PREMIUM PERFORMANCE BALL JOINT AND SYSTEM
Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.
This application claims priority from and is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,642, filed Sep. 6, 2011, currently pending, which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/316,160, filed Dec. 10, 2008, now abandoned, which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/050,834, filed Jan. 15, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,035.
The invention disclosed and claimed herein deals with premium performance ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change the ball and shaft (ball stud combination) in the ball joints. The ball stud is what is damaged in accidents, and, it wears out first from normal use. Thus, the ability to change the ball stud rather than changing the entire ball joint is a decided advantage of this invention.
Unlike the lower ball joints, upper ball joints do not have the load between the sprung mass of the vehicle and the suspension spring to keep them seated. Most prior art ball joints used in the upper ball joint position use an internal spring over the ball and in the void space above the ball to hold the ball in place. In high cornering situations, the lateral force on the ball joint creates sufficient force to compress the spring and unseat the ball. This problem makes it impossible to maintain the optimum camber in the tire to maximize the tire contact patch on the roadway. This movement also causes minor directional changes in the automobile steering that are detrimental to stability of the automobile. Thus, the premium performance aspect of this invention is based on the fact that prior art ball joints used for the same applications, all have a mechanical means for applying pressure to the ball within the ball joint to accommodate wear as the ball joint is in use, while the ball joint of this invention has no such mechanical means. The lubricants that are commonly used in these types of ball joints provide the pressure, required within the inventive ball joint for accommodating the wear of the ball joints of this invention. The result is a ball that has minimal restriction in movement because of the reduction in friction and is therefore essentially “free-wheeling” within the housing in which it is contained, thus, providing ease of steering.
Original equipment manufactured ball joints of the prior art create inconsistent amounts of resistance to suspension movement, most frequently around twenty pounds, while the ball joints of this invention have less than one pound of resistance. This is important to race drivers, as shock and spring rates are critical to within five pounds. It is not conceivable that automobile handling advantages could be built into the automobile by making small, spring and shock rate changes while the ball joints are gradually losing resistance, or “freeing up” as they wear. The ball joints of this invention greatly reduce the “moving resistance target” caused by prior art tight ball joints.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known that ball joints and systems employing them are used in front wheel suspension of automotive vehicles. The ball joint lends flexibility for steering the wheels while accommodating changes in angles between the wheel and the suspension members. In conventional ball joints, a pin or shaft on which the wheel is mounted carries a ball, which is rigid with the shaft, the ball being housed in a housing wherein the ball is seated and retained. During both rotation and pivoting of the elongated shaft, the surface of the ball slides over a lining of the housing.
Typically, prior art ball joints are all constructed such that they have an open space or void at the top of the ball, wherein there is typically placed a means for asserting pressure on the top of the ball to accommodate any wear on the ball.
Such means are, for example, springs under tension, which are placed on the top of the ball and retained by some kind of insert over the top of the ball. Also known by the inventors herein are ball joints in which the pressure is provided by compressible nylon particles that are situated in the open space and impinge on and essentially surround the exposed top surface of the ball.
All such ball joints require lubrication, and some means is provided to allow for the lubricant to be injected into the housing and onto and around the ball of the ball joint. Further, the ball per se often contains shallow, usually disconnected, channels in which the lubricant can take up residence. These channels help a situation that can occur in the ball joint in which the lubricant, contained within the housing, can block off all air into the housing and create a vacuum within the housing, which provides a lock. This lock is experienced when one tries to put grease into the housing, as the grease gun connector locks onto the grease zerk fitting and cannot be removed. The grooves not only provide a channel for the grease to reach the ball, but they also create vents that allow the grease to enter the ball joint housing and air to escape.
The instant invention eliminates or reduces the above-mentioned problems with ball joints and provides a premium performance ball joint wherein the ball and shaft is easily installed, removable, and easily replaced without having to replace the entire ball joint, and, furthermore, the ball joint system provides premium performance in the operation of automobiles.
THE INVENTIONThis invention deals with novel ball joints, novel systems employing the ball joints, and suspension systems for automotive uses that employ the novel ball joint systems. More specifically, there is provided a ball joint comprising in combination an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end and having a longitudinal axis running through said upper end and said lower end, wherein the elongated shaft has threads on its lower end. There is in addition, a ball rigidly fixed and surmounted on the upper end of the elongated shaft. The ball, at the highest point opposite the attachment of the elongated shaft, has a truncated flat face.
There is also a retaining member having an upper surface and a lower end. The retaining member is provided with a lubricating port located, in the upper surface of the retaining member. The lubricating port is openly connected to a duct, the duct necessarily providing a passageway for lubricants from the lubricating port to the truncated flat face of the ball. The retaining member is externally threaded on the retaining member lower end.
