Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball joint including a boot, a ball stud, and a socket. The boot includes a first retaining surface and a second retaining surface. The ball stud includes a stem and a ball portion. The stem is provided with a threaded surface and a boot cooperating surface that cooperates with the first retaining surface on the boot to secure the boot to the stem. The ball portion is provided with a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface. The first bearing surface on the ball portion is generally spherically convex and the second bearing surface on the ball portion is generally spherically concave. The socket includes a first bearing surface that receives loads from the first bearing surface on the ball portion, a second bearing surface that receives loads from the second bearing surface on the ball portion, and a boot cooperating surface that cooperates with the second retaining surface on the boot to secure the boot to the socket.

Abstract: A composite link comprising a fiber reinforced composite tube, an end fitting on each end of the tube and layers of resin impregnated fiber wound over the end fittings and tube. The fiber is laid in a primary layer formed by winding longitudinally over the end fittings and a secondary layer wound transversely around the primary layer and the tube. The tube, fitting and layers of fiber are encased in a layer of shield material such as paint or a polymer, for example.

Abstract: A composite link includes a fiberglass body. The body is formed by coating glass fibers with a liquid resin and winding the fibers around a plurality of end pieces or bushings. The end pieces have transition sections for smoothly changing the shape of the composite link and the path of the fibers. The fibers are wound in two layers, a first extending longitudinally of the body and the second transversely and around the first. A shield layer is placed over the fiberglass body.

Abstract: A punch stripper for a multiple station high speed cold heading machine, such as a nut former, wherein the stripper is biased in the retraction direction and is advanced momentarily to strip the blank, being immediately withdrawn so that the working tip of the punch can be cooled during a substantial portion of the machine cycle. The stripper is advanced by means of a cam-actuated bell crank, and the stripper and punch are mounted for easy removal and replacement.