Abstract: A hitch ball (20) with a mating first set of shells (25a and 25b) and optionally a second set of shells (27a and 27b) to increase the diameter of the ball to accommodate various sized hitch assemblies (11) are described. In a preferred form detents (25e and 25f) in the first set of shells are provided in a recess (23) in the ball. Detents (27c and 27d) are provided on the detents (25e and 25f) of the first set of shells. The invention provides safe and effective mounting of the sets of shells on the hitch ball and prevents the shells being used on a conventional hitch ball which might not be rated for the increased capacity provided by the larger ball size.

Abstract: A ball joint including a socket defining a chamber and having an opening. The ball joint also includes a ball stud having a ball portion and a shank portion. The ball portion is located in the chamber of the socket. The shank portion of the ball stud projects through the opening in the socket. The chamber has a shape generally conforming to the shape of the ball portion of the ball stud. Electrorheological fluid is interposed between the ball portion of the ball stud and the socket for resisting relative movement between the ball stud and socket. The viscosity of the electrorheological fluid is variable as a function of the magnitude of an electric field applied thereto to vary the resistance to relative movement between the ball stud and the socket. The electric field applied to the electrorheological fluid is controlled to control the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid and thereby control the relative movement between the ball stud and the socket.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for motor vehicles includes a joint ball (1) provided on a pivot pin (2) mounted movably in a sliding shell (4) made of plastic. A zone of grooves (8) are provided for receiving lubricant on an inner surface of the sliding shell. The sliding shell is inserted into a housing (5) whose inner wall closely surrounds the outer wall of the sliding shell (4). In the zone of the grooves receiving the lubricant, flat recesses (9), which permit radial deformation of the sliding shell (4) in the direction toward the housing, are provided between the housing (5) and the sliding shell (4).

Abstract: A universal joint yoke has a ball and socket connection at one end. The ball is held in the socket with an assembly of a retainer and a hidden spring. The spring is rectangular and is compressed into an external rectangular groove of the retainer. The retainer is then inserted into a recess at the end of the socket. The retainer must be inserted past its final farthest-in position for the spring to expand into an internal rounded groove in the recess to assure a loose connection without any preload on the ball.

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: A self-aligning bearing structure for vacuum cleaner brushes and the like includes a plastic sleeve and a metal bearing element. The sleeve is initially formed with a flared end, allowing the bearing element to be inserted to provide a subassembly. The subassembly is then pressed axially into a cylindrical bore in the vacuum cleaner brush body. During such insertion, the flared end is deflected inwardly to produce a spherical socket which mates with a spherical periphery on the bearing element. Relative rotation between the sleeve and bearing element is prevented by a plurality of peripherally spaced teardrop-shaped projections formed on the sleeve which fit into teardrop-shaped recesses on the bearing element. The recesses are sufficiently closely spaced and are shaped in cooperation with the projections so that the recesses and projections automatically interfit upon assembly, and can therefore be assembled by automated equipment which does not require special orientation means.

Abstract: A ball joint wherein a global head of a ball stud is covered with a bearing seat made of a hard synthetic resin so that the global head is movable in the bearing seat, a shank formed integral with the ball stud is projected from the global head, the bearing seat with the ball stud is pressed into a housing having openings at both ends, so that the shank of the ball stud is projected out of the opening at one end of the housing, engagement portions at both ends of the bearing seat are brought into engagement with the corresponding ends of the housing, and at least one of the engagement portions of the bearing seat is heated and caulked over the corresponding end of the housing to securely fix the bearing seat to the housing.

Abstract: A socket bearing for use in a ball and socket joint includes a plurality of lubrication grooves, some having annular, others having helical, orientations over the interior surface thereof. In a preferred form, the socket is cup-shaped having a spherical interior surface, and includes three parallel radially oriented annular grooves intersected by three longitudinally oriented helical grooves. Each groove defines a radius, and each pair of adjacent grooves defines a land between the grooves. An interface boundary is defined by one side of one groove and the land associated with the side of that particular groove. The interface boundary is radiused, wherein the radius thereof has a value of at least fifty percent of that of the radius of the groove.

