Including Liner, Shim, Or Discrete Seat Patents (Class 403/135)
  • Publication number: 20130294816
    Abstract: A sleeve joint for a vehicle with an outer sleeve (3) that extends in an axial direction (8). Two clamp rings (10, 11) are arranged inside the outer sleeve (3) and a ball socket (5) is arranged inside the outer sleeve (3). A ball sleeve (7) is fitted in and able to move in the ball socket (5). An inner sleeve (4) is inserted into the outer sleeve (3) and positioned, in the axial direction, between the clamp rings (10, 11) between which the inner sleeve and the ball socket (5) are fitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Klaus BROEKER, Melanie KLEINEBENNE, Markus GUTZLAFF
  • Patent number: 8550741
    Abstract: A ball joint includes a ball seat, and the ball seat includes a thermal caulking portion for fixing a ball seat to a housing. The ball seat includes a concave portion having an overhang portion for withstanding a pullout load so as to prevent a ball portion from coming off from the concave portion. The concave portion of the ball seat is formed of polyoxymethylene, and the overhang portion and the thermal caulking portion are formed of a resin, in which glass fiber is added to the polyoxymethylene, so as to be strengthened. Consequently, the pullout load can be increased, and the weight of the ball joint is maintained and the production cost is not greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8551593
    Abstract: A laminated product having a thickness that can be adjusted by chipping, and including alternating sheets and layers of an adhesive material in a stack, each sheet possessing an intrinsic resistance to tearing and each layer of adhesive material connecting adjacent sheets in the stack with a linking force which is weaker than the resistance of the sheets to tearing, enabling each sheet to be detached from the stack without tearing. The product includes a housing which is disposed inside the thickness of the stack, and an electronic identification element which is disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel André Gastel
  • Publication number: 20130236238
    Abstract: A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket achieves relatively low insertion force but relatively high pull-out force resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: BURTON TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 8518839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled product having a thickness that can be adjusted by means of separation. The inventive product comprises an alternating stack (2) of sheets (4) and layers (6) of an adhesive material (8). Each of said sheets (4) has an intrinsic resistance to tearing and each layer (6) of adhesive material (8) joins together two adjacent sheets (4) in the stack (2) using a bond strength that is lower than the tearing resistance of the sheets (4). In this way, each sheet (4) can be detached from the stack (2) without being torn. According to the invention, each sheet (4) is essentially made from woven fibers and each sheet (4) belonging to each pair of sheets (4) which are adjacent to the same layer (6) of adhesive material (8) is impregnated, throughout the thickness thereof, with a mass of adhesive material (8) which is incorporated in the shared layer (6) of adhesive material (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel André Gastel
  • Publication number: 20120294004
    Abstract: An electrically conductive ball joint and lighting fixtures using the joint are disclosed. The joint has a ball with a first portion connected to a first electrical signal and a second portion connected to a second electrical signal. The first and second portions are electrically isolated from one another by a nonconductive bushing. A socket receives the ball and has a first set of electrical contacts adapted to make contact with the first portion of the ball and a second set of electrical contacts adapted to make contact with the second portion of the ball. The two portions of the ball are unequal, with one portion being larger than the other. The lighting fixtures generally comprise a base and two or more arms connected to the base. The arms are connected to one another electrically and structurally with the electrically conductive ball joints, and may be counterweighted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Stathis, Derrick Hurst
  • 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: 8275585
    Abstract: An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of shims, at least two of which have different thicknesses. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the shims has a different thickness with an essentially equivalent stress on each shim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Cunningham, Francis Edward Byrnes
  • Patent number: 8256980
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a carrier part and a ball joint housing. The housing is provided with an attachment projection which is formed integrally with the housing on an outer surface of the housing. The carrier part is formed as a double-layer structure, and the attachment projection is held between two layers of the carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Steven P. Levesque
