Abstract: A windscreen wiper device is provided including a longitudinally extending wiper strip of a flexible material. At least one carrier of a spring-like material operatively supports and biases the wiper strip into a predetermined configuration. The windscreen wiper device further includes a connecting device for connection with a wiper arm. The flexible material is formed of flexible material, such as rubber, with a friction reducing agent consisting of at least one amide distributed homogeneously throughout the flexible material. Upon vulcanization, a portion of the friction reducing agent migrates to an outer surface of the flexible material to form a friction reducing film having hydrophobic properties. The friction reducing film provides a low friction interface between the flexible material and a windshield under wet and dry conditions. The low friction minimizes the load on the wiper device and thus extends the life of the wiper device.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner surface that surrounds an inner bore which extends along a central axis. An elastomeric boot extends between first and second boot ends and is sealed with the housing and a shank portion of the stud. The first boot end is received in the inner bore of the housing. An insert, which is fabricated as a separate piece from the boot, is received in the inner bore of the housing. The insert has an outer periphery which presents a plurality of radial teeth that are spaced from one another in a circumferential direction. The teeth are angled at an acute angle relative to the central axis and compress portions of the elastomeric material of the first boot end of the boot to improve the seal between the first boot end of the boot and the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: The sway bar linkage connects a sway bar with a control arm of a vehicle suspension system. The linkage includes a fastener and a plurality of bushings disposed between the fastener and the sway bar and between the fastener and the control arm. At least one of the bushings is constructed as a single piece of material, presents an outer surface, presents an inner bore which extends along an axis for receiving the fastener, and presents a plurality of pockets. The pockets are spaced radially between the inner bore and the outer surface for allowing the bushing to more easily deflect and absorb energy while transferring forces between the sway bar, fastener and control arm.

Abstract: A ball joint for interconnecting relatively movable components 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 polyoxyinethylene material and includes carbon fibers which extend circumferentially about the concave spherical bearing surface.

Abstract: The ball joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and a bearing. The bearing has an opening that extends between opposite axial ends and presents a curved bearing surface. A stud with an inner bore is positioned in the bearing and has an outer surface which is in sliding contact with the bearing surface to allow the bearing and housing to rotate relative to the stud. The assembly further includes a fastener which is receivable within the inner bore for connecting the stud with a frame of a vehicle. The fastener includes an internal passage which extends from an end of the fastener to a side surface of the fastener, and the stud has a channel which extends from the inner bore to the outer surface for allowing lubrication of the ball joint assembly while the ball joint assembly is installed in the vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a longitudinally extending wiper element which is made of an elastic rubber or rubber-like material. A carrier supports the wiper element and is curved in a longitudinal direction to bias the wiper element into a curved shape. A connecting device is engaged with the carrier for connection with a wiper arm. End caps are disposed at opposite longitudinal ends of the carrier and are spaced longitudinally from the connecting device. A pair of subspoilers are disposed on opposite longitudinal sides of the connecting device. Each of the subspoilers includes a bottom, front and back walls which bound an open interior and two reinforcing members which extend through the open interior and divide the open interior into at least two chambers for reinforcing the front and back walls. The front, back and bottom walls and the reinforcing members are all formed as one integral piece.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore which extends between open first and second ends. A ball stud is partially disposed within the inner bore of the housing and includes shank, ball and protrusion portions with the shank portion extending out of the housing through the first end. A first bearing is disposed in the inner bore and includes a passage. The protrusion portion of the ball stud extends into the passage, and the passage is shaped to cooperate with the protrusion portion to allow the ball stud to rotate relative to said housing in one rotational direction by a greater magnitude than in another rotational direction. A cover plate closes the second open end of the housing, and a spring is disposed between the cover plate and the first bearing and biases the first bearing into contact with the ball portion of the ball stud.

Abstract: The wiper device includes a connecting assembly with a base and a joint part. The joint part is made as one integral piece and includes a main body portion and a nose portion. The main body portion is generally extends longitudinally from a front end to a back end and has a top and a pair of sides. A resilient tongue is formed into the top and has a button. The nose portion is connected with the front end of the main body portion at a resilient hinge and includes a pair of locking tangs that are spaced vertically from the resilient hinge. A pair of locking lugs extend from the back end of the main body portion opposite of the nose portion. The sides of the main body portion present a pair of ledges which are spaced vertically from one another to present a groove between said ledges.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore which extends between open first and second ends. A ball stud is partially disposed within the inner bore of the housing and includes shank, ball and protrusion portions with the shank portion extending out of the housing through the first end. A first bearing is disposed in the inner bore and includes a passage. The protrusion portion of the ball stud extends into the passage, and the passage is shaped to cooperate with the protrusion portion to allow the ball stud to rotate relative to said housing in one rotational direction by a greater magnitude than in another rotational direction. A cover plate closes the second open end of the housing, and a spring is disposed between the cover plate and the first bearing and biases the first bearing into contact with the ball portion of the ball stud.