Ball And Socket Patents (Class 384/203)
  • Patent number: 11345203
    Abstract: A ball joint according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a ball stud comprising a spherical ball and a rod extending upwardly from the ball; a bearing comprising an upper outer peripheral surface and a lower outer peripheral surface and configured to accommodate the ball; and a case comprising an upper inner peripheral surface which entirely comes into contact with the upper outer peripheral surface of the bearing and a stopper to which an upper end of the bearing is caught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ILJIN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Sung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11300156
    Abstract: A ram-body for use with a spherical bearing has an inner circumferential surface. The ram-body comprises at least a first concave section provided in said inner circumferential surface. In some examples, a second concave section may be provided diametrically opposite to the first concave section. In some examples, the concave sections may be lunular shaped. A method of manufacturing the ram-body is also described. A ram-body and spherical bearing assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Johann Martin-Meyer, Emmanuel Lecomte
  • Patent number: 10767511
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an anti-cavitation device for impeding gas intrusion into oil dampers that support bearings and a rotating shaft. The oil film damper includes an annulus and a pair of piston rings between a structural support and the bearing housing. The piston rings define the axial boundaries of the oil filled annulus. An oil inlet between the pair of piston rings is in communication with a source of pressurized oil. An oil seal is axially spaced from each piston ring defining an annular oil filled reservoir external to each piston ring. The oil seal acts as a one way check valve to impede gas incursion into the oil reservoir and oil filled annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Charles Litalien
  • Patent number: 10718400
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-vibration support, comprising first, second and third frames, which are metallic, accessible from the outside and separate from one another, at least one part made of elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Cooper Standard France
    Inventors: Roland Hercouet, Aurélien Vivion, Yvon Tirel
  • Patent number: 10549592
    Abstract: A ball joint having a ball pin and a housing. The ball pin together with the ball is accommodated in the housing to move in a rotational and pivotal manner. The ball is at least partially surrounded by a structural component. The structural component is essentially formed from a fiber-plastic composite structure and at least partially forms the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Meyer, Ignacio Lobo Casanova, Martin Wachtel
  • Patent number: 10442262
    Abstract: A hybrid arm according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first body made of a metal material and formed with a plurality of end portions; a second body formed so as to fill an inner side of the first body by being insert-injection-molded to the first body; and a ball joint formed integrally at a first end portion among the plurality of end portions of the first body. The ball joint may include: a reinforcement member coupled to the first end portion; a bearing member formed with a space therein; a ball stud including a ball rotatably inserted into the space of the bearing member and a rod extending upward of the ball; and a housing interposed between the reinforcement member and the bearing member and formed integrally with the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ILJIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-Sung Kwon, Sung-Geun Lee, Byong Suk Yu, Se Woong Jeong, Hyun-Woo Kim, Hyuk Kwon, Ig-Jin Kwon, Young In Yoon, Min Kook Park, Soon Chan Kwon
  • Patent number: 10316896
    Abstract: A centering sleeve for bearing and centering a shaft end includes an inner bushing having passages. An outer bushing surrounds the inner bushing. A spring element made of an elastomer is arranged between the inner bushing and the outer bushing. The spring element has a sealing lip. The elastomer passes through the passages of the inner bushing so as to create an interlocking connection between the spring element and the inner bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: VIBRACOUSTIC GMBH
    Inventors: Timo Armbruster, Frederik Goetz, Manuel Erdmann
  • Patent number: 10260553
    Abstract: An input device includes an input rod, a piston, and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member includes a rod, a locking part, and a slit. The rod receiving part is provided on one end side in an axial direction and configured to receive the end part of the input rod. The locking part is formed on the other end side in the axial direction so as to lock an engaging part of the piston, thereby preventing the input rod from falling off the piston. The slit is formed over the length of the whole of the cylindrical member in the axial direction. The cylindrical member can be elastically deformed in a radial direction due to the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV NISSIN BRAKE SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10208504
