Abstract: An adjustable steering tie-rod assembly having a threaded rod, connected to a tube having an annular cavity and an intermediate tubular member. The intermediate member has internal and external threads with longitudinal grooves in sectioned lines. The threaded steering terminal, intermediate member and tube are connected in a concentric arrangement. The internal and external threads of the intermediate member facilitate adjusting the length of the assembly without axial movement of the intermediate member. The bracketing assembly is designed to ensure that the components are adequately fixed and form a solid assembly. The longitudinal grooves of the intermediate member are thrust on the external thread of the rod of the steering terminal and on the internal thread of the tubular extremity of the steering tie rod, to provide locking of the assembly and hindering the spontaneous rotating movement of the components regardless of the specific geometry of the steering tie-rod.

Abstract: A ball-end pin with plastic flange is employed in steering or suspension systems of automotive vehicles, manufactured in two discrete parts, namely, the ball-end pin itself and the flange. The flange is made of plastic material by injection process, one providing its external circumference with a channel for the fixing of the smaller diameter opening of the protection cover of the ball joint, and it may be injected directly on the ball-end pin or injected separately, in which case its central orifice must have a certain conical shape and longitudinal protrusions. The ball-end pin is constructed by stamping process and during the process the same will be provided with a conical section with longitudinal grooves that eliminates the use of the machining process.

Abstract: A ball joint restriction system provides a cylindrical extension in the end of the ball, and also provides an oblong housing in the closing cover of the ball joint to restrict movement of the extension. A positioning member positions the cover with respect to the box so that the oblong opening of the housing is provided in the same direction that the oblong opening in the other end of the ball joint box, through which pin or stem of the ball type pin passes. The ball joint will guarantee the maintenance of the connecting rod, whatever is its curve and weight, perfectly aligned with the other components of the system, as well as it will allow that the ball type pin to be always positioned in its designed geometrical axle.

Abstract: A self-centering ball and socket joint for connecting parts requiring restricted angular movement in a pre-established direction, and free rotary movement in a corresponding direction. The joint is comprised of a spherical pin (01) with an encased end, and an opposite exposed end. The encased end of the spherical pin (01) is comprised of first (09) and second (10) hemispheres, disposed within a bearing assembly (02, 03). The first hemisphere has a relatively larger diameter (09), than the second hemisphere (10). The hemispheres (09, 10) interact with the bearing assembly (02, 03) to continuously urge the spherical pin (01) to return to a pre-determined position. Although the invention has broad potential applicability, its primary uses are in motor vehicle tie rod steering and suspension systems.

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: 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: An adjustable steering tie rod assembly having a steering terminal with a threaded rod connected to a tube having an annular cavity and an intermediate tubular member. The intermediate member has an internal helical thread and an external thread. The threaded steering terminal, the intermediate member and the tube are connected in a concentric arrangement. The internal and external threads of the intermediate member allow adjusting the length of the assembly without axial movement of the intermediate member. The bracketing mechanism is designed to assure that the three components are adequately fixed and form a solid assembly. The helical threads of the intermediate member are thrust on the external thread of the rod of the steering terminal and internal thread of the tubular extremity of the steering tie rod to provide security.

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: This invention refers to a sealing cap for a ball joint assembly comprising a ball rod having a ball member at its one end and an elongated shank member at its other end, a casing housing the ball member, and a sealing cap having a first end secured to the casing and a second end mounted about the shank member. The shank member is provided with an annular sealing seat receiving the second end of the sealing cap. The second end of the sealing cap is provided with a sealing bulge and a flexible sealing lip extending from said sealing edge, so that when the second end of the sealing cap is mounted over said sealing seat of said shank member, the sealing lip deforms and bends over towards the sealing edge, thus forming an enclosed channel therebetween.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises an elastomeric sealing cover and a metal straining ring for fixing the sealing cover in the ball joint. First end of the sealing cover is coupled to an external face of a ball joint box, thus defining a sealing ring, and second end of the sealing cover is coupled to a body of a pin of the ball joint. The sealing cover includes a sealing lip formed at the first end thereof. The straining ring has an internal flap mounted by interference fitting on the external face of the ball joint box, and an external flap. During the assembly of the ball joint, the external flap of the straining ring is bend over the sealing lip of the sealing cover for engaging the sealing lip and providing sealing to the ball joint and fastening the sealing cover to the ball joint box.

Abstract: A angular movement restriction bushing for ball joints, made of elastomeric providing two quadrants of its external surface with recesses and another two quadrants with smooth external surfaces, opposite between themselves, wherein one of the faces of the bushing is provided with an involving washer that prevents its deformation when mounted and in operation. For correct assembly and improved operation, there is provided a positioning hole, that may be constructed in several forms, but that, encased and in projection of the oblong opening of the ball joint box, has the important function of positioning the bushing when mounting of the ball joint so that the smooth surface of its external circumference, provided in it, stays coincident with the oblong opening existent in the end of the ball joint box.

