Abstract: A sliding type coupling device is disclosed which includes: an inner member having a sliding contact portion; a cylindrical outer member which receives therein the sliding contact portion; and a slidable member made of synthetic resin and attached to an inner surface of the outer member. The sliding contact portion of the inner member is slidably supported by an inner circumferential surface of the slidable member. The coupling device further includes a substantially annular retainer ring disposed in engagement with a circumferential groove formed in an inner surface of the outer member. The retainer ring abuts on one axial end of the slidable member, so as to limit an axial displacement of the slidable member. The slidable member includes a gap-filing portion which intrudes into the groove and fills a gap between an inner wall of the groove and the retainer ring.

Abstract: A ball joint has a joint pin with a spherical head received by a bearing shell arranged in the joint housing. Notwithstanding bearing-shell wear which occurs, the radial guidance of the spherical head in the bearing shell remains largely constant over the lifetime of the ball joint. For that purpose, the bearing shell, through which passes a slot extending transversely relative to the circumferential direction, bears with a cylindrical part of its circumferential surface against a cylindrical wall portion of the joint housing and is radially prestressed relative to the axis of the cylindrical wall portion between the joint housing and the equatorial diameter of the spherical head.

Abstract: By virtue of its modular construction, this external fixator makes it possible to position the pins (21 to 25) in the bone fragments (11 to 13) taking account of anatomical criteria. The pins are at least indirectly integral with universal joints (36 to 38) with balls (46 to 48) permitting the orientation of the pins relative to connecting bars 503 and 504. The external fixator additionally comprises connecting pieces for articulation between the connecting bars (501 to 507), such as the articulation (7), the telescopic connecting piece (8) and orientable connecting pieces (97 to 99). After the onset of osseous consolidation, some of the connecting bars and their connecting pieces can be removed, it being possible for the bars (501,502) to be withdrawn from the vices (65, 66).

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball stud having a ball end, a bearing into which the ball end is inserted, and a socket, the ball stud and bearing being fixedly connected to the socket by radial inward deformation of an upper end of the socket. The bearing is provided at its lower portion with a plurality of slits and a plurality of projections. The projections are pressed against the socket and deformed elastically and compressedly by the radial inward deformation of the socket.

Abstract: A ball joint for chassis parts in motor vehicles is described, in which a hinge pin 1 with a spherical part 2 is mounted in a housing 3 by a bearing box 4. The hinge pin is led through an opening 6 out of the housing 3. The housing 3 is sealed by a lid 7, on the opposite side. In this case, the housing is placed in a rigid external bushing 10 with an elastomer sleeve 9 surrounding the housing. Radial surfaces on the housing 3, as well as on the external bushing 10, limit the axial movement of the housing 3 with respect to the external bushing. The radial surfaces of the housing 3 are formed by the two flat sides of a collecting plate 15, which can be firmly connected to the housing 3 first in the assembly of the joint. The collecting plate 15 engages with an axial moving space between arranged radial surfaces of the external bushing 10.

Abstract: A push rod is connected in pivotal retained relation to a polymeric member such as a power booster air valve polymeric insert having a stiffness less than that of an air valve. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is fitted on the spherical ball end of the push rod, and the insert with the push rod is then inserted into a recess in the member. The insert has a plurality of arms extending from the insert base end at a slight angle outwardly relative to the insert axis. The insert also has an attached metallic end on its base end to better distribute the force input from the push rod to the air valve. The arms and the member recess are provided with various cam surfaces which force the arms inwardly in cantilever fashion during the insertion movement, and the arms have surfaces on their outer ends which fit within an annular groove in the cylindrical side wall of the member recess, locking the insert to the rod spherical ball end and also within the member recess.