    Abstract: A structure for fixing tent support legs comprise a connection sleeve which encompasses a bottom end portion of a support leg, and a leg sleeve provided with a first groove. The structure also includes a hook comprising a first end coupled with a tent fabric and a second end engaged and coupled with the leg sleeve. The first groove is configured to engage and couple the connection sleeve internally. The first groove is formed in such a way that a first opening at a first end of the first groove comprises a stop plate which locks the connection sleeve into the first groove. Moreover, the periphery of the connection sleeve comprises a plurality of bosses configured to engage the first groove, and a top portion of the bosses engage a bottom of the stop plate thereby coupling the connection sleeve to the leg sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Xiamen Innovation Metal Products Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Juyoung Jin
  • Patent number: 9982715
    Abstract: A sliding engine component may include a sliding surface including a plastics polymer-based composite layer disposed on a substrate. The composite layer may include a matrix of plastics polymer-based material. The plastics polymer-based material may have 0.1 to 20 percent by volume of liquid-filled microcapsules distributed throughout the matrix, and incidental impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Mahle International GmbH, Mahle Engine Systems UK Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Gorges, John Carey, Anil Rathod
  • Patent number: 9587673
    Abstract: A hydrostatic profiled rail guide, having a guide carriage (2) which is arranged on a guide rail (1) so as to be longitudinally slidable and is hydrostatically mounted on said guide rail, wherein the guide carriage has pressure pockets and pocket surfaces arranged around the pressure pockets, and wherein the guide rail on the faces thereof facing towards the pressure pockets has rail running surfaces (7) for hydrostatic mounting of the guide carriage on the guide rail, wherein the pocket surfaces formed on the guide carriage have a first coating formed of a Cu/Sn alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bauer, Dietmar Rudy
  • Patent number: 9488216
    Abstract: A ball joint mechanism between a connecting rod (1) and at least one journal (3, 3?) is provided. A lateral protection part (12, 12?) interposed between the connecting rod (1) and the journal (3, 3?) is arranged as a one-piece ring comprising a wear member (14, 14?) and a fastener member (15, 15?) that are secured to each other. The fastener member (15, 15?) is made of hard material and is interposed with axial clamping between the journal (3, 3?) and a shoulder (20, 20?) of an assembly pin (7) between the connecting rod (1) and the journal (3, 3?) via opposite end faces thereof with a space being arranged between them to receive the wear member (14, 14?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Patrice Godiot, Claude Bocoviz, Ludovic Somson
  • Patent number: 9387581
    Abstract: A compact, lightweight hitch-coupling tool that can lift, move, and align a hitch-head assembly by trapping the hitch ball between a pair of wedge shaped, gripping prongs and an opposing pair of interchangeable plates. The mass of hitch head assembly is evenly distributed through the center of the head of the tool allowing a user to easily maneuver large hitch-head assemblies with one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Leland Stanford Davis, III
  • Patent number: 8979376
    Abstract: A spherical plain bearing for a ball-and-socket joint includes a plain bearing shell. The plain bearing shell comprises a sliding layer containing a sliding material, at least one dimensionally stable support layer, and at least one elastic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Angenheister
  • Patent number: 8851755
    Abstract: A self-aligning track roller bearing includes an inner member having a central axis and a convex surface and an outer member has a concave surface and is angularly displaceable relative to the central axis. A lubricious liner is positioned between the convex surface and the concave surface. The lubricious liner creates a force resisting movement of the inner member relative to the outer member. The bearing includes a snubber engaging an axially facing surface of the outer member and another snubber engaging another axially facing surface of the outer member. Outer rings are coupled to opposing axially facing surfaces of the inner member to retain the snubbers in engagement therewith. One or more of the snubbers are elastically deformable in response to angular displacement of the outer member and have a resilience set to overcome the force and urge the outer member to be concentric with the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Porter, Robert A. James, Michael S. Gostomski
  • Patent number: 8801318