  • Publication number: 20120219353
    Abstract: A supporting joint includes a ball pin connected to a ball head that is movably mounted in an outer body having a recess, and a sliding element arranged between the ball head and the outer body. The sliding element includes a flexible, disk-shaped plain-bearing film having a plurality of plain-bearing film strips. The strips are arranged relative to each other at least approximately in a star shape. The strips are formed integrally with each other, and separated by slits. The plain-bearing film is placed between the outer body and the ball head in a cup shape such that edges of the plain-bearing film strips lie tightly against each other without overlaps and/or folds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Bernd Schaffhaeuser, Rainer Harter
  • Patent number: 8251605
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Brunneke
  • Patent number: 8235622
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Brunneke
  • Publication number: 20120141192
    Abstract: A ball joint structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a ball stud having a ball formed at one end thereof; a bearing including a first bearing coupled to the ball providing an interior surface thereof to slide on an exterior surface of the ball and covering a portion of the exterior surface of one side of the ball, and a second bearing coupled to the ball providing an interior surface thereof to slide on a portion of the exterior surface of the ball and covering an exterior surface of another side of the ball; and a ball housing which is insert-molded together with the bearing to cover the outside of the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ILJIN.CO.LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-Sung Kwon
  • Patent number: 8137021
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle is provided with a ball pivot (1), which is accommodated rotatably and pivotably in a one-part or multipart bearing shell (4) fixed by a closing ring (2) in a housing (3). A metallic deformation element (5), which assumes a sealing function in the assembled state of the ball and socket joint, is arranged between the closing ring (2) and the housing (3). The deformation element (5) is elastically deformed during the assembly of the ball and socket joint and is arranged at the housing (3) and/or at the closing ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Bohne, Manfred Heidemann, Hans Prins
  • Patent number: 8096212
    Abstract: A two-section tool joint comprises a first rod, an engaging element, a second rod and a limiting element. The two-section tool joint utilizes an elastic engaging structure to obtain an engaging effect during a multi-angle screwing/unscrewing operation, meanwhile, the tool joint can be fixed stably, avoiding the retraction of the tool joint and reducing the difficulty and inconvenience of the screwing/unscrewing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 8052345
    Abstract: A ball joint for a model vehicle suspension is provided, comprising a support member, at least a portion of the support member forming a spherically-shaped surface, a fastener for securing the support member to a suspension member, a housing containing at least a portion of the support member and having an opening for accessing at least a portion of the support member, a seal covering the housing opening, the seal having a self-healing port, the self-healing port of the seal having a first position allowing introduction of material through the seal and a second position substantially preventing the passage of debris into the housing, the seal being in the first position in response to a force applied normal to at least a portion of the surface of the self-healing port and the seal being in the second position in response to the substantial absence of a force applied normal to the surface of the self-healing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Brent Whitfield Byers, Seralaathan Hariharesan
  • Patent number: 8047739
    Abstract: An improved compression load ball joint assembly consisting of a metal housing having an open end and an internal cylindrical chamber which at least partially encloses a portion of a movable stud member, a lower metal bearing, an upper metal split bearing, and a Belleville washer. The upper metal split bearing is disposed opposite the lower metal bearing to engage the movable stud member and the housing simultaneously. The upper metal split bearing is configured to slide within the housing to provide for a constant wear surface against the movable stud member. The lower metal bearing, upper metal split bearing, Belleville washer, and movable stud member are contained within the housing by a cover plate concentrically disposed about the movable stud member and secured within the open end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger G. Sellers, Glen C. Parker, Thomas J. Byrnes
  • Patent number: 8033748
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Andreas Krome