Abstract: A link assembly connectable to a pair of spaced members and adapted for rotary motion and conical deflection relative to each of the connectable members generally consisting of an elongated, rigid member having a pair of spaced head segments interconnected by an intermediate segment, each of the head segments having an opening therethrough for receiving a connectable member therein, the rigid member further including a pair of identically configured, co-extensively disposed sections mated and rigidly secured together, each of the sections including a pair of spaced head portions interconnected by an intermediate portion, each of the head portions having an opening therethrough registered with an opening in an adjoining head portion of the other section to provide the connectable member receiving opening in one of the head segments, and a bushing disposed in each of the connectable member receiving openings in the head segments of the rigid member, being formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and havi

Abstract: A synthetic with an opening at the top and a concave spherical surface extending from the opening, where a ball head of a ball stud is fixed, has a circular concave step on the outer surface of the housing surround the opening. A metal ring is fixed on the circular step so that the strength of the opening of the synthetic resin housing in a radial inward direction is greatly increased to resist the pull-out load on the ball stud. Warping of the opening is thereby prevented.

Abstract: A bearing system for a gear shift lever, which is held in a shift ball and surrounded by an assembly flange. An intermediate layer shaped in the form of a ring, which acts as insulation for vibrations, is arranged between the shift ball and the gear shift lever.

Abstract: A ball joint resiliently positions a portion of its hard-plastic bearing seat a short distance from a load-receiving portion of its housing. A compression load is capable of urging the bearing seat and the load-receiving portion into contact with each other to limit the load absorbed by the resilient member. This permits the resilient member to apply an appropriate bearing preload to overcome manufacturing tolerances in the parts, without requiring the resilient member to support large compression loads.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a socket having a wall defining a socket hole, and a ball stud having a ball portion at one end thereof. The ball portion is received within the socket hole for pivotal movement by means of a bearing intervening between the ball and the wall of the socket. The bearing is provided with a plurality of protrusions formed in the outer circumferential surface thereof, the circumferential surface being in contact with the surface of the wall of the socket. The protrusions having a band or dot-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A ball joint 10 comprises a ball stud 14 having a ball portion 40 and a shank 42 extending from the ball portion 40. A thermoplastic plastic layer 16 encapsulates the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14 and is adhered to the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. A synthetic elastomeric bushing 18 encapsulates the plastic layer 16 and the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. The bushing 18 is adhered to the plastic layer 16.

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

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a socket, a stud, and an elastomeric bearing. The bearing is bonded to the ball end of the stud and supports the ball end of the stud for movement in the socket. The bearing has a service life indicator surface extending across an opening in the socket. The service life indicator surface is forced by the socket into a predetermined shape. The service life indicator surface moves out of its predetermined shape in response to separation of the bearing from the ball end of the stud.

Abstract: A ball joint has an elastomeric bearing which encapsulates the ball end of a stud. The bearing has a preformed molded shape that supports the bearing and the stud in predetermined positions relative to the socket during assembly of the ball joint. The preformed molded shape of the bearing defines a rib extending circumferentially around the bearing and the ball. The rib is inserted into a corresponding cavity defined by a mating inner surface of the socket.

Abstract: A push rod is connected in pivotal retained relation to a member such as a power booster air valve or a master cylinder piston by an insert. The insert is fitted on the spherical ball end of the push rod and the insert with the push rod is then inserted into a recess in the member. The insert has a plurality of arms extending from the insert base end at a slight angle outwardly relative to the insert axis. The arms and the member recess are provided with various cam surfaces which force the arms inwardly in cantilever fashion during the insertion movement, and the arms have surfaces on their outer ends which fit within an annular groove in the cylindrical side wall of the member recess, locking the insert to the rod spherical ball end and also within the member recess.

Abstract: A bearing which includes an inner part and an outer part arranged in spaced apart relation. In between the inner part and the outer part is a rubber, or resilient, part which can be loaded axially for tension and/or compression and which permits cardanic loads with very little restoring torque. The rubber part, together with the inner part and the outer part, form a cavity which is filled with fluid which transfers corresponding load capacities in the main load direction.