    Abstract: A joint for use in a suspension system including an elongated suspension member is disclosed. The bearing assembly comprises an outer race, an inner race, a shaft, a collar, and a seal. The outer race is configured to be coupled to the elongated suspension member. The inner race is coupled to the outer race and is moveable relative to the outer race. The shaft is coupled to the inner race. The collar is coupled to the shaft and limits the movement of at least one of the inner race and the shaft relative to the outer race. The seal member is configured to form a seal between one of the shaft and the first collar and one of the outer race and a portion of the elongated suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Knoble, Eric Braun
  • Publication number: 20140003748
    Abstract: In a self-adjusting bushing bearing for engagement with a bearing shaft, a bearing housing is provided. A bearing sub-assembly is received inside of said bearing housing, and said bearing sub-assembly being adapted to receive said bearing shaft. The bearing sub-assembly comprises at least two bearing segments and at least one springy element engaged with the bearing housing which compresses the bearing segments toward one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: CADVENTURES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Danowski
  • Patent number: 8613554
    Abstract: A self-aligning bearing assembly utilizing PDC buttons for forming opposing circumferential arrays of bearing surfaces, is particularly suitable for use in a fluid environment, such as being immersed in flowing water when supporting the rotor of a hydroelectric turbine. One bearing surface is supported for rotation with the rotor. The opposing bearing surface is supported by a spherical joint in a stationary housing. When the rotor is subjected to hydraulic loading, the opposing bearing surface can be tilted to self-align with the rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: MSI Machineering Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn P. Tessier, John P. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8585291
    Abstract: An aircraft spherical bearing assembly comprises a first part which is in sliding contact with an intermediate part for sliding therebetween to form a spherical joint. A second slip path is provided between the intermediate component and an outer component which can be selectively actuated when the force through the first slip path exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bridgewater
  • Patent number: 8281490
    Abstract: Provided are a spherical bearing in which a ball portion (10) of an inside member (1) can be sealed inside an outside member (2) without employment of casting, and the outside member (2) and the inside member (1) are coupled to each other with high strength, and which can be downsized, and a manufacturing method for the same. The spherical bearing includes: an inside member (1) having a metal ball portion (10); a resin liner (3) covering the ball portion (10) of the inside member (1) and held in sliding contact with the ball portion (10); and an outside member (2) molded outside the resin liner (3) by a forging process and held in close contact with an entire of an outer peripheral surface of the resin liner (3) without being brought into contact with the inside member (1), for undetachably enclosing and holding the resin liner (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Nishide, Akira Morokuma
  • Patent number: 8282305
    Abstract: A ball sleeve joint is provided, especially for chassis assembly units and steering assembly units of motor vehicles. The ball sleeve joint includes a joint housing with two housing halves and a ball sleeve provided with a rounded bearing surface. The bearing surface is accommodated in a joint housing, which is manufactured from an elastic plastic and is fixed in a recess of the joint housing, as well as a process for manufacturing such a ball sleeve joint. The two housing halves (3a, 3b) are pressed together with defined pressing forces during the mounting of the ball sleeve joint (1) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ball sleeve joint (1). The two housing parts are held in the installed position predetermined by the pressing forces by means of at least one connection (14) in substance between the housing parts (3a, 3b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Martin Rechtien, Volker Grube
  • Patent number: 8276893
    Abstract: An elastomer-containing rod end isolator. The isolator includes a handle for connection to a load and inner and outer members. The outer member is a pocket and the inner member is spherical or nearly so. The pocket and the inner member are concentric and the inner member has two continuous exterior legs extending in a circular path. An elastomer fills most of the space between members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: S. Gregory Martin
  • Patent number: 8047718
    Abstract: In a bearing device for a roll of a hot dipping bath, i.e., zinc pot, a sleeve is fastened to a shaft of the roll of the hot dipping bath in a continuous hot dip coating line, i.e., a continuous galvanizing line. A bush housing has a bush internally fixed to support the sleeve, and a curved annular outer surface. Also, bush housing fixed rings are fixed to both inner sides of a fixed ring housing which is associated with a rig of the hot dipping bath roll. Each of the bush housing fixed rings has a curved annular inner surface supporting the bush housing at both sides thereof and in abutment with the curved annular outer surface of the bush housing. The invention allows the steel sheet to be coated with molten metal stably and speedily with high efficiency. Also, the bush and sleeve of the bearing device are not locally worn away, thereby extending useful life of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Posco
