Abstract: A socket assembly includes a housing having an inner bore extending along a central axis between a closed first end and an open second end. At least one bearing is disposed in the inner bore, wherein the at least one bearing has a bearing surface and a support surface opposite the bearing surface. The socket assembly also includes a ball stud having a shank portion extending outwardly from the housing through the open second end and a ball portion disposed in the inner bore. At least one preload washer biases the at least one bearing into engagement with the ball portion of the ball stud. The at least one preload washer has an outer coating of a low friction, heat insulating material.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a stud extending from a ball. A housing has a bore that receives the ball. The housing has an interior surface facing the ball that includes a groove. A plastic bearing is arranged between the ball and the housing. The plastic bearing has first and second sides opposite one another. The first side has a spherical surface engaging the ball. The second side has a protrusion opposite the spherical surface that is received in and fills the groove and a recess in the spherical surface opposite the protrusion.

Abstract: A robot arm includes multiple links and joints connecting the links to one another in an articulated manner, wherein, in cooperation with the joints, the links are designed to carry and move a load in space. The joints can be automatically adjusted by motors of the robot arm to move the links. At least one first link has a first casing and a neighboring second link has a second casing. The casings are designed to transfer respective forces and torques resulting from the weight of the robot arm itself and/or the load to the neighboring link. The first casing and/or the second casing has a deformation element designed to form a buffer body in a joint space between the first and second casings, which is changed due to an adjustment of the associated joint. The buffer body at least substantially or completely fills the changeable joint space.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for targeting a biomedical system. Aspects of the subject methods include determining the trajectory of a targeting device using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a MRI-visible style of a trajectory guide that is compatible with the targeting device. Targeted biomedical systems may be utilized for a variety of purposes including targeted delivery of a therapeutic, holding a therapeutic device, positioning of a therapeutic device and other uses. Also provided are devices and systems that can be used in practicing the described methods including but not limited to trajectory guides and adjustable targeting systems, as well as non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause a computing device to perform steps of the described methods.

Abstract: A ball joint, particularly for a chassis of a motor vehicle having a housing with a first opening surrounded by a circumferential forming edge. The housing has at an end opposite the first opening, a closing force absorber for absorbing a closing force F required for a deformation of the circumferential forming edge, which closing force absorber extends in a trough-shaped manner toward the housing interior in direction of the first opening. A method for fitting a ball joint, having a counter-holder of a closing device surroundingly received by the closing force absorber during a closing of the housing.

Abstract: A cleaning robot includes a cover, a fixed body provided in the cover, a traveling part connected to the fixed body, a movement frame fastened to the cover to move in correspondence with movement of the cover, an inner body configured to support the movement frame relative to the fixed body, and a rotator provided on a bottom of the inner body to rotate in correspondence with movement of the cover.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension comprises a hub carrier on which a wheel hub is suitable for being mounted, a suspension arm having an outer end connected to the hub carrier by a ball joint and an inner end suitable for being attached to a suspended structure of the vehicle, and a shock absorber. At least one load responsive device is arranged on the suspension arm, the load responsive device comprising a sensor able to generate an output signal in response to a load applied to the suspension arm, wherein a control unit is configured to receive the output signal generated by the sensor and to adjust the stiffness of the shock absorber through a valve adapted to vary passage cross-sections of the fluid contained in the shock absorber.

Abstract: A camera mount is configured to attach a camera to a mount base which, in turn, may be secured to sport equipment, musical instruments, vehicles, and the like. The camera mount includes a ball component that couples to a camera or camera housing and that allows a user to rotate a camera within a horizontal plane, and to pivot a camera in one or more vertical planes. The ball component is securely coupled within a sleeve component with a bucket or other coupling mechanism that allows the sleeve component (and thereby the ball component and coupled camera or camera housing) to couple to the mount base.