Abstract: A socket (21) for retaining a pivot-forming spherical head (3) of a rod (1) in a cavity (5) is of substantially cylindrical shape having an annular groove (9). It consists of a first part (23) of hemispherical shape matched to the spherical head (3) a second part (25) of cylindrical shape matched to the shape of the cavity (5) and a third part (27) of substantially frustoconical shape, the free end (29) of which has a diameter larger than that of the cavity (5), longitudinal slots (31) being made in the second and third parts (25, 27), and the socket (21) being produced from an elastic material, such as a hard thermoplastic.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly incorporates an internal preload whereby a relatiely constant torque may be realized over the useful life of the assembly. In a preferred form, the assembly includes a housing having a ball socket cavity, a ball, a pair of socket beraings supporting the ball, and a stud shaft integral with the ball. The housing defines an axis along which the socket bearings position and retain the ball for limited oscillatory movement within the housing. One socket bearing defines a ring through which the stud shaft extends for coupling to the tie rod end of a steering arm assembly. The other socket bearing is cup-shaped and formed of an extrudable plastic material. A radially oriented seat in the housing is adapted to support a conical disc spring washer interposed between the seat and the cup-shaped bearing. The conical washer is preferably a Belleville spring capable of providing a relatively constant force over a limited deflection range.

Abstract: A joint for a rack and pinion power steering assembly connects the rack coaxially to a tie rod. The joint comprises a socket member having a first end portion connected to the tie rod, and a second end connected to rack. The second end portion of the socket has a chamber and a pair of openings into the chamber. The openings are centered on an axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis of the tie rod. A ball member has a pair of diametrically opposed projections extending coaxially out of the openings in the socket. A connecting member connects the projections on the ball member to the rack, with the axis of the ball member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rack. The rack is thus pivotal with the ball member relative to the socket and the tie rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ball joint. The ball joint comprises a socket; a bearing provided along an inner face of said socket; and a ball stud embraced by said bearing; said socket including a stepped portion at an upper part and a rising portion rising integrally from an outer periphery of said stepped portion; said bearing including a flange portion at an upper part; said flange portion forcibly holding said ball stud to prevent a removal of said ball stud by caulking said stepped portion of said socket from upper and outer crosswise directions with said rising portion of said socket.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a sheet metal socket having a spherical chamber with first and second openings into the chamber. An elastomeric bearing encapsulating the ball end of a stud supports the stud with the ball end in the socket chamber, and with the stud shank extending from the first opening. The socket comprises a semi-spherical sheet metal wall portion which defines the second opening, and which is at least partially comprised of segments separated by seams extending from the second opening toward the first opening.

Abstract: A ball joint has a ball seat fitted in a through hole of a socket. A recessed part of the socket has the same diameter as a receiving part of the ball seat. An attaching part of a dust cover is clamped into the recess formed by the recessed part and the receiving part to seal the interior of the ball joint from the entry of moisture and dirt, and to provide lateral support to the ball seat. A double-ended version is disclosed wherein attaching parts of two dust covers seal and provide lateral support to opposed ends of the ball seat.

Abstract: A Kevlar.RTM. rope termination in which the rope is passed through an opening in a tension leg termination, is divided and laid over a rigid pin, being sealed around the pin with a resin. A flexible bearing member is located between the rope covered pin and a rigid support member contiguous with the inside of the termination, adjacent to the opening so that the rope covered pin can easily rotate within the bearing member without kinking the rope.

Abstract: Resilient mount assemblies provide absorption of induced loads while permitting some degree of relative rotation between the elements. It is desirable to have resilient mount assemblies which can withstand heavy operating loads while having high angular rotation. In this arrangement, a resilient mount assembly is provided having a segmented assembly interconnecting a first member having a spherical outer surface with a second member having a transverse bore therein. The segmented assembly includes first and second semi-circular half shells with first, second, third, and fourth semi-circular elastomeric layers disposed on respective first and second sides thereof. The first and second semi-circular half shells and their respective first, second, third, and fourth semi-circular elastomeric layers are disposed in intimate contact with the spherical outer surface of the first member.

