Abstract: A ball joint includes a cover plate with a nested portion along an outer perimeter having a nested portion thickness, a domed portion located radially inward of the outer perimeter having a domed portion thickness, and a pressed portion located between the nested portion and the domed portion having a pressed portion thickness. The pressed portion thickness is less than the domed portion thickness, which during manufacture, is formed when the cover plate and bearing are simultaneously pressed into their final form and position. A tool can be used to press the cover plate and bearing in a single operation. The tool can have interchangeable components, allowing for the manufacture of differently sized ball joints.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 2021
Date of Patent:
July 25, 2023
Assignee:
FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORSPOTS LLC
Inventors:
Stephanie N. Niesen, Rachael Raines, Glen C. Parker, Dustin Schrieber