    Inventors: Gun-Young Kim, Yung-Up Kim, Hong-Jong Yoo, Gyn-Sam Hwang
  • Patent number: 7828482
    Abstract: A plain bearing has two components, each having a bearing surface; the bearing surfaces being in sliding engagement with each other. The bearing may be a spherical plain bearing having an outer ring that has a concave bearing surface and an inner ring that has a convex bearing surface. One of the bearing surfaces comprises a layer comprising tungsten carbide. One component may have spaced-apart seating surfaces for engaging a moving structure and a generally concave interior that includes an internal rib between the seating surfaces. A spherical plain bearing can be made by providing an outer ring and an inner ring includes an internal rib, and disposing the outer ring around the inner ring with the convex bearing surface engaging the concave bearing surface. The bearing may be used in a swashplate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Beausoleil, Robert A. Arnold, Andrew Tyler, Cleo Whelen
  • Patent number: 7740236
    Abstract: An elastomer-containing rod end isolator. The isolator includes a handle for connection to a load and inner and outer members. The outer member is a pocket and the inner member is spherical or nearly so. The pocket and the inner member are concentric and the inner member has two continuous exterior legs extending in a circular path. An elastomer fills most of the space between members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: S. Gregory Martin
  • Patent number: 7658546
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a housing and a ball at least partially housed within the housing. The housing comprises a race having a concave bearing surface, a sleeve surrounding the race, and a resilient member disposed between the race and the sleeve. The surfaces of the race and sleeve adjacent the resilient member and the surfaces of the resilient member preferably include at least one pair of a co-operating protrusion and recess. Alternatively, or additionally, the surfaces of the race and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member have different curvatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Allen Clarke, Paul R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7651274
    Abstract: A spherical slide bearing has an outer ring and an inner ring slidably retained within the outer ring. A pin having a grease supply flow path extending through an interior thereof to open in an outer peripheral surface thereof is inserted into the inner ring so that the pin is circumferentially slidable, with the inner ring being equipped with a communication flow path establishing communication between a gap defined between the inner ring and the pin and a gap defined between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inlet port of the communication flow path is provided at a position where grease having flown out of an outlet port of the grease supply flow path flows after having flown through the gap between the pin and the inner ring substantially through the entire length in the axial direction of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yasunori Sato, Ryuusuke Komura, Tatsuo Aira, Akinobu Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20090080818
    Abstract: A spherical bearing with resin liner comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, an opening portion, a notched portion, and a resin liner portion. The inner ring has a convex spherical outer surface and a shape in which opposing end portions of a sphere are cut off, and the outer ring has a concave inner surface which faces the outer surface of the inner ring having a predetermined clearance therebetween. The opening portion is provided at the outer ring and has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring, and the opening portion communicates with a space surrounded by the inner surface of the outer ring. The notched portion is provided at an edge of the opening portion for inserting the inner ring into the outer ring, and the resin liner portion continuously fills the clearance and the notched portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Gen Sasaki, Mitsunori Oura
  • Publication number: 20090028478
    Abstract: In a bearing device for a roll of a hot dipping bath, i.e., zinc pot, a sleeve is fastened to a shaft of the roll of the hot dipping bath in a continuous hot dip coating line, i.e., a continuous galvanizing line. A bush housing has a bush internally fixed to support the sleeve, and a curved annular outer surface. Also, bush housing fixed rings are fixed to both inner sides of a fixed ring housing which is associated with a rig of the hot dipping bath roll. Each of the bush housing fixed rings has a curved annular inner surface supporting the bush housing at both sides thereof and in abutment with the curved annular outer surface of the bush housing. The invention allows the steel sheet to be coated with molten metal stably and speedily with high efficiency. Also, the bush and sleeve of the bearing device are not locally worn away, thereby extending useful life of the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: POSCO