Abstract: An improved bearing for use in a ball and socket joint is disclosed. The bearing is generally cylindrical in shape, having a recess formed in one end thereof. The recess defines a semi-spherical bearing surface adapted to engage and support a head portion of a ball member of the joint. A plurality of lubricant passageways are formed through the bearing. Each of the passageways extends axially from the semi-spherical bearing surface to an annular channel formed in the opposite end of the bearing. A plurality of grooves are also formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The grooves extend radially inwardly from the channel to a central recess formed in the opposite end of the bearing. The channel functions as a reservoir for lubricant, thereby permitting the joint to be used without frequently re-injecting lubricant therein. An annular bead is formed about the circumference of the channel to provide a seal which prevents lubricant from escaping from the joint.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint comprising: a housing having an open end at its upper end, the upper end having an inner peripheral surface which inclines upward and radially inward; a bearing element disposed in the housing; a ball stud having a ball end retained in the bearing element and a shank portion extending from the ball end freely through the open end of the housing; an end cover plate secured in a lower end of the housing; and a resiliently yieldable member compressed between the bearing element and the end cover plate for urging the bearing element against the ball end of the ball stud. The inner peripheral surface of the housing is locally hardened by a high frequency hardening.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a pair of generally hemispheric head members including facing surfaces. A bearing member is disposed between the facing surfaces. One of the head members is connected to a ball stud, the other includes a shank hole through which the ball stud passes. Both head members are enclosed in a ball seat which is deformed into conformity with a generally spherical outer surface of the combined first and second head members by a socket that is formed about them. An elastic member between the socket and the ball seat applies an axial force to said first and second head members, whereby a substantial preload on the ball joint permits take-up of wear during use.

Abstract: A joint device wherein spherical shaft is pressed into and coupled with a spherical bearing member made of resin through an opening formed in a portion of a spherical bearing portion a generally cylindrical skirt portion is formed at the opening of the spherical bearing member such that the minimum inside diameter of the skirt portion is smaller than the inside diameter of the opening, and a flex starting portion is formed at a position close to the skirt portion of the spherical bearing portion. The inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion is tapered inwardly in a direction away from the spherical bearing portion. An inwardly raised portion is provided at a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the skirt portion.

Abstract: A ball joint for use in motor vehicles and comprising a one-piece ball head (4) having a simplified construction, an increased bearing surface, and including a ball portion (11) of a smaller radius adjacent to the shank (5), an inner ball portion (10) of a greater radius both having the same center, and an annular shoulder (14) formed between the two ball portions (10, 11) and cooperating with an outer bearing shell half (3) for the smaller ball portion (11) which acts as a stop.

Abstract: Elastic support having deformable ball and socket joints for fastening a trim piece between two mobile elements, permitting the trim piece to remain in a median position, which includes two ball and socket joints exhibiting an elastic recall due to the adherized (or vulcanized) rubber-metal bond, the external rings being permanently fitted into a common assembly tube, the internal rings, in the shape of ball and socket joints, being permanently connected by fasteners in a plane in which the principal relative back-and-forth movements take place, and coming into contact with a thrust washer, by an axial thrust allowing a damping friction effect upon back-and-forth movements.

Abstract: A ball joint wherein a ball seat having a closed side is insertewd between an inner surface of a housing and an outer surface of a ball portion of a ball stud, the ball seat being formed of a hard synthetic resin, and having an annular flange after on the closed side of the ball seat engaged with an opened edge at one side of the housing, an annular flange engaged with an opened edge at the other side of the housing, and an annular recess provided on the inner circumferential side of the annular flange on the closed side of the ball seat and enabling the same annular flange.

Abstract: In a flexible tension leg member an adjustable spacer is provided between the coaxial tension leg members joined in the member.

Abstract: A ball joint construction having a ball-stud member with a ball portion and a shank portion and an open-ended socket member in which the ball portion is contained. An elastomeric covering is permanently bonded to the ball stud and then deformed for inserting in the socket thereby resiliently interconnecting the socket and ball members. The socket member is provided with an inner wall portion with an outwardly tapered portion toward the bottom end of the socket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disassemblable ball and socket joint, of the type positioned by a single operation. The ball carried by a journal enters a hemispherical housing of the ball cage, a C-shaped retaining ring partly surrounds the cage and penetrates its wall through two slots which lead into the introduction channel of the ball into its housing, converging outwards. To avoid corrosion risks and to facilitate disassembly, the ring exerts upon the cage a force parallel to the axis of the channel at two points located on either side of the plane of symmetry in the summital region, and it also urges the interior face of the slots, by virtue of protuberances provided near its ends, for example, so that it is not normally in contact with the ball or its journal.