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 joint has a cylindrical socket which is opened at at least one end thereof, an inner joint portion having a ball-shaped portion and at least one shaft portion integral with the ball-shaped portion, a bearing portion fitted in the socket portion and having a recess which has a configuration complementary to the outer configuration of the inner joint portion, the recess rockably and slidably supports the ball portion of the inner joint portion, the bearing portion being supported at an and of the socket opposite to the open end of the socket by a flange portion which projects radially inward from the end of the socket opposite to the open end, a support member disposed within the opening of the open end of the socket at the on end side and capable of cooperating with the flange portion in supporting the bearing portion in the axial direction, and a boot portion disposed between the shaft portion of the inner joint portion and the socket so as to prevent foreign matter from coming into a gap between the slidin

Abstract: A piston assembly including a plastic piston defining a socket at its rear face and a metallic annular insert member positioned within the socket and receiving the piston rod of the piston assembly in acting to increase the effective area over which the loading from the piston rod is applied to the plastic piston so as to allow the plastic piston to be used in environments where it might otherwise fail due to the high stress loading. The annular insert also includes prongs struck from the main body portion of the insert member and coacting with an annular shoulder on the piston rod to preclude axial withdrawal of the piston rod from the piston and further includes an annular flange portion which acts to facilitate positioning of the insert member in the socket in the piston and further acts to define the fully retracted or extended position of the piston in coaction with a snap ring on the inner periphery of the associated cylinder.

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 joint for motor vehicles comprises a plastic bearing member (2) located between a ball head (1) or a ball and a joint housing (3). The bearing member has a rim flange (9) that lies against an inner step (10) in the joint housing (3). A closing part has an inner surface which lies under a preload against the rim flange (9) and an outer surface engaged by a rolled-in rim (13) of the joint housing (3). The rolling process is thereby simplified and, at the same time, securing of the bearing member against rotation is achieved, while smaller variations of the operational characteristics are attained. To this end, the joint housing (3) has a second inner step (12), displaced radially outward for supporting the inner surface of the rim of the closing part. The distance, in the axial direction of the stud, between the first inner step (10) and the outer step (12) determines the maximum deformation of the rim flange (9) by the closing part lying against the rim flange under preload.

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: The present invention concerns an improvement in force directing apparatus for transmitting force in respective longitudinal directions from a first shaft to a second shaft where the longitudinal axis of such shafts may be misaligned. The shaft coupling apparatus hereof comprises a compound collar means, and a compound force-directing washer means disposed within the collar means. The collar means preferably comprises two portions which are threadably secured to each other, and which contain a central bore portion therein. A compound force-transmitting washer means is disposed therein and includes washer means formed from the group consisting of materials which differ in chemical composition and materials which differ in hardness. Such compound force-transmitting washer means functions to minimize cold flow and self-adhesion which would otherwise over time and use bind the washer layers together.

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 joint includes a bearing which exerts a free play take up force against a ball stud. The bearing has trapezoidal-shaped spring arms connected therewith and disposed in a radial array. The free ends of the spring arms extend toward the longitudinal central axis of the ball stud. The free ends of the spring arms engage a housing cover and resiliently deflect to exert the free play take up force against the ball stud. The free ends of the spring arms are spaced from the ball stud.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint prosthesis, e.g. a hip joint prosthesis, which comprises an outer shell element, a ball component, and a replaceable bearing insert element positioned between the shell and the ball component. The bearing insert has a generally spherical inside surface which encompasses more than half of the ball component to thereby retain it. The insert has an outside surface shaped to mate with the inside surface of the shell, and the shell element and the insert element have a locking mechanism consisting of a protruding portion which extends a major distance around a side surface of one element which locks into a mating depression in the other element.

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 joint comprised of a ball with a shank, a socket having slots on the open side thereof, a steel ring with a lever for accommodating the ball joint, and a clamping mechanism which is fitted as a one-piece unit to the socket, said clamping unit being adapted to also effect clamping of the upper portion of the socket and to afford force and form-locking stabilization thereof. The clamping unit for effecting biasing in axial direction of the socket with the steel ring forming the housing of the ball joint is in the form of a knee-lever mechanism. This mechanism includes hook-like members which are arranged on the socket, said hook-like members being linked with a centrally disposed and axially displaceable thrust member. The thrust member serves as a manipulating means for actuating the knee-lever mechanism.

Abstract: A ball joint socket of a ball joint of a motor vehicle comprising a bearing holding the ball joint and a ball shell integral with a caulking portion, wherein the caulking portion is smaller in thickness than the ball shell, and the caulking portion is bent so that the ball joint is prevented from escaping from the ball joint socket.