Abstract: The pivot joint assembly includes a housing with an inner wall that surrounds an inner bore which extends along a central axis. A stud is partially received in the inner bore, projects out of one axial end of the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing about the central axis. A sealing body, which is made of a single piece of a semi-rigid material, is in a static sealing condition with the housing and is in a dynamic sealing condition with the stud. The sealing body includes a portion which extends at an acute angle relative to the central axis to contact the stud such that the portion is deflectable to allow lubricant to escape the inner bore during greasing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for designing a pin joint having a bearing member and a pin member received within the bearing member is provided. The method includes receiving, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), at least one input related to one or more pin joint configuration parameters. The method includes receiving, via the GUI, at least one input related to one or more pin member design parameters. The method includes receiving, via the GUI, at least one input related to one or more bearing member design parameters. The method includes calculating a set of design parameters of the pin joint based on the inputs related to the pin joint configuration parameters, the pin member design parameters, and the bearing member design parameters. The method includes generating an output design of the pin joint based on the comparison between the calculated set of design parameters with a set of predefined design parameters.

Abstract: A method for reconstruction of a resectioned portion of a bone includes connecting a first link to a second link through a flexible connection to form an elongated linkage that extends along a substantially longitudinal direction, providing a flexible connector configured to work in tandem with the flexible connection to adjust the first and second links relative to each other to adapt to a shape of the bone in at least one of a directional orientation about an axis that extends in the vertical direction and an angular orientation about an axis that extends in the longitudinal direction, and providing a locking member configured for insertion through the aperture, wherein the locking member is configured to apply a biasing force to the connector and inhibit adjustment of the at least one of the directional orientation and the angular orientation of the first link relative to the second link.

Abstract: An assembly includes a spherical bearing race and a spherical bearing element. The bearing race includes a race first segment, a race second segment and a bore that extends along an axis into the bearing race. The bore also extends radially within the bearing race between the first segment and the second segment. The bearing element is arranged within the bore, and radially engages the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A rotary joint constant velocity stabilizer for connecting a first rotatable body and a second rotatable body, the first and second rotatable bodies being rotatable about a generally common axis of rotation and rotatable at substantially similar angular velocities. The rotary joint constant velocity stabilizer has a first base, a second base, and a shaft. The shaft is connected to first base such that the shaft is pivotable relative to the first base about a first axis extending from a first side to a second side of the first base. The shaft is connected to the second base such that the shaft is pivotable about a second axis extending from a first side to a second side of the second base, the shaft being slidable relative to the second base along a third axis normal to the first axis and the second axis, and rotatable relative to the second base about the third axis while preventing relative rotational motion between the first base and the second base.

Abstract: A bearing assembly can include a top retainer; a middle retainer having a first concave spherical surface; a bottom retainer having a second concave spherical surface; a spherical ball member; and an elastomeric member coupled to the first concave spherical surface, the second concave spherical surface, and an outer surface of the spherical ball member.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a bearing seat in the form of a resin ball seat provided within a seat-accommodating portion of a metal socket for slidably and rotatably receiving a ball portion of a ball stud. An end portion of the seat-accommodating portion through which the stud portion passes extends towards the stud portion beyond the spherical center of the ball portion. The ball seat has a covering portion formed on the outer side of a seat opening portion of a ball-accommodating portion which has a spherical shape conforming to a sliding surface of the ball portion of the ball stud. The covering portion is formed by bending the seat opening portion such that it covers the outer periphery of the opening portion of the seat-accommodating portion of the socket.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore which extends between open first and second ends. A ball stud is partially disposed within the inner bore of the housing and includes shank, ball and protrusion portions with the shank portion extending out of the housing through the first end. A first bearing is disposed in the inner bore and includes a passage. The protrusion portion of the ball stud extends into the passage, and the passage is shaped to cooperate with the protrusion portion to allow the ball stud to rotate relative to said housing in one rotational direction by a greater magnitude than in another rotational direction. A cover plate closes the second open end of the housing, and a spring is disposed between the cover plate and the first bearing and biases the first bearing into contact with the ball portion of the ball stud.