Abstract: A molecular joint for axle struts, connecting rods, and similar parts of motor vehicles comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having a joint pivot lying approximately in the middle axis of the housing, and a sleeve-like joint body of an elastomer material, which is arranged between the housing and the joint pivot and adheres to both, with a prestressing. On the inner surface of the housing, there is provided a material recess in a central or middle zone, which reduces the prestress of the sleeve-like joint body in this zone an thereby produces a progressive characteristic of the molecular joint in the direction of loading.

Abstract: A hose clamp for clamping a swivel hose in a fuel dispensing installation. The hose clamp includes a breakable portion by which the hose clamp is connected to a retrieving cable. When sufficient force is placed on the cable, the hose clamp will break away from the cable thereby releasing the hose from the dispensing installation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fastening of a sealing bellows (3) to a ball joint housing (1) in motor vehicles wherein the sealing bellows (3) has a housing end rim (16) that engages an approximately cylindrical bellows seat (11) formed on the outer rim of the joint housing defining an opening (10) through which a shank extends, and a retaining ring (5) made of sheet metal and surrounding the housing end bellows rim (16) for sealingly connecting the bellows to the housing, has an outer circumferential recess (17), is slipped onto the housing end bellows rim (16), and is then axially compressed so that its inner diameter is reduced, whereby the housing end bellows rim (16) sealingly engages the bellows seat (11) on the joint housing (1).

Abstract: A joint includes a stud, a socket, and an elastomeric bearing disposed between the stud and the socket. The stud includes a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. The socket has a surface defining a chamber in which the head portion is disposed. The socket also has an opening through which the shank portion extends. The elastomeric bearing has a first portion and a second portion of a higher durometer than the first portion. The second portion is integrally formed with the first portion.

Abstract: A traffic signal hanger is disclosured in which an elastomeric member is provided intermediate a traffic signal support arm and a traffic signal housing which elastomeric member provides advantagous damped pivoting of the signal housing relative to the support to accommodate wind forces.

Abstract: A ball joint for transmission rods in motor vehicles comprising a bearing member made of a plastic material and arranged between a ball head (2) and a joint housing (1). The bearing member exerts a radial pressure on the ball head and comprises an outer shell (4) having a spherical inner surface (16) and an inner shell (5) having a spherical inner surface (17). To preload the ball head (2), as independently as possible of dimension variations and to elastically damp shock loads, the outer shell (4) is made of a hard resilient plastic material, the inner shell has stop surfaces (21) on an end surface (18) thereof, is supported by resiliently deformable elevations (19) against the outer shell, and groove-like openings (20) are formed between the resiliently deformable elevations (19) and the stop surfaces (21), into which openings the elevations (19) are elastically deformed. The stop surfaces (21) contact the outer shell (4) when the elevations (19) are completely deformed into the openings (20).

Abstract: A joint includes a stud, a socket, and an elastomeric bearing disposed between the stud and the socket. The stud includes a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. The socket has a surface defining a chamber in which the head portion is disposed. The socket also has an opening through which the shank portion extends. The elastomeric bearing has a first portion and a second portion of a higher durometer than the first portion. The second portion is integrally formed with the first portion.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint has a ball shell of basically spherical shape, a ball stud with a ball head integrally formed at an extremity thereof and disposed within the ball shell, and a rubber layer interposed between and joining the ball shell and the ball head. The outer surface area of the ball shell on the distal side, remote from a shank of the ball stud, of an equatorial plane passing through the center of the ball head perpendicularly to the ball stud axis is greater than the outer surface area of the remainder of the ball shell on the other, or proximal, side of the equatorial plane. The rubber layer is, therefore, made thicker at parts thereof calculated to withstand loads transmitted between the ball shell and the ball head.