Abstract: A socket bearing assembly for a constrained ball and socket joint is provided which comprises: (a) a plastic socket bearing having a wall and a spherically-shaped cavity which has an opening defined by a rim for receiving the ball, the opening being smaller than the ball, and the wall having at least two cuts therethrough which extend from the rim towards the equator of the spherically-shaped cavity and which divide the portion of the wall in the vicinity of the opening into at least two flexible segments which can move apart to allow the ball to enter the cavity; (b) a reinforcing band; and (c) means associated with the bearing for attaching the band to the bearing at a location where the band can prevent the flexible segments from moving apart, thereby constraining the ball in the bearing. The bearing assembly is easily assembled in the operating room making it simpler for surgeons to use constrained ball and socket joints in both original and replacement implantations.

Abstract: A ball joint that cannot be disassembled intended for use in a brake booster. The ball joint comprises a first, substantially rod-like component, which has a ball head; a second component, which has an insertion opening, which narrows in funnel-like fashion in the area of its beginning and is provided with an annular groove spaced apart from the beginning, a radially elastic securing ring, which is insertable into the insertion opening and lockable into place in the annular groove, as well as a sleeve, which has an annular groove for receiving the securing ring during the insertion into the insertion opening until it locks into place in the detent provided by the annular groove of the outer component. The sleeve surrounds the ball head in an articulated and undetachable manner.

Abstract: In an adjustable automobile mirror system of either the manual type or a three-cable operated type including a mirror anchored to a mirror retainer whose position is adjustable relative to a mirror housing, the improved mounting of the mirror retainer upon the mirror housing which comprises a part-spherical head upon the housing and a pivot block having a socket movably mounted upon the head. Resilient detents on the mirror retainer receive and retainingly engage the pivot block for movements therewith. One detent is manually yieldable to facilitate selective assembly of the mirror retainer on and disassembly from the pivot block.

Abstract: A joint housing has mounted therein a bearing supporting a ball portion of a ball stud, extending outwardly therefrom, so as to allow angular displacement thereof. The ball portion comprises a greater diameter portion of the ball stud, such as a sphere-segmental head on its extreme end, and a sphere-segmental shell coaxially surrounding the ball stud with a spacing therebetween. The shell has an inturned annular rim at one end thereof in an opposed relation to an annular shoulder provided by the head of the ball stud. A one-piece elastomeric bushing is injection molded in place between the ball stud and the shell. Part of the bushing further fills the annular gap between the shoulder of the ball stud and the inturned rim of the shell. Preferably prestressed, this part of the bushing serves to prevent the development of looseness with the progress of wear and further to minimize the axial displacement of the ball stud relative to the joint housing under load.

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.

Abstract: A ball joint at the end of a track rod of a steering system has a ball pin rotatable in a socket at the end of the track rod. The spherical head of the ball pin has an extension on which a slug is slidable. The slug is constrained to move in a direction axially of the track rod in an aperture in the base plug which closes the socket.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a ball joint for motor vehicles, with two substantially hemispherical bearing shells (4, 5), set between a joint housing (1) and a ball head (3), of which the inner has on its outer side several ridges (8) for support in the joint housing (1). To simplify the mounting of the ball joint and to produce flat lubricant pockets (9) on the inner side of the inner bearing shell (4), it is proposed that the wall thickness (S1) of the inner bearing shell (4), designed in one piece, be greater, in the zone of the ridges (8) than the gap width between the joint housing (1) and the ball head (3), and that the wall thickness (S2), in the zone between the ridges (8), be equal to or less than half the wall thickness (S1) in the zone of the ridges (8), the inner bearing shell (4) being made of a soft-elastic plastic and the outer bearing shell (5 ) being made of a hard-elastic plastic.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a ball joint for motor vehicles comprising a bearing insert (4) located between a joint housing (1) and a ball head (3). The bearing insert is provided with meridionally extending slots (9) arranged in a half-portion gripping of the ball head over the equator. A clamping ring (5) located in the housing grips the tongues (10) of this bearing insert (4). To improve the elasticity of the bearing parts while retaining a good distribution of lubricant, the clamping ring (5) is provided with circumferential grooves (13) on its inner surface and with openings (15) in the outer end surface (14).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing ball joints or other self-lubricated joints, comprising placing the inner ring of the ball joint in a heat-retractable sheath of determined thickness and shrinking the sheath on this inner ring. The inner ring is then disposed in an outer ring blank which is then deformed so that the sheath is clamped between the outer and the inner ring. After machining of the blank, the assembly is treated so as to eliminate the heat-retractable sheath and thus form between the two rings a free space whose thickness corresponds to that of the sheath. A self-lubricating resin is then injected in this space.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for heavily loaded joint linkages in motor vehicles, comprises a ball stud with a spherical head, a socket embracing the spherical head and made of a material with limited elasticity, and a casing accommodating the socket and sealingly closed, on its side opposite to the ball stud, with a cambered cover of sheet metal. The cover applies by its inside and under biasing load against the deformable socket. In its portion contacting the socket, the cover is formed with a camber producing the effect that if the joint is loaded axially increasingly from the ball stud, the cover expands and becomes more tightly clamped in the casing.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is of the type in which a ball pin is supported by a bearing insert retained within a housing. The bearing insert has axial slots in one end which upon assembly of the joint allow the insert to be deformed in a more consistant manner. An annular groove in one end of the insert defines two thin lips one of which upon assembly is deformed to provide a preload to the joint.