    Inventors: Gun-Young Kim, Yung-Up Kim, Hong-Jong Yoo, Gyu-Sam Hwang
  • Patent number: 7441978
    Abstract: A bearing shell for a ball and socket joint has a core made of plastic, which is jacketed by a film at least in some areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Frank Budde
  • Patent number: 7073970
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for a rocker pendulum of a motor vehicle, is provided with a housing (1), which is open on at least one side and into the interior space (2) of which a bearing shell (3) is inserted, which in turn accommodates a joint ball (4) of a ball pivot (5) in a slidingly movable manner. The interior space (2) has elevations and/or depressions (7) along its inner jacket surface (6) or a polygonal cross section, so that the bearing shell (3), which is provided with an oversize in relation to the inner jacket surface (6), can be inserted into the housing (1) in a positive-locking manner while its outer surface undergoes a partial plastic deformation. The inner jacket surface (6) may have pressure zones (19) which shorten the effective length of the elevations and/or depressions (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Matthias Gercke, Christian Maassmann, Jean-Paul Castanet, JĂ¼rgen Gräber, Thomas Catterfeld
  • Patent number: 6692179
    Abstract: A ball sleeve joint with a joint housing has a ball sleeve provided with a preferably spherically designed bearing surface. A bearing shell surrounds the bearing surface and is accommadated in a recess of the joint housing. The joint housing is formed from at least two housing parts. The housing parts have corresponding elastic toothed elements. The toothed elements are locked with one another in the assembled state of the joint housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Klaus Lampe, Stefan Husmann, Franz-Josef Wehri, Stefan Klumpe
  • Patent number: 6648200
    Abstract: In the case of a magnetic-tape apparatus (1) and/or in the case of a pressure-roller unit (65), a pressure-roller spindle (55) and a bearing part (60), which surrounds the pressure-roller spindle (55) and can be rotated relative to the pressure-roller spindle (55), for rotatably bearing a pressure roller (29) are provided. The bearing part (60) having a first bearing surface (63) which is formed by a toroidal surface and cooperates with a second bearing surface (64) likewise formed by a toroidal surface. The two bearing surfaces (63, 64) formed in each case by a toroidal surface permitting a wobbling movement of the pressure roller (29), and the two bearing surfaces (63, 64) being held lying against one another without play, and of these two bearing surfaces (63, 64) at least one bearing surface (63) being provided in a compliant fashion in radial directions relative to the other bearing surface (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Heinrich Huetter
  • Patent number: 6461047
    Abstract: A rotary stage having a rotary table mounted by a bearing on a shaft defining a table axis of rotation and supported on a base plate by an optically polished surface, the bearing comprising a ball bearing pre-loaded axially by an axially adjustable split ring in engagement with an annular chamfer on a race of the bearing to center the bearing relative to the table axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: George Mauro
  • Patent number: 6352368
    Abstract: A rod end bearing comprises an outer shell part having a generally spherical inner surface and having a pair of diametrically opposed openings and an inner ball part seated within the outer shell part. The outer diameter of the ball part is greater than the diameter of one of said diametrically opposed openings and is only slightly less than the diameter of the other of the diametrically opposed openings. A moulded bearing race is located between the inner ball part and the outer shell part. The bearing race is suitably formed from polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Springfix Linkages Limited
    Inventor: Paul Anthony James
  • Patent number: 6164830
    Abstract: A pendulum sliding bearing has a sliding bearing bushing provided for receiving a rotatable elements, such as shafts, axles and the like, the sliding bearing bushing having calotte portions at end sides, a bearing body formed of a metal plate and having a ring-shaped abutment surface for one of the calotte portions of the sliding bearing bushing, a wall extending substantially outwardly of the abutment surface, and a casing adjoining the wall and provided for insertion in a cylindrical opening, a spring disk having a central opening and an adjoining at least one second abutment surface for the second calotte portion of the sliding bearing bushing and having a radially outer edge fixed on the bearing body, the casing being subdivided into casing fields which extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axial of the bearing body so that gaps are available between the casing fields, a plurality of supporting fingers extending at least over a width of the gaps from the wall in a direction opposite to a course
