Abstract: A self-aligning rotating joint, for mounting in a first component and connecting to a second component, the rotating joint comprising: a housing having: an external mounting surface; an internal chamber with an internal surface forming a spherical segment symmetric about a center point; a base end with an assembly opening; and an aperture in a cap end opposite the base end; a stud having: a longitudinal axis passing through the center point; a proximal stud end housed within the internal chamber; and a distal connecting end extending through the aperture, the proximal end having a cylindrical surface and a head laterally extending from the cylindrical surface; and a longitudinally split bearing having: an external bearing surface matching the internal surface of the housing; an internal bearing surface matching the cylindrical surface of the stud; and a longitudinal channel extending radially from the internal bearing surface to the external bearing surface.

Abstract: A ball joint having alignment guides to ensure correct assembly of a directional bearing into the internal chamber of a housing, the directional bearing having an elliptical external surface engaging a mating elliptical alignment surface of the internal chamber such that the ball end of the ball joint stud is pivotally mounted for angular motion within a major swing plane and a minor swing plane relative to the housing axis.

Abstract: A self-aligning rotating joint, for mounting in a first component and connecting to a second component, the rotating joint comprising: a housing having: an external mounting surface; an internal chamber with an internal surface forming a spherical segment symmetric about a center point; a base end with an assembly opening; and an aperture in a cap end opposite the base end; a stud having: a longitudinal axis passing through the center point; a proximal stud end housed within the internal chamber; and a distal connecting end extending through the aperture, the proximal end having a cylindrical surface and a head laterally extending from the cylindrical surface; and a longitudinally split bearing having: an external bearing surface matching the internal surface of the housing; an internal bearing surface matching the cylindrical surface of the stud; and a longitudinal channel extending radially from the internal bearing surface to the external bearing surface.

Abstract: A ball joint having alignment guides to ensure correct assembly of a housing and a directional bearing, the ball joint comprising: a housing having an internal chamber having a bearing seat with a first alignment guide and an open end, the housing and open end having a housing axis; a ball stud having a longitudinal stud axis, a spherical ball end within the housing and a shank extending axially out of an open end of the housing; a directional bearing having an external surface engaging the bearing seat, the external surface having a second alignment guide mating with the first alignment guide, and an internal spherical surface within which the ball end is pivotally mounted for angular motion of the longitudinal stud axis within a major swing plane through the housing axis in a range of ±angle ? relative to the housing axis and a minor swing plane through the housing axis in a range of ±angle ? relative to the housing axis, where ? is greater than ?.

Abstract: An automotive component having an opening through which a ball joint extends, the ball joint comprising: a housing having an exterior substantially cylindrical surface, a seating surface radially extending from the exterior surface for abutting an adjacent first side of the automotive component, and a peripheral groove disposed in the exterior surface spaced axially from the seating surface a predetermined distance; a ball stud having a ball end mounted within the housing and a shank extending axially out of a crown of the housing; a flexible boot having an distal end sealingly engaged on the shank and an opposing proximal base end, the base end including a metal base ring with an inwardly extending flexible detent engaged in the peripheral groove in the housing and a base seal sealing engaged on the exterior surface, the base ring having a radially extending abutment surface for retaining an adjacent second side of the automotive component, and wherein the automotive component is selected from the group cons

Abstract: A ball joint comprising: a housing having an inner cavity defined inward of a seat end, a side wall and a closure end having an opening, an edge about the opening in an assembly position extending upwardly; a ball stud having: a lower ball end with an outer convex spherical surface, a middle portion, and a connector end; a first bearing, slidably housed within the cavity, having an inner concave spherical surface; a retention plate, housed within the cavity inward of the edge about the opening, wherein the edge of the opening extends inwardly engaging an outer surface of the retention plate in a closed position; and a first disc annular recess in at least one of: an outward surface of the first bearing; and an inward surface of the retention plate.

Abstract: A ball joint comprising: a housing having an inner cavity defined inward of a seat end, a side wall and a closure end having an opening, an edge about the opening in an assembly position extending upwardly; a ball stud having: a lower ball end with an outer convex spherical surface, a middle portion, and a connector end; a first bearing, slidably housed within the cavity, having an inner concave spherical surface; a retention plate, housed within the cavity inward of the edge about the opening, wherein the edge of the opening extends inwardly engaging an outer surface of the retention plate in a closed position; a first disc annular recess disposed in: an outward surface of the first bearing; an inward surface of the retention plate; or an inward surface of the seat end of the housing, and a first disc spring disposed in the first disc annular recess, the first disc annular recess laterally restraining: an outer circular edge of the first disc spring; or an inner circular edge of the first disc spring, during

Abstract: A ball joint comprising: a housing having an inner cavity defined inward of a seat end, a side wall and a closure end having an opening, an edge about the opening in an assembly position extending upwardly; a ball stud having: a lower ball end with an outer convex spherical surface, a middle portion, and a connector end; a first bearing, slidably housed within the cavity, having an inner concave spherical surface; a retention plate, housed within the cavity inward of the edge about the opening, wherein the edge of the opening extends inwardly engaging an outer surface of the retention plate in a closed position; and a first disc spring disposed in a disc annular recess in at least one of: an outer surface of the first bearing; and an inner surface of the retention plate.

Abstract: A ball joint comprising: a housing having an inner cavity defined inward of a seat end, a side wall and a closure end having an opening, an edge about the opening in an assembly position extending upwardly; a ball stud having: a lower ball end with an outer convex spherical surface, a middle portion, and a connector end; a first bearing, slidably housed within the cavity, having an inner concave spherical surface; a retention plate, housed within the cavity inward of the edge about the opening, wherein the edge of the opening extends inwardly engaging an outer surface of the retention plate in a closed position; and a first disc spring disposed in a disc annular recess in at least one of: an outer surface of the first bearing; and an inner surface of the retention plate.