Abstract: A ball joint link includes a center tube and a ball stud. A one-piece, thermoplastic, molded housing extends around the ball to form a ball joint and is secured to the tube. The tube and the ball of the ball stud are both insert molded in the housing in a single molding operation, and the housing is formed of a glass-filled nylon that forms the bearing surface for the ball joint.

Abstract: A self-adjusting shim includes an inner element and an outer element. The outer element defines an internal threaded bore and a projecting tab that limits rotation of the outer element. The inner element includes a threaded outer surface and an inner opening. The threaded outer surface is received in the threaded internal bore such that relative rotation between the inner and outer element results in relative axial movement therebetween. The inner opening includes a torque transmitting feature such as an out-of-round surface or an internally projecting element that is directed radially inwardly so as to couple the inner element to a bolt for rotation.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud and bearing sub-assembly that is economical to manufacture, strong, durable and long-lasting. The bearing is molded directly on the ball surface of the ball, thereby eliminating the need for precise tolerances in machining the ball. Microcavities formed on the ball surface facilitate the introduction of lubricant between the ball and the bearing. A two-piece stud and collar nut adds ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A locking member for a stabilizer bar includes a deformable inner element and a substantially rigid outer element. The outer element is shaped to accept the inner element. The inner element includes a tapered section, and the outer element includes a tapered section engageable with the tapered section on the inner element for applying a clamping force to the bar for holding the locking member on the bar. The outer element includes a flange that supplies the outer element with sufficient structural integrity to permit deformation of the inner element while strengthening the outer element against radial deformation.

Abstract: A vehicle stabilizer bar end link includes a force absorbing and force transmitting arm having a ball stud connector at each end. The force transmitting arm portion is fabricated by crimping together two similarly configured stampings to provide a rigid torsion resistant arm. Each ball stud connector is secured between the stampings during assembly to form a ball and socket joint and includes a threaded portion extending generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the arm. The invention may be used in one form as a connecting link between various suspension components of a vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A locking member, preferably used for preventing axial displacement of a stabilizer bar on an automobile, includes inner and outer elements interconnected by a strap. The inner element includes two portions joined to each other by a living hinge. Contacting surfaces of the inner and outer elements are tapered to generate a clamping force when the outer element is assembled over the inner element.

Abstract: A plastic capped lock nut includes a metal body having a threaded bore extending axially between transverse opposite end faces and includes an annular wall extending outwardly of one of the end faces to define an open ended cavity for receiving a resilient lock ring mounted in the cavity in coaxial alignment with the threaded bore. An end cap of plastic material including an annular side wall and an outer end engages the lock ring and is sonically welded thereto. The annular wall of the metal body is deflected inwardly tightly against the lock ring to secure the ring in the cavity against rotation relative to the body. The end cap provides protection for exposed threads of a threaded rod or other element extending outwardly of the bore of the lock nut body and ring.

Abstract: A backward starting locknut comprises a polygonal-shaped metal nut having a threaded axial bore extending from a front end face normal thereto toward a recess formed in an opposite or backside of the nut body. A locking insert of resilient plastic material having a threaded bore aligned with that of the nut is seated in the recess and includes an annular, thick wall portion secured within the recess and an annular, thin wall portion integrally joined to the thick wall portion and extends outwardly from the recess and is provided with a threaded bore. The metal nut includes an annular wall section defining the recess and the wall section is deflected radially inwardly to compress the thick wall portion of the plastic insert and thereby constrict an inner portion of the threaded bore in order to establish a prevailing torque when a threaded rod is fully engaged in the bore of the insert.

Abstract: The base mold is made from a single sheet of plastic material and is adapted to receive a specimen and either (1) a tissue processing cassette, or (2) an embedding ring. A fluid/solid fixation material is poured into the base mold and allowed to solidify in order to fix the specimen to and adjacent an outer bottom surface of the cassette or the embedding ring while the cassette or embedding ring is being supported by the base mold. The base mold includes a cassette/embedding ring supporting panel and a tissue receiving receptacle integral with and depending from the supporting panel. The base mold further includes a support formation integral with and depending from the cassette supporting panel. The support formation extends at least part way around the receptacle and includes a lower edge disposed in one plane to provide a sturdy supporting edge for supporting the base mold on a planar surface.

Abstract: An expandable modular storage system for holding slides and cassettes comprises storage compartments formed by a first wall element of C-shaped transverse cross-section having a pair of parallel facing walls integrally joined by a web or side wall normal thereto. The outer edge portions of the C-shaped elements are slidably interconnected with additional C-shaped elements along the opposite edges of the side wall to provide additional storage compartments as needed and a last compartment in a row is closed with a generally flat wall element having opposite edges slidably interconnected with the free outer edges of the walls of the last C-shaped wall element in a row. The storage system may include any number of rows of modular compartments and the rows are stacked vertically and interconnected with joining elements.

Abstract: A container for handling, transportation and storage of microscope slides includes a plurality of individual microscope slide-receiving compartments. Each compartment includes a plurality of rounded protuberances extending upwardly in each individual compartment for contacting a lower surface of the microscope slide to space the microscope slide upwardly from an inner surface of the compartments and a plurality of rounded protuberances extending downwardly from one or more cover members to restrain vertical slide movement while maintaining longitudinal and lateral spacing of the microscope slides. The container includes one or more plastic cover members having a generally planar surface overlying the plurality of microscope slides when the cover is in a closed position including a plurality of downwardly extending rounded protuberances within each of the slide-receiving compartments for vertical restraint of each microscope slide with minimum contact against the specimen-receiving face of each slide.