Abstract: This invention refers to an improved rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising a cylindrical housing attached to a body structure of the vehicle, and a steering rack shaft mounted within the housing for sliding movement therethrough. Opposite ends of the steering rack shaft are coupled to left and right tie rods through ball joint assemblies to steer a set of road wheels in accordance with lateral displacement of the rack shaft. The rack-and-pinion type steering apparatus further includes a pair of protective boots of elastomeric material, each defining left and right ball joint chambers for sealing a steering gear and components of the ball joint assemblies against debris and foreign fluids. Furthermore, the steering apparatus of the present invention includes a pressure equalization system for equalizing pressure in the left and right ball joint chambers.

Abstract: An assembly for restricting movement of the ball joint utilized in automotive vehicles and the like, comprising a socket (2), a bearing (3), an “O” ring (4), two retaining rings (5) and one protection cap (6). The bearing (3) functions to restrict movement of the ball pin to prevent the fall of the steering bar (7) of vehicles due to the fact that the bar (7) is long and curved. An o-ring (4) has a function to make the sealing between the bearing (3) and the ball pin. The retaining rings (5) serving to lock the protective cap (6) to prevent the entry of dust and other agents in the joint assembly, avoiding possible damages to the movable components of the same. The matching surfaces of the socket body and the bearing contact to limit relative movement therebetween, so that the movements of the suspension of the vehicles remain free, locking the bar in the sense of rotation around the line of action of the ball.

Abstract: A ball-end pin with plastic flange is employed in steering or suspension systems of automotive vehicles, manufactured in two discrete parts, namely, the ball-end pin itself and the flange. The flange is made of plastic material by injection process, one providing its external circumference with a channel for the fixing of the smaller diameter opening of the protection cover of the ball joint, and it may be injected directly on the ball-end pin or injected separately, in which case its central orifice must have a certain conical shape and longitudinal protrusions. The ball-end pin is constructed by stamping process and during the process the same will be provided with a conical section with longitudinal grooves that eliminates the use of the machining process.

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: An adjustable steering tie-rod assembly having a threaded rod, connected to a tube having an annular cavity and an intermediate tubular member. The intermediate member has internal and external threads with longitudinal grooves in sectioned lines. The threaded steering terminal, intermediate member and tube are connected in a concentric arrangement. The internal and external threads of the intermediate member facilitate adjusting the length of the assembly without axial movement of the intermediate member. The bracketing assembly is designed to ensure that the components are adequately fixed and form a solid assembly. The longitudinal grooves of the intermediate member are thrust on the external thread of the rod of the steering terminal and on the internal thread of the tubular extremity of the steering tie rod, to provide locking of the assembly and hindering the spontaneous rotating movement of the components regardless of the specific geometry of the steering tie-rod.

Abstract: An adjustable steering tie rod assembly having a steering terminal with a threaded rod connected to a tube having an annular cavity and an intermediate tubular member. The intermediate member has an internal helical thread and an external thread. The threaded steering terminal, the intermediate member and the tube are connected in a concentric arrangement. The internal and external threads of the intermediate member allow adjusting the length of the assembly without axial movement of the intermediate member. The bracketing mechanism is designed to assure that the three components are adequately fixed and form a solid assembly. The helical threads of the intermediate member are thrust on the external thread of the rod of the steering terminal and internal thread of the tubular extremity of the steering tie rod to provide security. The arrangement provides for locking the assembly and hinders the spontaneous rotating movement of the components.

Abstract: An integral tie-rod construction with application of polymer composites with fibers reinforcements, having a stem connecting two ball joints integrally formed at opposite ends. The tie rid and ball joints are integrally formed of a single piece of a fiber-reinforced copolymer. The ball joints may either directly engage a ball pin surface or include a bearing member disposed there between. The bearing member is also preferably made of a fiber-reinforced co-polymer.

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: A angular movement restriction bushing for ball joints, made of elastomeric providing two quadrants of its external surface with recesses and another two quadrants with smooth external surfaces, opposite between themselves, wherein one of the faces of the bushing is provided with an involving washer that prevents its deformation when mounted and in operation. For correct assembly and improved operation, there is provided a positioning hole, that may be constructed in several forms, but that, encased and in projection of the oblong opening of the ball joint box, has the important function of positioning the bushing when mounting of the ball joint so that the smooth surface of its external circumference, provided in it, stays coincident with the oblong opening existent in the end of the ball joint box.