diameter less than that of the cross section of the piston and having at least two inserting holes formed at predetermined places around its inner circumference, a ball seat formed inside the sleeve and having a projecting section protruding from the rear end of the piston to receive the ball head therein, and a flexible member having a central portion at the center of which a hole is formed to pass through a connecting rod and at least two leaf portions extended from both sides or a plurality of directions from the central portion so as to support the ball head in the ball seat, in which the flexible member is fixed by a mounting means to the sleeve by either inserting the ends of the leaf portions into inserting holes on the sleeve

Abstract: A theftproof quick-release type clamping assembly for mounting a bicycle part comprises a tie rod having one end screwed to an end nut and formed at the other end with an enlarged head, and a hollow presser member fitted around the enlarged head as movable relative thereto axially of the tie rod toward and away from the end nut in response to pivotal movement of a lever which has a shaft portion penetrating the presser member and the enlarged head. A lock member screwed to the enlarged head is advanced into abutment with the presser member when the presser member is axially moved toward the end nut, thereby directly limiting axial movement of the presser member away from the end nut. In this condition, the lever can be manually removed from the presser member and the enlarged head without using any tool, thus providing theft prevention.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a vehicle steering control system, which includes an inner ball head received in a ball socket which simultaneously serves as an outer ball head and is received in a casing which has a shank connected to a drag link of a vehicle steering control system. The ball socket has a unitary connecting rod connected to a wheel steering knuckle arm. A holder plate and a spring are respectively set in the casing to support the inner and outer ball heads for free positioning of the inner ball head in the outer ball head so that steering control operation can be more smoothly performed.

Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly having a lamp unit supported by three ball pivots each of which is connected to the reflector member of the lamp unit through a pair of socket portions which encapsulate the ball portion of the associated ball pivot and are connected together by a fastener accessible from above the headlamp assembly and which, when removed, allows the lamp unit to be released from the vehicle.

Abstract: A universal joint yoke has a ball and socket connection at one end. The ball is held in the socket with an assembly of a retainer and a hidden spring. The spring is rectangular and is compressed into an external rectangular groove of the retainer. The retainer is then inserted into a recess at the end of the socket. The retainer must be inserted past its final farthest-in position for the spring to expand into an internal rounded groove in the recess to assure a loose connection without any preload on the ball.

Abstract: A tamper resistant trailer hitch. The trailer hitch includes a body with a hitch ball receiving cavity therein and a conventional coupling mechanism. The hitch may be locked in a coupled position on the hitch ball or in an uncoupled position in which the ball receiving cavity is covered to provide tamper resistance. In a first embodiment, a side opening coupling configuration is used with the cover mounted on a rotating locking ring. In a second embodiment, a pivoting locking plate is mounted on the lower side of the hitch. In a third embodiment, a sliding locking plate is mounted on the lower side of the hitch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disassemblable ball and socket joint, of the type positioned by a single operation. The ball carried by a journal enters a hemispherical housing of the ball cage, a C-shaped retaining ring partly surrounds the cage and penetrates its wall through two slots which lead into the introduction channel of the ball into its housing, converging outwards. To avoid corrosion risks and to facilitate disassembly, the ring exerts upon the cage a force parallel to the axis of the channel at two points located on either side of the plane of symmetry in the summital region, and it also urges the interior face of the slots, by virtue of protuberances provided near its ends, for example, so that it is not normally in contact with the ball or its journal.

Abstract: A piston assembly including a plastic piston defining a socket at its rear face and a metallic annular insert member positioned within the socket and receiving the piston rod of the piston assembly in acting to increase the effective area over which the loading from the piston rod is applied to the plastic piston so as to allow the plastic piston to be used in environments where it might otherwise fail due to the high stress loading. The annular insert also includes prongs struck from the main body portion of the insert member and coacting with an annular shoulder on the piston rod to preclude axial withdrawal of the piston rod from the piston and further includes an annular flange portion which acts to facilitate positioning of the insert member in the socket in the piston and further acts to define the fully retracted or extended position of the piston in coaction with a snap ring on the inner periphery of the associated cylinder.

Abstract: A trailer coupler having a ball-receiving cavity formed by a stationary and a movable ball-gripping member. A movable abutment at the edge of the cavity adapted to be displaced by the ball of a towing vehicle hitch entering the ball-receiving cavity. Before the movable abutment is displaced, it prevents movement of the coupler operating handle to locked position. When the movable abutment is displaced, the operating handle is able to move to locked position and to move the movable ball-gripping member to secure the ball in the ball-receiving cavity. A latch securing the operating handle in locked position until a movable latch piece is moved to unlatched position.

Abstract: A hand surgery table having a platform (3) and a universal-type joint (6) connecting that platform (3) to a base (5) whereby the disposition of the platform (3) relative to the base (5) can be varied to suit requirements. A lock member (13) is provided to releasably secure the platform (3) in a selected disposition. The platform (3) is releasably connectable to the support structure (2) of the table so that it can be separated for cleaning or disposal, and a frangible detent (26) may be provided to show that the platform (3) has been previously used. A plurality of column supports (41) are attachable to the platform (3) at any of a plurality of positions across the upper surface of the platform (3) and at least some of those supports (41) have a contoured upper end. The column supports (41) cooperate with holes (31) in the platform (3) which also serve as drainage holes.

Abstract: In this improved ball-and-socket trailer hitch, the heavy coil spring, conventionally utilized to forwardly bias a latching collar, is eliminate; instead threaded means are provided to move the collar back and forth when it is rotated manually. Unlatching is much easier in the absence of strong spring bias on the collar, so the need for additional collar-actuating mechanism such as levers, handles and linkages, often required is conventional hitches, is eliminated. The collar may locked in a forward latched position by the inclusion of a pivoted, thumb-operated lock lever, which is spring loaded to automatically drop into the rear edge of the collar when the collar is moved into its latched position, and thus lock the collar in this latched position, constrained against rearward or rotational movement, to eliminate risk of trailer uncoupling due to unintended unlatching of the hitch. The lock lever may be adapted to accept a padlock to avoid trailer theft.

Abstract: An improved rod end mount is disclosed for releasably attaching the rod members of a gas spring and the spherical portion of a ball stud. The base of the end mount has a longitudinal bore to receive the rod member and an intersecting transverse slot. A rod clip of approximately the same outer dimensions as the slot slides into the slot to engage and secure the rod member within the end mount. The integral body of the end mount comprises, in addition to the base, an arch with a passage for receiving the ball stud. To rotatably attach the ball stud within the end mount, a retainer clip of approximately the same outer dimensions as the arch is placed over the arch. This retainer clip surrounds the arch and engages the ball stud. The rod clip and retainer clip act independently to releasably connect the rod member and ball stud, respectively, to the integral body of the end mount.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly operatively linked with a transmission, for manually operating the transmission, including a shift lever, a support, and a pair of stationary retainer plates. The shift lever has a handle portion at which the shift lever is manipulated, and a spherical coupling portion at which the shift lever is universally supported. The support consists of two halves in the form of a pair of support sheets which have respective adjoining surfaces substantially parallel to a plane in which the shift lever extends. The support sheets cooperate with each other to provide a spherical support portion which engages the spherical coupling portion of the shift lever for universally supporting the shift lever. Each support sheet has an outer surface opposite to the corresponding adjoining surface. The stationary retainer plates are disposed in spaced-part relation with each other on opposite sides of the support, so as to hold the pair of support sheets at their outer surfaces.