Abstract: The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore which extends between open first and second ends. A ball stud is partially disposed within the inner bore of the housing and includes shank, ball and protrusion portions with the shank portion extending out of the housing through the first end. A first bearing is disposed in the inner bore and includes a passage. The protrusion portion of the ball stud extends into the passage, and the passage is shaped to cooperate with the protrusion portion to allow the ball stud to rotate relative to said housing in one rotational direction by a greater magnitude than in another rotational direction. A cover plate closes the second open end of the housing, and a spring is disposed between the cover plate and the first bearing and biases the first bearing into contact with the ball portion of the ball stud.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming a movable joint or connection between parts that move with respect to one another, wherein at least one part is at least partially enclosed by at least one second part. The method includes positioning an etchable material over an at least one first part, molding or forming an at least one second part over at least the etchable material, and removing the etchable material.

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a motor vehicle wheel suspension, with a spring plate for receiving a vehicle spring, a joint and a connecting strut, which is articulated to the spring plate by way of the joint. The joint includes a fastening section that extends in an axial direction and engages in a fastening hole formed in the spring plate. The fastening section passes through the fastening hole and is shaped outside the hole, on a side of the spring plate facing away from the joint, to form a contact surface that is supported axially against the spring plate.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a base body, a ball socket formed in the base body, and a ball pivot having a joint ball which is received in the ball socket. The joint ball is held in the ball socket by a locking ring which has a flange portion bearing upon the base body. The flange portion has an outer periphery formed with a circumferential groove, with a groove flank of the groove providing a welding area. A welding seam running about the flange portion connects the locking ring to the base body.

Abstract: A front lower control arm assembly includes a front lower control arm and a bushing attached to the arm. The bushing has a first central axis. A ball joint is also attached to the arm. The ball joint has a second central axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to a plane including the first central axis.

Abstract: The kinematic platform is a spherical-prismatic-spherical kinematic platform providing six degrees of freedom with controlled braking at each joint. The kinematic platform includes a base and an upper platform plate, with the upper platform plate having opposed upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface thereof provides a mounting surface for an external article to which controlled three-dimensional movement is to be imparted. A plurality of linear actuators are further provided, with each linear actuator having opposed upper and lower ends. A plurality of upper and lower spherical joints are provided for pivotally mounting the linear actuators between the upper platform plate and a lower base. Each spherical joint provides selective and controllable braking, allowing for the controlled rotation of each end of each linear actuator with respect to the respective upper platform plate or base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle drive for an adjusting element of a motor vehicle comprising a drive motor with a spindle-spindle nut gear arranged downstream for producing a drive force along a geometric spindle axis, wherein two connectors are provided for transferring the drive force and wherein at least one connector comprises a ball joint with a ball socket and an assigned ball, wherein the ball socket comprises a ball socket housing with a connecting piece. It is proposed that the ball socket in the ball socket housing has a damping shell and a bearing shell in the damping shell for the positive engagement with the ball so that the flux of force for the drive force passes via the damping shell and the bearing shell.

Abstract: A ball joint with a housing formed entirely by a cold forming method. The housing having an inner chamber for receiving the joint ball of a ball pin and an opening through which the ball pin extends, and a contact area on the outer surface area of the housing forms a seal with a bellows. A forming section of the housing secures the joint ball within the inner chamber such that the joint pall can both rotate and pivot. Following completion of the housing, the material displaced during the cold forming method creates the forming section of the housing. The method for producing a ball joint comprises the steps of producing a metallic housing blank with a thickening formed by compression, forming the outer contour of the housing by compression, shaping the inner contour of the housing through dishing, and using the displaced material for creating the forming section.

Abstract: A stabilizer link in which weight reduction can be achieved and the circumferential position and the distance between both housings can be adjusted, and a method for manufacturing same, are provided. A solid bar made of a light weight metal or a fiber reinforced plastic is used for a support bar. An end portion of the support bar is inserted into a mold as a core, and a housing is formed at the end portion of the support bar by injection molding. In this case, the resin is mold-shrunk, whereby a boss portion of the housing covers and adheres to the whole circumference of the end portion of the support bar thereof. Therefore, the boss portion is rigidly fixed to the end portion.