There is a housing having an outside surface, a middle portion, and a lower end. The housing is internally conformed at the lower end to seat the ball and retain it in the housing, and the seat allows a pivotal movement of the ball about the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft relative to the housing. The middle portion of the housing is internally threaded to receive the retaining member and the middle portion is externally threaded on the outside surface. Finally, there is a fastening means for fastening the retaining member in the housing.
In another embodiment, there is a combination of the ball joint described just above, and a socket to provide a ball joint system. The socket comprises a cylindrical housing having a wall with an internal surface wherein the internal surface is threaded to receive the housing in it and the socket has a means of attachment for attachment near a terminal end of a carrier for the ball joint system.
Finally, there is an additional embodiment of this invention that is an automotive suspension system incorporating the ball joint systems described just above.
Turning now to the Figures, and with reference to
It should be noted that the elongated shaft 2 is threaded at its lower end 11, and there is an opening 12 through the threaded portion 13 of the elongated shaft 2 to accommodate a cotter pin (not shown), or the like, to retain a nut 31 (see
What is meant by “longitudinal axis running through said upper end and said lower end” is shown by the line 300-300 in
It should be noted that the preferred combination of ball 3 and elongated shaft 2 is that in which the two are joined as a unitary component. This combination is manufactured from hardened steel or the like to endure the wear that usually accompanies such devices. The truncated flat surface 14 is provided so that there is a space or void 25 (see
The housing 4, which houses and seats the ball 3 is shown in
The type of fastening means 7 is not critical in this invention, and any fastening means which will secure the retaining member 6 in the housing 4 and which is fairly simple to use, is acceptable.
With reference to
Further, with reference to
Reference should also be made to
With further reference to the retaining member 6, reference should be made to
Turning now to
Finally, turning to
Claims
1. A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a wishbone arm having a threaded socket portion; and
- a ball joint assembly threaded to the threaded socket portion of the wishbone arm, said ball joint assembly is operable to be serviced by having one or more components replaced, the ball joint assembly including: a housing having a socket at one end, internal threads positioned apart, from the socket, and external threads that mate with the threaded socket portion of said wishbone arm, a ball stud having a threaded portion for engaging a drive member, a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, and a flat surface, a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
2. The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, further comprising a locking member for securing the retainer to the housing.
3. The suspension system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a member to aid in turning the retainer in and out of the housing.
4. The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, further comprising a second wishbone arm and a second ball joint assembly threaded to the wishbone arm.
5. The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, further comprising a shock.
6. The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, wherein said ball stud can be easily removed from said housing, and a replacement ball stud can be inserted into said housing.
7. The suspension system as clamed in claim 1, wherein said housing can be secured to said wishbone arm while a new replacement ball stud can be inserted into the housing once the ball stud has been removed.
8. A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a wishbone arm having a portion for releasably securing a ball joint assembly to the wishbone arm;
- and a ball joint assembly releasably secured to the wishbone arm, the ball joint assembly including: a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and a portion for being releasably secured to the wishbone arm; a ball stud having a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing; a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
9. The suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ball joint assembly can be quickly removed from said suspension system and another ball joint system can be installed.
10. The suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein while the housing stays secured to said wishbone arm, the ball stud can be removed from said housing and a replacement ball stud can be installed in the housing.
11. The suspension system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a member for securing said retainer to said housing.
12. A ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
- a receiving ring having a threaded portion; and
- a ball joint secured to the receiving ring, the ball joint including: a housing having an internal cavity with a chamber, internal threads for receiving a retainer, and a threaded portion for being releasably secured to the threaded portion of the receiving ring; a stud having a ball portion for mating with said cavity of said housing; a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
13. The ball joint system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said receiving ring is a part of a vehicle suspension member.
14. The ball joint system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said retainer cars foe unthreaded from said housing allowing said stud to be removed from said housing, and a replacement stud can be inserted inside said housing and the retainer secured to said housing.
15. The ball joint system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said stud has an elongated shaft that extends through said housing and a threaded portion for being secured to a vehicle component.
16. A ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, and internal threads positioned apart from the socket;
- a first ball stud having a first length and ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing;
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void located between said ball stud and a wall of said retainer;
- a locking member for securing said retainer to said housing; and
- a second ball stud having a second length, said second ball stud can be installed to replace said first ball stud.
17. The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the housing can be threaded to a suspension arm of a vehicle.
18. The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a lubricant.
19. The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said first length and said second length of said ball studs are different.
20. A universal ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
- a ball joint stud having a ball portion, an elongated shaft, and a threaded portion;
- a first housing having a cavity and internal threads for receiving a retainer; and
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing,
- wherein said universal ball joint system can be modified so as to replace the first housing with a second housing, second housing has different external configurations than said first housing, said ball joint stud and said retainer can be used with said second housing.