Abstract: The invention refers to a ball joint for suspension of wheels of motor cars and the like. It is characterized thereby that the attachment portion which extends from the very ball is designed with or provided with a fixed mounting flange.

Abstract: A cylinder piston rod coupler for misaligned shafts attaches one shaft to a housing and an annular flange on a stud attached to the other shaft is positioned in the housing between a pair of guide members. A retaining ring in the housing holds the guide members and stud in movable relation and a floating seal closes the housing about the stud and retaining ring. The guide members and the stud are impregnated with TEFLON so as to form slippery surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A ball joint including a socket member having a recess therein for rockingly receiving a ball end of a ball member, and a retaining ring for retaining the ball end in the recess. The socket member is made of synthetic resin, and an annular plate member formed of metal is fitted in the recess for transmitting the force acting on the retaining ring from the ball member to the socket member.

Abstract: An oscillatable marine installation comprises a concrete and steel lattice shaft supported by means of a demountable pivot joint on a base fixed to the-sea-bed and including an anti-torque device. The pivot joint is made up of three parts: a casing fixed to the shaft, a part-spherical housing fixed to the base, and a pivot member. The pivot member has an upper part cooperating with the casing, a flange which can be fixed to the casing, and a lower part-spherical part housing which supports a resilient assembly and a bush fixed on the housing. The anti-torque device comprises a universal joint, concentric with the pivot joint. Two opposite pivots of the crosspiece of the universal joint are supported by the lower part of the shaft and the other two pivots by the base. At least two opposite pivots have damping devices and the pivots supported by the base are mounted on supports the height of which can be adjusted.

Abstract: A ball-jointed bearing arrangement of the piston heads in an axial piston machine within a drive flange wherein a bearing member formed of a material with good antifriction properties for receiving a piston head is seated in a recess of the drive flange whereby all bearing members are covered by a covering plate which is detachably fastened to the drive flange. The bearing member is formed of a spherically indented cup of a flat material, such as sheet metal, which is inserted into the respective recess, which recesses conform in shape, pitch circle and distribution to the piston heads, however, are constructed in conformance with the thickness of the respective spherical dished cup deeper and larger in diameter, and in which the covering plate is traversed by the piston heads and is fastened on the side of the drive flange towards the piston heads.

Abstract: A method of forming a plastic lined ball joint is disclosed using a preheated socket with wider than normal dimensional tolerances and a melt-in-place plastic socket liner which melts on forced contact with the heated socket so as to exactly conform with and seat in the socket whereafter the assembly is then quenched to solidify the liner to effect a tight fit with the socket.

Abstract: A ball joint having an annular bearing member made of a plastic and mounted in an inner space of a socket and slidably embracing a head portion of a ball stud. A plurality of grooves are formed in the outer peripheral surface of said bearing member contacting the inner surface of said inner space of said socket so as to extend in the axial direction of said ball stud. A multiplicity of minute convexities and concavities are formed in the spherical inner surface of said bearing member facing said head portion of said ball stud.