  • Publication number: 20110221153
    Abstract: A linking rod for a vehicle comprising a basic body (2). The basic body (2) comprises a bearing housing (3) and a joint housing (4) which are spaced apart from one another by a coupling piece (9) of the basic body (2). The bearing housing (3), of the basic body (2). is formed from a first plastic material which is surrounded by an enclosure (7) which is made from a second plastic material that is softer than the first plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bladt, Olaf Beutler, Günter Lohfink, Karl-Walter Palluck, Stefan Loheide, Dirk Lamla, Stefan Schönhoff, Christian Maassmann
  • Patent number: 7988379
    Abstract: An exemplary joint mechanism (100) includes a pivot shaft (10), a joint (20), a rotary arm (30), and two bearings (50). The pivot shaft (10) is non-rotatable relative to the joint (20). The joint (20) is received in the rotary arm (30). The rotary arm (30) is rotatable relative to the joint (20). The two bearings (50) are fixed to an inner surface of the rotary arm (30). Each bearing (50) includes a concave inner surface, and the concave inner surface is engaged with a curved outer surface of the joint (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen, Meng-Hua He, Jian-Jun Li, Zheng-Qiang Song, Gang Cheng, Bing-Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 7985034
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Raufoss Technology AS
    Inventors: Trygve Ruste, Stig Fredrik Mathiesen
  • Publication number: 20110150564
    Abstract: A holding device for medical instruments, with a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed and with at least one joint to position the bracket and/or the medical instrument, so that the at least one joint is configured as a ball and socket joint that is provided with at least one bearing shell and a pivot ball and that can be converted between a position that releases the joint and one that blocks the joint. To provide a holding device for medical instruments that is simple to operate, makes possible a rapid blocking and releasing of the at least one joint, and in addition ensures that unintentional release of the blocking is excluded to the greatest extent possible, it is proposed with the invention that the bearing shell should be of rigid configuration and the pivot ball should be capable of being affixed in the bearing shell by clamping by at least one blocking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Uwe Bacher
  • Patent number: 7963715
    Abstract: A push-in connector provides for easy manufacturing and assembly using a flat-stamped flexible retainer clip. The retainer clip is inserted into the connector and flexes to snap-fit within in the connector. The flex of the clip also flexes wings of the clip which engage with a receiving boss. The flexion of the clip allows for easy push-in of the connector and sufficient resistance to accidental pull-out. The push-in connector design eliminates the need for screw-mounting of the connector. The connector assembly may be manufactured for use in connection with a variety of ball studs, as well as other items such as shafts of various objects and wires, or may be used a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Publication number: 20110110710
    Abstract: A ball joint includes a ball head and a ball socket. The ball head has a spherical head and a rotatable post extending from the spherical head. The ball socket defines a receiving cavity for rotatably receiving the spherical head. The ball socket forms a plurality of annular resisting surfaces on an inner surface defining the receiving cavity. Each annular resisting surface is tangent with an outer surface of the spherical head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZHI-MING ZHAO, GUO-QING ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20110103883
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Seol, Young Man Woo, Gi Yong Sung
  • Publication number: 20110033227
    Abstract: A ball joint assembly for a vehicle includes a ball stud having a ball on a shaft, a pair of bearing members roll-contacted with the ball of the ball stud, a seat member supporting an exterior circumference of the bearing members, and an outer case enclosing the seat member. According to the ball joint assembly for a vehicle, the outer case and the bearing members are separately provided, and the seat member is formed of a molding portion insert-molded between the outer case and the bearing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ILJIN.CO.LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-Sung KWON
  • Patent number: 7845875
    Abstract: The light articulation ball-joint comprises a metal inner ring and a metal outer ring, provided respectively with a spherical outer surface and a spherical inner surface. The ball-joint also comprises a first contact layer, applied to the spherical surface of one of the rings, and a second contact layer, applied to the spherical surface of the other ring. According to the invention, the first contact layer has a hardness which is less than the hardness of the second contact layer and a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the second contact layer, the first contact layer further being adapted to release particles of solid lubricant by friction with the second contact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SKF Aerospace France