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Boosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Nitzsche, Heinz Seibert, Gerald Kuenzel, Oliver Jung, Hans-Peter Seebacher, Bernd Wieland, Peter Litterst, Hansjuergen Linde, Uwe Neumann
  • Patent number: 6164829
    Abstract: To provide a simple and quality improving manufacturing process for a bearing shell, particularly for rotatable and, to a limited extent, tiltable support of a ball pivot in a joint housing of a ball-and-socket joint comprising a one-piece ball socket (1) made of plastic, in which a ball above and below its equatorial plane (6) is supportable in form-fit manner at least in a spherical zone (7) along the inner surface (3) of the ball socket (1), it is proposed to provide the ball socket (1), which has a closed lateral surface (8), with elastically deformable segments (2) extending substantially meridionally in axial direction. Furthermore proposed is a ball-and-socket joint with a bearing shell (1) formed in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Wenzel, Sven Helgi Orend, Theo Heep
  • Patent number: 5915842
    Abstract: An elastomer bearing (20) and assembly method therefor. The bearing (20) includes an inner member (22) having an outer profiled surface with a maximum radial dimension, an outer member (24) having a minimum radial dimension which is smaller than said maximum radial dimension and a inner profiled surface. The outer member (24) includes first (26) and second halves (28) being inserted axially over the spherical portion (23) of inner member (22). Each halve (26, 28) including axial threaded portions (32) which are threadedly interconnected to secure halves (26, 28) together. An elastomer layer (30) is bonded to said outer profiled surface of said inner member (22) and said inner profiled surface of said outer member (24). In another aspect, the profiled surfaces are spherical surfaces. Preferably, air is vented into the threaded escapeway (33) during the bonding process. A radial gap (34) is provided to aid is air removal/venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: W. Scott Redinger
  • Patent number: 5902050
    Abstract: A spherical bearing used in a rod end housing is modified with an elastomeric member equally precompressed in an amount of about 30% of an unstressed thickness of the elastomeric member to isolate the transmission of vibrations and sound. Such spherical elastomeric bearings can be used in any application where a conventional spherical bearing is used such as cable connections, clutch linkages, etc., in trucks, farm tractors, and various other pieces of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignees: Lord Corporation, Alinabal, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Balczun, Paul L. Becotte, Randall L. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5549393
    Abstract: A steel mill roll has its ends supported in self-aligning bearings that do not require a liquid or grease lubricant, and which are capable or operating at roll shaft temperatures up to 1500.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Alphatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge A. Morando
  • Patent number: 5509748
    Abstract: A ball joint compensates for manufacturing tolerances of the components and functions smoothly under large compressive loads. A rigid and resilient bearing seat has an elastic restoring force that compensates for component tolerances under varying load conditions. A ball joint housing and fitted bearing seat permit incremental increases in the load bearing area within the ball joint as an operating load increases. The increase in load bearing area permits the ball joint to withstand larger loads than in conventional ball joints without permanent deformation of the bearing seat. The ball joint is more durable and operates more smoothly over a wider range of loads than conventional ball joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Hidetaka Idosako, Takatsugu Masuno
  • Patent number: 5484211
    Abstract: A one-piece, self-aligning bearing is disclosed which includes a cylindrical bearing sleeve of uniform thickness having an outwardly convex hemispherical flange projecting from a first end of the sleeve and arching longitudinally toward an opposite second end of the sleeve, the flange being of uniform wall thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Robert D. Uthoff
  • Patent number: 5447376
    Abstract: A self contained, "package", bearing system, has relatively rotating and sliding, precisely formed, truncated spherical, journal and bearing surfaces with a high hardness and with a low surface roughness, that operate on a thin hydrodynamic film of pressurized lubricant, when the bearing system is operated under any combination of axial and radial loads. It optionally contains either a supply of dry lubricant, or normally a capillary supported, self-contained reserve of fluid lubricant, and a system of "internally discharging" throwers, for keeping the fluid lubricant within the system, to promote a long operating life.Lubricant re-circulation channels at the ends of the bearing and the inherently lower rates of flow of lubricant from the ends of truncated spherical bearings facilitates achieving long operating life. Grooves and recesses are optionally included in the bearing surfaces for enhancing the axial load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventors: Eldon R. Cunningham, deceased, Shirley J. Cunningham, personal representative