Abstract: The universal joint construction for use at the bottom of a connection between a surface platform and a foundation anchored on the bottom of the sea comprises an outer top ball cup which is adapted to be connected up to the platform and an inner bottom ball cup disposed within the outer top ball cup enclosing the bottom thereof. The inner ball cup has an exterior in slidable engagement with the interior of the outer ball cup and a bell forming an enclosed pressure space is defined between the exterior of the upper cup and the bottom cup. In addition a ring seal bearing is defined between the inner bottom ball cup and the outer top ball cup adjacent the edge of the outer top ball cup. The interior of the bottom ball cup carries a plurality of shoes which bear in sliding engagement with the interior of the top ball cup.

Abstract: A universal joint construction comprises a plastic housing casing portion which includes an interior cavity forming a ball receiving socket which has an opening in a wall bounding the opening exteriorally of the socket which is bevelled outwardly to an end from the socket. The exterior of the wall is bevelled outwardly in a direction toward the socket. The exterior of the housing casing has an annular groove around the socket which is adjacent to the wall. A ring portion is advantageously formed integral with and connected to the casing by a connecting web of slight thickness. The ring portion has a bore with a radially inwardly extending collar of a diameter to engage over the bevelled wall and be advanced over the bevelled portion of the wall to cause the inward deflection of the wall so as to permit the collar to move beyond the bevelled wall and engage in the groove.

Abstract: A ball-joint assembly having a two-part hinged plastic bearing member adapted to be positioned about the ball portion of a ball-stud member and be placed within an aperture formed in a link having a plurality of upstanding tabs which are adapted to be bent over for maintaining the ball-stud member and bearing member in the end of the link.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud (10) which is received within a bearing (14) for attachment to a socket (18). The bearing (14) is provided with a plurality of grooves (38) and ridges (40). The ridges form an interference fit with the socket (18) to preload the ball joint assembly.

Abstract: A joint assembly has a member disposed within and movable relative to a housing from a first position through an intermediate position to a third position. A bearing member located between the movable member and the housing cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively low frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the first position to the intermediate position. The bearing member also cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively large frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the intermediate position to the third position. The bearing member preferably is laminated and has inner and outer surfaces formed of different materials.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint for use in replacing the ball end of a biological joint, the replacement including a spherical head for insertion into a natural socket, an insert in the head and locked therein by an inwardly projecting ring in the head and a groove in the insert, a ball shaped member seated in the insert and having a neck and a stem for mounting the joint on the end of the biological member on which the ball is being replaced and a ring having a downwardly and inwardly sloping outer wall seating in a recess in the plastic insert and locking the ball shaped member in the insert.

Abstract: The ball joint for the suspension system of automobiles, in which as a load-supporting seat, a multi-layer material provided with the synthetic resin layer having self-lubricating ability and abrasion resistance is used on the surface of the back metal, while as an opposite seat to a ball stud, synthetic resin having self-lubricating ability and wear resistance is used, and constituted so as to keep securely load support applied on the ball head by both seats.

Abstract: A ball socket assembly having a ball received in a socket member to swivel relative to the latter with the ball initially inserted into a first end portion of an elongated slot in the socket member and then shifted to the second end portion of the slot. A flange is formed on the socket member at the opening of the slot generally around the second end portion thereof to retain the ball in the socket member and a wedge is slidable in the socket member across the first end of the slot to assume an active position in which it holds the ball in the second end portion of the slot. A lip on the wedge engages the ball and holds the wedge in the active position.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a housing having a bore. A ball is received in the bore. Means is provided to restrain the ball against withdrawal from the bore and another means restrains the ball against excessive penetration into the bore. The housing material is recessed at the region of the bore on which the ball bears in its restrained position. The recess receives a bearing annulus of synthetic plastics material having low friction and good wearing characteristics.

Abstract: An axial ball and socket joint particularly for steering suspensions of motor vehicles comprises a joint housing which has a first opening at one end and an opposite second opening at the opposite end and an interior surface which is at least partially spherical. A joint pin extends through the first opening and has a spherical ball head disposed within the housing and is journalled on a socket of elastic plastic for universal pivotal movement in the housing. The housing has a rim edge adjacent the second opening extending outwardly from the spherical surface with an inturned edge forming a ledge or underface which is partially spherical and is opposite to and spaced from the ball head.

Abstract: Articulated earthmoving vehicle, e.g. articulated wheel loader comprises two chassis frames, one of which supports the vehicle drive units and the other one the working tools. Both chassis frames are pivotable relative to each other about two joints arranged vertically one above the other for steering the vehicle. Both joints consist of a ball joint of which at least one is adjustable in vertical direction and can accommodate misalignment of the frames at the steering joints.