    Inventor: Benjamin Julliere
  • Patent number: 7837407
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Federal Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger G. Sellers, Norman F. Curtis, Yanjun Xue, George R. Schmidt, Scott Warhover, Thomas J. Byrnes
  • Patent number: 7793952
    Abstract: A ball joint integrated knuckle and an assembling method thereof is provided. The ball joint integrated knuckle includes: a knuckle integrating a housing formed with a first screw thread on its one side surface; and a ball joint having a thread seat formed with a second screw thread, wherein the ball joint is integrated into the knuckle by combining the first screw thread of the housing of the knuckle with the second screw thread of the thread seat of the ball joint. Thus, it is possible to easily attach/detach the ball joint with respect to the knuckle by combining/removing the ball joint using the first screw thread, formed in an inner circumferential surface of the housing integrally formed with the knuckle, and the second screw thread formed in an external circumferential surface of the thread seat. Also, according to the present invention, the ball joint is not manufactured as a finished product, but provided as kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Dong-A Automotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Sung Kwon
  • Patent number: 7785029
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Schaumann
  • Publication number: 20100158603
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint, for example, for an axle system of a motor vehicle, as well as to a process for manufacturing a joint housing for a ball and socket joint. The ball and socket joint has an essentially annular joint housing (3), in the cylindrical interior space of which a ball shell (1) can be arranged. The ball (2) of a ball pivot can be accommodated in the ball shell (1) in a slidingly movable manner, and the joint housing (3) has elevations (10) and/or depressions (15) arranged in the area of its inner jacket surface (13, 14) for engagement with the surface of the ball shell (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Matthias Behre, Christian Maassmann, Jens Bach, Dirk Adamczyk, Reinhard Stöterau, Jean-Paul Castanet, Marc Rochigneux
  • Patent number: 7695212
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, with a housing (4) having a wall (7), a bottom (8) and an opening (9), with a ball pivot (3), which has a joint ball (1) and a pivot (2). The ball pivot is mounted with the joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in the housing (4) and the pivot extends out of the housing (4) through the opening (9). An electronic component (14) is arranged in the housing (4). An electrically conductive connection (17) is arranged in the housing (4) and is electrically connected to the component (14). The electrically conductive connection (17) extends out of the housing (4) from the component (14) in the area of the opening (9) or through the opening (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Metin Ersoy
  • Patent number: 7665927
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved swivel joint for use as part of a cable-guided fishing assembly. The swivel joint contains a bearing assembly comprising a series of ball bearings partially encased by an inner and outer race. During a cable-guided fishing operation, the inner and outer race exert a shearing, rather than compression, force on the ball bearing due to the unique configuration of the bearing assembly. This unique configuration increases the strength of the bearing assembly, and the corresponding strength of the swivel joint, without necessitating an increase in the outer diameter of the swivel joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: National-Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Bosley, Aditya V. Soman, David P. Ross, James R. Streater, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7644500
    Abstract: A method for assembling a ball and socket assembly (10) includes loading a housing (14) with a resilient preload washer (28), an inner bearing (30), a ball stud (12) and an outer bearing (36). A loading tool (50) forcefully compresses the assembled components, as a unit, to an overload compression condition (54), and then reduces the compression until an ideal compression condition (56) is achieved. The outer bearing (36) is staked in position while the loading tool (50) holds the assembled components in the ideal compression condition (56). Following the staking operation, the loading tool (50) can be removed, and a final crimping operation permanently sets the outer bearing (36) in position and holds the articulating components in the ideal, pre-load clearance established. The subject method is particularly well-suited for high production set-ups in which precise pre-load clearances must be achieved at high through put rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: George Schmidt, Larry Fitch, Donald Doherty