Abstract: Injection molding is performed such that the reinforced resin is injected into the cavity and the space. The fixing portion shown is formed at the bottom portion side of the side surface portion of the main body portion by the injection molding. In this case, the fixing protrusion stripe portion, which is fitted to the fixing groove portion of the main body portion, is formed at the fixing portion. The projection portion projecting from the hole portion of the housing to an external portion is formed at the bottom portion of the fixing portion, and the projection portion is formed to have the shape engaging with the outer surface of the bottom portion of the housing.

Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) has at least two connecting rods (2, 3), which come together in a receiving region (4), and accommodate a joint (5) or bearing in the receiving region (4), The joint or bearing (5) comprises a joint body (7), which is movably held in a joint body seat (6), and a housing (8) which accommodates and radially externally encloses the joint body seat (6), is designed such that the housing (8) comprises, on the outside, at least one rotation-lock region (9, 10, 14) having a non-circular contour.

Abstract: A ball joint, particularly a radial ball joint, includes a housing, a bearing shell which is arranged in the housing, and a ball pin having a ball head which is arranged in the bearing shell, the housing having a mounting opening to receive the bearing shell and the ball head, the mounting opening being closed by a housing cover which is fastened to the housing. The bearing shell is deformed by the ball head and the housing cover such that the restoring force resulting from the deformation urges the ball head away from the housing cover and prestresses it against the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display device for use on transportation vehicles. The device can be easily altered or removed by the user. The display device contains a mounting bracket which can be permanently or releasably attached to the vehicle and a display which may be permanently or releasably attached to the mounting bracket. The angle of the display may be altered to provide easier viewing from the road.

Abstract: A ball seat made of a resin material having a recessed spherical surface and an external peripheral surface, a stud ball having a spherical head portion that engages with the recessed spherical surface in a rotatable manner, and a housing that accommodates the ball seat which is inserted from an opening portion toward a bottom surface, and comprises a ball seat insertion unit where an inner peripheral surface is engaged with an external peripheral surface of the ball seat are provided, wherein an external diameter of the external peripheral surface increases from the bottom surface toward the opening portion, and an internal diameter of the inner peripheral surface increases from the bottom surface toward the opening portion.

Abstract: A joint assembly (1) with a joint ball (4) through which an axle body (12; 112; 212; 312) extends. The joint ball (4) is mounted in and able to rotate relative to a housing (5) that at least partially surrounds the joint ball (4) and/or one or more support rings (6) with a rubber-elastic intermediate layer (7). The joint assembly (1) is designed so that the axle body (12; 112; 212; 312) can rotate within the joint ball (4).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ball joint assembly including providing an internal centerpiece substantially in the shape of a hollow truncated sphere, placing the centerpiece within a metal hollow sleeve and deforming the sleeve by forcing the sleeve against an outer surface of the centerpiece to shape the sleeve to complement the outer surface of the centerpiece, forming at least one groove in an exterior surface of the sleeve and there after molding a plastic matrix composite material over the exterior surface of the sleeve to form an external body over the sleeve.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint comprises a joint ball which is enclosed and rotationally supported by a ball socket. The ball socket has two ball socket parts that move relative to one another in an axial direction. The ball socket parts acts on different sides of the joint ball that are opposite one another in the axial direction. A controllable adjusting device bias the two ball socket parts, relative to one another in the axial direction, so that pressure exerted on the joint ball by the twp ball socket parts can be varied. At least a first of the ball socket parts comprises a main body and at least one bearing section, which is elastically connected to the main body and by which the first ball socket part rests against the joint ball.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint, especially for the wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with a ball pivot (1), which is equipped with a first spheroidal bearing surface (3) mounted pivotably and rotatably in a housing (2). A roller bearing (5) is present between the first spheroidal bearing surface (3) and another spheroidal bearing surface (4), which is mounted in the housing (2) and is connected to the ball pivot (1). The roller bearing (5) is a roller bearing transmitting radial and axial forces.

