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 pivot socket of the present invention incorporates a stud shaft component having a lower part-spherical head portion disposed within a housing cavity, and an axial pin extension extending upward into the cavity therefrom. The lower part-spherical head portion seats against a partial spherical bearing surface disposed within the housing cavity, and the axial pin extension is enclosed within a corrugated or crinkled coil compliance bearing formed from sheet steel. During use, lateral and axial loads imparted on the stud shaft are transformed into radial and axial component forces at the partial spherical bearing surface and the corrugated or crinkled coil compliance bearing. The radial force components are distributed to the interior walls of the housing cavity, while the axial force components are transferred axially through the corrugated or crinkled coil compliance bearing to the end closure components secured to the housing.

Abstract: An assembly technique and device for enclosing an open end of a movable socket (10) comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding cover-plate (66) and for controlling the expansion of the cover-plate (66) to provide a central orifice (67) of predetermined dimensions to facilitate the installation of a grease fitting. During assembly, various internal components of the movable socket, including the pressure plate, are installed within a housing (12) through a posterior opening (16) with the cover-plate is positioned over the components. A two-stage ram (100) having a contact surface and a concentric pivot punch (142, 158) is brought into engagement with the cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the two-stage ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the contact surface, expanding the cover-plate to conform to the contact surface and enclosing the internal components within the socket housing.

Abstract: A pivot socket of the present invention incorporates a stud shaft component having a partially spherical head portion disposed within a housing cavity, and an axial pin extension extending upward into the cavity therefrom. The partially spherical head portion seats against a partial spherical bearing surface disposed within the housing cavity, and the axial pin extension is enclosed within a resilient cushion. During use, lateral and axial loads imparted on the stud shaft are transformed into radial and axial component forces at the bearing surfaces. 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 cushion to the end closure components secured to the housing. Little or no lateral force components are transferred to the resilient cushion from lateral loads imparted on the stud shaft, thereby reducing wear on the pivot socket components and extending the useful life thereof.

Abstract: A pivot socket of the present invention incorporates a stud shaft component having a partially spherical head portion disposed within a housing cavity, and an axial pin extension extending upward into the cavity therefrom. The partially spherical head portion seats against a partial spherical bearing surface disposed within the housing cavity, and the axial pin extension is enclosed within a resilient cushion. During use, lateral and axial loads imparted on the stud shaft are transformed into radial and axial component forces at the bearing surfaces. 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 cushion to the end closure components secured to the housing. Little or no lateral force components are transferred to the resilient cushion from lateral loads imparted on the stud shaft, thereby reducing wear on the pivot socket components and extending the useful life thereof.

Abstract: An assembly technique for closing a movable socket (10) without the need to deform or displace any portion of the socket housing (12), thereby allowing for the use of fully hardened socket housing materials. The internal components of the movable socket are installed within the housing through an opening (16), and a conical cover-plate (66) is positioned over the components, within the opening. An assembly tool (100) configured to exert pressure on the conical cover-plate is brought into engagement with the plate, and a downward load is applied, expanding the plate to seat within a circumferential groove (22) in the housing. The assembly tool includes a specifically contoured face (109) which alters the angle at which pressure is exerted against the expanding conical cover-plate as the plate deforms to a generally planar configuration, closing the opening in the housing.

Abstract: An assembly technique and device for enclosing an open end of a movable socket (10) comprised of fully hardened materials with an expanding cover-plate (66) and for positioning the cover-plate at a predetermined distance from an exposed pressure plate (62) of the movable socket so as to provide a reliable indicator of socket wear. During assembly, various internal components of the movable socket, including the pressure plate, are installed within a housing (12) through a posterior opening (16) with the cover-plate is positioned over the components. A two-stage ram (100) having first and second contact surfaces (142, 167) is brought into engagement with the cover-plate. Pressure exerted by the two-stage ram is transferred to the cover-plate through the first surface, expanding the cover-plate into a generally planar configuration and enclosing the internal components within the socket housing.