  • Patent number: 5439203
    Abstract: The vibration-damping bushing is provided having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder which are coaxially arranged with each other. A ring-shaped insert which is made of a resin material having good slidability is inserted between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder so that the inner peripheral surface of the insert is closely disposed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder. A pair of ring-shaped vibration-damping rubber members are press-fitted between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder on both sides of the ring-shaped insert with metallic sleeves joined to the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of said ring-shaped vibration-damping rubber members, respectively. The inside axial end of the inner peripheral surface of each vibration-damping rubber member is spaced apart from each axial end surface of the insert by a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Hadano
  • Patent number: 5364191
    Abstract: A guiding ring (4) having a spherical inside surface is supported inside an annular rubber cushion (3) which in turn is supported inside a metal case (1). A body (2) having a spherical outer surface cooperates with the inner surface of the ring to permit rotational movement. Bellows (5) attached to axial abutments (6,7) of the case protect the joint from abrasive elements. The case is preferably in two parts which are press fit together, the rubber cushion being fixed inside one of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Walter Gruber
  • Patent number: 5342128
    Abstract: An annular body (2) having a spherical outside surface is fixed coaxially on an annular rubber cushion (3) which in turn is fixed coaxially on a mounting rod (10). A guiding ring (4) is supported inside a case (1) and has a spherical inside surface which cooperates with the spherical outside surface of the annular body to permit rotational movement. The case has axial abutments (6,7) which limit rotational movement and serve as fixing points for bellows which protect the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Walter Gruber
  • Patent number: 5293784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for a vehicle rearview mirror, the positioning of which is achieved by means of a worm gear mounted by means of a coupling part in a single bearing, which is provided with an annular collar that engages in an upper annular slot of the coupling part. The intention is to improve the retaining force of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Gebruder Buhler Nachfolger GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Guttenberger, Werner Seichter
  • Patent number: 5110221
    Abstract: A track-roller bearing assembly is disclosed which includes a fixed inner ball race member having an outwardly facing arcuate peripheral bearing surface; an annular body of self-lubricating bearing material affixed to the outwardly bearing surface of said inner race; and a coaxial outer race which is rotatable about an axis of the inner race and anguarly displaceable relative to the axis of the inner race so as to accommodate track deflections or irregularities. The track-roller further includes a resilient element disposed between respective ends of the inner and outer races so as to bias the races back into axial alignment after they have been angularly displaced relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Kamatics Corporation
    Inventors: Glennwood H. Narkon, Stanley S. Orkin
  • Patent number: 5085520
    Abstract: A nose cone bearing arrangement for securing an axle box to a frame cross-tube of an off-road machine is provided. The axle box has an internal cylindrical bearing cavity therein. A metal double truncated spherical bearing surface is formed on and encompasses a truck frame cross-tube. A toroidal oil impregnated plastic bearing member having an external cylindrical surface is received within and conforms to the axle box internal bearing cavity. The plastic bearing has an internal concave bearing surface that engages the cross-tube spherical bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Terex Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Fujan
  • Patent number: 5073038
    Abstract: A ball and socket bearing having a spherical ball member positioned within a non-metallic, molded bearing material which is in turn molded within a socket formed in a socket member. The socket provides openings on either side of the equator of the ball member having a radius less than the radius of the equator of the ball member so that a metal-to-metal interference prevents lateral separation of the members even in the event of bearing material failure. Further, the bearing material is relatively thin, at least between the ball member and socket adjacent to the lateral opening, so that the bearing material can support high lateral loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Tuthill Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy B. O'Connell