Abstract: A joint and/or bearing arrangement (1) is provided with a joint pin (2), whose head area (3) is mobile in relation to a receiving joint shell (4). The joint shell (4) is arranged in the mounted position in a receiving space acting as a housing (5). At least one border (10) with axial barriers (11) surrounds the joint shell (4) in some areas and is arranged between the joint shell (4) and the housing (5).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an insert-molded ball joint which is configured such that rotational frictional torque of a ball stud is kept below the appropriate level, pull-out strength of the ball stud is increased, and play of the ball stud is minimized. The ball stud has a spherical head. The spherical head of the ball stud is rotatably inserted into the ball seat. The housing covers the ball seat and a portion of the spherical head that is exposed from the ball seat. The upper end of the ball seat is disposed higher than the center of the spherical head. The housing includes a head support which covers the spherical head. A ball seat grease groove is formed in the inner surface of the ball seat. Housing grease grooves are formed in the head support in a vertical direction and meet the upper end of the ball seat.

Abstract: An arrangement for the articulated connection of wagons of a multiple-element vehicle with the aid of joint having spherical bearing faces, wherein comprising a radial pivoting bearing having an inner ring with a convexly curved spherical bearing face and an outer ring with a concavely curved spherical bearing face, the radial pivoting bearing being installed with a vertical bearing axis Z and the inner ring and the outer ring each being held by one connecting construction, the bearing of asymmetric configuration, the inner ring and the outer ring being arranged offset with respect to one another in the direction of the bearing axis Z, and, that in relation to a center point (M) of the inner ring, the bearing faces are larger in the direction of a negative Z axis extending downwards from the center point along the bearing axis, than the bearing faces in the direction of a positive Z axis extending upwards from the center point along the bearing axis.

Abstract: A ball joint for a wheel suspension in a vehicle is disclosed. The ball joint includes a bearing shell, a ball, and a housing. The ball is supported in the bearing shell, with the shell being subdivided by slots into lip elements. The slots are preferably arranged in the bearing shell from a middle part and up to an upper rim. The lip elements may be bent outwards at a compression groove to admit the ball when it is introduced into the shell.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly for a vehicular steering or suspension application includes a cap-like housing in which is captured the articulating ball portion of a stud. A shank extends from the ball portion, outwardly from the housing cap, to provide a connection and anchoring interface for the suspension member or other anchoring component. The connection interface with the anchoring suspension member is characterized by a specially designed surface which is convenient to machine, provides increased surface-to-surface contact area, and provides additional advantages such as improved stress distribution and NVH benefits. A washer-like cone adaptor mates with a specially formed adaptor interface region on the stud. On its outer surface, the adaptor has a broad tapering feature designed to seat in a complementary-shaped receiving flare in the anchoring suspension member.

Abstract: An arrangement, comprising two shaft ends (1, 2), which are mutually connected by a coupling element (3) so as to transmit torque, the coupling element (3) being associated with a bearing (4), which receives at least one shaft end (1), the bearing (4) comprising a support body (5) for the shaft end (1) and an outside body (6) surrounding the support body, and an elastic deformable layer (7) being disposed between the support body (5) and the outside body (6), with the aim of creating an arrangement that guarantees the lowest possible cardan rigidity while achieving maximum radial rigidity, is characterized in that the elastic layer has at least in part a spherical configuration. A bearing also has at least in part a spherically configured layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial ball joint (1) in particular for use in a steering gear including a housing (2), open on one side, with a housing pin (3) arranged up front, a ball joint (4) with a pivot pin (5) and a bearing (6) which is arranged between housing (2) and ball joint (4), wherein the housing (2) has at least one elastic damping element (7) for impact damping on the side of the housing equipped with the housing pin (3).