  • Patent number: 7641413
    Abstract: A ball joint is provided that when a load equal to or greater than a first predetermined value is applied in the axial direction of a ball stud, if a cushion seat is deformed by a predetermined amount, an opposing surface portion contacts a first load receiving portion of a ball seat, preventing the cushion seat from being deformed by a predetermined amount in the central axis direction. When a load equal to or greater than a second predetermined value greater than the first is applied in the axial direction of the ball stud, a second load receiving portion of the ball seatcontacts a bottom surface portion of an inner chamber of a socket, whereby an axial load onto the cushion seat is reduced, and the ball seat prevents the cushion seat from being deformed by a predetermined amount or more in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventors: Kazuharu Shimazu, Takahiro Oda
  • Publication number: 20090308681
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Brunneke
  • Publication number: 20090288297
    Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud, a generally cylindrical bearing, a housing and a retainer which retains the bearing in the housing. The generally cylindrical bearing has an upper end, a lower end, a generally cylindrical exterior sidewall, an upper flange located between the upper end and a ring groove formed in the exterior sidewall, a lower flange proximate the lower end and extending outwardly from the exterior sidewall and a socket cavity that opens toward the lower end. The ball portion of the ball stud is engaged in and retained within the socket cavity. The bearing is secured within the housing in a bore within the housing by virtue of the working of the lower flange which is located within a counterbore of the housing and the upper flange and retainer located in the ring groove. Ball joints of the type described are able to resist a pull-out force of greater than 650 lbs and up to about 1200 lbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: George R. Schmidt, Tom Byrnes, Glen Parker
  • Publication number: 20090279944
    Abstract: A radial joint is provided for a motor vehicle with a metallic housing (1), through the opening (2) on one side of which a ball pivot (3) can be inserted into an interior space (4) of the housing (1). The joint ball (5) of the ball pivot (3) is mounted pivotably and rotatably in a bearing area of the interior space (4), and a pivot section (6) of the ball pivot (3), which section is connected to the joint ball (5), protrudes from the housing (1) through opening (2) of housing (1). The housing (1) has, in the area of its opening (2), a section (7), which is prepared by machining and which is deformed by a cold forming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Jürgen Schmitz, Christian Rziczny, Horst Pott, Benjamin Ziebart, Michael Heuer Hallmann
  • Publication number: 20090257819
    Abstract: A push-in connector provides for easy manufacturing and assembly using a flat-stamped flexible retainer clip. The retainer clip is inserted into the connector and flexes to snap-fit within in the connector. The flex of the clip also flexes wings of the clip which engage with a receiving boss. The flexion of the clip allows for easy push-in of the connector and sufficient resistance to accidental pull-out. The push-in connector design eliminates the need for screw-mounting of the connector. The connector assembly may be manufactured for use in connection with a variety of ball studs, as well as other items such as shafts of various objects and wires, or may be used a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Publication number: 20090232590
    Abstract: A joint for a motor vehicle is provided with a housing (5), a bearing shell (4) arranged in the housing (5), a bearing journal (3), which has a bearing area (1) and a pivot area (2) and which is mounted pivotably and/or rotatably in the bearing shell (4) with the bearing area (1). The joint has at least one tensioning device (33), which is arranged in the housing 5, is designed as a solid body and by which a mechanical stress exerted by the bearing shell 4 on the bearing area 1 can be changed. The bearing shell 4 is springy at least in some areas and is deformable by the tensioning means 33 in a springy manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Martin Rechtien, Joachim Spratte, Frank Budde, Armin Müller
  • Patent number: 7588384
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa
    Inventor: Toyoaki Yokohara
  • Publication number: 20090226244
    Abstract: A tie rod end includes a stud with a spherical ball at one end and a bearing having a concave spherical bearing running surface for sliding abutment with the ball. The contact area of the ball or the bearing running surface has a lubrication groove to facilitate channeling grease, wherein the grooved member is coated with a bonded lubrication coating. The lubrication coating reduces the initial preload torque from that which would be ordinarily be perceived as undesirable to a torque that is perceived as desirable. The lubrication coating is substantially consumed on the high contact area over about 100 to 500 thousand cycles, with the resulting torque being remaining greater than zero, which is also perceived as being desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas J. Byrnes, JR., Lawrence H. Fitch