Abstract: A bush with a sliding surface comprising a socket, a ball-integral shaft having shaft portions on both sides of a ball portion, a bearing body location between the socket and the ball-integral shaft, and a cushion having recesses in at least one axial end portions thereof constructed of polyurethane resins or polyester resins. Excellent absorption of manufacturing tolerances of parts of the bush and easy adjustment of rotational torque of the bush in normal operating conditions are obtained through use of the bush of the present invention. Additionally, the bush can show excellent load bearing characteristics even when the bush receives large loads beyond normal operating loads. Further, the durability of the bush is improved.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is used between members which pivot relative to each other. The joint includes a ball stud for connection with one member and a socket for connection with the other member. The ball stud has a ball portion and a shank portion projecting from the ball portion. The socket has a chamber in which the ball portion is located and an opening through which the shank portion projects. A cup-shaped bearing liner is interposed between a first part of the ball portion and the socket for transmitting forces and enabling sliding movement to occur therebetween. An elastomeric layer is bonded to a second part of the ball portion and resiliently interconnects the ball stud and socket and urges the ball stud and socket to initial relative positions when they are moved therefrom. The elastomeric layer has portions which project into volumes defined by the socket to mechanically interlock the elastomeric layer and socket and block slipping of the elastomeric layer relative to the socket.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement over the simple riser pipe terminator, which has been applied at the mudline and at the platform level, to resist very large stresses in the riser pipes when a vertically moored platform (VMP) or other similarly tethered structure is subjected to wind, tide and current. A second or short terminator is used with the terminator to form a multiterminator which results in the length and weight of the terminator assembly for a given site being greatly reduced from that of the prior art terminator. Thus, the cost of construction of the terminator assembly is drastically reduced with the use of our invention. Also disclosed is a novel bearing arrangement between the structure VMP and the terminator assembly.

Abstract: A ball joint including a ball stud and housing having a chamber. The ball stud has a ball end portion disposed in the chamber. A resiliently deformable bearing member is disposed between the housing and ball end portion. The housing has a plurality of elevations formed therein. The elevations have radial extending side surfaces defining recesses. The elevations engage and deform portions of the bearing member into the recesses upon preloading the bearing member.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint connects load transmitting members for relative pivotal movement. The ball and socket joint includes a socket, a ball stud, and a deformable elastomeric material. The socket connects with one member. The socket has an opening and a surface defining a chamber. The ball stud connects with the other member. The ball stud has a ball portion and a shank portion extending therefrom. The ball portion is disposed in the chamber and the shank portion extends through the opening. The ball portion includes at least one surface defining a volume therein. The deformable elastomeric material is disposed between the socket and the ball portion of the ball stud to resiliently interconnect the ball stud with the socket. The deformable elastomeric material also urges the ball stud to return to an initial position relative to the socket upon relative movement of the ball stud and socket.

Abstract: A ball joint is disclosed having a socket, a ball received by the socket and a stud extending outwardly from the ball. A ball seat member is received in the socket and has a soft portion with an inner spherical surface which covers the portion of the ball at the side opposite to the stud. The soft portion is axially compressed by a cap closing an opening in the socket opposite to the stud, while expanding radially outward to be penetrated by linear projections formed in a hard portion of the ball seat member. Further, a gap remains between the soft portion after it has expanded radially outwardly and the inner cylindrical surface of the hard portion of the ball seat member so that the soft portion of the ball seat member contacts the hard portion of the ball seat member only at the linear projections.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a ball joint for motor vehicles with a bearing shell arranged between a joint housing and a ball head. The shell is provided at one end with elastically deformable ribs projecting from a stop surface. So that the ribs, after compensating for production tolerances, can absorb, in the elastically deformable zone, additional axial shock loads occurring in driving operation, it is proposed that the ribs be designed as square ribs, running radially, and separated by grooves from the stop surface adjoining their side walls, while the volume of each rib projecting above the stop surface, before mounting, is approximately equal to the free volume of the two grooves adjacent to it, so that the side walls of the grooves lying next to the stop surface act in the mounted condition as support walls for the elastically deformed ribs.