Abstract: A ball joint, particularly an axial joint, having a housing, a bearing shell which is arranged in the housing, and a ball pin with a ball head which is arranged in the bearing shell, is characterized in that the bearing shell is bent open elastically by the ball head so that the restoring force resulting from its deformation applies a prestress onto the ball head which attempts to press the latter out of the housing.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided for a motor vehicle that has a joint housing (1), in the interior space of which a ball shell (2) is arranged. The ball (3) of a ball pivot (4) is accommodated in the ball shell (2). A sensor device (7), for measuring forces and loads, is arranged on a flexurally elastic printed circuit board (6). The printed circuit board is fastened in the joint housing (1) in a flexurally mobile manner. The sensor device (7) measures deflections and mechanical stresses of the sensor printed circuit board (6). A transmission device introduces forces or a bending moments into the sensor printed circuit board (6) in case of a deformation of the ball shell (2). The process makes possible the permanent determination of the state of wear of the ball and socket joint via measurement of the prestressing force of the ball shell.

Abstract: A bearing seat of a ball joint improved in lubricity is provided. By opening a plurality of dimples that are opened on a spherical sliding surface that rotatably holds an approximately globular ball portion of a ball stud and house a grease, the dimples can be provided in a balanced manner in proximity to each other, therefore, the grease spreads out between the respective dimples even when sway of the ball portion is relatively small, and lubricity can be improved.

Abstract: The position of a lever is adjustable relative to its bearing via a locking clip that is arranged opposite to a catch. The lever is arranged in a bearing shell with a ball therein in which the lever is arranged so as to be displaceable with the catch attached. The locking clip is guided in the walls of the ball, and the locking of the locking clip and catch in the closed state of the bearing shell forms a positive engagement. The adjustable ball bearing apparatus for shift levers and selector levers compensates for tolerances in the installation of a lever between the ball, the bearing shell, and the axis of the lever.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint connector is provided at opposing ends of a strut, the connector includes a socket body having an interior chamber and a ball stud including a ball end movable within and relative to the interior chamber. The ball end is connected to a stud base. The socket body includes sidewall extensions to limit movement of the ball in a first direction and prohibiting movement of the ball stud in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A retainer secures the ball end within the interior chamber preventing fore and aft movement of the ball stud but allowing rotation movement of the ball end within the chamber.

Abstract: A stabilizer link or tie rod is provided with a ball and stud and with a housing with an outer surface and with an interior surface defining a ball cavity. The housing is connected with a link rod. A race insert is provided having a housing liner surface engaging the housing interior surface and an interior ball race surface in contact with the ball and a housing end portion defining a closure interface with the housing. A protective cap is provided with a barrier surface extending over the closure interface and over the housing outer surface. The cap has a retaining surface engaging each of the housing and the rod.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for portable electronic devices includes a mount (12) with a mounting ball (16) that mates with a socket assembly (22) formed in a housing (18) of an electronic device (20). The socket assembly includes an orifice (32) formed in the back of the housing, a seat (34) positioned in the orifice for matingly receiving the ball, and a spring element (36) partially surrounding the seat. The seat includes a concave center portion (38) and a plurality of flexible, interconnected arms (40,42,44) extending from the concave center portion. The spring element substantially encircles the flexible arms to allow the flexible arms to flex outward when receiving the ball and to then contract inwardly to contact the ball when the ball is seated fully in the seat.

Abstract: Provided is a ball joint which enhances a sealing performance between a boot seal (4) and a ball shank (1) and which can maintain this sealing performance even during swinging motion of the ball shank (1) with respect to a holder (2), making it possible to completely prevent intrusion of dust and muddy water into a ball reception portion (20) of the holder (2) The ball shank (1) is provided with a flange portion (13), with a tapered surface (16) inclined with respect to an axial direction of the ball shank (1) being formed on the flange portion (13). The boot seal (4) is constructed of an annular fixation portion fixed to the holder (2), an annular seal portion (42) tightening a shaft portion (10) of the ball shank (1) and held in press contact with the flange portion (13).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mounting assembly for mounting an electronic device to a surface. The mounting assembly generally includes a base including a mounting ball and a socket assembly operable to frictionally engage the ball to removably couple the socket assembly to the base. The base may be removably coupled with the surface and the socket assembly may be removably coupled with the electronic device. Such a configuration enables the electronic device to be easily positioned in confined environments by first attaching the base to the surface, then attaching the socket assembly to the base and positioning the socket assembly in a desired orientation, and finally attaching the electronic device to the socket assembly.