21. metal ball joint comprising in combination:
- an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;
- a ball located on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a continuous curved surface and further having a truncated flat surface;
- a housing having an outside surface, a middle portion, an internal thread, and a lower end, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at an end of the housing to seat and engage a first portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;
- a retainer having an upper surface, a lower end and a first thread, said retainer having a curved seat disposed at the lower end thereof to engage a second portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the truncated flat, the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of lubricant on the truncated flat of the ball;
- a locking member removably maintaining the retainer in engagement with the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the locking member; and a lubricant zerk.
22. The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein said housing further comprises an attachment feature adapted for selective attachment of said housing to a support arm of a suspension system.
23. The ball joint as claimed in claim 22, where said attachment feature further comprises an external thread on the outside surface of the housing, said external thread being capable of attaching the housing to an thread on an support arm of the suspension system.
24. The ball joint as claimed in claim 22, wherein said attachment feature further comprises a flange extending from a portion of the housing that can be secured to the support arm by at least one detachable fastener.
25. The ball joint as claimed in claim 22, wherein said attachment feature further comprises a compression fit of the housing into at least one opening in a support arm.
26. An automotive suspension system wherein there is provided a first ball joint system comprising a first metal ball joint and a second ball joint system comprising a second metal ball joint as claimed in claim 21.
27. The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein the locking member engages an upper surface of the retainer.
28. The ball, joint as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a lubrication void located between the ball and the retainer, the retainer and the housing being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of lubricant in the lubrication void on the ball.
29. The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein the zerk is capable of permitting the admission of a pressurized, lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the retainer and the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing.
30. The ball joint as claimed in claim 21, wherein said locking member and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, and a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be again secured to said housing.
31. The ball joint as claimed in claim 30, wherein the length of said elongated shaft and said replacement shaft are different.
32. A metal ball joint for use with a pressurized lubricant, the ball, joint comprising in combination:
- an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;
- a ball surmounted on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface and further having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft;
- a housing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lower end, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;
- a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seat disposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and a lubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating port having a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurized lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer having a second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressure of the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and
- a fastener releasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainer to the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the fastener.
33. The ball joint as claimed in claim 32, wherein said housing further comprises an attachment feature adapted for selective attachment of said housing to a support arm of a suspension system.
34. The ball joint as claimed in claim 32, wherein the second thread of the retainer and the first thread of the housing are disposed partially around the ball when the second thread of the retainer is fully engaged with the first thread of the housing.
35. The ball joint as claimed in claim 32, wherein said fastener and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, and a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be again secured to said housing.
36. The ball joint claimed in claim 32, wherein the elongated shaft can be removed and replaced with another elongated shaft.
37. A metal ball joint for use as a component of a suspension system, said ball joint comprising:
- a ball stud having an elongated shaft portion with an upper end with a ball, and a threaded portion at a lower end, said ball having a curved surface and a flat;
- a housing having an outside surface, an outwardly extending portion extending from the outside surface, a lower end and an internal thread;
- a first curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball;
- an opening formed in the first curved seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;
- an attachment feature that is operable for selective attachment of said housing to a suspension system;
- a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having an external thread, the external thread being engageable with the internal thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer, the retainer maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of a lubricant on the ball;
- a second curved seat disposed at the lower end of the retainer to seat and engage a second portion of the curved surface of the ball;
- a securing member threaded to the housing, the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the securing member,
- wherein said securing member and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be secured to said housing.
38. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, where said attachment feature comprises an external thread on the outside surface of the housing, said external thread being capable of attaching the housing to a thread on a support arm of a suspension system.
39. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, wherein said attachment feature comprises a flange extending from a portion of the housing that can be secured to a support arm by at least one detachable fastener.
40. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, wherein said attachment feature comprises a compression fit of the housing into an opening in a suspension member.
41. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, further comprising a lubricating port located in the upper surface of the retainer, the lubricating port providing a passageway for delivering pressurized lubricant, said pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat to maintain pressure on the ball.
42. The ball joint as claimed in claim 37, wherein the length of said shaft and said replacement shaft are different.
43. A metal ball joint for use with a pressurized lubricant, the ball joint comprising in combination:
- an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;
- a ball surmounted on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface and further having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft;
- a housing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lower end, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;
- a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seat disposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and a lubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating port having a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurized lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer having a second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressure of the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and
- a fastener releasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainer to the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the fastener.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 24, 2014
Inventor: Kelly Molenaar (Kalamazoo, MI)
Application Number: 14/148,995
International Classification: F16C 11/06 (20060101); B60G 7/00 (20060101);