  • Patent number: 7568841
    Abstract: A ball/socket link end assembly includes a link opening formed in the link end. A portion of the opening forms a spherical inner surface. A pair of ball entry slots are formed in the link end. The slots are spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of the opening, and extend only part way into the link end from one side thereof. The assembly also includes a removable truncated ball member with a spherical perimeter which matches the spherical inner surface. A clamp member is attachable to the link end. The clamp member is engagable with the ball to prevent removal of the ball from the link end when the ball is aligned with the entry slots. The clamp member is received in a recess formed in the link end adjacent to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert Lee Wood, Jr., Michael Dean Kollath
  • Patent number: 7537407
    Abstract: In a ball joint 10, when a ball stud 11 rotates about its center axis L, at the beginning of the rotation, a ball seat 12 can be elastically deformed in the rotational direction, whereby the rotational torque can be gradually increased as the rotational angle increases. In a region of the ball seat 12 where slits S are provided, the frictional engagement force between a spherical head portion 11a of the ball stud 11 and the ball seat 12 is made greater than the frictional engagement force between the ball seat 12 and the ball socket 13. Therefore, when the ball stud 11 rotates about its center axis L, the ball seat 12 elastically deforms in the rotational direction before the spherical head portion 11a starts to slip in relation to the ball seat 12 in the region where a lager fiction engagement force is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabuhsiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kotaro Shima
  • Publication number: 20090103974
    Abstract: A ball stud system that provides a ball stud that will not loosen easily under the application of repetitive side loading on the ball portion of the stud. The ball stud is secured to the vehicle steering knuckle arm using the combination of a tapered nut and tapered washer. The tapered nut includes slots and the pin of the ball stud an aperture. A cotter pin may be placed through the slots and aperture in order to further prevent rotation of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher Dendis, Lixin Chen, Lars David Moravy
  • Patent number: 7520691
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Daniel Dearing, Michael Cole, Ryan McBroom
  • Publication number: 20090097909
    Abstract: An exemplary joint mechanism (100) includes a pivot shaft (10), a joint (20), a rotary arm (30), and two bearings (50). The pivot shaft (10) is non-rotatable relative to the joint (20). The joint (20) is received in the rotary arm (30). The rotary arm (30) is rotatable relative to the joint (20). The two bearings (50) are fixed to an inner surface of the rotary arm (30). Each bearing (50) includes a concave inner surface, and the concave inner surface is engaged with a curved outer surface of the joint (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen, Meng-Hua He, Jian-Jun Li, Zheng-Qiang Song, Gang Cheng, Bing-Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 7516928
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Kalis, Joshua C. Reeson, Dale R. Langner, Paul E. Skelton
  • Patent number: 7510344
    Abstract: The invention is a joint structure of a ball joint and an arm, which includes: a ball stud having a spherical ball part and a shank part extending from the spherical ball part; a bearing cupping the spherical ball part of the ball stud; a housing holding the bearing therein; and an arm having a hole into which the housing is inserted. The housing has a circumferential groove in an outer-circumference surface thereof. The housing is adapted to be pressed into the hole of the arm. The groove functions to weaken a load by the arm after the housing is pressed into the hole of the arm. Thus, a pressure to the spherical ball part of the ball stud is inhibited so that a sliding characteristic of the ball stud is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Usashi Seimitsu Kogyo Kabushiki
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kondoh
  • Publication number: 20090080967
    Abstract: Joint or bearing arrangement (1) with a trunnion (2), the head (3) of which is moveable in relation to an accommodating joint socket (4), wherein the joint socket (4) is located in an accommodating cavity acting as a housing (5) when assembled and is moveable axially in relation to the latter, formed so that the joint socket (4) has a reinforcement (9) inhibiting its axial deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Matthias Gercke